Day 4 - Galatians 2:1-10

 Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. 2 I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. 3 And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.

4 Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. 5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you.

6 And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) 7 Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. 8 For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles.

9 In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 10 Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.


Terrie's Comments:

It is important to have mentors in the faith so we remain steadfast in the right direction.  It is also important to know the truth for ourselves and to trust the witness of the Holy Spirit in us so that we remain on the right path that God has for our lives.  It is important because we need to be able to discern what comes from God and what does not.  Many things may seem scriptural in our world at first glance but when we examine them according to the scripture and the inward witness of the Holy Spirit they don't line up.  If we are not careful to examine things for ourselves we can become enslaved by the belief structures of others that don't quite line up completely with what the Bible actually says. 

It is important to not put any person in the place of God... God's word should trump what anyone else says.  We are all human and we all know how communication is flawed because of it's very nature.  What we hear may not be what the person said or what they meant to say or what the intended to say or what they intended for you to hear..... the possibilities are endless. 

Paul respected his elders in the faith but wasn't ready to put them in the place of God.  He readily and eagerly accepted what they said when it lined up with God's word to him.  Because Paul had a right perspective on the authority of God vs People in his life, he was able to not be sidetracked by people who contradicted the word of God.   

Tori and I have decided to have WORD STUDY WEDNESDAYS!!!  HURRAY.  What this means is that we will be choosing word or words to look up in the original Greek or Hebrew so we can understand better the original intent of the passage :-)  We hope that this will be of benefit to all of you :-) 

The word enslave in verse 4 comes from the Greek word katadouloo.  It means to enslave utterly: - bring into bondage.  The word katadouloo only appears 2 times in the Bible.


Tori's Comments:

"God revealed to me that I should go" I guess that's what he did during all of those years... digging deep into God and seeking Him.

We have to be careful not to add chains to ourselves, and not to choose traditions over Christ. Or anything over Christ, really. 

They accepted them as co-workers? How cool that they were so supportive and encouraging. Of course, they would've seen Paul and Barnabas as family members.

The word Revealed in verse 2 was translated from the Hebrew word Apokalupsis it means disclosure, appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.  The word Apokalupsis appears 18 times in the Bible.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 3 - Galatians 1:18-24

18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.

21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me.


Tori's Comments:

3 years.... he spent 3 years on his own without meeting any believers? Wow. I wonder what the Roman officials or Pharisees or whoever he worked with thought.

They praised God BECAUSE of me. Boom. Testimony power.


Terrie's Comments:

I think Paul's testimony is a perfect example of how God works contrary to human understanding and ways.  We tend to not send people out to do any kind of work without much training and testing to be sure that we think that they are equipped.  Paul however got his training through Jesus Christ and the witness of the Holy Spirit only.  He was radically changed and the word spread quickly and efficiently that his testimony was true.  His actions and words proved that he was radically changed by God's grace!


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 2 - Galatians 1:11-17

11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.

13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.

15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.

When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.


Terrie's Comments:

When the gospel message is finally revealed to you by Jesus Christ himself you no longer need others to tell you about Jesus and his Grace and Mercy because it will be in you.  We have the Holy Spirit who himself teaches us and leads us into truth.

Sometimes we just need to stop reading books, listening to what teachers and preachers have to say for a while and just go away to be alone with Jesus so He can feed into our lives first hand. 

 We definitely need to hear what God has revealed to others and to build each other up but we also need to get alone with Him sometimes so we know what His voice sounds like and can be taught directly by Jesus as well.  


Tori's Comments:

Paul is a fantastic example of the power of our testimonies. When we begin to follow God, there is a complete change and we are entirely new beings, made to glorify God. That was a definitely obvious change in Paul's life.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Galloping through Galatians in 17 days! Day 1 - Galatians 1:1-10

This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.

2 All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.

3 May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. 5 All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.


Tori's Comments:

Verse 10 is really the one that convicts me... we serve Christ alone, and that's enough!

Terrie's Comments:

Wow there is so much in this passage.  Paul begins by reaffirming what the true gospel entails.  Then gets right to the heart of why he is writing this letter.... to call them back to the true gospel message because they have been led astray by those preaching a twisted gospel message.  

In the last part of today's passage Paul makes it clear that if we are Christ's servants we will not please people.  Fear of man needs to go at all cost so we can preach the pure gospel message.  Fear of man will corrupt the gospel message that we have been sent to preach!


BTW - Welcome to our Galloping Through Galatians Challenge!  We invite you to join us as we work our way through Paul's letter to the Galatians over the next 17 days.  CLICK HERE to find your FREE copy of our PDF file which is made to be folded and tucked into your Bible while you are going through this challenge with us :-) 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 87 - 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. 13 All of God’s people here send you their greetings.

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



Tori's Comments:

Proven again: joy is crazy important.

Encourage each other. Be accountable for what you say, and test it because it shows what's in your heart.

Peace is so important as well. Even when it means giving up a petty argument or humbling yourself. Be the least of these, a servant of all.


Terrie's Comments:

I have fallen in love with Paul's writings as of lately.  I love his writing style and the way he encourages the church as a body as well as specific people through his letters.  His love for them all comes out so clearly in each letter.  

As he closes these letters to the Corinthians he once again is encouraging them onto better things.  pushing them to not stay where they are at but to move onto maturity in Christ, which always moves us from thinking only about ourselves to thinking about what pleases God and how to maintain relationships with others.  A self sacrificial love that is grounded in Jesus Christ.

We are now at the end of our Corinthians Challenge!  Tomorrow we will be beginning our next challenge ... we will be galloping through Galatians!

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 86 - 2 Corinthians 13:1-10

This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”). 2 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.

3 I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. 4 Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.

5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 6 As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.

7 We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. 8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. 9 We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.

10 I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.


Terrie's Comments:

Paul's heart is so clear here.  Like a parent who wants what is best for their children, Paul wants the Cornith believers to do what is best for them and stop acting like unbelievers.  We are to be able to tell if we are believers by if we can tell that Jesus is among us.  I hear people all the time about being the hands and feet of Jesus however it is hard to tell what that actually means by watching the way we do life in our churches, especially when we step outside the building of the church.  How can I live my life so I know that Christ is among us?


Tori's Comments:

The fact that a test to see if Christ is among you is whether you believe it or not... but that's faith for you.

ALWAYS stand for the truth.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 85 - 2 Corinthians 12:19-21

19 Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 21 Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.


Tori's Comments:

That it is possible that NONE of those things be in a church.... what an ideal to strive for! But of course, it's all summed up in love.


Terrie's Comments:

I can sense that Paul's heart right here is a desire to see spiritual maturity in those who he spoke the good news to.  He so much wanted them to put aside their old sins that held them captive to the things of this world and turn their desires toward the things of the Holy Spirit.  All teachers love it when their students don't only learn what they were taught enough to pass the test, but when they are able to demonstrate it beyond the class environment, in a practical way throughout their lives.




Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 84 - 2 Corinthians 12:11-18

11 You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. 12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. 13 The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!

14 Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. 15 I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.

16 Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. 17 But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? 18 When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way.


Terrie's Comments:

I can relate so much to Paul's heart for each of the churches that he is a part of ministering to.  He wants what is best for them and tries to relate that concern to them by his words and actions always.  The statement he makes about "the more I love you , the less you love me" I am imagining is a part of Paul showing God's love to them and the those in Corinthians still living in the flesh and in the process of learning to walk in the Holy Spirit, with their minds renewed to the things of Jesus Christ.  I can only imagine how much joy Paul found in his relationships with people such as Timothy and Titus who learned what he was saying and were glad to support the work by following in his footsteps, working alongside Paul.




Tori's Comments:

Honestly, the whole financial burden thing was a big reason why I chose the field I did. If I can use my gift to lessen the burden of others, I most definitely should.

"spend myself" is an amazing phrase, because that what it feels like sometimes


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 83 - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


Tori's Comments:

Third heaven? What constitutes the other two?

I like how he describes it, though. It makes me highly anticipate what's to come.

"My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." Such a beautiful message and a great reminder for when times are tough.


Terrie's Comments:

So Paul was given experiences and revelation from heaven that would give him plenty to brag about, however in order that he still keep things in perspective he also dealt with a messenger from Satan that kept his life interesting.  I have a feeling that without knowing it Satan drove the message further because Paul was determined to preach the gospel no matter where he was or what was going on.  The more that Satan tried to destroy the work Paul was accomplishing for Jesus, the more that the gospel was furthered with more power and conviction from Paul.  I would have to say that Satan's plan back-fired!


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 82 - 2 Corinthians 11:26-33

26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?

30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.


Terrie's Comments:

So it is almost like Paul said if you are going to listen to those who boast... then I can boast to you too... then he goes on to compare his reason to boast vs those who were trying to side-swipe the church in Cornith.  However he goes onto explain that the only boasting worth doing is boasting in those things that make us look weak and allow Jesus to be glorified.  I think this is the point of this little "rant" is to prove his point that we should be boasting in Christ alone.  


Tori's Comments:

Okay, now I understand the boasting.

During the first paragraph, all I could think was just how silly it should be for a Christian to try to create a little safety bubble. The bible warns us about persecution, that it WILL come, so instead of taking crazy measures to prevent perhaps we should be preparing ourselves for when it does come. So we can be ready and use it as a way to testify to God.

Just a thought. How do y'all feel about it?



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 81 - 2 Corinthians 11:16-25

16 Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 19 After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! 20 You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 21 I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!

But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.


Tori's Comments:

I'm so confused as to whether his commending them or condemning them for something...

Why is he boasting? I truly don't understand.

Terrie's Comments:

So normally I don't read your comments Tori until I make mine... but they were so short I almost couldn't even glance by them without knowing what was said.  

This is an awkward place to begin and end in this passage.  I will say this Tori... Hopefully tomorrow this passage will be made clearer to both you and others reading this blog.  (I read ahead and the passage tomorrow carries on in the same line of thought).



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 80 - 2 Corinthians 11:7-15

7 Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? 8 I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. 9 And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do.

12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.


Terrie's Comments:

Paul was very set on serving the Corinthian churches without causing them any financial burden.  This is interesting to me.  Paul has been talking about the benefits of giving and giving cheerfully and then he basically is denying gifts from these particular churches so that his ministry there isn't corrupted.  

It is so important to be on guard because even right things can be wrong sometimes.  We have the Holy Spirit to guide us as we are walking through life.  It is so important to listen every step of the way and not just rely on past experiences as our guide.  Human reasoning can so easily lead us astray.


Tori's Comments:

Why is he determined not to take money from the Corinthian church specifically when he accepted contributions from other churches? Were there false claims about him to fight solely there?


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 79 - 2 Corinthians 11:1-6

 I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ. 3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

5 But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things. 6 I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.

Tori's Comments:

There are so many different Jesuses in the world today. Definitely a relatable topic.

Paul's claim of jealousy proves to me the importance of striving for righteousness and keeping a healthy relationship with God. This actually comes at a good time because I have caught myself putting God on the back burner to my college studies several times. I find it ridiculous myself considering it's a bible college and He's the only reason I'm here. Why do I do it? This life is a spiritual battle, and the minute I recognize a thought that's not from God, I've been practicing casting it out of my head.


Terrie's Comments:

Now there is a memory verse you don't hear people memorizing everyday... 2 Cor 11:1 "I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness.  Please bear with me."... I digress

I feel the heart of Paul in this passage for sure!  As someone who has the heart to mentor others in their faith and spur them on to go deeper with Jesus Christ I sometimes have that Jealousy that Paul talks about here.  I can relate to when Paul says "But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you,"



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 78 - 2 Corinthians 10:12-18

12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. 14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. 16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.


Terrie's Comments:
"We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us"  This is an interesting thing to ponder on... God gives us work with boundaries.  Each of us is called by God to do something.  We are not called to do everything.  It is ok to focus on what God has given us to do in every season of our lives and do it to the best of our ability to the Glory of God!



Tori's Comments:

True! Verse 18 makes me wish I could use God as a reference on applications, but then He knows all the thoughts of my heart, and to be honest, that is a scary prospect sometimes. But I proudly claim I am a work in progress, and that's all because of God :)

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 77 - 2 Corinthians 10:1-11

Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.

3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

7 Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. 8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.

9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. 10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.


Tori's Comments:

We have to knock down our human reasoning. Very interesting and different from what the world tells us to do. Very different from what my own heart tells me to do.


Terrie's Comments:
"3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ."

Knocking down strongholds of human reasoning, destroying false arguments, destroying proud obstacles that keep people from knowing God, capturing others rebellious thoughts... and teaching them to obey Christ

This sounds similar to what we are told to do for ourselves first... taking every thought captive into obedience to Jesus Christ.  This passage takes it further... we are to help others do the same when they can't recognize for themselves that their thoughts are contrary to God's thoughts.  It is so easy to think like the world around us thinks.  It is so easy to just blend in and think that we are normal and it is right... WE ARE NOT CALLED TO BE NORMAL!!  We are called to renew our minds to a new way of thinking and acting.  We are to be taking EVERY THOUGHT captive into obedience to Jesus Christ.  This is an every moment of every day commitment.  That may seem radical but if we want to change the world we will need to be radical in a God kind of way... not in our own kind of way.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 76 - 2 Corinthians 9:10-15

10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!


Terrie's Comments:

Prayers increase and become more powerful from a place of a thankful heart because God met needs.  "And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given you"  There are many benefits that happen when the needs of others are met through our giving.  



Tori's Comments:

The ability to be generous does not fluctuate, we just hold on to the belief that God will always provide. Because money isn't our master, it's about as important to us as monopoly money. It is a means but nothing more. Changing that perspective means changing a dependence on yourself to a dependence on God. Very hard.



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 75 - 2 Corinthians 9:1-9

 I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. 2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.

3 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say,

“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
    Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”


Tori's Comments:

It's been made obvious that God really cares about what's going on in the heart.

Hold on to "God will generously provide all you need."


Terrie's Comments:

This is a good image of what giving looks like in the Kindom of God.  We give out of our love for each other, out of a cheerful heart, willingly, as we have decided in our own hearts.  It is not supposed to be given reluctantly, or because we feel pressured to give, or grudgingly.  When we give to the work of God He promises to supply our needs generously.  He promises that we will have everything we need and plenty to share with others.  This is Kingdom living!  God is faithful.  If he is prompting you to give and you respond cheerfully he will take care of you.  All of his promises are yes and amen in Jesus Christ.




Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 74 - 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

16 But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. 17 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. 19 He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.

20 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. 21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.

22 We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. 23 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ. 24 So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

Terrie's Comments:

The thing that stands out over and over again in Paul's writing is how much he shows honor to those around him and how much he encourages others to to do the same.  I am pretty sure that none of these men were perfect and could have been picked apart because they are human beings but Paul demonstrates what unity in the body of Christ is supposed to look like practically by the way he writes to the churches he is shepherding!  In North America our world is quick to criticize the bad and slow to bring honor to the good in people.  We could learn a few things from Paul about how to honor our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Perhaps if we can learn to honor each other for the sake of Jesus Christ then it would be true that they would know we are Christians by our love and our love would draw them in.


Tori's Comments:

It's interesting that he puts so much thought into how he is perceived: not because he cares about people's opinion of him, but more because he wants to assure other believers and glorify God.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 73 - 2 Corinthians 8:10-15

10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say,

“Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,
    and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

Tori's Comments:

I find my passions fluctuate regularly, which can be very harmful when it comes to zeal for God. We need to continue to be eager, dig into the Word, pursue God. 

This is actually something I was curious about, how to be wary of laziness in church if some people are giving everything they have. But this makes sense.

Terrie's Comments:

There are different seasons of life we go through and different seasons in ministry that we go through.  At times we will be in need of help and at other times we will have more than enough and will be able to help others with our abundance.  This is part of the way the Body of Christ is suppose to operate.  

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 72 - 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.
9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

Terrie's Comments:

The part that stands out to me is that "they are being tested by many trials".  I don't think this is a test that is meant to be passed or failed but it would be similar to things in our everyday lives that put our faith to the test.  Our faith either grows day by day or it can be weakened depending if we choose to come into agreement with God's word or question it.  I would have to say that I have the most peace and joy in my life when I choose to agree with God's word and walk by faith.

Tori's Comments:

We are blinded to our troubles when focused on the love and joy we have been given by God!! 🎉

They gave more than they can afford. Whoa. Can't say I've ever been there, but I need to be.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 71 - 2 Corinthians 7:8-16

8 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.12 My purpose, then, was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how loyal you are to us. 13 We have been greatly encouraged by this.In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind at ease. 14 I had told him how proud I was of you—and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true! 15 Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect. 16 I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.

Tori's Comments:

This is surely a situation many of us have been in... deciding between grace and judgement. Where is the balance?

It explains sorrow! Yay! Okay, so any sorrow God sends our way He tells us we will not regret. For me, recently, this applies to me being butthurt when confronted with my pride. It was a wake up call I needed.

Terrie's Comments:

A godly rebuke that feels sorrowful for a moment and is heeded brings Joy in the end but worldly sorrow only leads to more sorrow and spiritual death.  If a brother or sister in Christ brings something to our attention that we have been blind to and it brings us back to God in that area of our lives it is a reason to celebrate!

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 70 - 2 Corinthians 7:1-7

7 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
2 Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone. 3 I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you. 4 I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.
5 When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. 6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!

Terrie's Comments:

I can relate to the passion that Paul had toward the Corinthians.  When I am mentoring someone I want them to take what I am speaking into their life and apply it.  When I am teaching the truth of God's word and people still cling to their old ways or their old ways of believing I just want to encourage them to remember what the truth is and to remember to apply it.  I have this mama bear instinct to try and protect them from those who teach false doctrine.  I just want them to be set free to serve God with all the Joy He intended us to have when Jesus Christ came!!

Tori's Comments:

Hold onto hope, because God encourages the discouraged. That in itself is a hope to cling to.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 69 - 2 Corinthians 6:11-18

11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. 12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. 13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
    and walk among them.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
    and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
    and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be your Father,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
    says the Lord Almighty.”

Tori's Comments:

It reminds me of the verse that says you can't serve both God and money. We each must choose one, a choice that is ultimately to serve God or ourselves.

Terrie's Comments:

What harmony can their be between Christ and the Devil?  This passage causes me to reflect into my life to see if there are any ways that I have "partnered with" or "enabled" the Devil to work in my life or the lives around me.  Are there any thoughts or attitudes that I need to give to God and line up with Him or return into His care?  

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 68 - 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard you.
    On the day of salvation, I helped you.”
Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

Terrie's Comments:

There are no words... No matter how tough ministry gets I can't say that this far in my life I have ever faced as many challenges as Paul had, I also have not faced the challenges that I have faced with has much grace consistently.  It is part of maturing in Christ.  Pressing on toward the prize.  Making my mind up to live a life led by the Spirit of God leaving my sinful nature behind so that "no one will stumble" because of me.  

Tori's Comments:

Vs. 8 is enough of a reason not to people please. Serve God.

Do I prove myself?

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 67 - 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Tori's Comments:

By evaluating others from a non-human point of view, we instantly become more loving and Christ-like. Jesus felt compassion for people under circumstances where my selfish heart wouldn't allow it. Pride and hate against another person disappears when you see the spiritual side of that person, the struggle with darkness they may be facing. A struggle every Christian once had for themselves.

Terrie's Comments:

I Love being an ambassador for Jesus Christ.  He is a worthy king to be followed and honored.  An ambassador is to represent their country and and only speak on behalf of whom they represent.  Ambassador's don't interject their own opinion when they are acting on behalf of their embassy that has sent them.  We are to reconcile people back to God.  Really we are just spreading the good news that Jesus has already done everything required to reconcile us all back to God!  We just need to make Him our Lord.  That is amazing Grace!! It is amazing news for all :-) 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 66 - 2 Corinthians 5:11-15

11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 12 Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. 13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

Terrie's Comments:

I hope that it is evident to those around me, especially those closest to me (because sometimes those are the hardest people to show love to consistently) that it is Christ's love that controls my life.  Everyday it is my hope that more of my life vanishes and is replaced by Jesus Christ living through me.  I have a sincere heart, I hope that it is evident to others around me how sincere I am.

Tori's Comments:

Do I work hard to persuade others? Is that an intention of mine clear to me from day to day?
I really appreciate the "if we seem crazy" comment. 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Something to encourage the heart of our American friends this week...

The following was posted on Facebook by Steven Curtis Chapman today.  It is something we need to keep in mind as Christians.  Be encouraged :-)

Hey everybody,
So here we are a few days away from "IT"...and of course by "IT" I mean what has proven to be one of the craziest elections in the history of all electiondom! (Okay, I'm pretty sure I just made up a word, but then again there seems to be quite a bit of "making stuff up" going on lately...ha!...sorry, I couldn't resist.) As I have watched and pondered and prayed and discussed, there has been one thought I have continued to need to remember...in order to help me resist the urge to completely freak out! Basically it's what the eternal, unchanging word of God reminds us of in Daniel 2:20-21 and in Psalm 103:19:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding..."

"The Lord has established his throne in the heavens and his kingdom rules over all."

God is on the throne and God is in control. Now, I realize that can easily sound like a nice cliché or a Sunday school answer to a massive issue...but the truth as I believe it to be is that there is no more "massive" or more relevant truth that we can and must anchor our hearts to in this moment...or any moment for that matter; God is on the throne. It's been mine and my family's experience that trusting in the sovereignty of God is really the only thing that can keep us sane in the craziness of this life.
Yes, we need to vote and do our part as responsible citizens of this GREAT albeit broken and imperfect nation. And we need to pray...ALOT! (And resist the urge to argue and fight with each other about our opinions, etc etc...I know, it is messy.) But ultimately, I really believe that if we can remember that God is the one who removes kings and sets up kings and that he is not biting his nails over the outcome of all of this, we will actually be a whole lot more effective and relevant in this world and in this nation, and a lot less "freaked out". Anyway, just some thoughts from your ole pal scc.
And as I was pondering all of this I was inspired to write a song and wanted to share it with you. Here are the lyrics:

I hear everybody talking
on the right and on the left,
They're holding out their promises
while we all hold our breath,
and if I did not know better
I would be scared to death,
But God is on the throne.
I know that it all matters
and there's so much at stake
And I know we all need wisdom
for decisions we must make
But there's only one who's making promises that He won't break
And He is on the throne.

He is faithful and true,
everything He says He'll do,
And everything we go through,
He will go with us.
All the kingdoms of man
are in the palm of His hand
So I will not fear, I'll say it loud and clear, so my own heart can hear it
God is on the throne.

Well I've got my fears and worries
like everybody else
I love this country and it's broken
and in desperate need of help
So I'm praying to the one
who has the power to make us well
'Cause He is on the throne

Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall,
only one stands through it all
It's the kingdom of
the God of grace and love
And I'm not worried because I know
God is on the throne.

Blessings,
scc

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 65 - 2 Corinthians 5: 1-10

 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

Tori's Comments:

All around me I can see people obsessed with their bodies.... racks of magazines depict the importance of hair, clothes, and makeup, and especially for women, it becomes a struggle. 
With all the self esteem issues faced every day, verse 6 is a great reminder. We should emanate confidence, a transformation brought about by no one other than Jesus Christ.

Terrie's Comments:

No matter if we are here on earth in our earthly body or at home with the Lord our goal is to please Jesus Christ.  And even though we are standing in faith having confidence that what we hope for is indeed true, I am glad that we have the Holy Spirit to give us assurance of our future :-) 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 64 - 2 Corinthians 4: 7-18

7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Terrie's Comments:
We are at war!  We are in a battle everyday because we serve Jesus Christ.  However we have everything we need to get through everyday through Jesus.  We have the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit in us so we can rely on Jesus for protection from all sorts of battles.  As we practice following Jesus everyday in our lives our Spirits are strengthened.  This unseen battle that rages on everyday is fought in the spiritual realm which is more real and will last far beyond anything here on earth.  We need to be aware of the battle that is raging not so we live in fear but so that we always remember to stand in faith!!

Tori's Comments:

Life is rough. It is hard. But we hold onto, we cling onto the hope God has given us. We trust in the promises we know to be true when the lies of the world come crashing down. In the moment, stress about college or a new stage in life seems overwhelming, but it is so small and temporary when I think of the eternity promised to me.
"I believed in God, so I spoke." This really speaks to me right now. Our passion isn't something that can be stoppered by political correction or laws. We have this love that the world is searching for, desperate for, and we need to share it!
I want people who meet me to wonder why I am so satisfied, why I don't live for the here and now. This passage was a great blessing to me today!
Did it catch any of y'all's attention?

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 63 - 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. 2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.

3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

5 You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

Tori's Comments:

"we never give up" Let this be a motto of mine. I don't give up, because I've already won through Christ.

And I hope to never forget that this life is not about me. Every action I do and every word I say should be meant for God's glory, not mine.

Terrie's Comments:
I like the fact that we are to preach the truth of Jesus Christ and the Word of God to everyone.  Those who do not understand it have not had the veil lifted yet and are still blinded by the devil who is their god.  This should give us a clue as to how to pray for those who do not believe yet.  Pray that the veil will be lifted, that the power of the devil will be bound in their lives and they will be able to see our light, which is a reflection of Jesus Christ.  

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 62 - 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. 8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? 9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! 10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. 11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!

12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.

16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Terrie's Comments:

Wow!  The people begged God for Moses to cover his face to cover God's glory, which was just a residue of Moses time with God.  I LOVE that the veil is taken away when we make Jesus Lord of our lives.  The fact that we can both see and reflect the glory of the Lord to the world is awesome.  I also LOVE the fact that we are not on our own.  That we aren't left as we are found.  Jesus makes us more and more like him as we are walking with him each day.

Tori's Comments:

"wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" Do I feel that freedom? I feel like the church has got a bad reputation as something that holds people down or binds them up, when in fact its reputation should be the opposite. 

And if we reflect the glory of God, shouldn't those around us see that glory and know we are the children of God? It makes the "city on a hill" verse easier to visualize. 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!