New Hope Oahu - Scripture Songs 11 Day DevotionalSample

 "We Have Everything”

SCRIPTURE:

2 Corinthians 6:8-10 (NLT)

8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

 

OBSERVATION:

Paul is talking about the persecution and hardships that Christians faced during the early days of the Church. They faced opposition at every turn because they were spreading the Good News of Jesus' death and resurrection. Many people didn't like the message of the new covenant and the grace that was extended to the Gentiles through Christ's sacrifice, but that didn't stop them. They understood that regardless of what people thought of them, what they did to them, and their lack of earthly luxuries, that they had the only thing that mattered: Jesus. People could take away their freedom and their good name, but nobody could take away their faith, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the comfort of knowing that they were doing the Lord's work.

 

APPLICATION:

Sometimes I become discouraged or even a bit frustrated when I see how Christians are ridiculed and discredited in popular culture. There are times when I want to give up on the negative nonbelievers out there because they think that they have it all figured out. However, that's not what God wants. I have Jesus and I'm here to share His heart with everyone no matter what people think of Christians. I am here to love.

 

PRAYER:

Dear God, I'm so happy that I have You, Your Son, and Your Spirit. If I have nothing else but those three things, then I have more than enough. Please continue to soften my heart so that I can share Your Word and Your love with those who don't know you.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Douelsha McCormick