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!

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!