“Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.  I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren.” (2 Corinthians 11:25-26)

Life in this world of rebellion is dangerous.  All the more so in Paul’s time.  Yet, throughout the ages there have been those who were willing to go to whatever length necessary to share the good news of Jesus.  To what extent will you go out to the world to share the faith that has been given you?  Will you remain silent, or will you share that Jesus has borne all our sorrow that we may live as we were created to live?

Lord, I hear the report and there are those who have gone to great lengths that Your truth may be shared.  I often sit quietly aside from what is happening in the world and do nothing.  Help me to do the part You have in mind for me that I would share and not consider the cost.  Lead me, O Lord, the way You know I need to be led.  Guide me according to Your goodness and mercy.

Lord Jesus, there are those who have come along that paid a great price with their own bodies to deliver the truth of the Gospel.  Help me to always be thankful for how easily I have received what others gave their lives to receive.  Lead me to rejoice in the company of the saints knowing I cannot know the cost which I too often take for granted.  Guide me into eternal thankfulness.  Amen.

“Are they servants of Christ? – I speak as if insane – I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.  Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes” (2 Corinthians 11:23-24).

We sometimes forget the price paid in order that we might have the Gospel.  People would rather pontificate and carry on as if it were a cheap nothing that we are talking about.  What we have been given through the Gospel of Jesus Christ is of more worth than life itself, for He has come to unite us with Him now and forever.  What does it take to reach your soul?

Lord, help me take seriously the reality You are sharing with me.  Let me not look at things in an economic way, bartering this for that, or who did what and which was greater.  Help me learn how to see things in relational terms that I would live loving You Lord and my neighbor as You have commanded.  Guide me in Your goodness to come into this place forever.

Lord Jesus, You suffered death on the cross bearing all of our sins.  No one can begin to imagine the suffering.  Help me to see, to the best of my ability, the cost, that I would never take for granted all that has been done so that I may have faith.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go and grant the seriousness I need to arrive where You intend. Amen.

“To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison.  But in whatever respect anyone else is bold – I speak in foolishness – I am just as bold myself.  Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I” (2 Corinthians 11:21-22).

What are the qualifications we use to think of others?  Are they the things we ought to be using?  Are not all image bearers?  Are not all loved by the Lord?  But only some will listen to the Lord and walk in His ways.  Do not use the value system of the world, but listen to the Lord and walk in His ways, and listen to those who will faithfully share the Good News of the Gospel.

Lord, I am often discerning where I ought not be and not discerning where I should be.  Help me, Lord, to live according to Your Word and will.  Grant that I would have new eyes to see things through Your eyes.  Lead me to not depend upon what this world says, but rather upon what You say.  Guide me in Your goodness to live into the life to which You have called me that I may live in You.

Lord Jesus, You are the light of life and You have come humbly to each one of us that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may walk humbly with You and look to You as the source of understanding.  In Your goodness, lead me to live out the Father’s will in my daily life.  Help me to now and always think and act faithfully, always according to Your teaching.  Amen.

“Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.  For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly.  For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face” (2 Corinthians 11:18-20).

The world will take whatever it can and whenever it can.  We have been called to follow the Lord in and through all circumstances.  Come then and live into the life to which You have been called that You may abide in the Lord and He in you.  Circumstances come and go, but the call of the Lord is forever.  He will lift You up to face every circumstance, knowing all that is needed.

Yes, we all need to make the best effort we can, doing all that we are able to do in the flesh; but know that the Lord is always at work in you.  There are those who will take advantage.  There are those who will take and never give.  There are those who will not appreciate what is done.  Through it all, rejoice and be glad that the Lord has revealed to you His grace and mercy.

Lord, guide me in the way to live life.  There are many precepts I can follow, but You alone know all that is needed for me in this journey of becoming like Christ.  Guide me in Your goodness that I would now and always look to You as the One who leads.  Give me strength to meet all challenges that I may learn how to persevere.  In You alone is my hope, for You know all that is needed.  Amen.

“Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little.  What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting” (2 Corinthians 11:16-17).

We often judge others and then dismiss whatever they may say.  Even the fool can sometimes speak a word of wisdom.  The Lord will use whatever means He chooses to share with you the truth.  How much more then ought we to listen to one who brings the Good News of great joy?  Be willing to receive that Good News knowing the Lord is always at work in you and will bring truth to your heart if you are willing to listen.

Lord, open my ears to hear and shut down my judging heart.  From all quarters You are more than able to raise up those who will speak Your Word of truth.  Guide me that I would be discerning, but not judgmental, wise, but not boastful, and hospitable and not deceiving.  In all things teach me to receive all of life and live this life You have given me to Your glory.

Lord Jesus, You have gone to the cross, which is foolishness to this world, in order that we may be united with You in a resurrection like Yours.  Guide me to speak the truth whether or not others consider me a fool.  Help me to be bold in faith, quick to listen, and have a willing spirit to live out the call You have given me by grace.  Guide me, Lord, to become like You in this life.  Amen.

“No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Be on guard against those who have a new insight, or express something other than the simple truth that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected from the dead.  You can read this from Scripture.  Then pay attention to what the wicked have done ever since.  It is the same thing repackaged.  Turn to Jesus and ask for Him to lead you into all truth.  There is nothing new under the sun.

Lord, help me listen to You and those whom You send to preach the true Gospel.  Let me see through all of the nonsense that has gone on all along that I may humbly and truly come to You, through You, and with You wherever You lead.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You alone do I have hope and a future.  You alone are the One who saves and You alone are the One who is true.

Lord Jesus, You said definitively that You are the way, truth, and life.  Lead me in Your goodness to see that in You is all hope and a future.  Help me to not fall into the traps set by the wicked one that I may follow the simple Gospel of truth You have made known.  Let me not chase after the nonsense offered in this world that I may abide in You and You in me now and forever.  Amen.

“But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:12-13).

Take care with what you receive from others.  There are many false gospels that are going around.  What is the Gospel?  That Jesus has paid the price you cannot in order to receive what You cannot obtain on your own.  You cannot earn it; it has been given.  Now follow Jesus and He will make of You what He has always intended.  Anything short of this simplicity is a lie of the wicked one.

Lord, help me to receive the true message You have delivered once for all.  Guide me in the truth that I would learn to love as You love.  Lead me in the upward way that I may now and always be guided by Your goodness and mercy.  In and through all things, grant that I have eyes to see and ears to hear that I may listen to and speak the truth of Your Gospel which saves all whom You know and know You.

Lord Jesus, You have done what You have done and it is what we all need.  Many then fall back into the error of trying to repeat what only You can do.  You have set us free from the law to live out its precepts in love and not terror.  Guide me in the path of being whom You are making me to be, doing what You give me to do that I may be complete in You.  You alone are the Savior.  Amen.

“As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!  (2 Corinthians 11:10-11)

The truth of God cannot be stopped because it is God’s and will not return to Him void.  Listen then to the simple words of the Gospel.  We need to be saved from the insanity of this age.  Christ has come to save us.  Those who are in Christ know they have a new life.  They cannot and will not stay silent.  Even though they be made fugitives, yet the Word still is spoken and the truth cannot be overcome with a lie.

Lord, open my eyes to see that in You all things will be as You have made them.  I may not understand many things, but You have revealed truth.  You have come and walked amongst us.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would walk with You and never be silent about what You are doing.  May I learn to be bold in love and speaking truth in love to others.

Lord Jesus, You have shown Your love in what You have done for the whole world.  Help me see this simple truth and walk in the way You have already established.  Help me to speak this truth with my actions.  In all things, guide me according to Your purpose that I would now and forever abide in You and You in me.  May I always stand up for You and the truth of Your love.  Amen.

“I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so” (2 Corinthians 11:8-9).

Being thankful is a part of living the good life.  We are dependent and there really is no such thing as true independence.  If there were, only the Lord could be truly independent, but He has created this existence to share with us His love.  No, He is not dependent upon us, but we are upon Him.  Therefore, give thanks in all things for the provision of the Lord and do not act as though these good gifts are just there.

Lord, the world acts with great expectation with individuals feeling they deserve goodness.  All goodness comes from You and it is a gift.  Help me to see through the lies of this age and be thankful for those who have provided necessities that I may know You.  Help me to be thankful in all things and for all things.  Guide me in the way of Your goodness, sharing as I have been shared with.

Come Holy Spirit and work on my heart.  You know those places where I take things for granted and do not give as freely as I receive.  Lead me in the way of truth that I may now and always give and receive as You give and receive.  Teach me to be a cheerful giver and one who is always thankful for the good things You grant in this life.  Above all, help me to always be thankful for the salvation You make possible.

“Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? (2 Corinthians 11:7)

In many ways things are no different now then they were then.  If we are gifted something we often act as if it has no value.  Yes, the Gospel is given to us freely, but it is of more value than the world.  If someone serves us, we often act as though it is nothing.  Do not act as the world does, but value all of the gifts  you’re given.  Treasure what is of value and respect those who share the Good News.

Lord, I often treat as trivial what is great and great what is trivial.  Change how I value things that I would see things as they are and live in the truth that You alone are God and are to be praised and thanked above all things.  Guide me in Your goodness that I would now and always live into the life of faith You have given me by grace.  Let me rejoice in Your voice spoken no matter when or through whom or whether or not it came at a cost to me.

Lord Jesus, how easy it is to discount the grace You purchased with Your own body.  Help me to see the great cost and the invaluable gift You have given by setting me free from sin, death, and the devil.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You is all hope and life and that as You have given freely to me, so should I also freely give to others that they may have the pearl of great price.  Amen.