“Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ – I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!  I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:1-2).

As our life in Christ continues, we ought not need to be bold one with the other, but accept God’s love and give His love.  The world is contentious, but we ought not be contentious.  Instead, be humble and willing to give and receive as the Lord gives and receives.  We are whom we are in the Lord and He will make of each one of us what He will make of us.  Live wholly in the Lord.

Lord, I live in a world that is very competitive.  Help me to live truthfully in Your sight and in the sight of my neighbor.  Guide me in the goodness You have revealed that I may learn to be meek, knowing that in this world there are times to be bold.  Through all things, guide me along the path of righteousness that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy through all travails.

Lord Jesus, without You none of these thoughts, let alone actions, would be possible.  By Your grace, guide me this day in the way You would have me walk and, where I might be bold where I should be meek, lead me to have the right attitude.  Through all that this life will toss my way, help me to keep my eyes upon You that I may grow in the goodness and mercy You have given me.  Amen.

“While they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”  (2 Corinthians 9:14-15)

Do you not know that there are others who are lifting you up in prayer?  There are those who seek the Lord’s blessing on your behalf and when You grow in the admonition of the Lord, they grow.  The Lord knits these things together that we might help each other on this path to which we have been called.  Rejoice that you are a part of something greater.  Be glad that the Lord has shown these things to you.

Lord, my faith wavers, but You are steadfast.  I sometimes doubt, but You are there.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always be led by You and grow through those things You give me to do.  Help me now and always to see that in You is all hope and that Your blessings pour out on us each day.  Guide me in Your goodness, Lord, in order that I may see my faith strengthened.

Come, Holy Spirit, and continue to guide me in the way to live life.  Help me now and always to see that through You I may take comfort in doing what You give me to do.  Lead me, O Lord, and I will follow.  Direct me and I will do Your will.  Lift me up and I will be strengthened.  Through You I can do those things You give me to do.  With You in me, I can do them in a way that pleases the Father.  Amen. 

“For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.  Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all” (2 Cotinthians 9:12-13)

There is one fellowship with Christ, the communion of saints.  The Lord is teaching us to work together for good through love.  This is a great mystery, but it is the reality we profess each time the creed is spoken.  Come then into the fellowship and work alongside others in the vinyard, doing what the Lord gives you to do.  Through Him, we are all made part of the work He is accomplishing.

Lord, help me learn how to do my part knowing that in You I will become what You are making me to be.  Guide me in Your goodness to not be so concerned with what is accomplished, but to rejoice that I am a part of Your work.  Guide me to live out the Gospel You have spoken knowing that Your Word never comes back void.  Lead me in the way of righteousness.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always be guided by the truth You have revealed once for all.  In You is all hope and glory.  Apart from You, all is vanity.  Teach me these simple things that I would rejoice in all the good gifts You give and live into the life to which You have called me.  Amen.

“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).

Do not worry about what you do not have, but take what you do have and walk with the Lord.  He who knows your every need has provided all that is necessary.  Come then, and walk with Him as He leads, and be one who produces thanksgiving in all you do.  Know that through Christ, the Father will bring all things together and fulfill His will on earth as it is done in heaven.

Lord, grant me a willing heart to not stop at those things which I do not understand, but to continue on in the truth You have revealed once for all.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may walk with You into eternity. Guide me by Your goodness to see the good as I walk and to live the good as You lead.  Through all things, may I be one who spreads thanksgiving all around me.

Lord Jesus, You spread Your goodness to all whom You met.  Through You, we have all been blessed with blessing upon blessing.  Guide me, O Lord, this day in Your goodness that I may humbly walk with You in and through me as I encounter others.  Lead me, O Lord, and give me a willing heart to follow.  May I be in the Father’s will, sowing His goodness to all whom I meet this day. Amen.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever”  (2 Corinthians 9:8-9)

The Lord provides for all equally.  What we do with it is something else.  The Lord causes the rain to fall upon the just and the unjust.  You have been given the Good News of salvation which comes through Christ.  His righteousness is offered to you.  Come then and live a life that rejoices in the goodness of His grace and mercy.  Know that all who are in the Lord are provided for.

Lord, I hear the untruths that do not come from you.  I do not need to look far in order to see the hindrance of sin between Your provision and the unfulfilled needs of my neighbor.  Help me to see things clearly that I would never join with those who accuse You.  Instead, grant me a heart that rejoices in truth and loves all whom You love.  Your righteousness alone endures forever.

Lord Jesus, You came as One who lived without and gave away all that You could to those around You.  Finally, You gave to us all the righteousness we could never have apart from You.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may live into the life You offer.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may walk in Your footsteps and grow into Your likeness.  Strengthen me through all things to become more like You.  Amen.

“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

It is not a game we play with the Lord.  Ultimately, you are either all in, or else you are out.  The Lord does not want a part of you, but the whole.  Do not give just a little and expect much.  Invest all that you are in the Lord and you will reap according to what you sow.  The Lord knows all things and He knows your heart.  Be willing to submit to the Lord and to be shaped by Him.

Lord, there are so many things I want, but I want them on my terms.  Take this attitude away from me that I would simply be yours to do with as You please.  Let me not even worry about how much I am sowing, but simply sow all that I can for Your sake.  Guide me  O Lord  in the way of truth that I would become what You are making of me.  Help me give away what I cling to that gets in the way.

Lord Jesus, You did not collect things in this world, but gave yourself away.  On the cross, You gave Yourself for all.  Help me, O Lord, see that only in You is there a hope and a future.  Lead me ever upward in this journey of faith that I would see that all that I sow is only possible because of You.  May the Father reap what is sown and may I be granted my part through You.  Amen.

“So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness” (2 Corinthians 9:5).

The Lord provides in many ways.  Whether through another person, or in a way you do not understand, realize that all good gifts come from the Lord.  Do not covet because you do not have, nor think more highly of yourself because you have more.  Instead, in all things, give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and mercy.  Be one through whom the Lord works that You may be in His will.

Lord, teach me to live as You would have me live.  Guide me in Your goodness that I would do those things You give me to do and be content in all circumstances.  Help me to understand that You are constantly arranging things according to Your will.  Let me willingly receive all things that You give and be filled with joy that You have made possible this gift of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You lived a life filled with purpose as You went and invited all to join You.  Help me to live in the same purpose, not being concerned with my day to day circumstances, but rejoicing that I am walking with You.  Lead me this day in the way You would have me go that I may do what is pleasing in the Father’s sight.  In all things, may I always be thankful that I am with You.  Amen.

“But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared; otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we – not to speak of you – will be put to shame by this confidence” (2 Corinthians 9:3-4).

In spite of the good work that is done, we still need encouragement.  Are there ever enough hands to do all that needs to be done?  Receive those who come alongside that they might encourage you in the tasks at hand.  Do not be insecure because the Lord sends another to help, but instead rejoice that the Lord invests in the ministry you are doing.  Be guided always by Him and the direction He gives.

Lord, teach me those things which my old heart does not know.  Help me to see that You are constantly sending those who will help and providing for every need.  Lead me in the upward call to both give and receive, help and be helped, love and be loved.  Through all things, You strengthen each of us in this path of faith on which You have placed each one of us.

Lord Jesus, Your call was simple, “Come follow me.”  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may be where You want me to be, do what You want me to do, and live as You would have me live.  Help me to be receptive to all things knowing that You alone must be the author and finisher of my faith.  Guide me, Lord, and help me to always be willing to follow You no matter what that may mean.  Amen.

“For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them” (2 Corinthians 9:1-2).

We all need encouragement.  The world is filled with all kinds of wickedness and there are those who are constantly seeking to hinder our free expression of the faith.  This has not changed.  What you do for the Lord, continue doing.  Do not be hindered by what others think, but seek always to do that which is pleasing in the Lord’s sight.  Know that in Him all things are possible.

Lord, teach me to persevere in spite of what those around me say.  Guide me in Your goodness to reach out and continue, no matter the conditions, to do what is right.  Help me live into the life to which You have called me knowing that in You aloine is all hope.  May I live in the zeal of the truth of the Gospel and be guided by Your Spirit to stand fast, hold firm, and live out the gift of new life You have given me.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to experience adversity and hostility.  Guide me in my daily life to be gracious and kind, but also firm in the conviction You have given me.  Lead me in the true faith through all things that I would forever look to You, My Savior, for all good guidance in living this life of faith You have given me.  Keep me in Your presence now and always.  Amen.

“We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.  As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.  Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you” (2 Corinthians 8:22-24).

We all need encouragement.  Sometimes we do not trust that the Holy Spirit is working among us.  Listen to the admonitions of the simple things we are to do.  Receive the one who is sent.  Be encouraging before others.  Listen and learn knowing that the Lord has provided all that is needed.  Know that in the Lord all will be well with Your soul.  He has paved the way for the faithful.

Lord, I become anxious in this world and question everything.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may walk humbly with You knowing that You already know what all the future will bring.  Help me to receive those whom You send and go where You send me.  Give me a heart that trusts You above all things.  Help me to be open and honest and a willing servant of others as You have been.

Lord Jesus, You willingly went from town to town doing what the Father gave You to do.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of being Your servant that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy to serve as You ask.  You have already accomplished all that is needed.  So help me to be a part of what You are accomplishing for others.  Help me to see Your hand at work that I may be both encouraged and an encouragement to others.  Amen.