Godly Sorrow Works Repentance

2 Kings 11-12  
Psalm 66            
2 Corinthians 7

-Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

Join us together today reading tough history lessons from 2 Kings and the letter to the 2 Corinthians that is a corrective epistle.  The book of Romans is mostly doctrinal and is telling us how to believe correctly in Christ.  The epistle of 1 Corinthians is correction and in it Paul does many corrections of the wrong believing that the church there had, which caused the wrong actions that they had done.  The second epistle of Corinthians is a follow up to the first one, and Paul gives them additional correction that they are ready to hear now.  He continues to give them guidance on how to apply what they have learned from him and other teachers that have instructed their church.  

2 Corinthians 7:8-13(NLT) I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 12 My purpose, then, was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how loyal you are to us. 13 We have been greatly encouraged by this.

This section from 2 Corinthians 7 is very instructional for all of us.  Paul shows us how to relate to each other when sin is involved.  Then he gives us insight into how to change to become more like Christ.  I know for sure that I have had several instances in my walk with God where this section of scripture has applied (like 5000, maybe more).  When we are corrected by the Word of God and the ministers of it, it at first will not be comfortable or palatable.  Our first human reaction is to reject the correction because I am sure that it is wrong and certainly does not apply to me.  

Then as we contemplate and meditate on what is written our minds will become convicted by the truth.  Repentance is the motivation to change our ways and comes from learning what is correct believing and correct behavior.  It will lead us away from our wrong thoughts and behavior giving us a new perspective and new thinking.  Maybe a renewing of our minds (any idea where that came from?) to the truth.  

We need to learn how to believe in Christ correctly, but life is filled with opportunities to do it God’s way or our own way.  Making Christ lord in our lives must include the humility to let the truth change our thinking into the thoughts of God.

Get rid of stinking thinking!!  Crude but effective comment.  

If there is no brother or sister in Christ willing and able to show us the wrong direction of our ways, then we will continue to be living without fellowship with God and His Son.  We all have strengths in different areas of our lives, and together we replace the absent Christ as the church of his body.  You may be able to help me to see the correct path in a given situation for what I need to do.  But if you are not willing to correct me, I am the loser.  In the same way I need to see the actions and behavior of others through the lens of scripture.  If correction is needed, then we should do it with gentleness and care for others.  It is not a hammer to be wielded on others but a pointing to the truth with firmness and strength of truth.   

2 Timothy 2:25-26(NLT) Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

Reflection Questions

Does this section of 2 Corinthians help you to see the path of righteous living?

Are you willing to be the leader in Christ that this is calling us to be?

How should we handle these situations with others in the church?

Prayer

Father God, we have failed you so many times. Thank you for bringing us back to You through godly teaching and leadership. Help us to be the child You desire us to be and to repent of our shortcomings and failure. Thank you Father for the forgiveness of our sin in every part of our lives. All praise to You on high, You are our Father and we love You so much. In the name of our lord and savior Jesus Christ.

SGL.2026.CalendarDownload

Refined Like Silver

2 Kings 9-10    

Psalm 66           

2 Corinthians 6

-Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

Psalms 66:8-10(NKJV)

Oh, bless our God, you peoples!

And make the voice of His praise to be heard,

9 Who keeps our soul among the living,

And does not allow our feet to be moved.

10 For You, O God, have tested us;

You have refined us as silver is refined.

There is a theme going through all the sections  we are reading  today.  We are slaves to sin before we receive Christ, but then after, we can walk with righteous new life before our Father.  Our hearts need to become like the heart of Christ and not the heart of disobedience which is what we had before we became children of God.  Silver is refined by heat, a process carried out multiple times.  Our heart needs continual refining towards the goal of becoming like Christ.  We don’t start out that way and the lifetime fight with the deceitful heart is something all of us will have with our walk with God.

Genesis 8:21(NLT) And the LORD was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things.

The nation of Israel had as king Ahab and the queen his wife Jezebel who led their nation into a continual and total worship of Baal.  This was the time of Elijah and then Elisha.  Remember the contest on the mountain between the prophets of Baal and the prophet of God Elijah?  This became a time of such idolatry in the 10 tribes’ nation of Israel that God calls out and then sends Jehu, one of the commanders in Ahab’s army, to settle the situation.  God has the prophet tell Jehu that he will be king, but he must kill Ahab and all his family.  He also was directed to destroy all the temples and prophets of Baal.

2 Kings 10:25-31(NLT) Then Jehu’s men went into the innermost fortress of the temple of Baal. 26 They dragged out the sacred pillar used in the worship of Baal and burned it. 27 They smashed the sacred pillar and wrecked the temple of Baal, converting it into a public toilet, as it remains to this day.

28 In this way, Jehu destroyed every trace of Baal worship from Israel. 29 He did not, however, destroy the gold calves at Bethel and Dan, with which Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to sin.

30 Nonetheless the LORD said to Jehu, “You have done well in following my instructions to destroy the family of Ahab. Therefore, your descendants will be kings of Israel down to the fourth generation.” 31 But Jehu did not obey the Law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.

Many questions come to mind as I read the passage.  Why does God choose Jehu to become king when God knows that Jehu will not settle the issue of the golden calf worship that was started by Jeroboam.  This was after Solomon died and the nation split.  The refining mission of Jehu on the nation of Israel is partial but not complete.  The true worship of Yahweh would include going to the temple at Jerusalem three times per year and apparently Jehu did not want to let the people go there.  Instead, he kept the worship of the calves which the people were told that they should do instead of going to the feasts at the temple.  His desire to control the people outweighed a decision to follow God’s law.  Further refinement will be on the way for the nation of Israel.

Also, why does the whole family, children and servants of Ahab and Jezebel have to die in the process?  Worship of Baal and the Astaroth was a fertility worship that included a great deal of activities that would be shocking to us even to today.  (Or maybe not.)  When the king of Israel led the people to do evil continually the smell of their sacrifices and altars was so putrefying to God that He sent the ultimate judgement against their whole family. By eliminating the many sons of Ahab there would be no palace intrigue against Jehu and his sons as kings in Israel.  The deaths of so many that did evil is truly a refining process. 

It was a bloody, violent and gruesome ending for them and especially Jezebel who ends up crushed and eaten by dogs to leave only a few of her bones.  The pit they dug for others is where they died.

Psalms 9:15-16(NLT) The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others.

Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set.

16 The LORD is known for his justice.

The wicked are trapped by their own deeds.

Why does God execute such judgement against people in the Old Testament time?

Should we look for this judgement today against those that do evil?  

The New Testament brings us the teaching of Jesus and the apostles and prophets of the early church.  Now we are admonished to love our enemies, to turn our cheek, and to give grace to all we meet.  Sometimes this is used by Christians to justify a completely pacifist view.  Certainly, Jesus does not call or lead us to dominate our world by military power or war.  But the viewpoint we should have should be to see that sometimes evil is so great that God will lift his hand of protection against those people and the destruction of war and violence will come from this time of unbelief.  They will be refined by falling into their own pit that they have dug, and captured by the net they have set.  Unbelief and greed coming from evil leaders is certainly the source of most conflicts in history and in the world today.  Evil and deceit come from the heart of man to do evil continuously and leaders who lead from this deceit are responsible for most misery and war. 

We have no promise of peace in this administration of grace but are admonished by God not to be the cause of the disharmony or conflict.  We are to be light in the world showing others the way to Christ and God.  If our country and leaders lead us into wars which are based on greed and deceit there may be Christians caught up in these conflicts.  The records of the Word show many times the strength of warriors who do righteous battle for nations and we are certainly not immune from war today.  

In Hebrews 11 we find a list of men who battled for their nation from the weakness of being the hand of the army of God.  They include David, Gideon, Barak, and others.  These are armies which depend on the living God to help them to victory and show us a pattern of righteous action. Not armies dependent on their own strength.

What is it to fight from weakness and how does that work?

Our 2 Corinthian reading also shows us further refining the silver of our lives.  Yokes of livestock need to be closely matched in order to get the best effort for their work.  You can pair a small horse with a large ox, but the results will be a very crooked plowing path.  In the same way God tells us to look to our family in the church for those to be paired up in our work.  We will be both pulling in the same way in the same direction.  Our efforts will work together for righteousness,

2 Corinthians 6:11-16(NKJV) O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.”

Leviticus 26:12-13(NLT) I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people. 13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so you would no longer be their slaves. I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your heads held high.

Do you see yourself and the church today as the chosen people of God?

Our warfare as the church today, we pray, will not be with the weapons of this world, but our national identity is the true people of God and our weapons are spiritual.  Our authority is established with God as our Father and leader and any state mandated statues must be subservient to this authority.  God calls for us to not be unequally yoked with the unbeliever.  We should not be yoked to the sin and passion of this world.  We need to support and strengthen each other in our spiritual family and relationships. God has not delivered us from the slavery to sin of this world for us to willingly go back to its authority. We cannot change the world’s violence in every situation but rather we teach and preach Christ the prince of peace to all we meet.  God continues to refine us as silver in our thoughts and actions when we trust Him.

Reflection Questions – see above and …

Has this discussion changed your view of the conflicts of this world?

Prayer

Father God, we lift all our people that may be involved in the conflicts of this world.  We ask Your protection for all of us from the evil that is so pervasive.  Continue to refine our lives to become like Christ and help us to act from our new hearts.  Give us today the bread of our need and deliver us from the pit others have dug for us.  Thank you Father for all that Your do to protect and keep us in every way.  In the precious name of Jesus Christ, we pray this day.

SGL.2026.CalendarDownload

The Meditation of Our Hearts

2 Kings 7-8         

Psalm 65            

2 Corinthians 5

-Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

Welcome to another wonderful day with God as our Father and Christ as lord in our lives.  God’s Word gives us comfort, strength, confidence and grace every time we read and meditate on it.  Our readings today are full of all these attributes of our God who loves us so much.

Psalms 65:5-8(NLT) 

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds,

O God our savior.

You are the hope of everyone on earth,

even those who sail on distant seas.

6 You formed the mountains by your power

and armed yourself with mighty strength.

7 You quieted the raging oceans

with their pounding waves

and silenced the shouting of the nations.

8 Those who live at the ends of the earth

stand in awe of your wonders.

From where the sun rises to where it sets,

you inspire shouts of joy.

Father, thank you for your answers to our heart’s prayers and needs.  Help us to remember your great love and care of us and all the earth.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15(NLT)  Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

Father, we thank you for giving us new life in Christ, that our old nature is replaced with this new life of relationship and fellowship with You and Your Son

2 Corinthians 5:16-17(NLT) So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Father God, help us to see what Christ has done for us.  Then help us to see what Christ has done for all who hear Your voice.  Your love for us is overwhelming. 

2 Corinthians 5:18-21(NLT) And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

To become an ambassador is to become the representative of the king or ruler whom you represent.  In the Eastern culture of that time there was no telephone, texting or internet to communicate to the ambassador in real time what the ruler desired for him to do.  So, the ambassador would act in the name of the king or ruler to make decisions, treaties or other relationships with the people he or she was talking to.  In the same way we have been given the position of a trusted ambassador by our God, and He is sending us to those that we meet with a message of salvation and grace.  We are confident of our position because God has forgiven our sins and shortcomings making us His treasured family and trusted representatives. Our lives should be the living proof of what God has done for mankind.

Our position as God’s ambassadors is to tell the God-story (gospel) to all that we meet. Our message is one of new life in Christ, a changed life today and a future life to come.  Our message is one of love and grace not condemnation and fear.  The goodness of God brings people to repentance and new life.  What have we ever done for God that is so good that we deserve a reward for it?  Rather see that God has everything that we need for us and for others.  Life will change when we approach it with this confidence and grace for others.  Be the ambassadors for our God that He has called us to be!

Reflection Questions

How do you meditate on God’s Word?  What can you do to improve?

Who has God sent you to to represent Him?

How can we see this role bigger in our lives?

Prayer

Father God, be with us today as we come to You thanking You for your grace and love.  We are overwhelmed by Your love for us in Christ.  Help us to become the people that You have given us the opportunity to be.  Be with us as we speak Your Word to a fallen world around us.  We thank you in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ our lord and Messiah.

SGL.2026.CalendarDownload

Who Speaks For Your God?

2 Kings 5-6       

Psalm 65            

2 Corinthians 4

-Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

The records of scripture we are reading today include the story of Naaman and his leprosy.  This record is familiar to many, but never loses relevance for us as we read.  The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword and is able to separate the physical world we live in from the spiritual truth that surrounds this world.  

What is important to you?  Then what is important to God?

2 Kings 5:1-8(NLT) The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. 2 At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. 3 One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. 5 “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” 7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? Why is this man asking me to heal someone with leprosy? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.” 8 But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.”

A prophet is one who speaks for God.  He or she speaks out the truths that God shows them to say to the people in that moment of time and place.  These truths are seldom predictions of the future, which is the popular viewpoint of many.  But rather most of prophecy is speaking the firmly established truths of the Word of God applied at the right place, right time.  

There are also many people that think that there are no more prophets today.  This is a reaction I think to the claims of religions such as Mormonism or Islam, for example, that base their authority on the speaking of a self-proclaimed prophet.  It is easier to just say that there are no prophets today after the 1st century of the church then to see that there were many false prophets then and many false prophets now.  

It is not for the prophet’s own power or position that words of knowledge and wisdom are given to the prophet, but for the building up of the body of Christ.  The words spoken by representatives of God in a true relationship with our Father God will be the words that are rightly spoken.  This will be in a way that builds confidence in God and Christ, not tearing people down from condemnation. There may be a firm correction given by the prophet to the people but it will build up, not tear down.

Proverbs 25:11(NKJV) A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

2 Kings 5 :9-15(NLT) So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” 11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” 14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! 15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. 

The words of a true prophet are established to be true and faithful to our God.  God gives us the words of truth and when we speak on His behalf to the powers of this world God will give those words the power to do His good and intent.  We are not responsible for the content of God’s Word, but we are responsible for the telling of it to others.  God’s message, our speech.

2 Corinthians 4:1-2(NLT) Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. 2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. 3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

What are the truths that God has given you to speak and reveal to others?

When you speak for God are you fulfilling the ministry of a prophet? (Hmmm…)

2 Corinthians 4:5-7(NLT) You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

Whose power are you empowered with today?  

What is the light (knowledge) that you can shine into the darkness of this world?

Why did God choose you?

Our message is not about ourselves but about the God who has saved us.  What is the purpose of the saving grace of God for your life if not to serve Him and speak for Him?  It isn’t religious rules and statues that God calls us to speak but the message of that saving grace of God which you have received. 

2 Corinthians 4:13-18(NLT) But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory…..18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever

Fix your eyes upon Jesus, look full into his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim….

Reflect On Questions above in bold font.

Prayer

Father God, we pray to You today to empower our lives with Your Word and wisdom.  The power that we have is from You alone, and we can only speak truth with Your words.  Give us the confidence to speak for You, and Your love to see others as You do.  Thank you in the name of Jesus Christ for all Your care and help in our time of need.  

SGL.2026.CalendarDownload

What Can I Do to Help You?

2 Kings 3-4         

Psalm  64          

2 Corinthians 3

-devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

Today we start a week with so many inspiring scriptures to read and meditate on.  The first section today is from 2 Kings 4 where the familiar  story of Elisha and the olive oil is recorded.  Elisha is speaking for God and asks the widow “What can I do to help you?”  The theme of the week of readings is our God who is always asking us that question.  The Good News is that God is also willing and powerful to help us in every way if we put our trust and faith in Him.  What He has done for us is to redeem us, sanctify us, reconcile us, and give meaning and purpose to our walk with Him in our lives.  Reading from our section of Kings today:

2 Kings 4:2-7(NLT) “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked.

 “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”“Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.
3 And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. 4 Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.”
5 So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. 6 Soon every container was full to the brim!
“Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons.
“There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing.
7 When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.”

If you combine Basil, Parmesan, Pinenuts and Olive Oil you get Pesto. What do you get when you mix Olive Oil, Spinach and Sweet Peas?  You get the cartoon classic Popeye.

Oh well it was a good try.  But you know why Our God is so strong?  He is strong to the finish!! (famous quote).

The story of Elisha and his walk with twice the spiritual power of Elijah is such an important record for us to read and appreciate.  All through these chapters of Kings we see God giving people the things that are needed, continually rewarding faithful followers with what is important in their lives. Elisha walks and talks with God daily and has the voice of God in his spiritual ear all the time.  

Can we hear words of knowledge and wisdom from God today like Elisha did?

If we believe that this is true, why do we doubt God’s presence so often? 

2 Kings 4:13-17(NLT) Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tell her, ‘We appreciate the kind concern you have shown us. What can we do for you? Can we put in a good word for you to the king or to the commander of the army?’”“No,” she replied, “my family takes good care of me.”14 Later Elisha asked Gehazi, “What can we do for her?”Gehazi replied, “She doesn’t have a son, and her husband is an old man.”15 “Call her back again,” Elisha told him. When the woman returned, Elisha said to her as she stood in the doorway, 16 “Next year at this time you will be holding a son in your arms!”“No, my lord!” she cried. “O man of God, don’t deceive me and get my hopes up like that.”17 But sure enough, the woman soon became pregnant. And at that time the following year she had a son, just as Elisha had said.

Once again, the question “what can God do for her?”  And then we read how Elisha raises the child from the dead in a most thrilling story of deliverance.  Wow!

How do we change our perspective to “what can we do for others?” in our walks?

How do you think that would affect our lives and ministries?

Now let’s look at what Paul writes in 2 Corinthians where he is working to help their church to become united, strong, and productive.  They were divided in their church body, and were accepting and promoting wrong teaching in many areas of Christian living and worship.  The books of 1-2 Corinthians are reproof and correction to help them (and us) to get back to the correct path of righteous living, believing and actions.

2 Corinthians 3:1-6(NLT)  Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? Are we like others, who need to bring you letters of recommendation, or who ask you to write such letters on their behalf? Surely not! 2 The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. 3 Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.
4 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. 5 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 6 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.

Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles who should be the most exalted and powerful leader of the early church, especially amongst the Gentiles.  Instead, he comes to the Corinthians showing them that the attitude of leadership and service in the church body is one of true humility and deliverance.  All leadership is based on trust in God and Jesus Christ.  He is the example of what true humility is, for Christian living and leadership for them and for us.

2 Corinthians 3:12-18(NLT) Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

The more that we read, study and meditate on the Word, and follow the examples of Christ and all the leaders that are recorded in the Bible, the more we will become like Christ.  The walk of fellowship with the Father and His Son will be reflected in our faces and from our lives.  I am sure that you have seen this from believers that you fellowship with.  

REflection Questions:

Why is the veil of uncertainty done away with when we follow Christ?

What can we do daily to improve our walks of believing in spiritual power?

PRAYER:

Father God, we look to You today and are thankful for all that you do in every way in our lives.  You have saved us, built us up and sustained us through the challenges of life.  Father, we look to you to talk to us and give us the confidence to do what You ask us to do.  We are weak in ourselves but strong with Christ in us.  Thank you for being part of all we do.  Give us your help today.  In Jesus’ name we pray.

SGL.2026.CalendarDownload

Mystery Revealed

2 Kings 1-2       

Psalm 64            

2 Corinthians 2

-devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

Paul had the standing and education to be a powerful teacher and preacher as he traveled Asia Minor in the first century.  It is so striking to see how Paul goes right to the most important part of our message to others.  It is that proclamation that Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, dead for 3 days and was then raised again from the dead.  There were over 500 witnesses that saw him in his resurrected body and could tell the story from firsthand knowledge.  Paul proclaimed to them this truth knowing that if people do not believe and accept this truth, then all the other convincing arguments that can be made for Christianity are not going anywhere.   Read 1 Corinthians 2 with us today and see how Paul approaches the people in Corinth.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5(NLT) When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

Our witness to the proclamation of Christ that he is risen from the dead is the central theme of our faith.  Read this story about the simple witness of a shoe salesman named Edward Kimble.

From: X Harvest (https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/the-impact-of-one/)

When it comes to contemporary heroes of the Christian faith, we are familiar with names like Billy Graham. But what about Edward Kimble or Mordecai Ham?

Edward Kimble was a shoe salesman who worked alongside a guy named Dwight. Edward shared the gospel with Dwight, and Dwight accepted Christ. It was 1858, and Dwight’s last name was Moody. We know him as D. L. Moody, who was one of the greatest evangelists in history.

Years later when Moody was preaching, a pastor named Frederick D. Meyer was deeply stirred, and as a result, he went into his own nationwide preaching ministry. On one occasion when Meyer was preaching, a college student named J. Wilbur Chapman heard him and accepted Christ. He went out and began to share the gospel, and he employed a young baseball player named Billy Sunday. Billy Sunday ended up being the greatest evangelist of his generation.

When Billy Sunday preached the gospel in Charlotte, North Carolina, it was such a great meeting that he was invited back. But when he couldn’t be there, Sunday recommended a preacher named Mordecai Ham. Ham went to Charlotte and preached, but not many people responded to his invitation to accept Christ. But on one of the last nights, a tall, lanky boy who worked on the local dairy farm walked forward. Everyone knew him as Billy Frank, and we know him today as Billy Graham.

So Edward Kimble reached D. L. Moody, who touched Frederick Meyer, who reached Wilbur Chapman, who helped Billy Sunday, who reached businessmen in Charlotte, who invited Mordecai Ham, who ultimately reached Billy Graham. And it all began with the simple witness of Edward Kimble.

Every one of us can make a difference for the kingdom of God. What is He calling you to do?

Billy Graham preached and evangelized to over 200 million people across the world during his life. We may not completely agree with the message he taught or the follow up that was lacking, but the power of God is evident in the chain of witness that faithful believers presented.

1 Corinthians 2:6-10(NLT) Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. 7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”
10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets

The mystery revealed to us is the hidden decision by God to open the whole world of both Jew and Gentile to become one church of the body of Christ.  The hidden decision that God made was that the life of His Son would be able to become the payment for all the sin and sins of the world.  Jesus was faithful to all that God asked him to do, and because of his faithfulness God is able to find him righteous and raise him from the dead.  Death could not hold Christ and God gives him a new resurrected body and then gives him authority over all of creation. God does all this because He judged him righteous.  Paul tells us that if the powers of this world had known God’s plan, they would not have crucified Christ.  The powers of this world would have let him live as he was alone as the Son of God, but now there are millions of children of God all who are witnesses of the plan and story of God and Christ.

When we accept the sacrifice of Christ for us, we become new creations in the pattern of Christ.  We get a new heart and the way to become a child of God.  The gift of holy spirit that we have received in Christ gives us a mind that will see and understand the God-story, the gospel plan that God has made for us and all the creation. 

1 Corinthians 2:12-13(NLT) And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.
13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.

The wisdom that we have is knowledge that can change our minds and hearts.  It’s not the wisdom of philosophy and man’s knowledge, but spiritual words revealed to spiritual minds.  It even is considered to be foolishness by the academia of this world. We hear with our minds those thoughts and understandings that come from God and are revealed to us in His Word.  Every time I spend time with Him and His Word more of His truth becomes real to me.  The knowledge of God is inexhaustible and infinite because He is infinite.  Our minds can approach the understanding of His Word, but it is a lifetime journey of faith which continues to expand before us. This mystery of godliness is revealed to us today and it is the story that we must tell others.  Paul does this with the Corinthians, and it is the pattern for us to follow in our own ministries. 

Reflection Questions

What is the witness that changed your life to come to God?

What witness can you give today to others that will give them this new life also?

How can we keep our faith and walk of believing simple and pure in purpose?

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, we pray this day for understanding hearts and minds.  Thank you for Your great love that gave us Christ.  Help us to meditate on Your Word both day and night.   Give us this day the boldness to speak Your Word to this fallen world, telling this story of grace and truth.  God, we praise You for all Your works and love.  Praying this day in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ.

SGL.2026.CalendarDownload

The Cost of Ignoring Truth

1 Kings 21–22

Psalm 63

2 Corinthians 1

-devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

1 Kings ends with two powerful reminders:

God sees injustice.
And truth does not change simply because people refuse to listen to it.

Chapter 21 tells the heartbreaking story of Naboth’s vineyard.

King Ahab wanted Naboth’s land, but Naboth refused to sell it because it was part of his family inheritance under God’s law. Ahab responded like a spoiled child — sulking, pouting, and lying in bed angry because he could not have what he wanted.

Then Jezebel stepped in.

She arranged false accusations, manipulated the legal system, and had Naboth executed so Ahab could seize the vineyard.

It is one of the clearest examples in Scripture of powerful people abusing authority for personal gain.

And God saw every bit of it.

Elijah confronted Ahab with devastating words of judgment. Yet something remarkable happened afterward: Ahab humbled himself temporarily, and God delayed part of the judgment.

Even here we see God’s mercy mixed with justice.

But chapter 22 may be even more sobering.

Ahab wanted reassurance before going into battle. So hundreds of prophets told him exactly what he wanted to hear:

“Go, for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”

Only one prophet, Micaiah, told the truth.

And everybody hated him for it.

Ahab openly admitted:

“I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad.”

That sentence reveals something deeply dangerous about human nature.

Many people do not actually want truth.
They want reassurance.
Validation.
Comfort.
Approval.

They want spiritual voices that confirm their desires rather than challenge their hearts.

False prophets often become popular because they remove the discomfort of repentance.

Micaiah stood alone and spoke the truth anyway.

And he was imprisoned for it.

Ahab ignored the warning, disguised himself in battle to avoid danger, and still died exactly as God had foretold. A random arrow struck him between the armor plates.

No disguise could hide him from God.
No political power could override truth.
No amount of denial could change reality.

That is one of the major themes running throughout 1 Kings:

Human leaders repeatedly fail.
Human wisdom repeatedly collapses.
Human kingdoms repeatedly drift toward corruption.

But God remains faithful.

And despite all the darkness in these chapters, Scripture continues pointing forward to a better future — a righteous King who will judge perfectly, defend the innocent, and establish true justice forever.

Unlike Ahab, that coming King will not abuse power.
Unlike false prophets, He will speak truth completely.
Unlike earthly kingdoms, His reign will not end in corruption and death.

That is where the story of Scripture is heading.

Toward resurrection.
Toward restoration.
Toward the Kingdom of God.

Three Things to Remember
  1. God sees injustice.

Naboth’s murder was not hidden from the LORD.

  1. Truth is often unpopular.

Micaiah was hated precisely because he spoke honestly.

  1. Human kingdoms fail, but God’s Kingdom will endure.

Ahab’s reign ended in death, but God’s promises continued forward.

The end of 1 Kings leaves us with an important question:

When truth confronts us, will we humble ourselves before God…

Or only listen to voices that tell us what we already want to hear?

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you do with truth that contradicts what you want to hear? Give some examples.
  2. Where do you see injustice? How might God want you to respond?

Prayer

Dear God – Thank you for your faithfulness! Give me a discerning heart that knows truth and stands strong against lies and injustice. Thank you for your love and guidance today and your Coming Kingdom where truth and righteousness will reign forever.

SGL.2026.CalendarDownload

God Still Speaks in the Silence

1 Kings 19-20

Psalm 63

1 Corinthians 16

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

Right after the incredible victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah collapsed emotionally.

That may surprise some people.

Fire had fallen from heaven.
The prophets of Baal had been defeated.
Rain finally returned after years of drought.

And yet, when Queen Jezebel threatened his life, Elijah fled into the wilderness exhausted, discouraged, and afraid.

1 Kings chapter 19 is one of the most honest portraits of human weakness in all of Scripture.

Elijah sat down under a tree and essentially told God:

“I have had enough…”

This mighty prophet felt isolated, overwhelmed, and convinced he was alone.

That truth matters because faithful believers sometimes experience deep exhaustion too.

Even people who trust God can become emotionally drained.
Even strong leaders can become discouraged.
Even courageous servants of God can feel afraid.

And notice how God responded.

Not with cruelty.
Not with mockery.
Not with condemnation.

God gave Elijah rest.
Food.
Time.
Gentle correction.

Sometimes spiritual burnout is not solved by trying harder for five more minutes. Sometimes people genuinely need rest, nourishment, and renewed perspective.

Then Elijah stood on the mountain waiting for God.

A violent wind came.
An earthquake came.
A fire came.

But the LORD was not in those dramatic displays.

Then came a gentle whisper.

And God spoke there.

There is an important lesson in that moment.

God certainly can work dramatically. Scripture contains miracles, judgments, and astonishing displays of power. But often God shapes lives quietly through His word, His presence, faithful endurance, and steady obedience over time.

Many people constantly chase dramatic experiences while neglecting the quieter ways God is already speaking.

Meanwhile, chapter 20 shifts back to political conflict as God gives Israel victory over powerful enemies despite Ahab’s wickedness. Once again we see God showing mercy and patience far beyond what people deserve.

But Ahab continued struggling with partial obedience.

God gave clear instruction, yet Ahab compromised.

That pattern appears repeatedly throughout Scripture and throughout human history. People often want God’s help while resisting God’s authority.

Yet even through flawed leaders and discouraged prophets, God continued moving history toward His greater purposes.

Elijah thought he was alone, but God revealed that thousands still remained faithful.

Sometimes we also become convinced that truth has disappeared completely, that faithfulness no longer exists, or that evil has fully won.

But God always sees more than we do.

And His plan continues moving forward even when we cannot fully see it.

Ultimately, Elijah’s story points forward to the greater hope of God’s coming Kingdom — a future where fear, injustice, idolatry, exhaustion, and death itself will finally be removed forever.

Three Things to Remember
  1. Even faithful people become discouraged sometimes.

Elijah’s exhaustion reminds us that spiritual struggles are real.

  1. God often works quietly.

The LORD spoke to Elijah through a gentle whisper, not merely dramatic displays.

  1. You are probably not as alone as you think.

God still had thousands of faithful people Elijah could not see.

Sometimes the loudest moments in life are not where God speaks most clearly.

Sometimes His voice is found in quiet faithfulness, steady endurance, and the gentle reminder:

“I am still here.”

Reflection Questions

  1. When was the last time you tried sitting in silence?
  2. When have you felt alone? How were you proved wrong? Who do you know who might feel alone right now and how can you prove them wrong?
  3. What are helpful things you can do when you feel spiritually exhausted or overwhelmed? What are not helpful things?

Prayer

Dear God – I thank You for being constant and forever faithful. When I am overwhelmed or spiritually exhausted help me see You are there. Please show me that I am not alone. And help me share Your presence with others.

SGL.2026.CalendarDownload

When God Speaks Through the Fire

1 Kings 17-18

Psalm 62

1 Corinthians 15

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

The spiritual darkness in Israel had deepened dramatically.

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel aggressively promoted Baal worship, persecuted God’s prophets, and led the nation further from the LORD. Baal was supposedly the god of storms, rain, and fertility. So when drought struck the land at Elijah’s word, it was not random.

It was a direct challenge.

1 Kings chapters 17–18 introduce Elijah suddenly and powerfully. He appears almost out of nowhere and boldly announces that there will be no rain except at his word.

Then God begins teaching lessons through unlikely places.

He feeds Elijah through ravens.
He sustains a poor widow during famine.
He raises the widow’s son back to life.

Again and again, God demonstrates that He is not limited by human weakness, economic hardship, or impossible situations.

One of the most beautiful parts of these chapters is the widow’s story.

She believed she was preparing her final meal before death. Yet when she trusted God’s word through Elijah, the flour and oil did not run out.

Sometimes God asks people to trust Him when circumstances appear hopeless.

Not because He enjoys watching people struggle, but because dependence often reveals where our faith truly rests.

Then comes Mount Carmel.

It is one of the most dramatic moments in Scripture.

Elijah stands alone against hundreds of prophets of Baal and asks the people a piercing question:

“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him…”

That question still echoes today.

Many people want spiritual neutrality.
A little truth.
A little compromise.
A little worship of God mixed with whatever else the culture values most.

But divided loyalty never leads to peace.

The prophets of Baal cried out desperately all day, yet nothing happened. No fire. No voice. No answer.

Then Elijah prayed simply and confidently.

And fire fell from heaven.

The moment was not merely about spectacle. It was about truth.

The people needed to know that the LORD alone was truly God.

Our modern world may not bow before carved idols named Baal, but idols still exist. People still worship power, pleasure, politics, money, fame, comfort, and self. Human hearts naturally attach ultimate value to something.

And whatever sits in God’s place becomes an idol.

Yet there is another important truth in these chapters: God is patient.

For years Israel drifted. For years God sent warnings. Even on Mount Carmel, Elijah’s challenge was ultimately an invitation for the people to return.

That invitation still exists today.

The God revealed in Scripture is not merely looking for outward religion or emotional moments. He desires wholehearted faithfulness and trust.

And ultimately, Elijah’s victory points forward to an even greater future day when God will fully remove false worship, injustice, and spiritual darkness from the earth.

One day His Kingdom will come completely, and truth will no longer compete with deception.

Three Things to Remember
  1. God often works through impossible situations.

The widow’s empty jars became a testimony of God’s provision.

  1. Divided loyalty leads nowhere.

Elijah challenged the people to stop wavering between God and idols.

  1. Truth will ultimately prevail.

The fire on Mount Carmel revealed who truly held power.

The people on Mount Carmel wanted visible proof before committing themselves.

But the deeper issue was never lack of evidence.

It was the condition of the heart.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did God work in and through Elijah’s life? In what ways would you like to be more like Elijah? (check out James 5:17 for some inspiration)
  2. Where have you seen God work through impossible situations?
  3. Consider your worship of God. Do you ever waver between two opinions or dilute full faithfulness? Could it ever be said of you that you displayed “A little worship of God mixed with whatever else the culture values most”? Are there any changes that need to be made?

    Prayer

    Dear God – I praise You for being a God of power, truth and patience. Thank you for all the times You have provided just what I needed exactly when I needed it. There is NO God but YOU. Give me an undivided heart that trusts and looks to You in all things, at all times. Help me to boldly proclaim You and Your way, Your Son Jesus and Your Coming Kingdom.

    SGL.2026.CalendarDownload

    A Nation of Halfheartedness

    *1 Kings 15–16

    Psalm 62

    1 Corinthians 14

    -Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

    As these chapters unfold, the kings begin to blur together.

    One ruler rises.
    Another falls.
    One dynasty begins.
    Another ends violently.

    1 Kings chapters 15–16 read almost like a tragic cycle repeating itself over and over again. Many of the kings are summarized with painfully similar words:

    “He did evil in the eyes of the LORD…”

    Again and again, leaders repeated the same sins, especially the idolatry introduced by Jeroboam. The nation became spiritually unstable because its leaders continually drifted away from wholehearted devotion to God.

    Yet in the middle of this decline, a few bright moments appear.

    King Asa of Judah was not perfect, but he genuinely sought reform. He removed idols, confronted corruption, and tried to turn the nation back toward God. Scripture says:

    “Asa’s heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life.”

    That phrase stands out.

    Not because Asa was flawless.
    But because his heart belonged to God.

    There is a profound difference between perfection and faithfulness.

    Some people become so discouraged by their failures that they stop pursuing God altogether. Others excuse their sin by claiming nobody is perfect anyway. But Scripture repeatedly points us toward something deeper: a sincere heart that keeps turning back toward God even after stumbling.

    Unfortunately, most of Israel’s kings did not do that.

    Instead, spiritual compromise became normalized. Idolatry became politically convenient. Corruption became routine. Violence became common. Kings assassinated one another, families were wiped out, and power struggles consumed the nation.

    One of the saddest realities in Scripture is how quickly people can become accustomed to spiritual darkness.

    What once shocked the conscience slowly starts feeling normal.

    That danger still exists today.

    A culture can slowly lose its moral compass.
    A family can drift spiritually one compromise at a time.
    A believer can become numb to things that once troubled the heart deeply.

    And usually, it happens gradually.

    That is why these chapters feel so repetitive. The repetition itself is part of the warning.

    Sin unaddressed tends to multiply.

    By the end of chapter 16, Ahab rises to power — and Scripture describes him as worse than the kings before him. He married Jezebel, aggressively promoted Baal worship, and led the nation even further into rebellion.

    The spiritual condition of Israel was collapsing.

    Yet even then, God had not abandoned His larger plan.

    Prophets would still speak.
    Truth would still be proclaimed.
    And God’s promise of a coming righteous King still remained alive.

    Human governments repeatedly fail because human hearts are broken. But the Bible points forward to a future Kingdom ruled by a King who will not tolerate corruption, injustice, or idolatry.

    That future hope matters in a world where compromise often feels normal.

    Three Things to Remember
    1. Faithfulness matters more than perfection.

    Asa was flawed, but his heart remained committed to God.

    1. Sin becomes dangerous when it feels normal.

    Spiritual compromise often grows gradually over time.

    1. God’s plan continues even in dark times.

    Corrupt leaders could not stop God from moving history toward His coming Kingdom.

    The repeated failures of Israel’s kings remind us of something important:

    Humanity does not merely need better politicians, better systems, or better laws.

    We need transformed hearts.

    And ultimately, we need the righteous King that God has promised.

    Reflection Questions

    1. Who do you know whose heart could be described as Asa’s – “fully committed to the LORD all his life”?
    2. What about your heart? What percentage of your heart would you, or those closest to you, say is committed to the LORD? Is there one certain part of your heart that has difficulty becoming or remaining fully committed to the Lord?
    3. What can be done to increase your faithful commitment to the Lord? What could be helpful in creating this change?
    4. What assurance do you have when going through dark times?

    Prayer

    Dear Great & Mighty God, You are worthy of my whole heart. Forgive me for the days I come to You with halfheartedness. Help me hold nothing back but be fully committed to You, Your Son and Your wonderful plan.

    SGL.2026.CalendarDownload