Daily Bible Devotionals

“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Messiah.  And no wonder!  For Satan himself is disguised as an angel of light.  So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.  Their destiny will be according to their works.”  2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (HCSB)

A while ago, my wife and I led music for a ministry event in San Diego.  The resort where we stayed also housed the “spiritual wellness” clinic/spa of new-age self-proclaimed “guru” Deepak Chopra.  Watching the hotel TV channel, I learned more about Mr. Chopra’s methods for helping people reach “spiritual enlightenment.”

In one treatment, an attendant lays several colored stones on your body and strikes tonal chimes with a mallet while you listen to soft music.  The whole process looked hokey to me, but a spa attendant told me the spa is booked solid, and some appointments are years in advance.  People pay hundreds of dollars for these treatments, hoping the whole experience gets them closer to God.

It’s sad what lengths people would go to NOT to believe the truth of the Bible.  They would rather invent religion than humble themselves to acknowledge the irrefutable evidence of Jesus’ empty tomb.

I believe the worst type of false religion is the kind that masquerades as “Truth.”  Some people think of Satan as the grotesque red monster with a pitchfork.  I tend to believe he looks more like the smooth-talking false preacher.  You know, the preachers who tell you whatever you want to hear so they can exploit you?  

These preachers tell the congregation, “Don’t be bothered by sin and the coming judgment!  God just wants to give you whatever you desire.  God would never ask you to do anything uncomfortable, and He would never require anything self-sacrificing of you.”

Paul tells us Satan (and his agents) pose as ‘angels of light” and “servants of righteousness.”  Satan does not care if we are murderers or churchgoers.  He only wants to keep non-believers from believing and believers from being effective witnesses.

We study the Bible to become expert “agents of the truth.”  We should aspire to be living examples of Jesus, that our words & works would expose the wolves among the flock of Messiah.

“For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way,  since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (HCSB)

The Biblical directive for believers to be “in the world, but not of it” is impossible to accomplish…apart from the direction and power of the Holy Spirit. We are, after all, only human.  

If we were fighting against the flesh using fleshly weapons, we would be doomed from the beginning. Just as a kingdom divided could never stand, so the flesh cannot overcome itself. All flesh is sinful, so all purely fleshly means of warfare and rescue always fall short of God’s standard. The flesh seeks compromise, whereas the Lord demands obedience and diligent adherence.

Far superior to fleshly weapons are Godly ones. Perhaps we should review the “armor of God” in Ephesians 6. They are the Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Sandals of the Gospel of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, and Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Interestingly, the only offensive weapon listed is God’s Word, as revealed by His Spirit. The ministry of the Spirit is to reveal God’s Word, but the power of the Spirit is the Word itself.

I recall counseling a friend who was going through a season of moral compromise. My friend told me he wanted to honor God but that his flesh was just too weak to fight off temptation. I asked how often he read God’s Word. He said he didn’t think reading the Bible was very important.  

I believe daily Bible reading is more than necessary; it is essential! We are in a constant state of spiritual battle. The enemy comes at us all day, every day. It even attacks us in our sleep!!

“Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance.” Proverbs 20:18 (NASB)

How can we enter the spiritual battlefield without seeking and adhering to the Lord’s advice? Merely reading the Bible will not produce victorious living. Application does. It is what you do with the Word revealed that makes the difference. For that, we need God’s Spirit to reveal the truth, direct us on how to apply it, and empower us to employ it, standing strong through to the end!

“Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness, as you are enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.  For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.  Through the proof of this service, they will glorify God for your generosity in sharing with them and with others.  And in their prayers for you they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God on you.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”  2 Corinthians 9:10-15 (HCSB)

I have spent my whole adult life in ministry.  From personal evangelism to touring as a Christian musician, from working as a minister on a church staff, and even as an assistant Messianic congregational leader, I have learned a few things about ministry!

In ministry, I have observed that there are basically two kinds of Kingdom builders: “Senders” and “the Sent.”  The “Church-at-large” needs people willing to heed God’s call by going directly to those who need the Gospel.  It also needs people who are willing to fund that ministry.  Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand how these two types of believers need each other.

In today’s passage, Paul describes that special relationship between the messenger and the benefactor.  Paul likens the benefactor to a field hand, a lowly job the rich aren’t generally accustomed to.  By doing this, Paul cuts to a source of pride that can often distance the Sender from the Sent: The worker/master relationship.  In general, people with money have more power, so they tend to look down on the worker.  Paul reminds the Sender of the same relationship they have between themselves and God.  

Just as the farm owner provides seed for his field workers to sow, so God provides wealth for the rich to invest in His Kingdom.  If the sower doesn’t invest his allotted seed wisely, the landowner may decrease or eliminate his future portion.  Similarly, God blesses us with abundance so that we will invest it in His kingdom.

In our present economy, it is hard for us to consider ourselves wealthy, but the average American is in the top 10% of the world’s wealthiest compared to the rest of the world.

So, how well are you investing in God’s Kingdom?  Sure, our Kingdom investment ministers to the physical and financial needs.  But, perhaps, the greatest service our investments provide the “ministers” is in the encouragement they receive by knowing that other believers are willingly supporting (co-laboring alongside) them.  It encourages them to continue ministering in otherwise discouraging spiritual conditions!

The Sender receives the blessing of knowing God’s work is being completed, in part because of their investment.  Also, the minister remembers the benefactor in his prayers before the Lord, Who was, of course, the source of the benefactor’s wealth!  See how it comes full circle?

“For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.  It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality – at the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may also become available for your need, that there may be equality.” 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 (HCSB)

It has been said that you can determine an “optimist” from a “pessimist” by handing them half a glass of water.  The pessimist says the glass is half-empty, and the optimist says it is half-full.

From the believer’s perspective, people view life in terms of “scarcity” or “abundance.”  

Those with a “scarcity” mindset never have enough.  They may become wealthy, but they only see what’s lacking.  Their decisions are based on what they DON’T have, so they generally aren’t hopeful.  They don’t feel they can afford to be.  

People living with an “abundant” mindset make decisions differently.  They view everything as a blessing from a gracious God with limitless resources.  They can give up their possessions and time more freely because they trust that God has the ability and character to ultimately accomplish good for His children.  It frees them to trust even through difficult seasons of life.

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b (NKJV)

In today’s chapter, Paul distinguishes between the Macedonian believers and those at Corinth.

The Macedonian believers didn’t have much wealth, but they had great faith!  They gave over and above what they could afford.  Was that foolish?  Paul didn’t think so.  He said…

“During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.” 2 Corinthians 8:2 (HCSB)

The Corinthians, on the other hand, lacked nothing yet had to be exhorted to give!  Though incredibly blessed, their joy was incomplete because their giving was reluctant.

Do you view life from the standpoint of “scarcity” or “abundance”?  Do you make your decisions from your seat pocket or your shirt pocket?  From your wallet or your heart?

“I now rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (CSB)

Growing up, I remember a poster hanging on my friend’s bedroom wall. It was an enlarged portrait of the Peanuts comic strip character, Charlie Brown. He had a defeated look on his face, and the caption read, “Good Grief.” When people think of grief, we generally relate it to sadness and loss…not happy feelings. But in today’s passage, Paul is saying there is a kind of grief that is actually good and Godly.  

Occasionally, I am asked to minister at funerals, so I have seen grief. But we don’t have to experience the death of a loved one to experience grief. Grief comes whenever we suffer loss. Sometimes, the worst loss is the kind that we bring about ourselves.

When I share the gospel, I usually begin with one foundational truth: God is perfect, and His standard is perfection. I’ll follow that truth with another sobering fact: Nobody else is perfect! It doesn’t take long to do the math on this equation. Mankind is in big trouble unless some overwhelming external force intervenes!

I have seen people react to this information in several ways. They display denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Those symptoms are known by psychologists as “the five stages of grief.”

What does “grief” have to do with the gospel?  

People who have believed (as truth) the World’s lies, the flesh, and the Devil have incurred GREAT loss. Even though they may not be conscious of that loss, there is presiding anxiety in the World because of it. The gospel exposes that loss. Essentially, the unredeemed person must realize his life has been built on a faulty foundation. Thus, everything his life built upon that foundation must be demolished. The proper foundation (Messiah Jesus) must be laid, and the new believer’s life must be rebuilt upon that firm foundation.

When grief has run its course, it leads to acceptance…moving beyond your grief towards a hopeful future. Are you yet to follow Jesus? What is holding you back? Abundant (even eternal) life awaits your decision.  

Though your sin would cost your soul, your debt was paid in full. His grace comes without toll to make the broken whole. God loves you and wants you to receive forgiveness and enter into a saving relationship with Him through a personal relationship with Messiah Jesus. Do it today!

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of 2 Corinthians 6. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”  He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (HCSB)

Have you ever needed to be in two places at once?  A few years ago, I had to fly out of the country to perform a concert.  At the same time, I was needed in town to sign some documents.  Both were important events, and my absence at either engagement would have cost me a lot of money.  

Here’s what I did.  I had my attorney draw up papers that gave him “power of attorney” on my behalf.  When I signed the “power of attorney” documents, in effect, he became my ambassador.  He went to the business meeting, and I flew to the concert.

In every legally binding way, my attorney’s decisions and negotiations became mine.  You really have to trust someone to give them the right to speak on your behalf!

The same is true with countries.  Heads of state cannot be everywhere.  When a foreign ambassador enters the room, it is as if that nation’s leader is there.  That’s why ambassadors should be chosen wisely.

Paul tells us that believers are called to be God’s ambassadors.  An ambassador is appointed to represent a nation in a specific country for specific periods, representing a specific leader in specific matters.  You never see the ambassador to China negotiating in Afghanistan.  You also don’t see the old president’s ambassadors negotiating on behalf of the new president unless they were reappointed.

In the same way, God calls us to specific people, places, and seasons.  By His wisdom and choice, our appointment is based on our character and obedience.  Our “disappointment” is based on our lack thereof.  Our message may be wrapped in various levels of diplomacy, but it is uniformly the same:  be reconciled to God through a personal relationship with Messiah Jesus!

In our generation full of great spiritual battles, God has sent us to deliver His message of hope.  All humanity has committed great offense towards Him, but Messiah has become our sin offering.  This is so that, through Jesus, believers might become the righteousness of God.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 9 (NKJV)

A while back, my wife and I led music for a couples’ retreat.  Before the event, a volunteer was setting up a merchandise table for my CD sales.  He picked up one of my solo projects and asked if I colored my hair for the cover photo.  So, I punched him…no, just kidding!

Every day, I indeed get a few more grey hairs.  A couple more wrinkles…  I’m no geezer, but I am starting to show signs of my age; signs I have been denying would come.  

Interestingly, the weekend couples’ retreat was one of our best ministry events ever.  The Lord has brought my wife and me through so many difficult seasons, and we have stories of hope to share with struggling couples.

In some music circles, I may be less marketable because the glory of my youth is fading, but in other venues, I have only become relevant.  Outwardly, I am wearing away, while inwardly, I am being renewed.  I never wanted to go through the hard times that inspired songs like “Faith That Is Real.”  But in those hard times, God taught me the most.  Now, I look back and consider those so-called “hard times” as light afflictions, especially in comparison to the ministry that has sprung from them.

Here is the point: I am learning to trust the Lord and count my present hardships as a blessing.  I am trying not to focus on what is seen.  I want to live for the unseen, Heaven.  Anyone trying to regain his youth is fighting a losing battle.  We could undergo all sorts of beauty treatments and surgeries, but eventually, we all wear away.

What is important is not how we manipulate the “outer man” to project the image of youth.  God is concerned with how we allow His Spirit to rejuvenate us from within…so that we may project HIS glory from the inside out.

If we are called to be “light,” we must expect to be thrust into “darkness.”  We must faithfully endure dark seasons so the glory of the Lord will shine forth in the midst of that darkness.  In this way, unbelievers can distinguish between our light and the counterfeit “light” of this world.

“Therefore, having such a hope, we use great boldness. We are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the Israelites could not stare at the end of what was fading away, but their minds were closed.  For to this day, at the reading of the old covenant, the same veil remains; it is not lifted, because it is set aside only in Christ. Even to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” 2 Corinthians 3:12-16 (HCSB)

Every time Moses returned from the Lord’s presence, His face would radiate God’s glory.  He would tell the people God’s instruction and then veil his face.  Why the veil?  Some would say it was because the people were afraid to come near him.  Exodus 34 tells of the people’s fear of Moses’ radiance.  But that’s not the reason for the veil.

Moses wore the veil because his radiant appearance only lasted so long.  Paul teaches that Moses veiled his face because he didn’t want the people to see God’s glory fading from him.  It’s kind of like seeing the band KISS without their makeup or the wizard of OZ behind the curtain.  He was concerned that if the people saw him without the glory, they would cease to acknowledge him as the leader.

The veil was not intended to keep people from seeing the radiance.  It was designed to conceal the fact that the glory was fading.  In masking the reality, Moses became larger than life in Israel’s eyes…almost godlike.  God Himself predicted this would happen when Moses tried to diminish God’s call by asking the Lord to let Aaron be His spokesman.  

“He will speak to the people for you.  He will be your spokesman, and you will serve as God to him.”  Exodus 4:16 (HCSB)

Today, when “Moses” (the Torah) is read, religious non-Messianic Jews remember the “glory” of when Moses delivered the law to their fathers.  Yet, they overlook Moses’ tragic flaws.  Without going so far as worshipping Moses as “God,” he is elevated to the status of a god in many respects.  Paul describes a “veil” covering the hearts of non-believing religious Jews…of whom he once was.  The veil represents a conflict between the desire to be identified as God’s “chosen” and the inability to keep the Torah.  In short, the veil is a byproduct of pride because of the rejection of Messiah Jesus.  In rejecting God’s provision of atonement through Messiah, they have become “blinded.”  Thus, while surrounded by the ancient things of God, they are just as lost as if they were steeped in paganism.

Only Jesus can remove the veil because only He can impart everlasting atonement.  Only Messiah can give us an unchanging, secure identity that is not dependent on our works.  And His glory never fades! ( Isaiah 40:8; John 1:14)