Category: 2 Corinthians

Aiming for Restoration – 2 Corinthians 13 – 2025 Day 264

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 52, 2 Corinthians 13

My heart breaks with Paul as he closes this letter. I know what it’s like to desire reconciliation and harmony with people who keep going back to their sin. It’s hard to stand by and watch as people continue to turn their backs on the goodness of God’s grace. But, ultimately, we aren’t in charge. We speak words of grace and truth, and we pray, and leave the results up to God.

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:11-14 ESV

Heavenly Father, I trust you in the good things and in the hard things. I know that often the hard things are the good things. Please encourage my heart so that I can encourage others. I pray for unity in the body of Christ. And I pray that the body of Christ would be a holy, separate people, unstained by the world. I pray that your children would be faithful to exhort their brothers and sisters to love and good deeds and to share the good news with the lost. Conform us to the image of your Son, Jesus Christ. May we be humble and kind and gentle and bold and courageous. In His Name I pray. Amen.

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Thorn in the Flesh – 2 Corinthians 12 – 2025 Day 263

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 51, 2 Corinthians 12

There are so many things that I used to be anxious about, especially the fear of death. I worried about fires, robbers, car accidents, and plane crashes. I am so thankful for God’s grace in freeing me from this fear. When I flew home from visiting my daughter, I was able to lay my hand on the shoulder of the woman sitting next to me, praying silently for her as she coped with her fear of flying by zoning out, watching videos on her phone.

Yet, I still struggle with fears of physical illness, infirmity, or pain. Death is no longer the enemy, but pain??? Nope. Don’t want it.

But that is exactly what God knows I need to keep me humble. A broken foot, a hurting elbow, a sore back, a horrendous allergic reaction to poison ivy, these things keep me dependent on the Lord. They push me to pray and to ask others to pray, too.

Is there a thorn that the Lord has graciously given you to keep you humble? Rather than being angry with Him, thank Him.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for all of Your grace. I see Your grace in the thorns and Your grace in the roses. Help me to give thanks in all circumstances. Help me to fix my eyes – and my mind – on You. Help me to walk by faith and not by fear. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Be Still my Soul – Selah

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Boasting only in the Lord: My One80 Experience – 2 Corinthians 10-11 – 2025 Day 262

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 50, 2 Corinthians 10-11

My life has gone from fearful to faithful and from boasting in myself to boasting in the Lord. As a result of being born again, I finally realize, like Paul in 2 Corinthians, that all my pride in my own accomplishments is for nothing.

Let the one who boasts,
boast in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 10:17 ESV

In my own flesh, I am selfish and proud. Left to myself, I want for my own praise and glory. It is only in Christ that I genuinely desire the good of another.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

2 Corinthians 11:30 ESV

It is with great fear and trepidation that I share about my own successes because I don’t want people to look at my life and see ME. I want you to look at my life and see what CHRIST has done. All glory and honor belong to Him. It is He who began a good work in me, and it is He who will be faithful to complete it.

I’m honored to have been interviewed for the One80 podcast. One80 features all different types of people who have experienced a 180° change in their lives as a result of meeting Jesus Christ. And by God’s grace, they stumbled upon my book and asked me to share my testimony with their listeners. I hope you will take a listen and subscribe to hear more testimonies of God’s power and mercy. You can find them on Spotify, on their website, or on whatever podcast player you prefer.

Heavenly Father, You are the All-Worthy God, the Creator and Sustainer of life, the Giver of every good gift. Help us all to make our boast in You and You alone. Keep us from boasting in our own strength and remind us that our testimony and our talents belong to You. We pray that You will draw many into Your kingdom through Your Word and Your children. In the Name of Jesus Christ who died that we might have life. Amen.

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

Psalm 34:1-3 ESV

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV

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Genuine Generosity – 2 Corinthians 8-9 – 2025 Day 261

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 49, 2 Corinthians 8-9

Have you ever thought about the idea that true love cannot be forced?

I can make my kids do lots of stuff. Sometimes all I have to do is ask, but sometimes my request needs more incentives, maybe offering a reward (or a punishment) for compliance.

  • “Sweetheart, would you please go empty the dishwasher?”
  • “Honey, please go clean your bedroom?”
  • “After you finish mowing the lawn, I’m going to take you out for ice cream.”
  • “If you don’t get all your schoolwork finished by 4 o’clock, there will be no media for the rest of the day. Get going!”

But, does love work that way? Can I compel my children to love something … or someone? I may be able to force some kind actions, but genuine love from the heart, by definition, requires a person to freely and willingly give of themselves.

Likewise, genuine generosity can never be forced. If your parents, your pastor, or your government demands that you share your stuff with someone else, then you are no longer being generous.

Part of what makes the Macedonian churches’ generosity in 2 Corinthians 8 so remarkable is that they were giving generously “beyond their means, of their own accord.” (2 Corinthians 8:3) I want to be more like that. I want to give generously, willingly, and cheerfully, of my time, treasures, talents, and testimony, in both my abundance and my lack.

Heavenly Father, You delight in a cheerful giver. Help me to give sacrificially and cheerfully. Help me to give freely, rather than under compulsion. Help me to be generous with my time as well as my money. Help me to remember how much You have given to me, that there is nothing I have that I have not been given. Make me more like Jesus and less like the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Want more? Listen to this great sermon, “Generosity & Grace” by Austin Cox at Collierville Bible Church. 

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Grief – 2 Corinthians 7 – 2025 Day 259

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 47, 2 Corinthians 7

October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day, a day set apart each year to remember those babies that have gone from our arms too soon.

In God’s providence, unaware of this date (or had it just not been established yet?) I had planned my own baby’s memorial service for October 15, 1998, because it was the one-month anniversary of his passing. In today’s reading in 2 Corinthians 7, I was struck by verse 10.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV

The greatest times of growth in my life have always come on the heels of the greatest griefs. Sometimes that grief has taken the form of physical and emotional pain – losing a baby, marriage and parenting struggles, and financial hardships. Sometimes that grief has taken the form of spiritual pain, the result of grieving over my own past or present sin.

And yet, it is quite possible for that very same grief to turn us away from God rather than toward Him. The loss of a baby, the infidelity of a spouse, a wayward child, the recognition of our own sin, all of these things can drive us to doubt God’s presence or goodness.

This, I believe, is one result of what Paul here calls “worldly grief,” grief turned inward rather than heavenward. We think God must not care for us if He has allowed such pain to enter our lives, forgetting the profound wisdom of a mother who chastens her child for his good.

Do you find yourself today in the midst of an unending sea of grief? Cry out to God. Ask Him to rescue you by the mercies of His Son, Jesus, who came to Earth to seek and save the lost, who surrendered His own life that you might have the gift of eternal life.

Heavenly Father, I lift up the person reading this post. I pray that You will draw them into Your loving arms. I pray that You will chasten them like a wayward lamb, that they will come running through the narrow gate of Christ and find safety in the fold of forgiveness. You are so good. I am so thankful for Your righteous judgment and Your boundless mercy. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Good Shepherd and King, I pray. Amen.

Blessings – Laura Story

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I am a Temple of the Living God – 2 Corinthians 6 – 2025 Day 257

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 45, 2 Corinthians 6

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God;”

2 Corinthians 6:14-16a

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

Ephesians 2:19-22

Want more? I recommend the Institute for Creation Research’s article, “Does God Dwell in Temples?”

Oh, Lord Jesus, what a privilege to be a temple of the Holy Spirit. To think that You would dwell in me, live with me, never leave me. Oh, such peace is mine because of You. Your presence goes with me wherever I go. If I go up to the heavens, You are there. If I make my bed in the depths, You are there. I cannot hide from You. I cannot flee from You, because You are always, always with me. Thank You, Father, for Your mercy and grace. You are good. I want to be yoked to You. Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. Let me not be yoked to unbelievers. Let me not be deceived by the schemes of the evil one. Give me a discerning mind, the mind of Christ. For the glory of Your Name. Amen.

I Am Not My Own – Keith & Kristyn Getty, Skye Peterson

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New Creation in Christ – 2 Corinthians 5 – 2025 Day 256

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 44, 2 Corinthians 5

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ESV

Kelly Hall and I first met almost thirty years ago when I was a first year teacher at Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, Missouri. Little did I know then how God would mightily use Kelly and her courageous faith in my life. Kelly and I had lost touch after exchanging annual Christmas letters for many years only to be reconnected when I discovered that my faithful Memphis-area prayer partner, Beth, also knew Kelly from their husbands’ mutual service in the air force in Texas! Isn’t God amazing?!? He is the great tapestry weaver.

I hope you’ll take a half-hour of your time to tune in to my interview on Kelly Hall’s Unshakable Hope podcast and subscribe, so you can be alerted as she releases new ones.

https://kellyhall.org/podcast/episode-19-from-out-spoken-atheist-to-devoted-follower-of-jesus-kim-endraske/

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Share Jesus Without Fear – 2 Corinthians 4 – 2025 Day 255

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 43, 2 Corinthians 4

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV

Have you ever heard of the book, “Share Jesus Without Fear” by William Fay? This book solidified my belief in asking questions and genuinely listening to the person’s responses as an effective method of sharing the gospel. The book also encourages you to share the gospel directly from the scriptures, by suggesting seven key passages for the person you’re sharing with to read themselves. In fact, I’ve written these passages down in the pocket New Testament Bible that I carry with me in my purse. My only complaint about the book is the title. I’m STILL afraid to share — but I pray every day that the Lord will give me strength to overcome that fear.

I want to always be prepared to give away this pocket Bible, so I also wrote several key passages in the cover that are excellent for non-Christians or new Christians to study. I actually keep a second pocket Bible ready at home with these verses written in it, too, so when I give this one away, I’m already prepared to pop another one into my purse. I learned these passages from No Place Left ministries whose website has lots of great resources for evangelism and discipleship.

But, back to ‘Share Jesus Without Fear,” this book includes many excellent questions to ask to open the door for a spiritual conversation. Here are some questions that I hope might help you. I think these questions are appropriate to ask just about anyone given the right situation, whether a close friend or a stranger on an airplane.

  • Has anyone ever explained the basic beliefs of Christianity to you? Would you like me to share my thoughts with you?
  • Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs?
  • Who is Jesus to you? Can I share with you who Jesus is to me?
  • Do you think there is a heaven or hell? How did you come to those beliefs?
  • If you died tonight, where would you go? If heaven, why?
  • May I share seven scriptures with you that changed my life?

Don’t be afraid to ask someone to meet you for coffee or a meal, asking them in advance if they’d like to meet up with you to talk about spiritual things. You might be surprised how many people would be willing to meet with you if you asked them! You’ll never know if you don’t ask.

Heavenly Father, I’m asking You to open doors for me to have a spiritual conversation with someone this week. I want to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. I want to love my neighbor as myself. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and I want to do that, too. Please give me courage and wisdom to be a witness and ambassador for the kingdom of heaven. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call (Psalm 42) – Matt Papa and Matt Boswell

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Pray for the Children of Israel – 2 Corinthians 3 – 2025 Day 254

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 42, 2 Corinthians 3

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

2 Corinthians 3:14-16 LSB

Heavenly Father, I pray those living in the nation of Israel as well as for the descendants of Israel living around the world. I pray that they will turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and have their eyes opened and their sins forgiven. I pray that You will protect them from the schemes of the evil one and use this time of testing and trial for their good and for Your glory. I pray that their hope and trust will be in You, the one true God, and Jesus Christ Your Only Begotten Son, the God-man, whom You sent to take away the sins of the world. I pray that the followers of Jesus in the nation of Israel will be steadfast in sharing the gospel and making disciples where they live, and I pray that each of us all around the world will do likewise. And I pray for Jewish people all over the globe, that the veil will be taken from their eyes as they seek You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life, I pray. Amen

Hymn of Heaven: Hebrew – Arabic – English – Worship from Jerusalem
Psalm 42 (Loudest Praise) Shane and Shane

Want more? Watch this video, “Jewish lives transformed by the Jewish Messiah!” by One for Israel.

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Being the Aroma of Christ – 2 Corinthians 2 – 2025 Day 253

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 41, 2 Corinthians 2

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 ESV

In Denise Kohlmeyer’s thought-provoking article titled, “Four Aromas God Loves Most,” she details how God delights in the aroma of our prayers, our repentance, our witness, and our love. Read it here.

I hope that in these last days we will be faithful to share the gospel and to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Our aroma will be pleasing to God and pleasing to fellow believers, but to the lost, it’s going to be stinky. Don’t be surprised when others reject you and ridicule you. God is pleased with your faithfulness, even when your neighbor isn’t.

Keep on shining even when the person next to you is yelling, “Turn out the light! I’m trying to sleep over here!”

Heavenly Father, please help us to live to please You. We want to be a sweet aroma to You. Make us women of sincerity, recognizing that we have been commissioned by You to share the good news of the gospel with those lost and dying souls that surround us. Shine Your light through me, that people would be drawn to Christ by my life and by my words. Be glorified in me. In the Name of Jesus, the only one worthy of our praise, I pray. Amen.

My Life is an Offering – Sovereign Grace Music