DAY 1 – May 11, 2009

TITLE: “OUR COMPETENCE COMES FROM GOD”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 3:1-18

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 3:1-6

KEY VERSE: “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” II Corinthians 3:5

Have you ever felt inadequate? Though the years, I have talked to many teachers, preachers, Christians workers, and ministers, who have felt inadequate in what they felt called to do. They did not have the competence in themselves to do what God laid on their heart. The Apostle Paul reminds us that as His servants our competence comes from God. It is not our training or preparation that makes us competent to be His ministers, but His Spirit. It is not our abilities or the people around us that make us competent to do His work, but His Spirit.

Praise God we are not on our own to do His work. God is our resource. In his letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” I Timothy 1:12. The God that calls us to serve Him gives us the strength to do so. The God that calls us to serve Him gives us the grace to do so. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “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.” II Corinthians 9:8

Some years ago an Ex-Ford Dealer in Philadelphia admitted in a Federal Communications hearing that he had advertised a new Ford for $995.00. The advertisement indicated that all extras and power features were optional. But the ad neglected to say that among the optional power features was the motor. There are some items of equipment on new automobiles which we assume are on every one which is manufactured. There are certain items on a car which we feel are necessities. We call this standard equipment. We expect every new Ford to have a motor. The motor is part of its standard equipment, for without the motor there is no power.

God provides the power needed to do what He calls us to do; you can depend upon His Spirit. God can provide all the power you need today to serve Him. Through His Spirit, God gives all we need to live life to the fullest and serve Him in the way He desires. He is our adequacy. He will be your adequacy today. As you serve Him today, remember that your service does not depend on your own abilities. Your competence comes from God. Paul said, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13

DAY 2 – May 12, 2009

TITLE: “A GLORY THAT LASTS.”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 3:1-18

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 3:7-11

KEY VERSE: “And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!” II Corinthians 3:11

Have you ever had an experience that you wished had not ended? Perhaps you ate something and you wished that you could have had a little more. I remember when I was a child, there was a commercial for a lollipop that would last a long time. I wanted one of those because there is something wonderful about something good that lasts.

The glory on Moses faded away, but it pointed with hope to the future. The new glory has come in Christ, never to fade. Its ministry will never lose its splendor or power. Paul is contrasting the transient character of the old with the permanent character of the new. Dr. Frank Carver, a former professor of mine wrote about this, “As life is more glorious than death,…as righteousness is more glorious than condemnation, and …as that which is permanent is more glorious than that which fades away, so the glory of the new covenant is superior to that of the old.”

It has been said that all things must come to an end. I am so glad that is not true when it comes to God’s glory. His glory will never wear out or run try. His glory will endure forever. Paul wrote to Corinth, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” II Corinthians 4:18. God’s glory will never fade, for it is eternal. As I think of God’s glory, my heart sings forth the song, “To God Be the Glory.”

“To God be the glory – great things He hath done.

So loved He the world that he gave us His Son,

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,

And opened the Life-gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father, thro’ Jesus, the Son,

And give Him the glory-great things He hath done.”

DAY 3 – May 13, 2009

TITLE: “SUCH A HOPE”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 3:1-18

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 3:12

KEY VERSE: “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” II Corinthians 3:12

From Parade magazine several years ago comes the story of self-made millionaire, Eugene Land, who greatly changed the lives of a sixth-grade class in East Harlem. Mr. Land had been asked to speak to a class of 59 sixth-graders. What could he say to inspire these students, most of whom would drop out of school? He wondered how he could get these predominantly black and Puerto Rican children even to look at him. Scrapping his notes, he decided to speak to them from his heart. "Stay in school," he admonished, "and I'll help pay the college tuition for every one of you." At that moment the lives of these students changed. For the first time they had hope. Said one student, "I had something to look forward to, something waiting for me. It was a golden feeling." Nearly 90 percent of that class went on to graduate from high school.

Eugene Land had given them hope. Hope is a powerful force that can motive us to make changes in our lives and accomplish things we would never accomplish without it.

Paul was filled with hope. His hope was not based on something that would fade away, but on the glory of God that lasts. The hope we have in Christ gives us a reason to minister, love others, and share the gospel of Christ with others. Peter wrote, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3:15. Will you share the hope you have in Christ with others? Ask God to give you boldness today to share this hope with others.

The story is told that as Alexander the Great was setting out on his conquest of Asia, he inquired into the finances of his followers. To ensure that they would not be troubled over the welfare of their dependents during their absence, he distributed crown estates and revenues among them. When he had thus disposed of nearly all the royal resources, his friend General Perdiccas, asked Alexander what he had reserved for himself. "Hope," answered the king. "In that case," said Perdiccas, "we who share in your labors will also take part in your hopes." He then refused the estate allotted to him, and several others of the king's friends did the same. 

Regardless of the circumstances that may come or go in your life today, in Christ you have hope. Regardless of the disappointments and challenges you may face today, in Christ you have hope. Regardless of the fears you may hold or the things that may trouble you, in Christ you have hope. Since you have hope, be bold today to share His hope with others.

DAY 4 – May 14, 2009

TITLE: “THERE IS FREEDOM”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 3:1-18

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 3:13-17

KEY VERSE: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” II Corinthians 3:17

This verse reminds us of the power and wonder of the Lord’s presence. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there really is freedom. His presence gives us freedom. It is a freedom to serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness. It is a freedom to leave the old and begin a new life in Christ. It is a freedom to relinquish the old ways of self. It is freedom to change, move on, and grow in the things of Christ.

When I reflect on this verse, I am often reminded of the old gospel hymn by Haldor Lillenas, titled, “Glorious Freedom.” Take a few moments to prayerfully reflect on the words of this song.

“Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters, Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain;
But I received a glorious freedom, When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.

Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom, No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator, Now and forever He shall be mine.

Freedom from all the carnal affections, Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions, Freedom from all that saddened my life.

Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom, No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator, Now and forever He shall be mine.

Freedom from pride and all sinful follies, Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil, temper, and anger, Glorious freedom, rapture untold.

Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom, No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator, Now and forever He shall be mine.

Freedom from fear with all of its torments, Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer, He who has rent my fetters in twain.

Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom, No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator, Now and forever He shall be mine.” Haldor Lillenas

DAY 5 – May 15, 2009

TITLE: “TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 3:1-18

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: II Corinthians 3:18

KEY VERSE: “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.” II Corinthians 3:18

What a joy and privilege it is for you and me to be able to reflect the Lord’s glory. It is His glory that we reflect and not simply our own spiritual discipline or dedication. This is only possible because of the working of His Spirit in us. Christ-likeness is not a human achievement, but rather the result of the God who is at work in us. Paul wrote, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13. While we must work out our own salvation accruing to Philippians 2:12, it is all in response to the gracious work of God’s Spirit in our lives.

The Holy Spirit is able to probe every area of our lives and transform us in the very image of God. We are able to be Christ-like because of God’s amazing transforming power. Christ-likeness is always the result of His power at work in our lives. Our hope is not in our ability to learn Christ-like behaviors, but in the power of the Spirit of God to transform us into His very likeness.

Some years ago, Thomas Chisholm, penned a beautiful poem about being Christ-like. Would you take a few moments today to prayerfully reflect on this poem and ask God to transform you into His likeness today and reflect His glory in all that you do?

“O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer; This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness; Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

O to be like Thee! Full of compassion, Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting, Seeking the wand'ring sinners to find.

O to be like Thee! Lowly in spirit, Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches, Willing to suffer, others to save.

O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming, Now to receive the' anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing; Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

O to be like Thee! While I am pleading Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love.
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling, Fit for a life which Thou wouldst approve.” Thomas O. Chisholm