Super-weakness
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness (2 Corinthians 11:30).
Read 2 Corinthians 11:21b–33
In a world of perfectly manicured and manufactured celebrities and influencers who ‘have it all’, Paul’s words indicate that not much has changed in human nature in the ensuing 2,000 years since his ministry. We still look for the perfect veneer, the ‘super’, the successful. The truth of a life dedicated to Christ Jesus is the opposite for Paul.
Instead of listing accomplishments and achievements to prove his authority, Paul recounts his suffering: beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, hunger, danger and constant pressure. His point is clear – true apostolic authority isn’t proven by fame or eloquence, but by sacrifice and weakness for the sake of Christ.
Paul’s resume is a list of hardships for the gospel. He had every reason to self-promote by human standards; a ‘Hebrew of Hebrews’, trained under the best teachers. But, instead, he chose to boast in his weakness. Why? Because his suffering was the evidence of his deep identification with Jesus. The path of following Christ is often marked by loss, pain and vulnerability – not ease, success or applause.
In Aussie culture, we are often taught to hide our imperfections and maintain a stiff upper lip and self-pride, or that letting people know of our hardships is a sign of weakness. Paul’s example challenges us. Do we try to hide our weaknesses, or are we honest about them? Do we allow them to display the grace of God? The gospel doesn’t require us to be impressive – it invites us to be faithful. For in our weakness, God’s strength is revealed.
Lord Jesus, our suffering servant, teach us to boast not in our strength, but be honest in our weakness. Help us see our struggles as places where your power can shine through and as places to give you glory. Give us the courage to suffer well, love deeply, serve humbly and proclaim boldly like our brother Paul. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a retired Lutheran pastor and musician who served as a school pastor and church planter in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Having to retire due to a spinal injury that leaves him largely housebound with chronic pain, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic
What’s under the costume?
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).
Read 2 Corinthians 11:1–21a
As a comic book superhero fan, I couldn’t resist this title as Paul calls the silver-tongued preachers leading the Corinthian church astray ‘super-apostles’. But as amusing as that sounds, this battle has serious, eternal consequences.
I’ve always loved and admired great orators who can command a stage. From Barack Obama’s ‘Yes We Can’ speech and Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ to gifted Christian speakers, my seminary lecturers and my favourite theologians. But the danger for everyone (including myself) is when we get swept up in the ‘cult of personality’, the magic of a gifted orator whose words we take on board uncritically just because of that gift.
Nowadays, I’ve found myself motivated to ‘take a step back’ mindfully in the heat of the moment, to passively observe and ask the question ‘what is fact and what is personal opinion?’ And sometimes I’ve realised that what was being said was obvious and nothing revolutionary, despite the commanding performance. At other times, it’s a brilliant truth highlighted by great delivery. Still others, an excellent delivery, but patently incorrect.
Unfortunately for the context in today’s reading, the faithful at Corinth were being deceived just as the first humans were in the garden, giving ear to a convincing speaker with bad teaching! Paul raises the alarm at the danger of being seduced by teachings that distort the true gospel and lead believers away from ‘sincere and pure devotion to Christ’.
In chapter 10, Paul addresses the murmurs against his humble ministry, that he is ‘all bark’ in his letters but ‘no bite’ and unimpressive in person.
Today’s text reminds us that devotion to Christ isn’t about appearances, eloquence or perceived ‘spiritual power’. It’s about faithfulness to the gospel. Like the Corinthians, we too can be vulnerable to subtle distortions where Christ is mentioned. However, the message is no longer truly his.
Lord God, protect our hearts from deception and untruths. Holy Spirit, help us stay grounded in the truth of Christ crucified, and give us discernment to recognise what is false. May our devotion to you remain pure and undivided. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a retired Lutheran pastor and musician who served as a school pastor and church planter in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Having to retire due to a spinal injury that leaves him largely housebound with chronic pain, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’
Read John 5:1–9
As someone who has lived with disability for more than 20 years and tried everything from prayers and prayer ministry to natural therapies to the best of medical science, I can relate to the journey of this disabled man: someone desperately seeking healing for their brokenness. (For a modern retelling of this desperation, check out Season 2, Episode 4 of the historical drama about Jesus called The Chosen, which, for me, so effectively visualises the plight of all who are broken and who desperately seek healing.)
This disabled person has missed out on life and missed out on help to get to the pool. His last hope is getting to it first, and he can’t even do that.
Anyone who has faced a debilitating medical condition that cannot be fixed knows this feeling well. The ‘rock-bottom’ feeling. And, as with any healing account (or news of any modern-day healings), it raises questions for us.
Why did Jesus choose this man? Why not choose all the people at the pool in need of healing? (Indeed, if I’m honest, why not me?!)
Although we aren’t given answers to these questions, we are given truths. This man is healed and doesn’t even know who Jesus is (John 5:13), but Jesus later chooses to seek him out a second time and reveal himself to him. Where? At the temple (John 5:14,15).
For me, that is so significant. That is what I want most of all: to get to know Jesus. And I know where to find him: in the temple (the assembly of his chosen ones – the church). If my healing doesn’t come in this lifetime, I know it will come in the next. All that matters until then is knowing Jesus. Why? Because I know deeply in my heart one certainty: He has chosen me to follow him!
Lord Jesus, thank you for choosing me to follow you. Please help me bring hope as I share the power of your healing grace in my life with those around me. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a retired Lutheran pastor and musician who served as a school pastor and church planter in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Having to retire due to a spinal injury that leaves him largely housebound with chronic pain, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us (Psalm 67:1).
Read Psalm 67
What a beautiful psalm. As you read it, I hope you also enjoyed the first verse, harking back to the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6 that we hear in our liturgy on Sundays: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you …’ In this, we ask for God’s grace, favour and blessing. It is precious to receive this.
For our final devotion this week, we will look at verse 1 of Psalm 67. ‘May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us.’ What is it to have God’s face shine upon us? What does this bring to your mind and heart?
To my mind, it offers delight in the language used (poetic), but to my heart, it offers more.
To my heart, this verse offers deep connection and comfort. I hope it also offers this to you.
‘May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us.’ In this, I seek his grace, peace and presence, but also all else given to me as God’s face shines on me – the latter is personal and particular to me as it may be for you also. What a blessing to have a God willing to make his face shine on us.
As we part for now, I will leave you with the words of Numbers 6:24–26 with my prayer that you know the blessings requested therein:
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance on you and give you peace.
Every blessing to you.
Gracious and loving God, thank you for all your blessings to us. Please help us see all the ways you show grace to us and be aware of your face shining on us as your beloved children. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends themselves who are approved, but the one whom the Lord commends (2 Corinthians 10:17,18).
Read 2 Corinthians 10:1–18
Boasting and pride – it is so human to fall into this, either outwardly or in our inner reflections as we live and focus on ourselves and the people or things we love. It’s easy to fall into the habit of measuring value by what gets positive attention.
We see this arise in recognising many things commonly around our educational, professional, financial and relational successes and achievements. We’ve worked for these – why shouldn’t we be proud and boast to others of our and our loved ones’ accomplishments? Well, we should share our joys in our achievements, but tempering it with humility helps us not allow boasting and pride to arise and cause harm. But let’s turn our minds to these selected verses: What can help us in our faith journeys?
As Paul reminds the Corinthians that true approval doesn’t come from self-promotion or human applause, but from the Lord himself, it also helps us to see how acknowledgement and recognition fit best. This Scripture tells us it fits where we seek, if first from God and what pleases him.
Paul’s example is interesting, remembering he noted if any person had cause to boast in themselves, Paul was qualified to do so (Philippians 3:3–5). However, through his writings, we see him as a man who confesses to being unattractive. He doesn’t boast of his clever and learned mind, but we see it in action. He doesn’t boast of the cost to him to be so deeply committed to the churches; however, we see it in his writings that reflect his joyous, sorrowing, burdened heart for them and yet his unwavering sense of call and service to them. He didn’t build his authority to guide these new churches on personality and physical appeal, but on faithfulness to Christ.
In these verses, Paul turns our attention away from self-made status and toward the grace of God. If we’re going to boast, Paul says, let it be in the Lord. Let our confidence, identity and joy be grounded not in what we’ve done, but in who God is and what he has done for us in Jesus.
I all too often limit my spiritual freedom by getting distracted and forgetting that I ultimately serve one – that is, God. I welcome this reminder as it prompts me to remember what God has done for me and what this gives and means. In my baptism, God calls me his beloved. Because of what Jesus has done for me, I don’t have to compete, perform or continually seek external validation.
As a Christian, I believe I am justified and approved by Jesus’ death and resurrection, and these are never by my merit but always given to me by God’s grace. I am so encouraged that God’s commendation comes as I seek to humbly trust him, serve and try to live for his glory. I hope these thoughts encourage you also in your faith journey today.
We can gratefully ‘boast’ in these gifts of deep wonder. Be encouraged to ‘boast in the Lord’.
Gracious God, please help us abide in you through your endless grace. If I boast, may it be about your grace to me. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else (2 Corinthians 9:13).
Read 2 Corinthians 9:1–15
What comments do you find people make when they describe others? Sometimes it’s about their height, age, hair colour; sometimes it’s about a common connection; sometimes it’s about their attitudes and actions, like their generosity or lack thereof.
In verse 13 of this passage, Paul tells the Corinthians about how their generosity has been noticed. Their service was generously given. It was sincere, met real needs and got the attention of others. This made them known and led to others praising God and paying attention to the gospel.
How encouraging! Our faithful service and giving, acts of kindness, and offering what we can where we can in our church or community matter. This is not about works to gain favour in God’s eyes; however, these acts of service can be used by God to draw others to himself. We are not saved by our works, but these done in faith don’t point to us but to him. Our generosity can reflect God’s generosity to humankind. A quote attributed to Martin Luther is ‘God doesn’t need your good works, but your neighbour does’. This too prompts our service for the best and right reasons.
Fellow Christian, we won’t see all that our faithful efforts and service contribute and offer to the world; however, in this verse of 2 Corinthians, we can be encouraged to continue offering them as we see what Paul highlighted of the outcomes of the services of the Corinthian believers. Paul called this out as worthy of highlighting – it has encouraged believers through the centuries to continue serving others, and can offer this to us also. Christian faith and love expressed in service and action are powerful witnesses in God’s worldwide mission. I am encouraged to remember: ‘Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.’
Every blessing to you.
Gracious and loving God, thank you for the encouragement of your word. Thank you for enabling us to serve in your mission in this world. As we know your grace and love, please help us live so that others may experience this from you, too. Amen.
Jo is a wife and mum who serves in various roles in her local Lutheran church and also in chaplaincy as the assistant director of Chaplaincy and Ministry Development for Lutheran Services.
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
For we are setting our minds on what is right not only before the Lord but also before the people (2 Corinthians 8:21).
Read 2 Corinthians 8:16–24
The Cambridge Dictionary defines integrity as ‘the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change’. I’ve heard it simply put as ‘doing the right thing when no-one is watching’. To maintain integrity in all ways and on all days is tough.
In today’s devotion, we could turn our attention to the ‘liberal gift’ that Titus and another believer were entrusted to take to the Corinthian church. However, my thoughts have been drawn more to what Paul highlights about the importance of integrity: that honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility, combined with courage (held to even in the face of adversity), govern actions.
Paul noted the solid experience shared by him and the churches of those men sent with this gift to the Corinthian churches. He is clear that they do their best so that their actions in this matter are honourable and of integrity before God and people. Paul seeks to show that this gift is handled in a thoroughly honourable and transparent manner. There was more resting on this than just the money getting to its destination. There was a loving sacrifice represented in this gift. It was the collective action of believers who trusted that the need they heard of was true, and they trusted that what they gave would be used for this, that their giving would be honoured.
These words remind us of the importance of integrity in our Christian life and service. Responsibility and trust should be part of our day-to-day actions. These reflect our faith, and integrity in our behaviours is part of this. It is human to make mistakes, and it is very sad to see integrity compromised by mistakes. This has far-reaching ramifications and harms both the person who failed and those they failed. We can all fall in our integrity in some way at some time, for which we seek forgiveness; however, our aim is, as Paul noted in this verse, ‘For we are setting our minds on what is right not only before the Lord but also before the people.’
May we be mindful of the Lord’s sight of us and the observance of others as we live. May we seek to be helpers of one another and hold to integrity. This is not to earn favour with God through good conduct, as we know our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone, but so that we don’t hinder the message of the gospel to those around us and, in our private relationship with God, can be free in his gaze.
Every blessing to you.
Loving God, please help us to be mindful of integrity and seek to live in it. Please help us so that our actions show your love and bring honour to your name. Amen.
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us (2 Corinthians 8:5).
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1–15,21
Who and what comes to mind when you think of generosity? As I think about my experiences of it, in varied life spaces, my heart is humbled and grateful to have experienced humanity in this way. In the church, I have felt profoundly blessed by the generosity of others, as I’ve witnessed their care and action towards the vulnerable among us. This has been from people with different gifts, life spaces and resources – sometimes people who themselves are up against it in tough circumstances. It has not always been about money but of time, talent and many other resources.
Regardless of the circumstances, what I see as common to these givers has been their attitude of heart. I am aware of the mirror that giving has held to my own heart, not in guilt, but in inspiration.
In this chapter, Paul tells the story of the Macedonian churches that had hardships and were poor. But his recount of them was that despite this, they were incredibly generous. Paul noted, ‘They gave themselves first of all to the Lord.’ Have you encountered Christians like them?
As I ponder the hearts behind the giving of the Macedonian churches, I sense their lives were beautifully infected by Christ’s love for them and their subsequent experience of his grace and their deep faith. It became who they were. They responded to others from this through their good works, not because they relied on these to earn God’s favour and have a relationship with him, but because of this relationship with God and their experience of his grace in faith.
I have found it is part of our human experience to feel stretched and perhaps small and inadequate sometimes. May we be encouraged by the story of the Macedonian churches, which reminds us that God looks at our hearts and his value for us is not reliant on our resources.
May I encourage you, fellow Christian, in your journey of faith by these words of Paul about the Macedonian churches: ‘They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.’ May you be blessed by those who give themselves first to the Lord and know the blessing you can be to others by doing the same.
Every blessing to you.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the example of fellow believers from past times who gave themselves first to you, and the encouragement that this has been through the ages. Please help us to be mindful of this in our own faith journeys. Please help us serve endlessly bathed in your grace and immersed in your love. Amen.
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you (2 Corinthians 7:13).
Read 2 Corinthians 7:2–16
What does encouragement look like to you? How does it feel to offer or receive it? How does encouragement help us? I hope your heart is warmed as you call encouragement to mind.
What a gift encouragement is! It often costs us little but offers a lot.
In this verse, Paul shared his delight in his own encouragement from the Corinthian believers and his awareness of the joy and refreshment Titus experienced because of their kindness.
We know from the Scripture that Titus had come to the Corinthians on Paul’s behalf. From reading around this journey, we learn he came with a difficult message. I imagine it could have gone badly. However, we read that the Corinthians welcomed him with care and grace. Titus was encouraged, and their behaviour gave Paul great joy. This experience of encouragement became a blessing to the Corinthian believers and uplifted Titus, who shared this with Paul. In so doing, Paul recorded their gift of encouragement that blessed the churches of their time and speaks to us today.
Sincere encouragement is a gift and a blessing – both to the recipient and the giver. As Christians, we can give it in genuine words of appreciation, acts of thankfulness or prayer for others, to name a few. Acts of encouragement offer gifts of renewal, inspired by the love God has for us. Life can be very hard, lonely and disappointing. Encouragement can help us build up each other and know the experience of being built up ourselves.
Encouragement may seem like isolated, tiny acts. However, it is extraordinary in what it offers us in our lives, communities of faith and our place in the world. Who might need encouragement today? You and I may both need it. I encourage you to encourage others sincerely. My prayer for you today is that you also receive the encouragement that refreshes you.
Every blessing to you.
Lord Jesus, thank you for your love for us and the encouragement you give us through this and your love in action through others. Please help us to see those who need lifting up and to offer actions that reflect your grace. In the name of Christ, Amen.