“For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you. For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end; just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:12-14).

Jesus alone saves. In that salvation, He will work on your heart, and out of that will come a changed attitude. Rather than always seeking for the self, the one in Christ looks outward and cares for others. This brings the confidence of a good conscience. It is not doing these things for gain, but it is because you have already gained that you can do these things. Trust in what the Lord has done and do good.

Lord, I have my part, but it is You who has done all that is needed. In the mystery of faith, I need Your help to live into this faith. I know there are some who want to figure all of this out. Help me simply to do what You would have me do and not worry about the details of what You are doing. Guide me to trust You above all things and learn to hear and obey all that You command.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way. Some think that this was something done long ago, but You are doing it in me here and now. Guide me, Lord, that I may live into this life of faith that You offer. You are the way, the truth and the life. Teach me to look to You today and every day that I may grow a little more in living this life of faith that You have given me. In You is all hope and an eternal future. Amen.

“Who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many” (2 Corinthians 1:10-11).

In all the difficulties of this life, know that the Lord is your deliverer. Ultimately, we know that even when we die, yet shall we live, for the Lord has come to us that we may know that through His death and resurrection, we have the assurance of new life. Do not live in the hopelessness of the aliens from the Lord, but in the hope that is yours forever through Christ who strengthens you.

Lord, this life does have its twists and turns and there are many times when I am filled with fear and doubt. Help me to overcome all of these things and know that You have prevailed, and will deliver me from all evil. Teach me what it means to abide in You as You abide in me. Guide me in the goodness of Your mercy to live boldly in the confidence which is mine through this faith You have given.

Lord Jesus, You did not exempt Yourself from the pains of this world. You died on the cross. You know how much this world can hammer against you. Guide me, Lord, in the way You have established so that no matter what may come, I look to You as my hope. Teach me to pray for others as others pray for me. Guide me into the fulness of a life lived by faith and in hope. Amen.

“For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

The Gospel has come to us through the cost of the saints who have brought it to us. Just because one deep in the faith who has shared it with you is smiling does not mean they have not suffered the cost for the faith. Rejoice that the Lord includes you in the hope of eternity. Be guided by His goodness and know that in Him is all life and true liberty through the salvation He provides.

Lord, teach me to press through every circumstance that I would be guided by You alone. Keep me from every temptation that would lead me away from You. You alone are the hope for all people, for through You have all things have been created. In Your goodness, lead me in the hope of salvation and through all obstacles that will come my way. You are the way, truth and life!

Lord Jesus, through Your Spirit, guide me today and every day to do what is pleasing in the Father’s sight. Keep me from those things which would lead me astray. Grant me fortitude to stand fast amidst all this world will throw at me. In all things, may I be found true to You, holding fast to the faith delivered once for all. In You alone is all hope and an eternal future. Amen.

“But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:5-6).

In our age it seems as though the idea of suffering is contrary to the Gospel. But this is not what is said. As Christians, first from the mouth of Jesus and then from Paul, we hear that suffering is a part of what we will experience. This makes sense because when we are united with Christ, we become an enemy of the world. It is not that we choose suffering, but that suffering is a part of this sinful world.

Lord, help me to join with the saints who have gone before that I would willing do whatever needs to be done in any circumstance to walk this path of faith that You have set before me. Help me to not be tempted by the lies of this age which would proclaim anything to the contrary. Help me to believe firmly what You have told me and to walk humbly in this new life that You give.

Guide me, Lord Jesus, according to the Father’s will that I would now and always walk with You no matter what comes. Let me not be tempted by any comforts this world can give, for only in You is the true comfort that endures. Guide me according to Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope for the future that You have promised. May I rejoice amidst the sufferings of this life as I look at all that You have done for me. Amen.

“For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:5).

Is not Christ sufficient? Sometimes we may be tempted to think in terms of Jesus and then add an “and” to it. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Trust in what God is doing and in His provision. The grace of Christ is sufficient. He who died for our sins said, “It is finished.” You cannot add to what Christ has accomplished, so trust fully in Him and be thankful for all He provides.

Lord, where I am guilty of adding to what You have done, correct me that I may live in the sufficiency of all that You have provided. Guide me in Your goodness to see through the nonsense of this world that I may be thankful and lean not on my own understanding, but upon You who already has put into place all that is necessary for each of us to become what You are creating.

Thank You Lord Jesus for all that You have done. Thank You for what you are doing. Thank You for all that You will do. You know what we need even before we ask. You who has placed all things in their course, grant that by faith I would accept Your provision as the final answer to all of my questions. Guide me to live by faith, being thankful for all that You are doing. Amen.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

In what comfort do you live your daily life? Do you trust in the One who has given the promise of His only begotten Son? Do you trust that His promises are true and that the revelation of the Gospel is the truth revealed for all ages? Come into the comfort of God and live into the promises He gives that you may find contentment in the holy and true comfort that He alone can give.

Lord, Help my unbelief. I am tossed about by the tempests of this age and listen to all kinds of things. Guide me in my thinking and doing that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy. Help me to comfort others with the comfort I have received from Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior. You are the blessed One and You have blessed all who believe with a holy and true comfort for all ages.

Lord Jesus, You are the rest for the weary. You are the hope for the hopeless. You are the One who makes possible our adoption into the eternal family through grace. Guide me in all of Your ways that I would now and forever abide in the truth of the Gospel which You have made possible. May I be encouraged and comforted and then give that comfort away to others. Amen.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:1-2).

Paul worked alongside the one whom he mentored, Timothy. Together, they ministered to the churches as they traveled. We are called in fellowship to work with one another to share the Good News of Christ and to build up His church. Come then and join in the work the Lord has given you, knowing that through all you do in the fellowship of Christ love will be strengthened in you. Join in the work of the church.

Lord, I often make things more complicated than they really are. Help me, I pray, to see through those things which occupy my time apart from those things which build up faith and build up Your church. Guide me to have balance in my life that I would walk humbly with You and be committed to the greater portion. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go that I may follow where You lead.

Lord Jesus, You have sent Your Spirit to lead and guide each step of the way. Help me, O Lord, to walk humbly with You and to follow where You would have me go. Whether it is to teach others, or to be taught by others, help me to give and to receive with grace. In and through all things, may You be glorified through me that others would know that it is You who is the center of creation. Amen.

“The greeting is in my own hand – Paul. If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen” (1 Corinthians 16:21-24).

The really are only two kinds of people in the end; those who will love the Lord and those who will not. Out of this comes all other action. Either one is drawn outward and toward the Lord, or else inward and toward themselves. The grace of the Lord extends to those who receive it and live in it. For the others, it bounces off of them. Abide with those who will encourage you in the right direction.

Lord, help me to see that this is not about cursing people, for I do not know who truly is abiding in You. Do help me protect myself against those who would tempt me to wander off and go astray. You know the truth of all people and You have already provided all that is necessary. Lead me in the truth that I may follow where You lead. Guide me according to Your goodness that I may humbly abide with You always.

Lord Jesus, You know those who are Yours. Many throughout the ages have been mean and unloving. You have commanded us to love. Yet, there are also those who will lead others astray. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would humbly walk with You knowing that in You alone is all hope and the eternal future You have made possible through Your death and resurrection. Amen.

“The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss” (1Corinthians 16:19-20).

We are not just a local fellowship, but are joined in the communion of the saints. Those from all times and places who are in the grace of Christ are His bride. It is He who is knitting together His church from every tribe, tongue and nation. Live in the truth that You are a part of what He has brought together through the grace He makes possible. Live into the life of faith to which You have been called.

Lord, help me overcome the pride that is in my heart that I may be whom You are making me to be. Give me eyes to see that You have those who are in You all over the world. I may not understand fully, but they are those whom You have saved. Let me rejoice in the communion of saints to which You have united me that I may abide humbly in You and You in me always.

Lord Jesus, the church is Yours and You are its head. Let me never forget this. You are bringing together all whom You know that are a part of the bride. Help me to learn to receive with joy the truth of the greater whole which You are building. Help me to be hospitable with all who come in Your name knowing that You have purpose with every encounter each of us experiences. Amen.

“I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men” (1 Corinthians 16:17-18).

Be encouraged. The Lord sends those who will uplift and strengthen His people of faith. Receive those whom the Lord sends and be hospitable. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who will speak of the mighty acts of the Lord. Walk with the strength of the One who provides for our needs before we ask. Let your spirit be constantly refreshed in the Lord.

Lord, open my eyes to see and my ears to hear as You send those who will uplift me in faith and guide me according to Your purposes. May I always have a receptive and discerning heart that as You minister to Your people, I would be amongst those who receive what You give. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I might now and always abide faithfully in all of Your provision.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us to pray without ceasing. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would receive as You send others to minister to our every need. Help me to rightly hear and to live out those things You have given me. Through all things, strengthen me in the gift of salvation You have made possible that I may now and always abide humbly in Your presence. Amen.