Daily Devotional

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9: [8] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Observation: God has given us grace, abilities, has taken care of our needs and everything else it takes to do good works. Not just every once in awhile, but all the time in every good work. We have no excuse not to do good things in glory and honor to God. It is not by our abilities that we accomplish these things, but by God, all He needs is a willing heart.

Application: To have that willing heart all the time, not just when I want to do something. God has given me His all, all the time, the least I can do is be obedient. I need to honor God by being available all the time to His calling.

Prayer: Dear Lord show me how to give my all to You. Take this laziness away and give me the heart of a loving servant.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8: [21] For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

Observation: Why should I care to do things right in the eyes of men? I am here to be a representative for Christ. Paul won the hearts of men so he could preach the gospel, otherwise no one would have listened. I need to be like Christ doing what is right, loving and caring to draw people to Him. My actions should prove to others I belong to God.

Application: Whatever I do, God is always watching and so are other people. Stop trying to get the praise of others and focus on how my actions and speech so it honors God.

Prayer: Dear Lord only with you can I become this man you desire me to be. Apart from you I can do nothing. Guide me each moment and show me how to honor you.

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

Observation: If I’m truly sorry that I did something against God’s will and feel it hurt Him I will try much harder not to do it again. Also I should be more aware not to do anything that would offend God. On the other hand worldly sorrow is feeling bad because you got caught, which just leads to ways to do the same thing over but only to be more careful I don’t get caught.

Application: First think before I even take any action, whether it is right or wrong. Be careful of what I say, making sure it is the truth and said for the right reason. However when I do or say something that is not honoring to God, beg for forgiveness right away.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me to be a better man in glory and honor to you. Forgive me of my sinful ways and draw me closer to you.

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

Observation: This is the way a true Christian should be if they have the faith God calls us to have. God has been so faithful to me, yet I doubt. I should always be rejoicing instead I get self centered, I am not poor, yet I don’t do my part to help others the way God calls me to. I do possess everything, because God has loved and gave me salvation through His son.

Application: I need to be a better Christian. Stop focusing on myself, but focus on the God who loves me. Show others what God has done for me. Start being God’s instrument for others. Reach out and introduce others to their God.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for all you’ve done and are doing for me. Show me how to be a blessing to others in your name.

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: I need to be in Christ not just call myself a Christian. In Christ I will be filled with love for God and others. I would not be selfish, but giving, I will not be self centered, I would truly be a new creation. Even though I’m much different then I was I still have a long way to go.

Application: To be in Christ and focus on being more like my Lord each day and make an effort to be different.

Prayer: Dear Lord take charge and change this servant’s heart and mind to glorify you.

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: My focus each day is more what is seen, my work, finances and my enjoyment. At the end of each day the time I spend honoring God compared to the time I spend focused on things of this world, well God comes up short each day. My creator, the giver of life both now and for eternity receives so little of me, yet I receive everything good from Him.

Application: Instead of fixing my eyes on the things seen, which are the same each day, I need to fix them on my God. I know what He desires of me, He wants me to serve others in His name, draw nearer to Him in prayer and reading His word, and to become more like His Son.

Prayer: Dear Lord wake me up each morning with my eyes and heart set on You. Strengthen me so I do not stray during the course of the day, but that I stay on the path you choose for me.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3: [18] And we, who with 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: Unveiled faces mean we show the love of Christ in our lives. Who don’t hide who we are from the world, but speak up to the miracles Jesus has done in our lives. The more we act like Christ the more we are transformed into His likeness and the closer we are to accomplishing our purpose. This is not something we do on our own, but allow the Holy Spirit to do through us.

Application: Stop trying to take control all the time and trust in the Holy Spirit. Stop pleasing man but put my faith in God and live to glorify Him. Focus on why God has created me.

Prayer: Dear Lord take charge of your servant and guide me through this life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and transform my mind into the likeness of Christ.