Month: July 2020

Godly Sorrow

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7 [10] Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Observation: Godly sorrow is a sorrow caused by sin against God. It is our conscience telling us that we wronged God and need to repent so we can be made right again with him. The other sorrow is the sorrow most of us experience the sorrow of this world the focus of getting caught when we do something wrong, the focus of the things in this world which we use to replace our thoughts of how we are to be used by God.

Application: Stay focused on why we are really here, to serve God, not ourselves. When we feel sorrow ask ourselves why. Do we feel sorrow because we hurt God and was disobedient or to we feel sorrow because we hurt ourselves. I need to realize what I’m doing and when I’m disobedient to God repent and ask for forgiveness.

Prayer: Dear Lord open my eyes today to see your will in my life. Take the selfishness away from me and replace it with a focus on you.

Possessing Everything

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:[10] sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Observation: Yesterday I bought a grill I’ve wanted for some time. For some reason I felt I either needed or simply deserved it. Why do I continue to want things in this world when my Lord has given me everything? He has changed my mourning into dancing, he has meant all of my needs and has allowed me to spread the gospel so others may possess everything. Even though I am in this world, my focus needs to be on my eternal home.

Application: To be a better steward with all that God has given me and ask him what he wants me to do before I spend his money. Use my possessions and time for God’s glory and not my amusement and build my treasures in heaven. Before I act think what God will say to me on my judgment day as he recounts’ how I spent my time and money. Seek that I may hear well done good and faithful servant.

Prayer: Dear Lord I truly possess everything since I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Guide me this day to invest in the Kingdom and the lives of others in your name

I’m a New Creation

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5: [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Observation: WE shared in our last Bible study about the change we each have experienced when we were born again. The more I think about it the more amazed I am about what God has done in my life. I’m a totally different person and I keep changing as time goes on. I’m excited about the person I will be by the end of the race. I desire to only fulfill being the person that will please God

Application: Continue to seek God each day and ask for his direction and purposed in my life. Be aware of some of my old behaviors and avoid them and look at the things that please God and do has much as I can to glorify him.

Prayer: Dear Father I thank you for not letting me stay the man I was, a selfish and evil man. I thank you for your patience and desire for me to come to you. Help me on this journey that I will not let you down any more, but bring a smile on your face each day and make you proud of me. I truly love you and will try to be a better man each day. Do a work in me today that I may touch the life of someone in glory and honor to you.

What Do I Fix My Eyes On?

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Observation: Unfortunately to often my eyes are fixed on this world my troubles, my finances, my enjoyment of things and the things I see each day. I have my moments in prayer, reading, studying and in service that my eyes are fixed on my eternity and my love for God, but it’s not often enough. You would think by now I would spend more time with my Lord since it is my best time, but my eyes are fixed in the wrong place.

Application: To remember why I’m here. God didn’t put me here to desire or worry what is temporary, but to call me to a higher purpose, bring His children home. I wonder what it is I’m suppose to be doing, but if I fix my eyes and spend more time with my God he’ll tell me, he doesn’t want it to be a secret, but the reason I’m here.

Prayer: Dear Lord may my eyes be fixed on you. Speak to ma and guide me on this journey you have put me on. May all I see is you and the goal you set before me and may I finish this race well.

Reflecting God’s Glory

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:And we, who have unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit,

Observation: I’m to be the reflection of my Lord so others may see him through me. As I grow stronger in my walk with Jesus the Holy Spirit will increase his glory in my life. As I read more, serve and practice what God tells me in his Word I will become more and more the man God calls me to be, the likeness of his Son.

Application: I need to desire God’s glory above all things on this earth. I need to study more to understand what God wants of me, serve as Jesus would serve, act the way Jesus would act, love the way Jesus loves and show all this to others that have not found him so his glory shines so bright that it will lead others to him.

Prayer: Dear Lord fill me with your glory. Show me how to live this life that it will glorify you and be a beacon to others that are lost. I am your servant guide me today to fulfill the purpose you have created me for.

The Aroma of Christ

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Observation: When we are in God’s will fulfilling the purpose He has given us, to spread the gospel and seek out the lost in his name. We are like his son, Jesus. As we tell others and they accept the message of the gospel and are saved they also smell like the Son, but for those who are told and decide not to receive it is the smell of death.

Application: That God may smell the aroma of Christ in my life. That I will honor him by spreading the gospel in the way he has created me. He has given me a gift of being able to talk to people, that they seem comfortable around me, so I need to speak out in his name. Find every opportunity to proclaim the gospel and lead others to salvation through Jesus.

Prayer: My Lord may I not be silent, but proclaim Jesus’ name to whoever you put in my path. May I not get home and discover there are people that should have been with you through me, but may it be a reunion of those you have surrounded me with gathered to worship you.

He Comforts Us

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Observation: God has comforted me and healed me of my depression and has given that to me has a testimony to others. To share this testimony to give others hope that God can do anything and that He cares for us.

Application: God gave me this testimony to share with others and I need to do that more effectively and more often. God gave me hope and know it is time to tell others of the love God has for them.

Prayer: Dear God I thank you for your love, protection and care in my life. Show me how to witness to others and comfort them by telling them of your love. Show me how to use the resources you have given me to help others.