Titus visited Paul when he was in distress.  Through his visit, God provided comfort to Paul as described in 2 Cor. 7:6.  “God comforts the downcast.”

Please consider giving a Spirit filled visit to someone who is downcast or ill.  It may be a gesture of Christian love that brings untold encouragement to them.

Jesus said, “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”  (Matt. 25:36)

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, give me a mission to visit someone in Your Kingdom who really needs my comfort.  I will go in Jesus’ name.

DAILY READING:  1 Kings 4-6;  2 Cor. 7

God told Solomon to ask whatever he wished.  When Solomon asked for a wise and discerning heart with which to rule Israel wisely, God was pleased with his attitude of humility and that he asked for the good of others rather than himself.  Because he asked wisely, God said He would also give Solomon wealth and honor, things that he didn’t ask for himself.

Mature prayer lifts up the needs of others.  Jesus said, “Hitherto have you asked nothing in My name.  Ask and you shall receive that YOUR joy may be full.”

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, in the name of Jesus we ask for Your leading and Your Spirit that we may better serve those around us.  Thank you.  Be exalted through our lives.

DAILY READING:  1 Kings 2,3;  2 Cor. 6

Whether we are in this life and body, or the hereafter, we make it our goal to please the Lord.  Why, because we shall all appear before Christ at His seat and position of judgment.  One translation says it this way … “We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.”  (2 Cor. 5:10)

That should motivate us to live to please the Lord, and influence all we love to do likewise.

Because we know what it is to fear the Lord, we persuade others.  (v. 11)

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, as King David made it his goal to please you in everything, we likewise endeavor to do so with the grace You empower us with.  Thank You.

DAILY READING:  1 Kings 1;  2 Cor 5

The Apostle Paul dedicated his life to the furtherance of the gospel.  As he saw God’s grace through the gospel reaching more and more people, he described his joy as a thanksgiving that overflowed to the glory of God.  (2 Cor. 4:15)

This he said in spite of the many trials and hardships of life he experienced.  He had his focus on his eternal home with the Lord.

Today, let’s allow thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God because we have an eternal hope and trust in the Lord’s exciting plans that await us in heaven.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, thank You.  We are so grateful for the abundant life You provide to us while we are yet on this earth.  Our hope is in You.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 23-4;  2 Cor. 3,4

“Thanks be to God Who ALWAYS causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus.” (2 Cor. 2:14)  This is one of my favorite passages in the entire Bible.  Through Christ, victory is always available.  He said, “Be of good cheer, I have already overcome the world.”  (Jn. 16:33)

Christians always have the opportunity to speak from a position of victory if they walk in the Lord’s ways.  God is faithful.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, I thank You for providing a victorious life to me and all who trust in You.  Lead on, O King Eternal!

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 22;  2 Cor. 1,2

Paul indicated that he had an effective opportunity to minister at Ephesus, yet accompanied by opposition. (1 Cor. 16:9)

The presence or absence of resistance does not indicate the Lord’s will.  Each saint must be simply and faithfully obedient to what God has shown them in His Word and by the leading of His Spirit.  Great grace accompanies obedience.  Grace overcomes opposition.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, grace me to faithfully persevere in doing Your will. I trust You for the results of my labors.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 19-21;  1 Cor. 16

Upon hearing the news that his rival son was dead, David mourned greatly.  Clearly David’s soldiers did not understand the depth of his unconditional love.

How great a love does our Heavenly Father have for us even though we often live in such a manner that deserves our death.  “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, thank You for your unconditional love for us.  While we were yet in our sin, You sent Christ to die for us.  Let Your mighty love flow through us today.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 16-8;  1 Cor. 15

Upon reading Paul’s instructions for the conduct of New Testament believer’s gatherings, one wonders if our contemporary services produce better participators or spectators.

When he uses expressions such as “Eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit,” and “Try to excel in those [gifts] that build up the church,” we see that he is stimulating a desire in the saints to seek the Lord for spiritual giftings that give them participation usefulness. (1 Cor. 14)

He says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”  However, LET ALL THINGS BE DONE.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, You are the Giver of every good and perfect gift.  We desire to bring honor to You through the presence of Holy Spirit gifts in the church services.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 13-5;  1 Cor. 14

What was King David thinking when he succumbed to temptation with Bathsheba?  Then, to cover up, he had her husband killed on the front lines of the nation’s current battle.

“David, what were you thinking?  Do you place yourself above the law?”

It never works.  Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, Bill Clinton, Ted Haggard, …

Jesus said, “He that has My commandments and keeps them, he is the one that loves Me.”

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, keep me from sin today.  I yield every thought and temptation to You.  I want to be pure before You.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 11,12;  1 Cor. 13

The significance of David’s sons being priests is that they were serving the Lord.  David was a prefigure of the New Testament Christian in that he was a prophet, priest, and king before the Lord.  Although his sons were not of the tribe of Levi, they served the priesthood.

Hopefully it is the desire of every Christian parent that their children serve the Lord, regardless of the line of work they fall into.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, touch the lives of our children with Your presence, and draw them close to Yourself.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 8-10  1 Cor. 12