From the
Apostle Paul
Micro-Group Moments
2 Corinthians 10:1-8
1 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
7 You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
• In Christ, we look to demolish every argument and proud thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Pondering Point
As these verses remind us, we often stoop to judging by appearances (as yesterday stressed). We judge the way the world judges rather than the way God does. This leads to interactions that are inferior to God's Way. Let’s remind ourselves that the weapons we fight with are not of this world. We have been given divine power to demolish strongholds; anything that sets itself up against the knowledge of God is to be demolished or taken captive so that we can be obedient to Christ.
Prayer for the Day
Lord Jesus, I want to battle the way You desire, with weapons You want me to use, based on judgments You want me to make. Let Your gospel's message go out through me as I live for You. And let me do so in partnership with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
Micro-Group Moment
Learning about my place in the
mission and ministry of
Hope Lutheran Church
Values of Hope Lutheran Church (Why do we do what we do?):
We value living in the Word, under the Spirit, with all people, as disciples of Jesus.
Part II: Living under the Spirit: Living according to the Word of God, submitting to His will and authority, is not always easy as we live in a fallen world with competing agendas. However, Jesus promised that we would never be alone when He said, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:15-17). Jesus further explained that this advocate, the Holy Spirit, would teach us all things and will remind us of everything He said to us (John 14:26). The Word of God tells us that this Holy Spirit living in us is the same Spirit that was present when the earth was formed and the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. The Holy Spirit can keep us from falling prey to our sinful desires, will intercede for us with the Father when we aren’t sure what to pray, and is the power by which we can continue the work of Jesus in the world today – “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these…” John 14:12.
Prayer for the Day
Father God, I pray that I may learn to value living in Your Word, living under Your Spirit, living with all people, and living as a disciple of Jesus; Let your Holy Spirit lead me so that, in partnership with my brothers and sisters in Christ, I can do the great things You desire. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.