“For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge” (2 Corinthians 5:4-5).

Even the unbeliever wants more life to live. We long for that which God has placed in our hearts. Lead me, O Lord, in this upper way knowing that in You and only by Your power can I come to the place where You dwell. You have given the pledge that our faith is not in vain. Guide me, Lord, in the way of life that I may walk with You now and forever.

The Lord knows all that is needed and is more than able to make all things work together for good according to His purpose. We are not challenged with understanding all of these things, but with following Him no matter where He leads. Come then into the promise of the Lord and live trusting Him in, through, and above all things. He will accomplish all that He has promised.

Come, Holy Spirit, and place in me the likeness of Christ. Keep my eyes upon You, for You will lead me through each day that comes. Help me to not focus upon this world’s difficulties, but upon the everlasting life for which You are preparing me. Help me to rise above all of those things which pull me down, and help me to be in this world doing what You would have me do. Amen.

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2).

If this life were limited to just who we are in the flesh and the experiences we have upon this earth, there would be nothing to hope for. But our life here is temporary and we were created to be with the Lord forever. What kind of people ought we to be knowing this? Put on the life of Christ, for this is the life to which we have been called, and that leads to eternal life.

Lord, I often live as if what I do day to day does not matter. I know that Your grace is sufficient, but this is not in order to live a carefree life here and now. Guide me into the true life You give by grace that I may put on the true life You give. Lead me in the upward way of living into the new life You give that I may now and always abide humbly in You and You in me.

Lord Jesus, You have come to make the way possible, living into a new life that comes only through You. Guide me, O Lord, that I may always abide in what You have said and not be content with this world, or the way it does things. Teach me today and every day how to live into the new life You have placed upon me. Guide me by Your Spirit to always seek for that deeper experience You set before me. Amen.

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

The corruptible self, which is doomed because of sin, is lifted with Christ to become an immortal child of God. What is the price? It was paid for by Christ. We have our part and it is, by comparison, small.  What should we say when what we receive through grace is so much more than what we can imagine? The only thing to do is to endure the difficulties of this world with thanksgiving for the immutable glory the Lord is giving.

Lord, I often think in terms of the moment. Help me to see beyond this moment and never lose track of the reality of what You are doing. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always abide in You as You prepare me for eternity. Help me through those times when I do not see to keep my eyes upon You. Lead me as You know I need to be led to stay on this path upon which You have set me.

Lord Jesus, You know how difficult this world is. You know what it is to navigate through all of the forces of darkness that come against us. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may not fall aside, but walk faithfully with You. No matter what comes, guide me in the upward path You have placed before me that I may be with You now and forever. In You is all hope to complete the journey of faith You make possible. Amen.

“For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:15-16).

What has the Lord come to do? We often think in terms of cleaning up what has gone wrong, but does not the Lord put into us a new life? Yes, it is this new life that is imparted which kills the old Adam and puts in the likeness of Christ. All of this is the reason there is grace and grace is the means by which the Lord does this. In the mystery of the faith, Christ is raising the dead to be alive in Him.

Lord, what great mystery there is in what You are doing, yet I know You are doing it. Help me to not focus upon what I do not know, but upon the truth that You are in me and Your salvation is at work. Guide me ever deeper into this new life that I may abide in You and You in me. Help me to trust You more and more each day knowing that You are Lord and all of this is Your plan.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way for all who believe. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may learn from You this day. Help me to not focus upon what I think, feel, or understand, but look to You who alone is able to save. Through all things I encounter this day, lead me as You know I need to be led and help me to learn to trust in Your amazing grace. Amen.

“But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you” (2 Corinthians 4:13-14).

Faith is the action of that in which you believe. Do you believe that Christ was raised from the dead? If Christ was raised, and you are united with Christ, then know that He who raise Christ will also raise you on the last day. We are called into the communion of saints which includes all who are in Christ; from every tribe, tongue, nation, and time. Speak boldly of the One Lord who is Lord of all.

We often doubt what we believe. Life’s circumstances hit us hard and we do not know what to do. Trust in the One who has lifted you up and into His salvation by His grace. Be bold in the faith He has given you. Know that in Him is all life and the true liberty of living as He has created you to live. Speak of this great gift He gives knowing that on the last day He will raise You to be with Him forever.

Lord Jesus, You know the difficulties of this age. The body and mind are constantly struggling one against the other. Take what resolve I do have and add to it what You know I need that I may stand firm in the truth You have delivered once for all. Guide me in the way of truth that I may hold fast to this gift of faith and speak to others of the life You give by grace. Amen.

“For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you” (2 Corinthians 4:11-12).

We each have our struggles and they will continue throughout this life. It is devilish to think that a life without problems is possible; though some live with this thought. Know that whenever sin enters your mind, the Lord will deal with it. Know that you are hated by the wicked one and he will do all he can to bring you to reject the Lord. Life is in you because the Lord has already accomplished salvation for all who believe.

Lord, grant that although I sometimes become discouraged, I would see that You are always present and are working through all circumstances to fulfil Your perfect will. Guide me into the life You have given that in spite of all things I would live in the eternal hope which is mine in and through You. Through all this life brings, guide me on the upward path of true life and eternal liberty.

Lord Jesus, while walking upon this earth You were constantly harassed by unbelief and those who railed against You. Lead me to walk with You that alongside You I may know the glories of a life that is certain and sure amidst the trials and tribulations that may come. Help me, O Lord, to walk boldly in the way of life and live according to all that You have taught us. Amen.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).

What is the reality of the Christian life? It is not that we will materially prosper and be above those around us. No, it is that we will feel the reality of the war of principalities and powers because of the hatred for the Lord that is in the world. Through all we may endure, we have the promise that the Lord is with us and that we are never forsaken. Jesus is manifest in those who believe.

I am often perplexed when things go awry and the prayers I pray seem to have an opposite answer from what I expect. Lead me, Lord, to learn how to be faithful through all things knowing that all things are in Your hands. Help me to learn to keep my eyes upon You and not upon what the world is doing. Help me to learn how to stand steadfast in and through all things because You are with me.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to experience these things, for You experienced them in Your earthly life. Guide me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go. Help me to persevere through all the tribulations of this world knowing that only in You is there hope and a future. Through all things, let me know that I am never forsaken and that You are there, with me and for me. Guide me in the way of Your salvation. Amen.

“For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:5-6).

We do not preach ourselves. In our day, many have forgotten that it is about Jesus. There may be good preachers, but what is that? There may be good programs, but so what? It is all about Jesus and we are reminded that Jesus is the One who saves us. Come into the light who is Christ and walk ever more deeply in the knowledge of God which He grants through the Holy Spirit and put on the face of Christ.

Lord, I am often dazzled by the salesmanship of our age and forget that it is about Jesus. Lead me Lord in the right way that I may be guided by You and not by the nonsense of this world. Help me to understand that in You alone is all hope and glory. Guide me in Your goodness to walk humbly with You wherever You lead and learn those things which You will teach me.

Lord Jesus, You are the One who has come into the world and You are the only One who saves. Although I may enjoy other things, help me to never forget that it is You who does these things. In all that I do Lord, may I always see that You are first and then all these things are added. May Your light shine through me that the world may see my good works and glorify the Father in heaven. Amen.

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

There is great mystery. We probably know much less than we think and the mystery of God is much greater, but what has been revealed has been revealed for us, and there are those who see the mystery and those who will not. Do not focus upon what others will not believe, but upon the revelation of the mystery that the Lord has granted you. Walk in the light of His revelation.

Lord, it is a strange thing, but I am often influenced by what others do not believe. Help me to humbly and simply believe what You have revealed. In this age of wickedness, it is so easy to be carried away by the thoughts and actions of others. Lead me Lord in Your light and the knowledge that all things have their being in and through You. You alone are God and in You alone is light and life.

Lord Jesus, You have come to shine light into the world. All things have their being through You. Guide me in the revelation You have given that I may be influenced by You and not by the world. Hold me fast to You that I may walk with You and not be led by the wickedness of this world. Through all things, may I walk with You in the mysteries of life and eternity. Amen.

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:1-2).

Each is called according to God’s grace and mercy. Each according to their own gifts are invited to come into the presence of God and live in the light of His countenance. How then should we live knowing these things? Come away from the arrogance of this age and see that in the Lord, who is light and life, there is the way of living that is true life. Know that only in Him is there a future.

Lord, I come at things from my own self-perspective. Move me out of myself and into the ministry You have for me. Guide me according to Your goodness to live this life of faith that I may abide in Your grace and mercy. Bring my conscience to the place where it is clear before You and willingly seeking the things that are pleasing in Your sight. Let not anything be hidden by me, for it is all seen by You.

Lord Jesus, this day and every day I need what You alone are able to do. Lift me up to walk humbly and boldly with Your guidance that I may be seen by others abiding in You. Though those around me may not live as they ought, let me not be like them, but live knowing that I live always in the life You have given me. Guide me, O Lord, that I may live the life of faith and please the Father in heaven. Amen.