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Q4. (1 Corinthians 1:10-12)What kind of divisions do you see in your congregation or in the Christian community in your area? What is the cause of the divisions in Corinth? What is the case of divisions today? How do we obey the command to “agree with one another” (1:10)? With 10 people we have ten different views on faith, God and many minute details of difference. It has been said, the Devil is in the details... do we debate to "win our position?" ​Or do we server and love without judging, saying "how can I help you?" Is it ego or humility and service that will "win the war of words that paralyzes actions" Oh God, grant me the serenity to accept what I can not change and the courage to be nothing so your will may be accomplished through my broken vessel today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Q2. (1 Corinthians 1:4-7) How often do you thank God for the blessings of those who don’t like you, or of your actual enemies? What does it say about Paul that he thanks God for the gifts of those who are at odds with him? What specifically does he thank God for about the Corinthian believers? Who might I be to judge God how He give out blessings? I don't even deserve what He gives to me! A good idea is to accept everything that happens since God's will is being done. Not accepting is asking for pain, or just taking it on right away, like "my car broke down, woe is me..." If we are still alive today, what is the next right thing we can do as we step through the day. We may say, "bring it on..." but be careful, and so will I

Q1. (1 Corinthians 1:2) "What does "called to be holy" or "called to be saints" mean? What is a saint according to the Bible? Why is it so comfortable for us to say, "I'm no saint"? What is expected of a person who has been set apart as the personal property of the living God? What kind of behavior does the world expect of those who claim to be followers of Christ? All of us who read the bible are "called to be holy." This is NOT a little thing, it is a call to come closer to Christ, so He can use us in the moment. Saint or sinner, staying close, He will use us for His glory, it is for sure! Those who believe and "attend spiritual services [church]" are God's saints. We are all sinners and fall short, but fortunately by God's grace it doesn't matter. Like a kid trying to walk, get up and try again until we can do it. it is a good idea to study this to then recall that "we are His. we are not of this world anymore. Time to step up." The world expects us to be perfect which is impossible. But it awaits our failings so it can judge us badly. But there is no condemnation now that we are His. Praise God, for His love and mercy!

Q3. (2 Corinthians 12:20) How do you “cure” a church of these kinds of behaviors and sins? How can a “love offensive” begin to change the spirit of a dysfunctional congregation? What is the role of church discipline in a dysfunctional congregation? Oh heaven help us! How does the love offensive get started without the leaders doing it? Or is the church stagnant, or afraid to do things because it feels it can't afford to do it? Is the prayer contact of one leader going to determine everything? Prayer is the only answer, but what can one do other than pray and speak wisely, or be patient, or be buried after bapism. My heart is sick from reviewing this question; Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I can change. Change me Lord, change my heart, eyes AND EARS TO BE YOUR INSTRUMENT OF ;LOVE. LET THOSE HEARTS BE NOT BROKEN. MAY WE ALL BE MADE STRONG BY FEELING THE THORN IN OUR SIDE

Thank you God for showing me that self-sufficiency is a mistake, a big mistake. Only in relying on you God is there any hope for me to walk in this fallen world. Who am I to decide if I need a thorn in my side? I am a speck of almost nothing in this universe God created. I hope and pray to be of some use to Him, today. So I prayerfully pay attention to all that is happening, And pray for wisdom in Jesus name.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 12:7) Why was this “thorn in the flesh” given to Paul? What purpose did God want to achieve through this in Paul’s character? How can something be both used by God and be caused by Satan’s destructive work? How does this verse relate to Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20? I don't try to read much into this right now, but last Tuesday nigh I attended a Hispanic Pentecostal prayer meeting and have had a stomach flu since that time. i'd gladly accept such an illness, in hope it is not fatal, if God would remove my ego permanently and then use me like Smith Wigglesworth. I was curious since he did the year I was born, but then so did Edgar Cayce. somehow this is strangely connected to my giant ego which seems to need to take its place in the dust under my feet. I pray for God to clarify my direction, teach me mor humility, and only for His Glory

Q1. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) Why does Paul liken his dealing with his opponents in Corinth with reducing a city wall by siege and then taking its citizens captive? Is Paul talking about a victory by the use of incisive logic or is there a spiritual stronghold here, one that derives its power from Satan's kingdom? Clearly this is a warning to me as I would hope and pray for the opening of addictive hearts to Jesus Christ. Many such people "hate" or don't believe in God because of a parent or "elder" person who greatly disappointing them or even physically hurt them, yet who was going to church at that time. The power of distant prayer may not be what God wants. He wants an investment in ministry to develop relationships of trust. He wants brotherhood to provide this trust, so that these spiritual strongholds will be broken into and then broken down. Satan has no power when we are in full truth and communication with our loving God. That is where we start to be used to bear fruit as Jesus says in John 15. Declaring the power of God to give victory is part of it, but as Paul led with "By the meekness[361] and gentleness[362] of Christ, I appeal to you ..." so must we be gentle warriors of love and understanding, and empathy. We can not deny the presence of the enemy spiritually in these people. Nor can we claim any victory on our own. This "false power" is the ego, it is even directed by the evil one, to assure no victory. We must remain in Christ and be humble, and let Him speak through us.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 9:7) Why do you think pastors or other church leaders use guilt to try to compel people to give more? Can greed be behind their pressure? Why is pressure incompatible with worship? What does cheerfulness while giving say about the condition of a person's heart? I have been fortunate to not have heard a church leader that tries to compel people to give 10%; but I heard of one who did and he almost died in a motorcycle accident !!! God gets the message across one way or another. Without cheer, there is no real giving spirit in the heart and it mitigates the benefits for the giver (:>( So happy to read the URL here "joyfulheart.com" we are in the right place today!

Q1. (2 Corinthians 9:6) Does the Scripture teach that material blessing results from giving generously to God's work? Why are we so careful to reinterpret this as referring mainly to spiritual blessing? If you compared your own actual giving to God's work to a tithe (10%) of your income, would it look generous? The true wisdom is that 100% of what we have is by God's grace. To give Him 10% directly to a church or charity only means to wisely use the rest to help others, including family first.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 8:21-22) What is the balance between living our lives wholly before God without being men-pleasers, and doing what is right in the sight of men? This is not so complicated; doing the next right thing is right in front of us every moment. We need food, shelter, and social acceptance up to a point. How much we need is a function of our fear and trust in God. Do I need a new car this year? Do I need a car at all? What is God's will for my life? I work in a group and need to help the group do good so all can keep their jobs. I worship in a small church and need to support it I know what my wife wants and need to keep her happy. It is not about me, I have Jesus and that is what I need to keep close to me. The rest will work itself out as long as I'm not selfish. God will lead the way. Sometimes this means the way the world might see it will not match the world's values. Still we must respect all others and not make any rash or quick decisions on our own.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 8:9“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (8:9) ) What riches did Christ have according to this verse? How did he become poor? In what way were we poor? In what way have we become rich? We were morally poor and lost in money, greed, ****, power, ans ultimately FEAR of everything. But he gave up everything to live a humble sacrificial life for all mankind. Understanding His love, His intent, His motivation was all about us, as unworthy as we are at this moment. To receive and feel His unconditional love must indeed make us crazy in love with Him. It transcends any and all things we might hope for in this life. Yes we are rich beyond measure when we surrender to His loving hand. What a joy devine, leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus!

Q2. (2 Corinthians 8:4, 7-9, 19) What does grace have to do with giving? What does giving look like when it isn’t accompanied by grace? What does it look like when grace prompts your giving? Sweet surrender to Christ means a flip flow in priorities. Money is just a tool for His Kingdom and His Glory. Once we surrender, He owns all of us, and we are 100% safe from any problem. There are no problems, just situations to be in, to accept as part of God's plan. When we know He owns all of us, what we give is all of it and our earthly giving reflects this. We are not the same once we have given ourselves away to Him.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5) Why is it so difficult to give when we are stressed by circumstances and bills and pressures? What can we learn from the example of the Macedonians and the poor widow? How will this lesson affect your own giving? First we seek the Lord and the peace He give us by surrendering to Him. This changes our life perspective about where to put our time and money. It is like being afraid and frozen in our actions as opposed to being in love with life and becoming fully integrated into being alive for Christ. What is poverty, but another form of fear, and another way of making God little and living in the shadow of darkness? in John 15 Jesus said "remain in me.... and your joy will overflow" Let's take a few slow deep breaths, thank God for life and do the next right thing today, to His Glory!

Q4. (2 Corinthians 7:5) What are the distinctions between fear, faith, and courage? Why is being honest about our fears better than pretending we don’t have any fears? How did Paul deal with his fears? Some say that courage is just fear prayed up. Much we fear never happens; much we fear is from false old experiences, led by the devil to confuse us. Sadly, he is more wise than us and without God we are easily tricked to join the pleasure of the world. Without prayer, meditation, we are lost and will fall into sin. Heaven can help us; we need to take the action and reach our to our permanent protection, our savior, Jesus. He has overcome all. and we so often for get this. So I pray now and thank God for this blessed moment of peace.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) What kind of separation is Paul calling the Corinthians to? How can they strike a balance between separating themselves from sinful practices that mess up their spiritual lives while at the same time maintaining friendships with pagan neighbors and co-workers? We must follow the mode of Jesus our savior, be in the world but not of the world. Much prayer is needed, and being led by God and not our own wisdom. Pray, obey, test as needed any big decisions with other wise people. Act slowly, speak less, understand deeper. Be a light, be a solution in the darkness

Q2. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) What are the reasons Paul gives us – both in his letter and by quoting Old Testament scriptures – that we should live holy lives? What kinds of temptations did the Corinthians face in their notorious city. God lives in us. So as we focus on this holiness, we must not let anything near us that is unclean, or it will diminish what God intends us to do today, at a given moment. We will blessings, and we will miss service that is intended for us and our growth in the kingdom. So any such activity is dangerous for our spiritual condition. We face the same temptations, watching TV, seeing women dress to make themselves sexually attractive. This is a fallen world. Let us cry out in desperation for all of us collectively. Let us pray for God to come and heal our land!

Q1. (2 Corinthians 6:3-13) Why do you think Paul shares so much about his various struggles with the Corinthians? How does this help them accept his apostleship as authentic? Have you ever complained about what you’ve had to put up with in your ministry? How does it compare to what Paul faced? Empathy is important is connecting with people. What is our common connection, this Paul shared openly. They know from the past he was sincerely for them and was selfless about his own needs. It is a mistake to compare unless we simply want to see htat he went through so much more than we ever will. And what about Christ in His ministry. He has paid it all for all of us. He has overcome it all. Our job is to rejoice and do the next right thing.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2) If you, then, are called to be an urgent agent of reconciliation, how is this likely to affect your daily life? How will it affect how people perceive you? How will it affect how God perceives you? Today is the day of salvation; no time to waste to witness to Christ, in every possible occasion. We are the salt of the earth and as such need to call upon God's wisdom as to how we share with others, and most importantly WHAT QUESTIONS DO WE ASK THEM AFTER THIS ONE: If you die tonight, where will your spirit go? What will happen to you. We can only afford 1-2 sentences about how Jesus changes our lives. It is not about us, we are already saved. We must serve others in the "right way" as God would lead us. Amen

Q3. (2 Corinthians 5:21) In what sense did Jesus "become sin" on our behalf? In what sense do we "become righteousness" ? Jesus has taken all my sins on his shoulders and died for them. He is my personal savior. Since he has died for ALL my sins, I'm viewed clean or righteous in the eyes of God. For such a wonderful gift, I need to share this with everyone I meet!

Q2. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) How have we humans been reconciled to God? What did God do so that reconciliation could take place? In what sense are you an Ambassador of the Kingdom of God? In what sense are you a Minister of Reconciliation for Jesus Christ? Thank you Jesus for you pain and for your blood shed for me, thank you Father! My soul rejoices with loud praise. Now I learn to see in the moment and ask God what to do for reconciliation of someone, anyone. Being wise as a snake and gentle as a dove

Q1. (2 Corinthians 5:16-17) What does verse 17 teach us about the nature of a new believer? What changes in a person when he puts his faith in Christ? Why don’t old habits disappear immediately if everything has become new? Its wonderful to be reborn again this morning; I was definitively saved Sept 2, 2007. Now I'm being led through a spiritual detox program to let go of everything and trust the Lord with every breath of my life. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood. In trusting God more and in have the right mentor here on earth, we have the opportunity to walk closer and examine our reactioins, habits and be more able to choose to do the "next right thing" Praise the Lord!

Q1. (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) Why did Moses'face glow? Why did he cover it when he was out with the people? Why didn't more people's face glow in Moses'time? What's the difference between the spread of God's glory in Moses'time when compared to our own time? Some people have it, and I thank God that more frequently, I can feel that they have it. Its in the air, its God., its wonderful. You can't buy it or even find it in a store. But it comes and goes like the wind, as it pleases itself, which is what we'd expect God to do, to manifest His Glory of the Moment. We can indeed shine for Him today, we just need to ask Him to take over, a willingness to be owned and directed by our creator. So then how will be show it is these times? No need to think about it; in all His Glory, He shall create the moment He intended to use us. Jesus clearly said in John 15 to remain in Him and our joy would be complete. Amen!

Q2. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3) In what sense are we “living letters”? In what way can people “read us”? Why is it so important to be authentic, not phony, in our lives? What happens when people “read” something in you that they admire and mention it to you? How might you respond appropriately? To thine own "inner" self be true. Life is short and soon it is past, only what's done with love will last. We thank God for life in this very moment and long to be read as authentic Christians. We will not sell-out, we will declare our love of Christ to all we God entices us to speak to. We are alive and I pray for this glow to burn holes in people's eyes who see us, let us be unforgettable to His Glory

Q1. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16a) In what sense is knowing God fragrant to people who are open to God? In what way is this fragrance repugnant to people who are closed to God? Have you suppressed your "fragrance" because some people are allergic to Christian perfume? If so, how can you regain the fragrance of Christ's gospel? Last night my wife and I were in a Whole Foods store to buy Sunflower-butter, like peanut butter. I was touched by the smile and helpfulness of a cashier we stopped her work to lead us to the right aisle. There was something in the air, just as it is now; praise God. When we left to pay I felt it again when another cashier said bless you to a woman who sneezed. So I said, here's a tip "Jesus died for your sins and mine." He showed me a tattoo on his arm "Jesus Christ, Savior" i though wow, thank you God. The world isa a good place. It is possible with the right kind of breath to pray and thank God for life in the moment, in any moment. God is all powerful, may you find Him NOW!

Q3. (2 Corinthians 1:10-11) Why does Paul ask people to pray for him? How do the prayers of others have an effect? What happened in your life that has helped you enter into a ministry of intercessory prayer? I am blessed, a person has been cursing me for a problem he feels I created. So my reaction is to pray for him. Joining a men's group with real acountability has already started to make something like this posible. I realize that I can and will pray a lot more. First to surrender and let God lead me, second to pray for others and fir the poor, orphans, sinners like me, pray for the lost, pray to fearfully thank our mighty God for another day of grace and mercy,