2 Cor. 12:9
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Why would God’s power work best in weakness? Think of it this way. If there is anything you can do on pure human power then you don’t need God to show up. When he doesn’t, don’t be shocked. It is only when you stretch enough to have to have God show up, or else, it will be a disaster, then he shows up in power. So, God’s power is seen when our weakness is exposed.

Pray for God to stretch you today.

2 Cor 9:8
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.

When God is the source of what we are doing we really don’t need to worry about a thing. Another way of saying this is when God is not behind what we are doing, all we will do is worry because it isn’t going to work out in the end. So, to end worry, discover what God is doing in your world today and join him.

Pray for God’s guidance on what you ought to be thinking about today.

2 Cor 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

I can learn from someone who doesn’t trust in Jesus, but not in anything that has eternal significance. I can share what I have in common with someone who is not a disciple, but I can’t agree on the ultimate. Jesus, alone, is the truth. I don’t know the whole truth but I know who does. That makes all the difference.

Pray for clear teaching of the truth of Jesus.

1 Cor 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

Paul worked hard for the Lord. What did he do? He gave his whole life. Does this mean we are to do the same thing? Yes, give our whole lives, assuredly. Work constantly? Not in the way you probably think.

In whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord. If God is specifically guiding you, you will know it because you will be energized and alive. 5 hours will seem like 5 minutes. We aren’t trying to be martyrs or exhaust ourselves under the strain. God satisfies.

Pray for a sense of what God is calling you to do.

1 Cor 12:11
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

We aren’t called to be multi-talented, on fire, everything-I-do-is-a-raving-success Christians. We are called to use the strengths the Spirit has given us and focus our time and energy where we have the greatest influence in arenas where we have the most passion. God uses our gifts, interests and personalities as tools to work through. We all have the same general calling. To be an influence to draw people closer to Jesus who don’t know him and/or building up the trust and confidence of people who do.

Pray for God to use one of your gifts and passions to do something this day.

1 Cor 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

The Word is used to give us faith. The Word encourages us, teaches us, corrects us, and energizes us. Yet, words are not enough.

We can say things anyway we want, but if we don’t have the Spirit of God behind us we will fail. More than any other way we open ourselves to the Spirit by reading God’s Word carefully and acting upon it. There are no shortcuts.

Pray for more openness to the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Paul is specifically talking about whether Christians can buy and eat meat that is sold after being sacrificed in a Roman religious ceremony. He says for some it may be a sin because it causes you to stumble, and for others it’s not. Then, he makes the more general statement. Don’t get so caught up in matters of social protocol that you overlook the bigger picture. You are not a rule follower as much as you are a model of what kind of life is coming out of you.

Pray for God to keep you firm in his ways while giving you the grace to quietly decline living ways that are not his.

Romans 8:12
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.

Somewhere we lost all logic when we began talking about genetic or physiological “causes” to behavior. There may be genetic and physiological urges that are within us, but that has nothing to do with behavior. There is nothing that says we have to act. Behavior is acting out on the urges. It is wrong to say humans have no choice. Of course we do. There is a gap between the urge and the chosen action. For almost everyone of us, we get up in the morning and we choose to do many things. We are not robots being controlled by our body “switches.”

The key to a healthy life includes doing things your body and urges are telling you not to do, and avoiding acting on what your body and urges are telling you to do. How will you know? Jesus and his Word are the measures of healthy living.

What excuses do you make for behavior you know at your core is sin? Pray about this.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

When we don’t know the freedom of Jesus and how he brings new life into our lives then we are not our best true selves. We will live on the extremes of being so self-loathing that we have a constant negative pall over everything and everyone around us, or we have deep self-centeredness, where narcissism is seen by the people forgotten in our path. Either way sin takes away from our lives rather than the abundant life Jesus has in mind.

Where do you lean the most: self-loathing or narcissism? Begin praying yourself out of it.

Romans 6:13
13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

If we are going to get into trouble, our bodies are likely to get involved. Whether it is addiction or being influenced by unhealthy habits, there is a way out. Jesus provides freedom and new life. We provide our presence and willingness. When Jesus works through us, we have new life and glorify God by our body.

What do you need to work on in regard to challenges of body?

Acts 28:10
10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.

Paul and his companions healed the sick on the island of Malta. When they were about to leave the people gave them honors and provisions. Notice Paul doesn’t refuse the honors nor the supplies with a sense of false modesty. He allows the people of Malta to be appreciative. It is a gift of hospitality to allows others to practice hospitality.

Pray for someone who has shown you favor recently.