Daily Bible Plan

10 October 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Kingdom of God / 2 Corinthians 12:1–21

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

👋 Introduction

Hey church! I’m super excited to resume again our devotion. We are still on the series on the Kingdom of God as the theme for the month.

For the past two Wednesdays, I’ve been able to go deeper into defining what the Kingdom of God truly is—what it means to have the Kingdom, how it operates, and how we can manifest it daily.

Just two days ago, we explored the Kingdom perspective—who we are as citizens of the Kingdom, our roles and responsibilities, and the systems of the world that try to choke the Kingdom out of us. We also saw that in the Garden of Eden, the Kingdom of God was already present on earth, but man lost it through sin.

As John’s Gospel reminds us, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” That glory is the glory of God’s Kingdom! But when Jesus resurrected, He restored the Kingdom to us. Acts 1:3 says that after His resurrection, “He spoke to them about things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”

So church, today we continue exploring what the Kingdom of God is all about—this time looking at Paul’s letter in 2 Corinthians 12, following up from chapter 11, and preparing to conclude with chapter 13 tomorrow, God willing.

⸻

📖 Verses 1–6 – The Revelation of the Third Heaven

Paul begins this chapter speaking about visions and revelations of the Lord. He says he knows “a man in Christ” who was caught up to the third heaven. Though he speaks in the third person, it becomes clear later that Paul was describing himself.

He wrote 2 Corinthians around AD 56, referring to an experience about 14 years earlier (around AD 42), likely during his ministry in Antioch (Acts 11:26).

🕊 Kingdom Insight:

Paul is careful not to boast about spiritual encounters. He could have easily elevated himself, but he chose humility. His language—“whether in the body or out of the body I do not know”—shows reverence before divine mysteries.

According to Scripture, the Bible speaks of three heavens:

1. The first heaven – the visible sky, where the birds fly (Genesis 1:8).

2. The second heaven – the celestial and spiritual realm where principalities and powers operate (Ephesians 6:12).

3. The third heaven – the realm of God’s presence, also called Paradise (Luke 23:43).

So when Paul says he was caught up to the “third heaven,” he’s describing the dwelling place of God—a realm beyond all others.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways” (Isaiah 55:9).

This teaches us that Kingdom encounters are not for boasting or titles; they are for transformation. Every divine revelation must humble us, not exalt us.

⸻

📖 Verses 7–10 – Grace in Weakness

🕊 Kingdom Insight:

Grace doesn’t always remove the thorn—it strengthens you to stand through it. The thorn reminds you that the power belongs to God.

Paul tells us that a “thorn in the flesh” was given to him—a messenger of Satan to buffet him. Though we don’t know exactly what the thorn was, it could have been physical infirmity, emotional distress, persecution, or temptation. What matters is what God told him:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Sometimes we also face weaknesses or recurring battles that make us cry out to God repeatedly. Like Paul, we may ask the Lord to remove them, but instead of removing the challenge, He gives us grace to endure it.

When grace is sufficient, it doesn’t mean the problem disappears—it means you receive supernatural ability to walk through it without being crushed by it.

Grace is not the same for everyone. The early church experienced greater grace (Acts 4:33), meaning God’s enablement was abundant among them. So grace differs by assignment—God gives more grace to those carrying greater responsibility.

Whatever God calls you to do—whether marriage, ministry, or leadership—He supplies the grace for it. Paul recognized that his thorn was not to destroy him, but to keep him humble, so that Christ’s power might rest upon him.

That’s why he declared:

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

In the Kingdom, humility sustains power. God allows certain weaknesses to remind us that our strength is not our own—it is His grace at work in us.

⸻

📖 Verses 11–18 – The Marks of True Apostleship

“I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.”

Paul opens this section with deep emotion. The Corinthians had compared him with false apostles, forcing him to defend his ministry. Yet even as he speaks, he maintains humility—“though I am nothing.”

🕊 Kingdom Insight:

Paul reminds the church that the signs of a true apostle were done among them—through perseverance, miracles, and mighty deeds. These were not proofs of personal greatness but evidence of God’s power.

He was opposed, criticized, and misunderstood, yet he continued faithfully. And this teaches us an important principle:

If you want to discern a true ministry, ask—What has God done in my life through this ministry? Has it transformed me? Have I encountered Christ? That is the fruit that proves divine calling.

Not every church is your home, and not every preacher is your shepherd. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice.” The question remains: do you hear His voice through your shepherd? Every believer must be planted under a true shepherd who feeds and nurtures their soul.

Paul then says, “Forgive me this wrong!”—referring to the fact that he didn’t take support from them. This is profound! He realized that by not allowing them to bless him materially, he may have deprived them of a spiritual principle: honoring those who feed you spiritually.

Today, many resist this truth. Yet Scripture says, “Those who teach the Word should receive their living from the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:14). This isn’t about greed—it’s about gratitude and Kingdom order.

Paul continues, “For the third time I am ready to come to you… for I do not seek yours, but you.” What a heart! A true shepherd doesn’t seek your possessions; he seeks your soul. He says, “I will gladly spend and be spent for your souls, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.”

This is the cry of every genuine pastor and servant of God. The more we love, the less we are sometimes loved. The more we give, the more we may be misunderstood. But Kingdom love doesn’t stop—it keeps pouring even when unreturned.

Paul faced accusations of manipulation and carnality, yet he stood firm, reminding them that he and his co-laborers took advantage of no one. Likewise today, ministers of God may be falsely accused, but true servants remain steadfast, knowing that the fruit of their ministry speaks louder than words.

⸻

📖 Verses 19–21 – The Apostle’s Final Concern

Paul ends this chapter by expressing his deep concern for the Corinthian believers. He fears that when he comes again, he might find sin, division, and impurity among them. His heart is not judgmental—it’s pastoral. He weeps for those who have not repented.

🕊 Kingdom Insight:

Every true Kingdom leader carries a burden for holiness. Paul’s greatest joy was not numbers or fame—it was seeing believers walking rightly with God. In the Kingdom, purity is power.

As citizens of the Kingdom, we must not take the grace of God for granted. Grace empowers us to live above sin, not to excuse it.

⸻

💭 Final Reflection

Paul’s journey in 2 Corinthians 12 teaches us that:

• Kingdom encounters are for humility, not pride.

• God’s grace sustains us even when our thorns remain.

• True apostleship is marked by love, endurance, and fruit—not fame.

• Honoring spiritual authority is a Kingdom principle.

• The heart of God’s Kingdom is holiness and truth.

⸻

📖 Chair Time

Now open your physical Bibles, find a quiet space, and read 2 Corinthians 12:1–21.

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you need to grow in humility, endurance, and grace.

⸻

🙏 Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for revealing the truths of Your Kingdom through Your servant Paul. Lord, teach us to humbly receive Your grace in our weaknesses, to endure trials with strength that comes only from You, and to walk faithfully in every calling You have given us.

Father, help us honor those You have placed to shepherd and guide us, and give us hearts that are humble, teachable, and committed to Your Kingdom. Strengthen us when we feel weak, uphold us when we are opposed, and let Your power rest upon us in every area of our lives.

In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray,

Amen.

Don’t Forget to share this widely to friends, comment on website and share on groupchat. Mostly forward to all the new people who have not joined our group yet

See you today for Discipleship class at 7pm Godwilling