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Oct 12: 1 Corinthians 16, Deuteronomy 18, Psalm 32

Oct 13: 2 Corinthians 1, Deuteronomy 19, Psalm 33

Oct 14: 2 Corinthians 2, Deuteronomy 20, Psalm 34

Oct 15:  2 Corinthians 3, Deuteronomy 21, Psalm 35

Oct 16: 2 Corinthians 4, Deuteronomy 22, Psalm 36

Oct 17: 2 Corinthians 5, Deuteronomy 23, Psalm 37

Oct 18: 2 Corinthians 6, Deuteronomy 24, Psalm 38

Oct 19: 2 Corinthians 7, Deuteronomy 25, Psalm 39

Oct 20: 2 Corinthians 8, Deuteronomy 26, Psalm 40

Oct 21: 2 Corinthians 9, Deuteronomy 27, Psalm 41

Oct 22: 2 Corinthians 10, Deuteronomy 28, Psalm 42

Oct 23: 2 Corinthians 11, Deuteronomy 29, Psalm 43

Oct 24: 2 Corinthians 12, Deuteronomy 30, Psalm 44

Oct 25: 2 Corinthians 13, Deuteronomy 31, Psalm 45

Mary Oberg Mary Oberg

2 Corinthians 4 - 10.16.26

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 18

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Observation:

There are so many nuggets of truth in these verses.

  • When you believe, you speak out and share it. People naturally share their opinions. How much more should we be sharing the wonderful truth we have. 

  • The one who raised Jesus from the dead will also raise us up and present us to him. 

  • As grace reaches more and more people, thanksgiving will overflow bringing God glory.

  • We can be encouraged that even though our physical body wastes away, we can be renewed inwardly in our spirit each day.

  • Eternal glory comes from the troubles we are experiencing.

  • We need to fix our eyes on the unseen, the eternal.  The reward that awaits in Heaven because Jesus paid the price for our sin.

Application: 

I need to fix my eyes on Jesus and all that Heaven holds.  May it be what guides the things I say and do.  I also want to speak out and share more about all God has done and that Jesus is coming again.  Troubles are a part of life.  I need to keep my mindset positive and look to Jesus knowing eternity does not compare with what I’m experiencing. In order for my inward body to be renewed I need to take action and allow God to do it.  That includes reading his word, praying and listening for Him to speak.

Prayer:

Father God,

Thank you for all you have created and done for us to be redeemed and live with you in eternity.  Jesus paid the ultimate price.  May my eyes be fixed on not what is seen, but instead on the unseen, the truth and promises you have given.  May my faith and words glorify you and cause other to know you.  When I can’t speak, may my actions shine your love.  I want to extend your grace.  Thank you that my spirit can be renewed each day.  That is an action I have to take. Remind me to do the things each day that restore my soul.

I want to always be an example of being grateful and thankful.

Every good thing comes from you and I will lack nothing.

Amen

- Cindy Howard

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Mary Oberg Mary Oberg

2 Corinthians 3 - 10.15.26

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."

Observation

We are a reflection of the gospel. Paul says the best proof of God's work is simply our changed lives. How can someone see the fruit of the Spirit if you are not living a Christ-like life?

Application

Asking the Lord to remove my heart of stone and give me a heart like Jesus to see, to love, and to protect just as Jesus did. Spending more time with the Father is the only way to reflect His love.

Prayer 

Lord, take away my heart of stone and give me a heart like Yours. Help me to see, love, and protect people the way You do. Remind me that simply spending time with You is the best way to naturally reflect Your love in my everyday life. Amen.

- Leo Rodriguez

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Mary Oberg Mary Oberg

2 Corinthians 2 - 10.14.26

Scripture: 2 Cor 2:10-11

“Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”

Observation

There was a member in the Corinthian church that had offended the church. After a period of discipline, Paul urges the church to forgive him. Paul reminds the church that we need to forgive so that Satan does not take advantage of us. We are not ignorant of Satan’s schemes. This verse tells us that if we choose to hold a grudge against someone, we are falling into Satan’s schemes.

In a parallel passage, the Bible says, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Eph 4:26-27). The message of this verse is that if we hold unforgiveness in our hearts, it is the same as giving place to the devil in our hearts. Holding unforgiveness is like setting up a sofa in our heart, inviting the devil to sit on it. 

In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught us to pray “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Jesus even said that if we do not forgive others their sins, our Father will not forgive our sins (Matthew 6:15). Jesus said, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25). 

Jesus took this one step further in Matthew 5:24-25. He said, when you come to offer your gift at the altar, and you remember that someone has something against you (not that you have something against someone), leave your gift at the altar and go and first be reconciled to your brother, and then come back and offer your gift.

We are called to forgive regardless of whether the offender has apologized. We are called to forgive seven times seven times for the same offense each day (Matt 18:22).

Application

Let us examine our hearts to see if we have any “root of bitterness” in our hearts against anyone, causing ourselves to be defiled (Heb 12:15). Holding unforgiveness does not affect the person who is unforgiven. It affects the person who refuses to forgive.

If someone is continuing to harm us, let us use the wisdom God has given us to be as wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove (Matt 10:16), and take steps to put ourselves out of harm’s way. At the same time, let us guard our hearts against unforgiveness and choose to forgive everyone, no matter how deeply they may have hurt us or how deserving we may feel they are of our resentment.

Let us prayerfully obey the Lord' s commandment, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matt 5:44).

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for loving me and forgiving me of my sins. Thank you for the blood of Jesus which washes me of all sins. Help me to search my heart. If I have unforgiveness in my heart, please show it to me. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me, just how you have forgiven me. I can’t do this on my own, Lord.  Please help me. I can do nothing without you (John 15:5) but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Help me to forgive and love as you have shown us, so that I can be like my heavenly Father (Matt 5:48). In Jesus’s name. Amen

- Asha Chacko George

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