Good morning! Today we will conclude chapter 11, with Apostle Paul sharing all the reasons he could boast. You will read about his trials and struggles, yet he remained faithful. Enjoy today’s reading.
Bible Verse – 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
“16 Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 19 After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! 20 You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 21 I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!
But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 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.[c] 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.
28 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?
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for your love toward us. Thank you for giving us another day to serve you. Lord, as Apostle Paul served you by ministering to vast areas and sharing the gospel message with others, give us the same passion and zeal to share the gospel message with those who do not know you. Lord, be with us as we go throughout this day. Continue to work within us. Change us and transform us. Lord, keep us and direct our steps to be in alignment with your truth and put it into action. Guide us in every area of our lives. Remove bitterness and jealousy from our hearts and minds. Help us to remain focused on you and what you have called us to do. Lord, when we feel the need to defend ourselves, give us the wisdom and discernment to do it well, knowing you are fighting our battles with us. Lord, continue to be with those who have been lied on and mistreated. Lord, be with those who have been falsely imprisoned. Lord, clear their names and their records. Lord, give favor to those who have been unfairly treated and let them see you at work in their lives. Continue to heal those who are ill or in pain or recovering from surgery.
In Jesus name, amen.
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