February 16 - Sincerity before God

Today's Reading:
1 Kings 19:1-21
2 Corinthians 2:12-17
Psalm 95:1-11 
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Focus Verses:
2 Corinthians 2:17
17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

Insight:
Christianity has been turned into big business and Jesus has become a cottage industry. It's nothing new. Even in the first century, people had figured out ways to "peddle the word of God for profit."

Paul's ministry was rooted in his genuine faith that Jesus was the hope of the world. He was not motivated by personal gain, but rather by his conviction that Christ died for all in order to bring salvation. Paul believed that those who had been redeemed by Christ should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again (2 Cor. 5:14-15).

Response and Action:
I want to live for Christ. Salvation and hope have been given freely to me, and I will freely pass it along. Jesus is my Lord and Savior; therefore, all that I am is rightfully his. I will do all I can to commit my life and my ministry to sharing the grace of Christ as sincerely, generously, and wholeheartedly as possible. And I will encourage my church community to do the same.

O God, thank you for the incomparable gift of Christ. Thank you for your generosity and goodness. Help me to be shaped so completely by your grace that I too am able to be generous and good. Help me to be sincere in my faith, and motivate me to be a servant, a witness, and a blessing to others. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses: Mark 10:43-45
43 "...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Resources:
Counterfeit Gods
by Timothy Keller