DAY 96: Careful to be Honorable

Read: II Corinthians 8:16-24

Think: As Paul travels with a very generous offering from one city to another, he takes extra measures to keep the church from thinking he is being anything less than honorable with their gift, especially as God’s representative. He writes, “We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.” Paul gave this same advice but with an even broader perspective to another church, saying in I Thessalonians 5:22-23 (NLV), “Keep away from everything that even looks like sin. May the God of peace set you apart for Himself. May every part of you be set apart for God. May your spirit and your soul and your body be kept complete. May you be without blame when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

Act: You have probably heard someone say, “I don’t care what other people think I’m doing, just as long as God and I know it is right.” While this comment is a common way of thinking, it doesn’t come from biblical teaching. God’s word tells us that what others think of us matters. As Christians, we must be careful to model integrity and guard our (and God’s) reputation. Scripture warns us not to even “appear” to do wrong or evil. Why? Because the power of our testimony is weakened when people think less of us. Today, consider any area of your life—relationships, finances, actions, or speech—that might appear to be less than honorable. Allow God to speak deep into your heart about being set apart for Him, bringing greater honor to His name and making your life more impactful.

Pray: Dear Lord, as I finish out 100 days of faith in action, I want to finish strong. Give me a greater desire to bring honor to Your name. Help me not be resentful or resistant to being completely set apart for You. Show me any area of my life that could appear less than honorable. I need Your help, Lord, to live a holy life.  Amen.

Be full of faith today!

 

DAY 95: Excel in the Act of…

Read: II Corinthians 8:1-15

Think: Paul challenges the church in Corinth to follow the ways of the Macedonia church that excels in the act of giving. In his uniquely persuasive way he writes, “I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of other churches.” Ouch! First, Paul gives the reason “why” we should excel in the act of giving, saying in II Corinthians 8:9, “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor…” Then he proceeds with“how” to excel in the act of giving: (1) Give in proportion to what have, not what you don’t have, (2) Give eagerly, not resentfully or hesitantly, and (3) Give while you have it because someday you may not have it to give!

Act: Fifteen percent of Jesus’ words in the New Testament were related to money, giving, and possessions. In fact, the concept of giving back to God a portion of what He has given to you, is not a radical idea…it just simply requires faith and obedience to do so. In this chapter of II Corinthians Paul is talking to the church about being excellent generous givers, not just occasional or reluctant givers. Based on Paul’s suggestions of how to become a more generous giver, which of the three “hows” gives you the most concern or trouble? For example, is it more difficult for you to give a percentage of every paycheck if it bigger than usual? Do you struggle with holding onto money instead of giving it away, in case you might have an emergency? Take time today to consider ways to become more excellent in the act of giving to God. 

Pray: Dear Jesus, I want to excel in the act of giving. I want to become more generous with my time, talents, finances, and spiritual gifts. Thank you for the generosity you have shown to me. Give me a renewed view of generosity from the scriptures so that my heart is stirred to become more and more generous with each passing year! I love You, Lord! Amen.

Be full of faith today!

 

DAY 94: What is repentance?

Read: II Corinthians 7:8-16

Think: In my studies of the history of revival in America and Britain, one of the key components to their success was the power of repentance—or turning from sin—that occurred among a people of that revival. There was a sense of shame and forgiveness that washed over them like a wave. They understood how they hurt God and others, and they turned and ran from their sin. The evidence of their repentance was a change of habit, pattern, words and actions! Paul tells the church that repentance should have the same impact in any culture or generation: “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us AWAY from sin and RESULTS in salvation. There’s no regret in that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow which lacks repentance results in spiritual death.”

Act: I remember the humiliation I experienced when I was a volunteer and felt I should confess a recurring sin to a staff person. I had relapsed. No one would have ever known about it, had I never admitted it. But I knew that if I hid the secret, I would keep doing it. So I asked to meet. I told my secret. I cried. I trembled. I asked for forgiveness and they prayed for me. To this day, I remember NEVER wanting to experience that sorrow and shame again. The confession of my sin (and the exposure of it) was so painful, it turned me away from the sin and it drew a line in the sand for me. I knew I couldn’t do it again orhang out with the people who loved doing it. One definition of salvation is “deliverance from sin.” Today, is there any area of your life that God is asking you to confess and repent and turn from. If so, meet with a mentor, an accountability partner, a godly friend, or pastor in your life. Confess your sin. Ask God to forgive you in front of another person and experience revival! 

Pray: Dear Jesus, I know that you desire for me to live a whole and holy life. You have given me the path to freedom—repentance! Keep me close to you daily, transparent and honest, always willing to repent and turn from sin. I ask you now to forgive me for ___________________________. I turn from it. I hate it. I ask for more of Your Holy Spirit in my thoughts and words and actions! Amen.

Be full of faith today!

 

DAY 93: Fear God!

Read: II Corinthians 6:14-7:7

Think: Paul quotes Leviticus, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and II Samuel in today’s reading! In three concise, powerful verses, he is providing a scriptural foundation for his request that the believers live in purity and holiness. Corinth was a crazy culture. The standards for men and women in that culture were as low as you could go! Paul’s instruction for the believers were rooted in the Old Testament. He wrote, “For we are the Temple of the living God. As God said: ‘I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’”

Act: Paul was like a parent to the church in Corinth. He realized that many were immature in the faith and some had no understanding of how the Old Testament prophesied how Jesus would come and walk among us and live in us by His Holy Spirit. He used the Old Testament to teach the early church about the living God who was both protective and parental. How does today’s reading make you feel about your relationship with God, other believers, and unbelievers? Is there anything (or anyone) in your life from which God might be asking you to separate? How difficult will this be for you?  Who could you ask to help you make the changes needed to live a life more honoring to God? Paul reminds us to “work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”

Pray: Dear Lord, Your Word constantly reminds me to be on guard, live with a fine balance of caution and abandon! Show me, today, how to be a temple for You, the living loving God. Fill me up, Lord, with an extra measure of your Holy Spirit. I need You. Amen.

Be full of faith today!

 

DAY 92: Live in Such a Way…

Read: II Corinthians 6:1-13

Think: In II Corinthians 6, Paul reminds the church members in Corinth that they are not lone rangers! Their actions impact the entire body of Christ because every member is a minister! In his classic persuasive way, Paul begs them as “God’s partners” to “live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. . . . We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.” 

Act: Christianity is not an easy, simple, effortless, or vanilla way of life. It requires both the practical understanding that every member of Christ’s body is a minister, and the need for a daily, willing surrender to the Holy Spirit to “live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us…” Today, consider Paul’s “minister” list (in verse 6).  Ask God to show you if there is specific way in which you can exhibit more purity, understanding, patience, kindness, more of the Holy Spirit, or sincere love. What did God show you? _____________ Now, what practical or tangible change will you make today to “live in such a way…”? Ask God to strengthen you, DAILY in this one area, for the next week (until Day 100). Focus on it, pray about it, even ask someone to keep you accountable to it. Be intentional. 

Pray: Dear Jesus, make me more and more like You. Show me how to “live in such a way that no one will stumble because of me.” Give me a deeper conviction to represent You all day long—in private and in public. I love You, Lord.

Be full of faith today!

 

DAY 91: ATG!

Read: II Corinthians 6:1-13

Think: You have probably already discovered that there are certain books, chapters, and verses in the Bible that really fire you up! I call them, “ATG’s (All Time Greats)!” Today is an ATG for me. It was the very first scripture I heard quoted the day I became a Christian. Little did I know how important, how integral, and how powerful these verses would become in setting the tone and trajectory for my entire spiritual life! (I can say that now because I have 39 years of hindsight to review!) Paul’s words to a young church—and to a young Christian—serve as a catalyst for immediate movement away from an old life toward a new life because they show you the way! II Corinthians 5:17-20 says, This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Act: It is a simple, but action-producing practice to underline, circle, highlight, date and comment in your journal or in the margins of your Bible regarding a passage that you’ve just read. This is how you start the application process of moving a verse from your head to your heart. Today, how do these verses speak to you? Circle the words that give you courage. Underline the verses that remind you of a day when you intentionally gave more of your life to God. Write a person’s name in your journal or next to the words in your Bible, “…we plead, ‘Come back to God.’” Talk to God about expanding your role as His Ambassador of this wonderful message of reconciliation! Finally, put the initials, “ATG,” next to these and/or other verses in the margin of your Bible. Allow them to serve as a reminder of a time when God’s Word “lit up” your heart with a revived passion to serve Him, know Him better, and use you to bring others to Jesus!

Pray: Dear Jesus, I love the Word of God. It inspires me daily to live for You, tell others about You, and reconcile them to Jesus. Give me a deeper passion to serve as Your Ambassador where I work and live. Thank you for this honor. I love You, Lord.

Be full of faith today!

 

DAY 90: Eternal Perspective

Read: II Corinthians 4:13-5:10

Think: Have you thought much about what your body will be like in heaven? Paul offers an eternal perspective saying, “For we know that when this earthly tent is taken down (that is when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.”

Act: When you read through the entire Bible, you are brought face to face with topics you wouldn’t naturally ponder. For example, most of us don’t naturally stop to think about eternal things because we live in a culture that is based on instant gratification. Today’s verses not only give us a glimpse into eternity, but Paul reminds us how to live until we get to heaven saying, “So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please Him [the Lord].” In fact, Paul says that we will receive rewards for the good we’ve done on earth. In light of this truth, what might you do differently today?

Pray: Dear Jesus, help me to think more about heaven as my home. Give me courage to live as you taught, not storing up treasures on earth, but storing treasures in heaven. Help me to live every day with an eternal perspective! I love You, Lord.

Be full of faith today!