2 Corinthians 12:10 When I am weak, then I am strong. Paradoxes are interesting. They’re these absurd statements that seem to contradict themselves. They lead to a conclusion that is senseless and implausible because they contain two concepts that cancel each other out. For example, “working vacation” and “instant classic.” When I am weak, then I am strong? Implausible! However, weakness is God’s ...  Read More

2 Corinthians 11:30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weaknesses. Famed theologian Karl Barth used to say, “When we speak of our virtues, we are competitors, but when we confess our sins, we become brothers.” There is something disarming when we disclose our weaknesses. However, weaknesses are something we typically don’t like to put on display. We’d rather people to see our ...  Read More

2 Corinthians 9:10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  When Farmer Bob holds his seed, he sees bread, and thinks “it’s going to be a long winter.” Farmer Bob is primarily concerned about today. But when Farmer Joe holds his seed, he sees seed, and thinks, “I got to be ready for the summer...  Read More

2 Corinthians 8:2Their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity. Did you catch that? Let me put it into an equation—Abundant joy + Extreme poverty = A wealth of generosity. Now how does that work? Shouldn’t that be extreme “riches”? No, it says extreme “poverty.” When you take joy and add it to poverty you have a wealth of generosity. Joy seems to be the...  Read More

2 Corinthians 7:10For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. Do you know grief can be either be godly or worldly? This is a very important distinction. Godly grief will produce life change. Some people call it conviction. It helps you move in the right direction. Worldly grief, however, stymies any sense of direction. Some pe...  Read More

2 Corinthians 6:2Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Carpe Diem is a Latin phrase that means 'seize the day'. More literally it means pluck the day. Yes! Pluck the day for it is ripe. You can’t pluck yesterday for it’s beyond ripe. You can’t pluck tomorrow 'cause it’s not quite ripe. But you can pluck today because there’s fruit that hangs from the tree. There’s...  Read More

2 Corinthians 5:15He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. He died for all, yes. But take a moment to personalize that. He died for you. YOU! And he did so, so that you wouldn’t live for yourself but for him. When we let that reality sink in it really changes everything. Imagine a person saving you from drowning or...  Read More

2 Corinthians 4:17For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. No one enjoys going through affliction. But if you know Jesus, the trouble you face today is preparing you for tomorrow. Did you hear what Paul said? “Light and momentary.” Yes, the trouble you face today will one day take on an eternal perspective. When we’ve been there ...  Read More

2 Corinthians 3:18And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. Transformation can only occur to the level you see Jesus. If you can see him, you will be changed to look like him. Therefore, look for him today, scan the pages of His Word, follow his promptings, and heed his directives. Come on Sunday ...  Read More

2 Corinthians 2:4I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. There’s this new online trend right now called, “cancel culture.” If someone says or does something, or posts something that you find objectionable, you can call them out, denounce them, and in a variety of ways “cancel th...  Read More

2 Corinthians 1:12We behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity. We can spend so much time scrolling Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter—peering into the lives of others because we are too bored with our own. The mundane tasks that scream for our attention don’t seem nearly as compelling as the latest thread or the vacation pics of a person we barely know. There’s just something gratify...  Read More

1 Corinthians 16:13-14Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Can you imagine it? If you’re a guy, this is a wonderful exhortation. It’s as if Paul is pulling you in for one last embrace before sailing off. He grabs you by the shoulders and draws you near. You can feel his whiskers on your cheek and his voice in your ear. He’s been like a father to you. He sees your potentia...  Read More