February 2026 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Category Archives: suffering
proof of commitment
2 Corinthians 10:13-12:13. Paul’s opponents in Corinth probably boasted that they were more committed to Christ and the churches than Paul was. After all, he was only a part-time itinerant missionary, but they demonstrated their commitment by staying among the … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, conflict, divisions, faithfulness, ministry, submission, suffering
Tagged 2 Corinthians 10, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 12
Leave a comment
fully loaded
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10. Paul described himself and the other missionaries who worked with him as having a weapon in each hand (6:7). Perhaps he was picturing a Roman soldier with a sword in one hand and a shield in the … Continue reading
Posted in faithfulness, Jesus Christ, ministry, perseverance, suffering, the cross, witness
Tagged 2 Corinthians 5, 2 Corinthians 6
Leave a comment
trophies in tow
2 Corinthians 2:12-3:18. The idea of being led by Christ in triumphal procession sounds great — except for the small detail that in victory parades in Paul’s day it was captured enemies that were led in triumphal procession. They were … Continue reading
Posted in ministry, missions, sovereignty of God, submission, suffering, witness
Tagged 2 Corinthians 2, 2 Corinthians 3
Leave a comment
trouble: preparation for ministry
2 Corinthians1:1-11. Paul is going to respond to some of his bitterest critics in this letter. One of the reasons they condemn him is that they are convinced that he is not worthy to be an apostle since he has … Continue reading
Posted in courage, deliverance, dependence upon God, perseverance, suffering
Tagged 2 Corinthians 1
2 Comments
present sufferings, future glory
Romans 8:18-39. The sufferings of this present time consist of two types. The creation itself groans as if in childbirth. This means that things are not going to go well for anyone. There will be tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, … Continue reading
Posted in conflict, deliverance, Holy Spirit, perseverance, sanctification, suffering
Tagged Romans 8
Leave a comment
behind the scenes
Exodus 5:1-6:9. It appears on the surface that Moses’ first attempt at delivering the people of Israel fails. God is doing something behind the scenes that sets up the board for a new kind of operation. He is giving Pharaoh … Continue reading
Posted in confidence, patience, perseverance, plan of God, redemption, suffering
Tagged Exodus 5, Exodus 6
1 Comment
the LORD was with him
Gen. 39. What was it that allowed Joseph to maintain his integrity while all those terrible things happened to him? How was he able to keep bitterness and cynicism from spoiling his attitude and destroying his witness? One clue to … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, eternal life, faithfulness, future, hope, integrity, kingdom of God, perseverance, suffering
Tagged Genesis 39
1 Comment
three days without sight
Acts 9:1-31. After his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus was left blinded and helpless for three days. That unexpected down time was three days of grace, and in them Saul was learning … Continue reading
conditioning prayer
Luke 22. Jesus could see beyond the time of trial that he was facing to the victory and the celebration in his kingdom. That awareness did not lessen the anguish he felt as he approached the cross. His was an … Continue reading
Posted in faithfulness, kingdom of God, perseverance, prayer, preparation, suffering
Tagged Luke 22
Leave a comment
why is this happening to me?
Genesis 25:21-23. Rebekah asked that question. All of us do. We should not be ashamed of questioning God when something in our lives does not seem to make sense. Many of the problems and trials we face are outside of … Continue reading
Devotions 