See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. – Colossians 2:8
Shared in the post “Spiritual Weapons” was an idea in how weapons like faith, hope and love can be used to overcome the enemy. The war we fight is a spiritual war and the weapons we use are spiritual weapons like faith, hope, and love. With these weapons, every negative thought from the enemy is taken captive.
Step Ahead of hate, iniquity, and other corrupting influences in your life that keep you down; instead desire the authenticity, sincerity and certainty that God provides. Use technology to make a positive impact on your life. Just a click away are scriptures, sermons, Christian blogs, and uplifting music. Available from any place or any time just by using your phone.
You are not defenseless because God will send out an army of angels to rescue you. These angels will offer you the weapons of faith, hope, and love. Just a click away is the uplifting song Rescue by Laren Daigle to rescue you today from the negatives of this world.
Paul addresses the people in 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 which includes false teachers who believed more in the power of worldly methods and practices rather than spiritual power from God. The war Paul is fighting is a spiritual war and the weapons were spiritual in nature. Rather than the weapons of physical wars like horse and chariot, Paul’s weapons included spiritual weapons like faith, hope, and love.
The enemy is Satan who uses negative thoughts of this world like unbelief, despair, and hate as weapons. Our purpose as followers of Christ are to make sure these negatives are replaced with the positives from the Lord. In so doing, more are ready to be brought to Christ and the enemy no longer has control over them.
This day with You Lord, we have a life transforming relationship with You. The things of this world do not control us. On a journey from here to there, you will take our personal strengths and turn them into more than we can imagine. This day, our prayer is to share. Initiate in our heart the desire to write words that give hope in a time of despair, courage in a time of doubt, and love in a time of hate. Amen.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7
As highlighted in the post “Give with Enthusiasm and Thanksgiving”, God initiates in our heart the eagerness and enthusiasm toward giving. The gift of Christ inspires in us the desire to give as a thanksgiving for what we have been given.
Take inspiration from the song When Love Sees You (Jesus) – Mac Powell. Be Christ like and bless others. Tell your story and others will see Christ in you. You will be blessed and others will be blessed because of you.
The principles in 2 Corinthians 9 include giving from the heart, being a cheerful giver, and expecting to be abundantly blessed by God. It all starts by being focused on the needs of others and being faithful to fulfilling commitments.
We should give with enthusiasm and thanksgiving. Let God initiate in our heart the eagerness and enthusiasm toward giving. Let the gift of Christ inspire in us the desire to give as a thanksgiving to God.
We reap what we sow therefore if we sow generously, we will reap generously (v. 6) so give from the heart and be a cheerful giver (v. 7). Then God will bless abundantly (v. 8).
Lord, this day we believe that investing in people’s needs provides for a bountiful harvest. Help us to see these needs today and initiate in our heart the desire to plant seeds generously. Help us to see the opportunities to express our gratitude for what you have blessed us with. Help us to examine our priorities, to enlarge our expectations, and do great things for You. Amen.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve shared some thoughts and ideas from the journey through 2 Corinthians 5-8. Paul explained there is reconciliation to God through Christ and because of this, we are a new creation. This new creation gives us big dreams to do amazing things like dream about amazing discoveries, find cures for diseases, and come up with new ideas for inviting people into God’s family. Nothing can compare to what this new creation can do if we listen, apply, and follow.
Paul face persecution, hardship, and rejection yet remained steadfast toward the purpose of establishing churches. Along the way, we may also face trials. The thing about life is the stress of being able to balance everything we would like to do and still fulfilling the mission God has for us. Therefore, there is a great need to study our priorities; go after first what is most important and then like the domino effect, our items on the task list start to fall one after another until the mission is accomplished.
Paul faced many challenges in establishing the Corinthian church. There was conflict, fear, and depression because he faced opposition and persecution. We face the same challenges today and when faced with a challenge, we need to focus on God. He’s not distant but near and the Holy Spirit links all believers together to meet every challenge.
Church building was a difficult task but Paul received encouragement from his helper Titus and this cheered him up. In the same way, we can offer some encouragement to each other. There is comfort found in the kindness of another person and inspiration from our Creator anytime there is a glorious sunrise, sunset or rainbow.
This day with God, share in the service of the Lord’s people. Giving should be out of the love of the Lord that overflows so that others are blessed. Excel with a desire to share with others. Generously feed souls and ask God to open doors so your treasure accrues in the hearts of many and fulfills a purpose that only God could imagine.
Paul was concerned about how the Corinthian church handled the collection of funds so he established standards of honesty to give a complete account of the use of the money received. He chose people of integrity to administer the church fund and also set up a system of accountability. The song If We’re Honest by Francesca Battistelli inspires the need for us all to lay our secrets down at the cross and be honest. Mercy is waiting on the other side if we are honest. Integrity sets us free, changes our lives, and is what God wants from you and me.
The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable to sharing about God’s word. as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with God amazing!
Questions for Reflection
2 Corinthians 9
What are the principles of giving in this section? In what ways are these principles a reality in your daily experience? What initiates thanksgiving to God?
2 Corinthians 10:1-6
What are the opinion of the people Paul now addresses? What is the war Paul fights and what are the weapons he uses? What or who is the enemy? How can you take every negative thought captive to obey Christ?
2 Corinthians 10:7-18
How does Paul defend himself in response to the men who oppose him at Corinth? Are your words and actions related? In what ways have you built others up recently?
2 Corinthians 11:1-15
Who are the enemies of Paul at Corinth? What is Paul’s concern for the Corinthians? What can you do to guard against being deceived by Satan?
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
What kind of people have been boasting to the Corinthians? What have they been boasting about? What are Paul’s qualifications and experiences that allow him to boast about being a courageous servant for Christ? What can you claim to qualify you as a courageous servant of Christ?
Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.
Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.
