“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.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

For those who are in the Lord, there is freedom.  Jesus has ascended to the right hand of the Father that those who come in Spirit and truth, and come as worshipers, live in the fullness of the grace and mercy of the Lord.  Be guided not by your own desires, but by the truth of the Lord which has been revealed through the salvation He has prepared in the sight of all people.  Be transformed into His glory now and forever.

Lord, You have revealed the light and the light is the light of every nation.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always walk in the light that Your Spirit shines before the footsteps of the faithful.  Help me to not so much seek to understand as to follow.  Teach me to trust You above all things and walk this life of faith that You have given me.

Come, Holy Spirit, and illumine my heart.  Teach me to abide in You as You abide in me.  Guide me according to Your purposes that I may forever walk in Your counsel.  Lead me in the goodness of Your presence and teach me to listen as You direct, walk as you direct, and live in accordance with all that brings the Father glory.  Teach me to trust You in all of my ways and walk as one for whom the veil has been lifted.  Amen.

“But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.  But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (2 Corinthians 3:14-16).

There are those who come to the Lord with their own expectations, desires, and goals.  As long as you come expecting the Lord to be what you imagine, the veil remains.  The Lord is Lord of all and His ways are so far above our ways that no one is able to comprehend.  Come to the Lord as you are and receive Him as He is.  Live in truth and the truth will be revealed to you that you might live into an eternal life.

Lord, I do not like being treated as someone other than who I am, yet this happens all the time.  Guide me Lord to live into the truth that You are who You are and that You have called me into Your presence.  Lead me Lord according to Your goodness to see that only in You is there hope and an eternal future.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope.

Lord Jesus, even while You walked upon the earth, those around You wanted You to do things their way.  Help me learn how to simply follow.  Guide me in the way I need to go and teach my heart to not continue the rebellion of always wanting things the way I want them.  You alone are Lord and You alone know all that is needed.  Guide me, Lord, that I may be led by You alone into the way of truth.  Amen.

“For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory. Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away” (2 Corinthians 3:11-13).

The world says, “Hush.”  Too often we listen to the world.  Do not listen to the world, but to the Word made flesh who has spoken the final answer.  Come then into the glory of the Lord and shout it from the mountaintops.  Be led not by the world, but by the One who has overcome the world.  Be guided in His grace, mercy and love to live into the life to which You have been called.

Lord, through my baptism You have called me to the greater fullness of life lived in You.  In the law of love, which is the greatest law of all, guide my heart and from there my actions to be in accord with Your Word.  Lead me according to the promises You have given and fulfilled.  May my voice ring with the truth of Your saving grace and glorious mercy which You have given to us.

Lord Jesus, You have literally gone to hell and back for the sake of those who will come into this loving relationship which You offer.  Guide me today and everyday to live into and by this love which You give.  May I become the person You are creating me to be, doing what is pleasing in the Father’s sight and always, always, following You wherever You lead me.  Amen.