✝️ 2 Corinthians 12:9 | Crucified and Made Perfect

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Happy Thursday, {{first_name | everyone}}!

Today, we’re going to look at the connection between perfect and complete in the broader story of Scripture. But first, I’ll share a real-life example from my life of God’s power showing up in my moments of weakness.

In today’s email…

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But __ ____ to __, “__ _____ __ __________ for ___, for __ _____ is ____ _______ in ________.”

_________ I will _____ ___ the ____ ______ of __ __________, so that the _____ of ______ may ____ upon __.

2 Corinthians 12:9

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There have been many moments where I’m doing ministry with a group of kids but I feel like I’m running on fumes.

Often I’m tired, overwhelmed, or have spent the morning putting out fires, making it hard to become still before the program starts.

Yet it’s on these days — when I lead from a place of weakness — that a quiet hush somehow falls over the room. Kids’ eyes light up, and I can see they catch something about who Jesus is.

I may feel like I don’t have much to give.

But then God moves powerfully in our midst.

Our memory verse doesn’t give us a formula for making God’s power appear, but it gives us a promise from Christ to His servants.

Paul had asked the Lord to remove a painful “thorn.” Christ did not remove it. Instead, he answered Paul:

Notice the two ways Paul speaks about power:

The point is not that weakness is good in itself, or that being tired automatically produces a powerful ministry.

The point is that our weakness exposes how much we need Christ.

When we stop relying on our own strength, ability, preparation, or reputation, Christ’s sufficient grace becomes more clearly on display.

There is also an important connection to Jesus’ words on the cross. In John 19:30, Jesus said, “It is finished.”

The Greek word translated “finished” comes from the same word family as “perfected” in 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Both words communicate the idea of bringing something to its intended completion.

What exactly is being completed?

Let’s zoom out to see the big picture:

And everything that happened in Jesus’ life fulfilled this promise (Matthew 26:56).

He perfected the plan, carrying it out to completion.

🤔 Reflect

How this power comes and rests upon you and me is found in the 3rd person of the Trinity: the Holy Spirit, our Helper and Friend. (Acts 1:8)

Pray: “Holy Spirit of God, come fill my life and lead me.”

🏃‍♂ Act

Choose 1:

🙏 Pray

Father, you are so faithful in fulfilling all the promises you made. I thank you for Jesus, for his life, the cross, and his resurrection. Your way is perfect. Please empower me by your Spirit to live in your will and walk in your promises. Amen.

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But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9