Good morning! Today, we will continue our reading in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 with Apostle Paul sharing his concern for the Corinthians.

Bible Verse – 2 Corinthians 12:11-15 NLT

“¹¹ You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. ¹² When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. ¹³ The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!

¹⁴ Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. ¹⁵ I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.”

Reflection

Apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthians was like a page from a love story, “I don’t want what you have—I want you.” For Apostle Paul, it was never about the money, it was about his love for God and the Corinthian church.

Apostle Paul had hoped for two outcomes:

• The Corinthians to be obedient to God – in action by repenting for their wrong.
• The Corinthian church to affirm him and his associates as true servants of Christ.

The problem Paul endured was the Corinthians passiveness toward defending Paul. The Corinthians knew that Paul was authentic in his service to Christ but they left Paul to defend himself. Paul performed miracles among them, and he refrained from being a financial burden to them. He insured that he was self-sufficient among them, not asking for any money in return . He was insistent that his third visit to them would be the same, he simply wanted to care for them/love on them at no cost, and continue to preach authentically amongst them.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for today. Thank you for another opportunity to serve you in this world. Lord, forgive us for the times when we weren’t obedient and did what we wanted to do instead of following hard after you. Lord, guide our steps and lead us today.

Lord, continue to use our spiritual gifts that you bestowed on us to be a blessing to others. Equip the churches in this world with authentic leaders, speakers, teachers, ministers, and pastors who follow you. Develop each one of them in your word and truth.

Lord, we pray for the woman going through a housing inspection and we pray for the inspection to go well. Lord, cover her home and give her peace.

Lord, we pray for the men and women seeking employment and those who are employed but are seeking better or healthier opportunities. Lord, give them favor in their search. Lord, give them favor with those who will be interviewing them. Give them favor with those who will be making the final decision on their employment. Lord, help their onboarding process go well and put them under leaders who will coach and mentor them well in their new roles.

Lord, you know each prayer request of the reader. Lord, hear their spoken or unspoken prayer and answer. Lord, continue to comfort the brokenhearted and grieving families. Lord, mend their hearts back together. Lord, continue to soften our hearts toward you each day, as we draw closer to you. In Jesus name, amen.

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