(2 Corinthians 12:19-21) All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.
(2 Corinthians 13:1-12) This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 2 I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, 3 since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.
5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? 6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. 10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Reminder:
"praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He
may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like,
or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that every fact should be confirmed by at least two or three witnesses if there are going to be any accusations (13:1)
- that we examine ourselves, and test ourselves to see if we are in the faith and that Jesus is in us (13:5)
- that we are made complete (13:9, 11)
- that we do no wrong and do what is right (13:7)
- that we are comforted (13:11)
- that we rejoice (13:11)
- that we are like-minded (13:11)
- that we live in peace (13:11)
- that we fellowship with one another in sincerity and purity (13:12)
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your guidance. Make Yourself very evident in all Your children's hearts and minds. Help us to grow in our faith, trust and hope, knowing that You are in us and working in us. May we allow You to work in and through us, so that we feel complete, as well as see the evidence of You being in us.
Help us to fellowship and work together in unity, in sincere and pure love, and in peace; knowing that as we all grow closer to You, we will all grow closer to each other. Amen.
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