2 Corinthians 6:3-18, 2 Corinthians 7, Nehemiah 9-11

2 Corinthians 6:3 – We put no obstacles in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

Lord God, I hear Paul say this and immediately I wonder to myself how many times I have put obstacles in the way of me serving other people. I wonder how many times I have been the obstacle. I wonder how many times what I say, how I say it, pushes people away. I wonder how many times my dress or my mannerisms have been a stumbling block to people hearing me. Lord God, teach me to love people like you did. Help me, out of that deep love that you have for me, to remove all obstacles from the path of people hearing the gospel from me. Help me get rid of any stumbling block that would hinder them from being served by me. Lord God, there are obstacles that I cannot remove. I cannot make your gospel more palatable or pleasant to the ears of hard hearts. Lord God, this is an obstacle that you alone, by your gospel, can remove. Lord God, remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Open their hearts to hear the gospel and believe it. Lord God, use me how you will so that your gospel is heard, hearts are softened and faith is worked. I stand with you and do not want any to perish. Help me get out of the way so that people might see you. Amen.