25 Saturday Jun 2016
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It is not enough to just know the truth. If we are not transformed into a new person, then we miss the power of the Gospel. In Romans 2:13 Paul says, For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. Obeying the Law is not what saves us, but when we are truly changed by the power of God, we are made righteous and it reflects from everything we are.
24 Friday Jun 2016
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God’s power is shown most clearly through the sacrifice of Christ for our eternal salvation. In Romans 1:16 Paul addresses the Romans, I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. God loved us so much, despite our sin, He gave us a way to be with Him for eternity. We must never be ashamed of the gift He freely gave.
23 Thursday Jun 2016
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Most of us, especially Americans, feel life is not successful unless we get a lot out of it. In today’s reading Paul feels what he puts into life is far more important than what he gets out of it. In Acts 20:24 he says, However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. This life is temporary and we will get very little out of it unless what we put into it is our focus. Nothing is as fulfilling as doing the will of God and knowing it has an eternal impact.
22 Wednesday Jun 2016
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As we come to the end of the second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul gives them some final instructions in 2 Corinthians 13:11, Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Notice how Paul tells them to “Aim” for perfection. He does not say “BE” perfect. God does not want our perfection, He wants a heart that aims for it. In the process we must realize we are weak and God is the only source of power that can give us the strength we need. We will never be perfect on this side of eternity, but we must never stop striving for it. It is through our striving we seek His strength and His perfect plan for our lives.
21 Tuesday Jun 2016
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In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul recounts what God says to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God’s power is like light entering a dark room. The darker the room, the more brilliant the light. Our weakness magnifies God’s strength. In the end, it is important for us to remember it is all for His glory. Thank God I am not expected to be perfect.
20 Monday Jun 2016
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Just as John the Baptist made it clear in John 3:30 of his place in comparison with Christ when he said He must become greater, I must become less, in 2 Corinthians 11:30 Paul says, If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. Our weakness is God’s strength. No matter what area of life we may think we are strong, God is stronger. When we submit to the power that can only come from the Spirit living in us, we finally experience our full potential in service to God.
18 Saturday Jun 2016
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When we try to battle the world on its terms and on its timing, we lose every time. Paul points out in 2 Corinthians 10:3, For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. Engaging the world in a battle of words or actions, we will ultimately lead to failure every time. We must approach battle in a different way: though prayer and trusting the Lord. We cannot battle on our terms and with our own strength and expect to be victorious. God has the power to win and He deserves all the glory from victory if we just trust in Him.
17 Friday Jun 2016
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God’s provision for us is not easily quantified. We see some of His work in our lives, but the full scope of His provision is difficult to fully see. In 2 Corinthians 9:15 Paul says, Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! These are accurate words to describe what God gives to us. We see very little, but He is always with us and He is constantly doing work in us. Thanks be to Him.
16 Thursday Jun 2016
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Jesus gave up everything so that we could gain it all. In 2 Corinthians 8:9 Paul says, For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. Paul was not talking about monetary riches, but spiritual. He gave up His own access to God and His kingdom to sacrifice for us so that we would know eternity in Heaven with Him. Our debt for sin was paid and for that we must be thankful.
15 Wednesday Jun 2016
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When we work to alight our lives with God’s purpose and will for our lives, it leads us to repentance of sin that separates us from salvation that bridges the gap. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7:10, Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. When we allow ourselves to live in sin, and do nothing to resolve it, nothing exists but sorrow. Only through a relationship with God and acknowledgement of our sin do we find true salvation and reconciliation. Let us not find comfort in our sin because nothing good can ever come from it, only separation from God and death.
Daily Devotion 