Living by the Power of God -2 Corinthians 13:3-5

"since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you."

Such an amazing promise!!! However, I thought it was important to share the verse right after (verse 5).

"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith, Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? -unless indeed you are disqualified." 

The Warfare -2 Corinthians 10:3-6

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."

The promise I wanted to point out here is that our weapons as a Christian are "mighty in God"...it's not our strength at work here.

The Cheerful Giver -2 Corinthians 9:6-9

"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace about toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.""

Our Father -2 Corinthians 6:16-18, 7:1

This is such an amazing promise...I read it today, and instantly knew that I wanted to share it.

"And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty."

The beginning of the next chapter really summarizes what our response should be to all of the promises we've seen in 2 Corinthians.

"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

 

A House Not Made With Hands -2 Corinthians 5:1,5

"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

How do we know this promise is true? God has given us His Spirit as a guarantee:

"Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."

If only we lived with this heavenly perspective all of the time.

Shone in our Hearts -2 Corinthians 4:6

"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Transformed -2 Corinthians 3:17-18

"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 by the Spirit of the Lord."

What a promise! We are being changed into His Image...

The Veil is Taken Away -2 Corinthians 3:12-16

"Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech-unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." 

Leads Us In Triumph -2 Corinthians 2:14

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place."

I really like how this verse points out that God's victory in our lives is a light to others. But for me, it's especially encouraging to know that God "...always leads us in triumph...", not a few times, or every once in a while, but always.

Stay Encouraged!

Partake of the Consolation -2 Corinthians 1:5-7

"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation  also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation."

The God of All Comfort -2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

I really like how the end of this verse points out that God comforts us so we can in turn comfort others.

He is Risen! -2 Corinthians 4:14-15

Happy Easter Everybody!

Today I thought I would post a couple verses that speak of the Resurrection, and also shows the promise that it gives to us...we will also rise!

"knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God."

The Strongest -2 Corinthians 12:9-10

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. This verse summarizes for me an area where I tend to fail a lot, and yet it is also a promise that I find very encouraging.

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Often I find myself trying to solve problems by my own strength...and time and time again I am reminded of how weak and frail I am.

But God is way stronger than any weakness I have, and, when I rest in His grace, His strength is made perfect in my weakness. When I rest in God's strength as I'm going through a difficult problem or a tough time, I bring glory and honor to Him.

So this really is a double promise. God's grace is sufficient for our us, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

My prayer is that I will be able to say with Paul as He says later on, (verse 10),

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirimities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake..."

"...For when I am weak, then I am strong."