Focus

Take time to rest in the comfort of the Lord today.

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Read

2 Corinthians 2: 12-17 (NRSV)

When I came to Troas to proclaim the good news of Christ, a door was opened for me in the Lord; but my mind could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said farewell to them and went on to Macedonia.

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence.

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Reflect

Let’s say my family is sitting around the dinner table one evening. We are having a great dinner, good food, and everyone is laughing and telling about the events of the day—the perfect setting. Out of the blue, one of my children asks me, “Dad, do you love Mommy?” My response is obvious, “I believe I do.” While the children might laugh, my wife might not think it that funny. However, if I had answered, “I know I do!” how different their responses might be.

I love the phrase Paul used, “the fragrance that comes from knowing him.” There is something beautiful and fulfilling about knowing God. There is a difference between believing something and knowing something. We are told how important it is to believe in God, but isn’t believing just the beginning? Shouldn’t our belief call us to search and know God more deeply each day? Doesn’t the scripture say that God wants and desires a relationship with us? So today let us not be content with simply believing in God. Let us search each day to deepen our knowledge of God.

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Pray

God, take us from believing to knowing. As we search every day, may we find you in new and exciting ways in our life. Amen.

Go with God.