2 Corinthians 13

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith.  Don’t drift along taking everything for granted.  Give yourselves regular checkups.  You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you.  Test it out.  If you fail the test, do something about it.” (v 5 MSG)

When I pause to consider the condition of my heart, Father, guide me in honestly looking at every part.  You moved into my heart many years ago.  How much access to the home of my heart have I really given you?

You desire for me to be just like Jesus, to have a heart like His.  You love me just the way I am, but You refuse to let me stay that way.  You’ve said in Your Word, “But you were taught to be made new in your hearts, to become a new person.  That new person is made to be like God — made to be truly good and holy” (Eph 4:23-24 NCV).

When I gave my life to You, You gave Yourself to me.  You have moved in and unpacked Your bags and are ready to change me “into Your likeness from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor 3:18 RSV).  “Strange as it seems, we Christians actually do have within us a portion of the very thoughts and mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16 TLB).

You have big plans for me, Father, now that I have chosen to follow Jesus.  Your plan involves a total transformation of me, as Your Word describes, “He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love Him along the same lines as the life of His Son” (Rom 8:29 MSG).  I like Your plans, Father.  Here I am … Keep on carrying out Your transforming work in my life as You make me just like Jesus.  Amen.

“The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of YOU.” (2 Cor 13:14 MSG)

[A portion of today’s devo-prayer has been adapted or inspired from thoughts conveyed in Max Lucado’s book “Just Like Jesus” from Word Books, 1998. — get it, read it, you’ll LOVE it!!  🙂 ]

2 Corinthians 12

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Because of the extravagance of those revelations [as Paul described in v 1-6], and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations.  Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees.  No danger then of walking around high and mighty!  At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it.  Three times I did that, and then He told me, ‘My grace is enough; it’s all you need.  My strength comes into its own in your weakness.’

“Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen.  I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift.  It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in my weakness.  Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size — abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks.  I just let Christ take over!  And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.'”  (v 7-10 MSG)

Considering a continual weakness something to be excited about, Lord, is a difficult thing to do.  It’s definitely not the natural choice of my nature; but rather an act of the will, a choice made through Your spirit within me.  You summed it up so well with “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (v 9 NIV)

Thank You for Your grace.  There are so many facets to this wondrous favor You bestow on me, even when I don’t deserve it.  You withhold justice through Your mercy and lavish Your love upon me by Your grace.

There’s a chorus from Women of Faith that says,

“But for Your grace I could not be saved
But for Your grace I would go my way
I’m forever grateful
That You have been faithful to me, Lord
And for Your amazing grace” *

Thank You for my weaknesses, Father.  Thanks for my limitations that make way for Your limitless power to be manifested in my life, as You keep making me just like Jesus.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 11

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough … In fact, You even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face.” (v 4, 20 NIV)

Throughout my life, Father, You’ve been revealing the truth of Your Word to me.  You’ve been the One, through various means, to open the Scriptures to me and to help me understand the words You’ve shared.  Thank You for seeing to it that I am in touch with Your truth.

Let me never stray from Your truth–which is Jesus (John14:6)–but rather keep me keenly alert to impostors or smooth-talking teachers.  The enemy, as You’ve reminded me (2 Cor 11:13-15), can be sly, tricky, and subtle, while masquerading as a believer who teaches with authority.  Guide me in straining ALL teaching I hear.  Remind me to ask (1) “Do the teachings confirm Scripture (Acts 17:11)?   (2) Does the teacher affirm and proclaim that Jesus Christ is God who came into the world as a man to save people from their sins (1 John 4:1-3)? and (3) Is the teacher’s lifestyle consistent with Biblical morality (Matt 12:33-37)?” *

Keep on helping me to become more and more familiar with Your Word.  Cause me to feel “at home” in the pages of Scripture.  Just like a bank teller studies a genuine dollar bill thoroughly, so that a counterfeit is no match for his/her trained eye, make me well-versed in recognizing Your truth, in knowing Your Word, and then, help me to live out that which I know, as You keep on making me just like Jesus.  Amen.

* NIV Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan, p. 2107.

2 Corinthians 10

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.   We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT AND MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST.”  (v 3-5 NIV)

Father, train me to pay attention to Your presence that’s with me.  You alone are a perpetual friend, a constant conversation companion, an ever-ready counselor, a steadfast source of security, comfort, and peace, a lasting love … YOU ALONE are all these things and more!

When my mind forgets this truth, remind me.  When my heart ignores You and gropes for its needs elsewhere, embrace me.  When my soul aches deep down and finds no rest on its own, envelope me, fill me, so that there’s no way I could consider any other source for my longings but You.

Make my heart a “God-intoxicated” one — turn my thoughts toward You in EACH MOMENT.  You are as close as my very breath always.  All it takes is for me to notice or remember that You’re present … to seek Your face, to seek Your counsel, to enjoy Your company.  Invade my every thought, Lord, so that my entire life is consumed with You.  Infiltrate my character so that others see YOU more than me when they are with me.  Make me just like Jesus.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 9

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, You will abound in every good work.” (v 7-8 NIV)

How You daily take care of me, Father!  You meet my simplest, most basic needs as well as the more intricate and involved ones. You have designed who I am.  You’ve seen who I have been.  You anticipate who I will become.  In ALL things surrounding my life, my being, YOUR hand is at work.  At ALL times, You are personally aware of my needs, hopes, longings, and You are involved.  You see to it that I continually have ALL that I need just when You know I need it.  It’s like Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, once said, “God’s work done in God’s way shall never lack God’s supply.”  You supply all that I need, so that You can use me in the lives of others who need to know You or grow closer to You.

“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, … your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.  This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God …men will praise God …for your generosity …and in their prayers for you…” (v 11-14 NIV)

What fun!  What a joy it is, Lord, when You show me that there’s something I have or can do that another person needs.  And look at the spiritual rewards You highlight through Paul’s words: Those who receive such gifts will be helped; they’ll praise You, God, and they’ll pray … just like You’ve designed Your Body to function!

In the way that Paul rounds out this chapter, I choose to agree, “Thanks be to You, my God, for Your indescribable gift!”  Thank You for the lives You’ve used to minister to mine.  Thank You for touching me through Jesus … for altering the course of my soul through Your sacrificial gift of Your Son’s life in my place, so that I might be free from sin.

Oh, Father!  Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus.  Keep my heart faithful to You.  Make Your will my will, as You mold me to become just like Jesus.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 8

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“…just as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us–see that you also excel in this grace of giving … For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich … For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he doesn’t have.” (8:7, 9, 12 NIV)

Father, thank You for the resources You supply.  Thanks for providing for my needs and for opportunities to share with others.  Thank You for accepting whatever size gift I can give based on what I have.  Take each gift, whether publicly shared or anonymously given, and bless it, so that the recipient is moved closer to the realization of Your deep and personal love for him or her.

Keep my motives pure and Christ-like as I give. Shape my will, my desires, my motives to fully resemble Your own.

Set my confidence firmly on You, so that it’s You in whom I trust to provide for my needs.  When I am confident in Your promise to take care of me, there’s no need to be selfish with what You supply.  Out of my something I can give to alleviate another’s nothing–and that’s not always a gift of money.  Move me to “excel in this grace of giving.” Make me just like Jesus. Amen.

2 Corinthians 7

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (v 1 NIV)

“…dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without.  Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.” (v 1 MSG)

You’ve said elsewhere in Your Word, Lord, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matt 5:8 NIV)  Help me to purify my heart and mind.  Guide me in choosing what I let my mind consume and dwell on.  Guard my heart, leading me away from setting my affections on things of this world rather than on You.  Cause all my longings to be only for You, for Your attention, Your love, and Your presence.  You supply so many good things in my life.  Keep me from becoming more attached to them than I am to You – that subtle form of idolatry, or setting people or things in the place reserved for only You, Lord.  Purify me.  Make this temple a holy place in which You dwell.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.  See what godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done…” (7:10-11 NIV)

“…You let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from Him.  The result was all gain, no loss.  Distress that drives us to God does that.  It turns us around.  It gets us back in the way of salvation.  We never regret that kind of pain.  But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.  And now, isn’t it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God?  You’re more ALIVE, more CONCERNED, more SENSITIVE, more REVERENT, more HUMAN, more PASSIONATE, more RESPONSIBLE.  Looked at from any angle, you’ve come out of this with PURITY OF HEART.” (7:10-11 MSG)

Thank You, Father, for Your Spirit within me who works to convict me in those times when I stray from Your will.  His conviction can soften my heart, making me pliable, bringing a repentant mindset and a return to seeking Your will above my own.  Daily do whatever YOU know it takes to keep my heart set on You.  Keep making me just like Jesus.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 6

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain … We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.” (6:1,3 NIV)

“…please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us … don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing.  Our work as God’s servants gets validated – or not – in the details.” (6:1, 3-4 MSG)

Father, Your marvelous grace is a wondrous gift that cost You so much! Thank You for Your grace!  Thanks for freely giving what I surely didn’t deserve.

Cause my life to be a reflection of that grace to others.  Remove any part of me that would convey “ungrace” to others.  Teach me to leave the convicting of other’s faults to Your Spirit.  Make my heart and mind into vessels of Your acceptance and compassion.  Shape me into more of an encourager, a cheerleader, one who builds others up as we together seek to be fully devoted followers of You.

“…For we are the temple of the living God.  As God has said, ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people … I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters.” (6:16, 18 NIV)

Thank You for making me Your child, Lord.  Thanks that I get to call You “Father.”  Thanks for the changes in me that You initiate, cultivate, and bring to the point of being ripe for harvesting and sharing with others.  Make the fruit that comes from this branch into that which resembles the Vine (Jesus) and is nourishing to others around.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 5

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down–when we die and leave these bodies–we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands … We are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.  So our aim is to please Him always, … For we must all stand before Christ to be judged.  We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.  It is because we know this solemn fear of the Lord that we work so hard to persuade others…” (5:1, 8-11 NLT)

Being human can sometimes be frustrating, Father, especially when “our aim is to please [You] always” (v 9).  My intentions, my passion, my focus can be intensely set on You and I can be moving in the direction of Your will, and then some lie, ploy, or subtle attack by the enemy of my soul can work its way into me.  There are times, before I’ve even seen it lurking about, that the tangling vines of sin get such a grip on me.  Papa! Only YOU by Your grace can free me from its clutches!  Every time I cry out to You and You free me from such sin, I am reminded of the price You paid so that I could know that freedom … so that I could know You personally … so that I’d tell others about You.

Make me aware of the lives touching mine who need to hear of this freedom You offer them as well.  Help me to see others through Your eyes.  Move me to step toward them with Your Message of new and eternal life.

“Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us.  Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live.  He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live to please themselves.  Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them … All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to Himself through what Christ did … For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (5:14-15, 18, 21 NLT)

Thank You for offering Your Son in my place, so that You and I, Father, could be reconciled.  My sin sent Jesus to the cross.  Your love kept Jesus on the cross.  May that same love move me daily to carry the Message of the cross to those who need to hear it the most and to those who think they need it the least.  Use me as You will, Father, and keep on making me just like Jesus.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 4

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“…since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” (4:1 NIV)

“Since God has so generously let us in on what He is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times.” (4:1 MSG)

Wherever You place me, each time You place me into some sort of ministry role — whether it’s interpersonal, vocational, short term, long term — the main point is that it’s YOU who supplies the role and it’s YOU alone who can sustain me in that role until You’re done molding and shaping me through each season of service.

“But this precious treasure — this light and power that now shine within us — is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies.  So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.” (4:7 NLT)

All that I am comes solely from You, Father.  You are my Maker.  My weak body is not a sign that You made a mistake; rather, because there are cracks in this jar of clay, Your light within me can shine through.  Even light poking through cracks can illuminate a dark room … Just as Your light in me can help others I encounter to see You more clearly, and can bring understanding of You and Your longing for them to know You intimately.  Here I am, Lord; use me as Your vessel.

“So we’re not giving up.  How could we!  Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace.  These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.  There’s far more here than meets the eye.  The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow.  But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” (4:16-18 MSG)

Thank You for unfolding Your grace before me, toward me, around me, and in me EVERY day.  How amazing to consider what You have in store for me, Father.  Certainly, what You have is far greater than anything I could imagine.  Just the thought of getting to be with You is a hope that spurs me onward.  Keep on molding me.  “Take my heart and form it.  Take my mind, transform it.  Take my will, conform it to Yours, to Yours, Oh Lord.” (from “Holiness” by Vineyard Singers on More Love, More Power)  Whatever it takes, Lord, make me just like Jesus.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 3

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.  Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.  He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant…” (3:4-6 NIV)

Any task before me, any challenge ahead of me, I can accomplish or face because of the confidence and competence YOU supply.  You make me bold; You make me capable.  I am dependent upon You, Lord, for these things at all times.

“…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (3:17-18 NIV)

“…God is a living personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone.  And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete.  We’re free of it!  All of us!  Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of His face.  And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like Him.” (3:17-18 MSG)

Thank You for the freedom You bring, Father!  And every single day, You’re at work to cause the reflection of me to look less and less like me and more and more like Jesus.  Keep on doing so!  Amen.

2 Corinthians 2

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through ups spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him” (2:14 NIV)

“In Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade.  Through us, He brings knowledge of Christ.  Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance.  Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation–an aroma redolent with life.  But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.” (2:14-16 MSG)

Father, thanks that You make it so that others can smell Jesus on me.  Only You can cause Your scent to be stronger than my own, and to be recognizable as originating from You.

Thank You for the victory over sin that You make possible when I follow You.  This passage says You LEAD us in this “triumphal procession” or “perpetual victory parade.”  The only way You can LEAD is if I choose to follow … and I do!  I choose to follow You and I thank You for the victory You bring, as You shape me to be just like Jesus!  Amen.

*link embedded in “perpetual victory parade” is to Kathy Troccoli’s song “Parade” from her Love Has a Name project

2 Corinthians 1

Thank You, Lord, that You love me like no other.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

You, Father, are my Source for ALL things:

FATHER OF COMPASSION (v 3) — You peer through the windows of my soul to see the needs and hopes deep inside me.  Your heart feels what I feel, identifying with all that I go through.

GOD OF ALL COMFORT (v 3) — You come alongside me with Your embrace, Your presence, Your encouragement.  You reach out Your hand, slip it under my chin, lift my head, so that my eyes can look into Yours … and as my Papa who loves me without end, You speak precious words that settle my spirit, calm my mind, and hold my heart near to Yours.  Not always do You provide protection from pain, but always You supply Your presence in every pain.

PATIENT ENDURANCE (v 6) — Both of those words look so LONG, like their nature personified in their letters!  Yet, in every step of each long haul of sticking it out without anxiety, YOU give wisdom and strength for me to remain steadfast.

NOT RELY ON OURSELVES BUT ON GOD (v 9) — YOU are the Friend on whom I can ALWAYS depend, Jesus!  You are consistent, more than capable, trustworthy … and You love me.  Thank You for the assurance of YOU … and knowing that I can always count on YOU!

GOD, WHO RAISES THE DEAD (V 9) — Into every life that has become Yours, You bring a resurrection: restoring once-dead or dying areas and breathing new life into withered souls.  When You find dying areas of my life, Lord, call me forth from the tomb and unwrap ALL my grave clothes, as You did for Lazarus.  Remake my attitudes, actions, and thoughts into life-inspiring ways like Your own.

HE WILL DELIVER US (v 10) — When I cry out in the midst of pain or trial, YOU are there, Father.  Your hand reaches out to rescue me or to keep me from falling into peril.  Thank You for being my Deliverer.

ON HIM WE HAVE SET OUR HOPE (v 10) — You alone, O Lord, are the strength of my heart.  There is NOTHING on earth that compares to YOU.  May my desires not focus on temporal, earthly things, but rather, may the eyes of my heart continually seek You, see You, and remain focused on You throughout all my days.

HOLINESS AND SINCERITY (v 12) — It’s You who sets me apart, making me holy, and who places a genuineness in me, so that others can see a true devotion to You in spite of my humanity.

ACCORDING TO GOD’S GRACE (v 12) — Thank You for giving me what I didn’t deserve.  Your free gift of grace has wiped my slate clean–no more sin.  That same grace carries me through this life in You as I endeavor to allow You to have all of me.

AS SURELY AS GOD IS FAITHFUL (v 18) — There is NONE like You — so faithful and true!  You follow me, You go before me; You are always at work in my life.

PROMISES GOD MADE ARE “YES” IN CHRIST (v 20) — You always fulfill Your promises, doing what You say You’ll do.  In Jesus, You carried out so MANY things You promised Your people over centuries!

IT IS GOD WHO MAKES … YOU STAND FIRM IN CHRIST (v 21) — You are my strength; You are my support, my defense, my refuge in the face of temptation from the enemy.  You uphold me always, simply because I belong to You.

ANOINTED US (v 21) — Just like when You’d have someone in the Old Testament times smear oil onto a person in an act of consecration, so You have done so with my heart.  You have set me aside for Your use.

SET HIS SEAL OF OWNERSHIP ON US (v 22) — You have chosen me.  You called me.  When I came to You, You accepted me and made me Your own.  You are my Master; keep me from allowing another to rule over me.

PUT HIS SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS AS A DEPOSIT (v 22) — When Jesus left here to go be with You, Father, He said He’d send a comforter.  Indeed, Your Spirit did come, and He lives in the hearts of those of us who turn to You. Thank You for Your companionship in this life.  Thanks for the promise of one day being with You forever.  Meanwhile, during the time You leave me here, keep on making me just like Jesus.  Amen.

Next Devo-Prayers: 2 Corinthians

Through these Devo-Prayers, we stepped through the Gospels–the books of the Bible that tell the account of Jesus’ life on earth (Matthew, John, Mark, and Luke). We journeyed through Luke’s other work, the book of Acts, which gives a historical account of the birth of the Church, the Body of Christ. Then, we began diving into the letters that Paul wrote to the saints, or believers/Christians, in various cities or regions.  We finished his letter to believers in Rome–the letter to the Romans and then his first letter to the believers in Corinth or 1st Corinthians.  Next, we’ll journey through the second letter Paul wrote to those believers or 2nd Corinthians

Devo-Prayers ~ Praying through the Scriptures

Each posting contains a first-person prayer based on a particular chapter or passage from the Bible. The Bible passage reference is provided above the devotional prayer, so you can also refer to the scripture which inspired the prayer. Posts that are found via Facebook, Twitter, and/or LinkedIn usually provide an excerpt from the full post.

Follow Kat Kreations on

Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/artwritespeak

Twitter at http://twitter.com/katkreations82

Kat Scratchings blog at https://katkreations82.wordpress.com/

Visit the Kat Kreations website at http://www.katkreations.org/