Summer Devotional 8

Passage: 2 Corinthians 13:5-9

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.

Reflection:

In this passage we see Paul urging the Corinthians to test themselves. What he means by this is that he wants the Corinthians to look at their hearts and see if Jesus Christ is the true Lord of their lives. Do they see Jesus living in them and leading their actions. He urges the Corinthians to resist sin, not for the outward glory, but rather, to show that Jesus is indeed changing their lives. He prays that they will stand firm in the truth. Where they feel weak, he hopes they will boast of the strength of Christ in them. Today we reflect on how we too need this evaluation in our lives. We need to look to Jesus and strongly consider if He is truly our Lord.

Reflection Questions:

1. What does this passage teach us about our sin and Christ’s strength?

2. Where do you see your weakness overshadowed by Christ’s power?

3. How does this passage encourage you?

4. How does this passage of Scripture affect your view of God and relationship with Him?

Summer Devotional 7

Passage: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Reflection:

In this passage we learn that Paul suffered daily. Though it is not clear how he suffered, he made it abundantly clear that Christ is made greater in our weakness. Our physical and emotional weaknesses do not hinder us from following Jesus or telling others about Him. If anything, they will strengthen our witness for Him. We can tell others how God is using what man sees as bad for good. We can share how Christ suffered the ultimate cost, so our pain though challenging helps us remember who Christ is and how much He loves us. What the enemy means for evil the Lord will use for good!

Reflection Questions:

1. What does this passage teach us about pain and suffering?

2. Why does pain allow us to see Christ more clearly?

3. How does this passage encourage you?

4. How does this passage of Scripture affect your view of God and relationship with Him?

Summer Devotional 6

Passage: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

Reflection:

This passage shares about God’s followers in the Macedonian churches. These people were facing intense poverty and affliction. Yet, despite their circumstances they grew in generosity and selflessness. This reminds us that one of the best things to do when facing trials is look up to God and out to others. Even when we are spread thin, finding ways to serve those around you brings God glory and fulfills your soul. God provides for us always and makes a way for us to give to His Church. We simply need to remember this and give generously.

 Reflection Questions:

1. What does this passage teach us about trials?

2. What does this teach you about giving to the Church?

3. How does this passage encourage you?

4. How does this passage of Scripture affect your view of God and relationship with Him?

Summer Devotional 5

Passage: 2 Corinthians 1 :3-7

 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Reflection

This passage starts off the second letter to the Corinthians. It teaches us that there will be suffering and pain in this lifetime. However, that suffering will be accompanied by comfort. Amazingly, the comfort we receive will first come from God and second come from other believers. When the Lord comforts us, we receive a gift because we are both comforted and able to then comfort those around us. These verses remind us that we are meant to go to the Lord first in our suffering and then our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are one body and that is a gift and a support system.

Reflection Questions

1. What does this passage teach us about trials?

2. Why does Paul emphasize the sufferings we will face?

3. How does this passage encourage you?

4. How does this passage of Scripture affect your view of God and relationship with Him?

Summer Devotional 4

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:56-59

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Reflection

This passage helps us face the reality of the world and find hope amidst the messiness of life. We learn here that the law reveals our sin. Human nature is one of brokenness, but Jesus came and died so that we might find freedom in him. If you feel weary right now, know that you are not alone. Pursuing the Lord is a lifelong privilege and challenge. Thankfully, He is victorious and your efforts will never be in vain. He sees you and is worthy of your praise!

Reflection Questions

1. What does this passage teach us about perseverance?

2. Why does Paul urge us to remain immovable?

3. How does this passage encourage you?

4. How does this passage of Scripture affect your view of God and relationship with Him?

Summer Devotional 3

Passage: 1 Corinthians 12: 14, 21-26

Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,  and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Reflection

This passage reminds us that each member of the body is needed. All believers together make up the body of Christ, and each person has been given specific gifts and talents. Some may seem bigger or better, but actually, every single gift is needed and valuable. Each unique person brings something to the body of Christ that would otherwise be lacking. The Lord intentionally designed every one of his children. He chose to create you exactly as you are. He tells us in this passage that even the unpresentable and lacking parts of the body are given special honor. So, even if you feel you are lacking or unnecessary, you are not. Together we learn from, serve, and bless the body of Christ.

Reflection Questions

1. What does this passage teach us about ourselves and our gifts?

2. How can you bless the body of Christ with your gifts and talents?

3. How does this passage encourage you?

4. How does this passage of Scripture affect your view of God and relationship with Him?

Summer Devotional 2

PASSAGE: 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-5

And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 

REFLECTION

This passage of Scripture reminds us that even the most devout and influential apostles of Jesus still need neither words nor wisdom to tell others about Christ. Paul shows us in these verses that we can be scared and unsure of what to say and yet the power of the Gospel will be victorious. We do not have to persuade others for the sake of Christ, the Holy Spirit does that for us. Take some time to answers the questions below and think about how this applies to your life today.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What does this passage teach us about sharing the Gospel?

2. What is holding you back from telling others about Jesus?

3. How does this passage encourage you?

4. How does this passage of Scripture affect your view of God and relationship with Him?

Summer Devotional 1

PASSAGE: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-17

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas[b]”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

REFLECTION

This passage of Scripture is encouraging and convicting. Paul calls out division between believers and rebukes it. He reminds believers that church leaders are not who we need to worship but the Lord Jesus. Lastly, this passage presses in on the importance of the Gospel and how sharing it does not need to be a show. You do not need to be eloquent, share your opinions, knowledge, or wisdom. The simplicity of the Gospel aids in its power. Jesus died, rose and reigns.  Take some time to answer the questions below and meditate on the meaning of God’s Word.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What does this passage say about unity? How can you strive to unite other followers of Jesus?

2. What does Paul say is more important baptism or evangelism (look at verse 17)? Why?

3. When was the last time you shared the Gospel?

4. How does this passage of Scripture affect your view of God and relationship with Him?

Coming Soon