2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Encouraging Words

Throughout the scriptures, both the Old and the New Testaments, there is a significant number of passages that call out the riches that the followers of Christ will receive. None of these passages should ever be taken to create a prosperity gospel. Our riches that we receive are heavenly and not of this world. Eternal life with God is the ultimate blessing that anyone could ever receive. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 12:18 (12:20)

There are those who wound with a sword as they speak,
But the tongues of the wise heal.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE

We have reached a state in our culture where the tongue has become the most vicious weapon in our arsenal. We incite riots with our rhetoric. We create hatred and division with our dialogue. We minimize others and their image of God in which they were created by our commentary and verbalization. Is it any wonder that our society has become so ungodly when those who proclaim to be followers of Christ have chosen to also leverage this vicious weapon? Shame on us! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

2 Corinthians 6:2

For He says:

“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Encouraging Words

God is everywhere present. He knows our every thought, our every desire. He hears us when we cry out to him. He knows what the acceptable times are to respond to us. He always responds with His grace and mercy bringing us into His day of salvation. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 12:1

He who loves instruction loves perception,
But he who hates correction is without discernment.

Personal Challenge

It sometimes feels like we have entered into an age where no one wants to be taught the truth or is willing to be corrected when they err. As followers of Christ, we must be careful to not adopt the mindset of the world around us and begin to think this way as well. If we desire to gain discernment and perception of godly things, then we must accept instruction given to us by God. This instruction is delivered by those in our lives and must be validated alongside of 2,000 years of teaching in the church. We also need to recognize that much of this instruction comes with correction, which we also must be willing to accept. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 11:9 (11:10)

A man in need of discernment treats citizens with contempt,
But a man of discernment keeps quiet.

Personal Challenge

Discernment is such a critical characteristic for us to have and exercise. Unfortunately, in today’s society and culture, true discernment has been discarded and replaced by a belief that we each have the right to say and do whatever we want, regardless of the impact it has on another. Our politicians have perfected this lack of discernment and propriety. Entire political parties pride themselves on treating citizens with contempt. This has even made it into our churches…Lord, have mercy! If we desire to turn the tide on this sinful behavior, then we must make the difficult choices to be countercultural. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Encouraging Words

Every person who is living their life pursuing Christ, striving to be like Him, following His teaching to love God and love their neighbor, has become this promised new creation. God will cleanse us of our old things and make all things new. Praise be to God!

Proverbs 11:2

Wherever arrogance enters, there also is dishonor,
But the mouth of the humble meditates on wisdom.

Personal Challenge

We are encouraged by our Lord to be humble and put others before ourselves. This is what He did. The Proverbs consistently state that the proud and arrogant will always come to a place where they will be humbled and dishonored. On the other hand, those who strive to be humble, will be lifted up and honored. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!