Pause

Well, yesterday wrapped up 2 Corinthians. I'm going to take a hiatus for a while on the online QT notes. I may start back shortly, maybe with a different format. Email me if you have any suggestions of how this could be more helpful.

Thanks
Pastor Noel
noel@fbcho.com

2 Corinthians 12-13 -- Wednesday, 9/11

Today, read 2 Corinthians 12-13 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

If you are doing this at work and don't have easy access to a Bible, or maybe you are at home but don't have a NLT Bible, you can read almost any version at www.BibleGateway.com.

If you don't know what the colors or the format mean, read the three introductions to this blog. They are linked on the left hand side of this page.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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12:6 (NLT) If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,

Father, may my life be only about bringing honor to you.

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12:9 (NLT) Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Thank you Lord for your all sufficient grace.

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13:5 (NLT) Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

It is very important that we make certain the genuineness of our faith.

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13:10 (NLT) I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

Lord help me to always use my influence and authority to strengthen the church.

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13:11 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

What a great summary of what a growing Christian will look like.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

2 Corinthians 11 -- Tuesday, 9/10

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Here is a guide to the meaning of the colors I use...

• Black -- General insights the Lord shows me as I read.
• Blue -- Specific things I need to do.
• Red -- Things I need to be thankful for.
• Green -- Prayers I need to pray.

Let's get started...

Today, read 2 Corinthians 11 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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11:2-3 (NLT) For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ. 3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.

Lord, I pray for my church. I pray that you will keep her pure and holy. I pray that we will always be pleasing to you. Lord show us where we fall short and give us the courage and desire to change.

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11:14 (NLT) But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Things are not always as they appear. We must be very discerning.

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11:23-27 (NLT) Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

11:28-29 (NLT) Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?

I should never gripe or complain about the hardships I face. My hardships are not anything like the hardships Paul faced with good courage and a godly attitude.

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11:30 (NLT) If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.

Thank you Lord that your strength is seen so clearly in my weakness.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

2 Corinthians 10 -- Monday, 9/8

Today, read 2 Corinthians 10 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

If you are doing this at work and don't have easy access to a Bible, or maybe you are at home but don't have a NLT Bible, you can read almost any version at www.BibleGateway.com.

If you don't know what the colors or the format mean, read the three introductions to this blog. They are linked on the left hand side of this page.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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10:8 (NLT) I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.

I must be very careful as I use any authority I have that I always do so to build others up.

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10:18 (NLT) When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

Lord, please let me always have a humble spirit. Never let me boast or minister in arrogance and pride.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

2 Corinthians 9 -- Sunday, 9/7

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Here is a guide to the meaning of the colors I use...

• Black -- General insights the Lord shows me as I read.
• Blue -- Specific things I need to do.
• Red -- Things I need to be thankful for.
• Green -- Prayers I need to pray.

Let's get started...

Today, read 2 Corinthians 9 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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9:2 (NLT) For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.

Lord I pray that my church can be a model church in its giving to other churches and to missions.

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9:8 (NLT) And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness in caring for those who give.

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9:10 (NLT) For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

Lord, thank you for your generosity.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

2 Corinthians 8 -- Saturday, 9/6

Today, read 2 Corinthians 8 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

If you are doing this at work and don't have easy access to a Bible, or maybe you are at home but don't have a NLT Bible, you can read almost any version at www.BibleGateway.com.

If you don't know what the colors or the format mean, read the three introductions to this blog. They are linked on the left hand side of this page.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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8:1-2 (NLT) Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

Troubles and poverty do not preclude joy and generosity.

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8:3 (NLT) For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.

More than they could afford meant they made sacrifices to give.

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8:4 (NLT) They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.

Lord, please help me to have this same eagerness to give.

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8:7 (NLT) Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

We should aspire to give more, just like we aspire to excel in other areas of life and service.

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8:8 (NLT) I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.

Our giving is a test of how genuine our love is.

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8:9 (NLT) You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

Thank you Lord. Praise you Lord for the generous gift of Your Son.

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8:20 (NLT) We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift.

It is essential that all money given for ministry is handled with transparency and full accountability.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

2 Corinthians 7 -- Friday, 9/5

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Here is a guide to the meaning of the colors I use...

• Black -- General insights the Lord shows me as I read.
• Blue -- Specific things I need to do.
• Red -- Things I need to be thankful for.
• Green -- Prayers I need to pray.

Let's get started...

Today, read 2 Corinthians 7 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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7:1 (NLT) Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

This should be the goal and priority of every believer. We should never be satisfied as long as there is sin in our lives needing cleansing.

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7:6 (NLT) But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.

Thank you Lord for sending encouragement to me when things are hard.

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7:8-9 (NLT) I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.

I should never be sorry for preaching the Word. I should never apologize for preaching the Word.

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7:8-9 (NKJ) For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.

Sometimes a preacher has to bring bad news and stern warnings. Sometimes it is just necessary.

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7:10 (NLT) For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

You can distinguish between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow by the results. Godly sorrow always leads to a change (repentance).

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

2 Corinthians 6 -- Thursday, 9/4

Today, read 2 Corinthians 6 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

If you are doing this at work and don't have easy access to a Bible, or maybe you are at home but don't have a NLT Bible, you can read almost any version at www.BibleGateway.com.

If you don't know what the colors or the format mean, read the three introductions to this blog. They are linked on the left hand side of this page.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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6:4-5 (NLT) In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

I must face hardships in ministry with patience no matter the severity of the hardships.

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6:8 (NLT) 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.

I must remember that I am here to please God not man. I must serve with grace and consistency regardless of the thoughts or actions of others.

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6:14-15 (NLT) Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

There can be no partnership between people committed to God and those who are not.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

2 Corinthians 5 -- Wednesday, 9/3

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Here is a guide to the meaning of the colors I use...

• Black -- General insights the Lord shows me as I read.
• Blue -- Specific things I need to do.
• Red -- Things I need to be thankful for.
• Green -- Prayers I need to pray.

Let's get started...

Today, read 2 Corinthians 5 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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5:1 (NLT) For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.

Thank you Lord for the promise of eternal life and of a new body.

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5:4 (NLT) While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.

God has given us a strong desire for our eventual bodies and our eventual home. We are strangers in this world.

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5:5 (NLT) God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

Thank you Lord for the Holy Spirit, Your guarantee of the promised inheritance.

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5:9 (NLT) So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.

Lord, I pray that you will help me to always keep this as my first and highest goal.

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5:10 (NLT) For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

It is not only the unsaved who will be judged but all people.

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5:11 (NLT) Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.

I need to remember moment by moment that I have a serious responsibility to share the gospel.

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5:12 (NLT) Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart.

Lord, please keep me on the right track and with the right priorities that I will always serve from a sincere heart.

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5:16 (NLT) So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!

Lord, help me to stop evaluating other in this manner.

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5:20 (NLT) So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

I must always think of myself and carry myself as an ambassador of Christ.

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5:21 (NLT) For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Thank you Lord. This is the greatest news in the Bible.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

2 Corinthians 4 -- Tuesday, 9/2

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Here is a guide to the meaning of the colors I use...

• Black -- General insights the Lord shows me as I read.
• Blue -- Specific things I need to do.
• Red -- Things I need to be thankful for.
• Green -- Prayers I need to pray.

Let's get started...

Today, read 2 Corinthians 4 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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4:2 (NLT) We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.

My ministry and service needs to be always characterized by this verse. No tricks, no distortions, no hidden agendas, nothing underhanded. Just honesty and integrity.

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4:6 (NKJ) For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Thank you Lord for shining the light of the knowledge of Christ into my heart.

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4:7 (NLT) We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

Lord, help me to always remember that my ministry and service are not of me, for me, or about me. The focus of my ministry should be on you in every way.

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4:15 (NLT) All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

One of the greatest ways God receives glory on earth is when people are reached.

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4:16 (NLT) That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

Lord, never let me give up or burn out or be distracted away from the ministry you have called me to.

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4:16 (NLT) That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

Thank you for renewing and refreshing me this morning!

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

2 Corinthians 3 -- Monday, 9/1

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Here is a guide to the meaning of the colors I use...

• Black -- General insights the Lord shows me as I read.
• Blue -- Specific things I need to do.
• Red -- Things I need to be thankful for.
• Green -- Prayers I need to pray.

Let's get started...

Today, read 2 Corinthians 3 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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3:5-6 (NLT) It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 6 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.

It is God who enables a person to minister. The qualification and the sufficiency come from Him!

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3:14 (NLT) But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.

Thank you Lord that you have removed the veil. Thank you for giving the Holy Spirit to help me to better understand Scripture.

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3:18 (NLT) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Lord, please help me be more and more like you in character, love, and integrity.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel