I spent a lot of my life as a doer. Even as a young child, I was a stickler for rules and had to share the rules with others who I noticed were not complying. To me, there was a right way and a wrong way. There were boundaries, rules set in place for a … Continue reading Letter of the Law
Validation
Today’s devotion focuses on endorsement… validation… recommendation. The Message translates today’s verse this way: “Does it sound like we’re patting ourselves on the back, insisting on our credentials, asserting our authority? Well, we’re not. Neither do we need letters of endorsement, either to you or from you. You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. … Continue reading Validation
Deadly Stench
Are you a perfume of life and an odor of death? Let us hope you are both, because you should be both. Read 2 Corinthians 2:14-16. This passage says that for the people who are saved — the believers — that we should smell like the perfume of life. Why? Because we point to life, … Continue reading Deadly Stench
United Rebuke
In 2 Corinthians 2:6-7, we read: “I believe that your united rebuke has been punishment enough for him. Instead of more punishment, what he needs most is your encouragement through your gracious display of forgiveness” (TPT). The first thing we read in this passage is that we unite together as a body in the rebuke. … Continue reading United Rebuke
No Hidden Agenda
Today’s verse is blunt. No hidden agenda. We read in 2 Corinthians 1:12: “We rejoice in saying with complete honesty and a clear conscience that God has empowered us to conduct ourselves in a holy manner and with no hidden agenda. God’s marvelous grace enables us to minister to everyone with pure motives, not in … Continue reading No Hidden Agenda
Love and Kindness
Today, we are focusing on love and kindness. What is one of the things we are taught when we are young? To be kind. We are taught to share. We are taught to use manners. We are taught to be respectful. In 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, we read: “Remember to stay alert and hold firmly to … Continue reading Love and Kindness
Excel in Every Season
The CSB says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” The Passion Translation says it this way: “So now, beloved ones, stand firm, stable, and enduring. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We … Continue reading Excel in Every Season
Evil Companions
In 1 Corinthians 15:33, we read: “So stop fooling yourselves! Evil companions will corrupt good morals and character” (TPT). Simply put — ”Bad company ruins good manners” (MSG). Now if I ask you if you have evil companions, you will probably respond with a denial. It’s not easy for us to look at our friendships … Continue reading Evil Companions
Everything We Build Up
In 1 Corinthians 14:26, we read: “Beloved friends, what does all this imply? When you conduct your meetings, you should always let everything be done to build up the church family. Whether you share a song of praise, a teaching, a divine revelation, or a tongue and interpretation, let each one contribute what strengthens others” … Continue reading Everything We Build Up
Love
Today’s passage is known as the love passage. Typically this passage will be read at weddings; however, this is not a passage limited to marital relationships. Paul makes it clear that if we do not have love, we are nothing. Love should be behind everything we do and everything we say. Love should be our … Continue reading Love
