...we make it our aim
            to please Him.

           2 Corinthians 5. 9

(No matter what.
   Even in this?
Especially in this,
       creative in His grace.)

But we have this treasure
       in earthen vessels,
to show that the transcendent power
  belongs to God
             and not to us.

                    2 Corinthians 4. 7

(Our lives manifest
      His transformation in us.)

But He knows the way
                that I take.

               Job 23. 10

(Pray for direction,
    go in His Presence.)

But thanks be to God,

              who in Christ 

always leads us in triumph,

and through us spreads the fragrance

of the knowledge of Him everywhere.

For we are the aroma of Christ to God

among those who are being saved

and among those who are perishing.

                     2 Corinthians 2. 14-15

(This kind of fragrance comes from within,

that which embraces others,

              lingers behind,

and points others to God.

Not like that from a bottle

              which masks an odor,

but what a transformed life smells like,

        the always fresh grace of Christ

that impacts everyone around.)   

For He will complete

   what He appoints for me,

and many such things

             are in His mind.

                     Job 23. 14

(Aware and responsive to 

                His appointments,

faithful to Him in all things.

Not laying my day before Him,

but letting God lay 

             His day before me,

that which has no interruptions,

    just divine encounters.)

                      

...to make us rely

not on ourselves

               but on God,

who raises the dead.

              2 Corinthians 1. 9

(God always bears deeper strength

           than the difficulty itself.

He empowers me

          to rely on Him through it.

And to realize He is God

                  and I am not.)

...for a wide door

            for effective work

            has opened to me,

and there are many adversaries.

   

                  1 Corinthians 16. 9

(Recognize the opportunities

that God opens every day,

a word here,

an act of kindness there,

a cracked door for the gospel

       in a casual conversation.

Be aware and ready.

His divine appointments

are not always comfortable,

convenient,

           nor expected.)