Daily Dose of Hope

January 26, 2026

Scripture: I Corinthians 2

Prayer: Holy God, We come to you today with expectancy. We need to hear your voice. We need to feel your presence. Lord Jesus, we know that we are weak. Our lives are incomplete and empty without you. Our world is nothing without you. Help us go through this day remembering that we belong to you. With your Spirit in us, we have power. With your Spirit in us, we can be bold and courageous. We give you our day, Lord. Amen.

Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida. We are currently working our way through Paul's pastoral letters. We are currently in I Corinthians.

Today we read I Corinthians 2. Paul begins the chapter by reminding the Corinthians about how he preached and taught when he was with them. He wasn't arrogant, using language they didn't understand. He very intentionally approached them with humility. His message was, "Jesus Christ crucified" and he delivered it plain and simple. He didn't need to adorn the message and make it fancy, he kept it straightforward so that it would be the power of the Spirit that they heard. Paul said this so that the Corinthians could not base their faith on some kind of skillful teaching or human wisdom, but only on the Holy Spirit.

Paul then rebukes the Corinthians who seek the wisdom of the world. Faith involves a great deal of wisdom, but it's the wisdom of God. They don't understand it because they are still immature in the faith.

You can probably sense it from the reading, but Paul is highly frustrated with the church at Corinth. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they have access to the mind of Christ. Paul is saying that even though they are believers who have received the Spirit, they are beginning to behave like unbelievers.

Just for some background, Corinth was very much a troubled church. They were dealing with sexuality immorality, tremendous conflict (they were suing each other in civil courts), and abuse of spiritual gifts. As we get further into the book, we will talk more about their abuse of the Eucharist, or communion. Those who were wealthy would eat and drink first, having communion together, getting full and getting drunk. When the poor came to the table, there would be nothing left. Not surprisingly, Paul found this reprehensible.

How easy it is for Christians to say yes to Jesus but then sit back and not grow. There is also the temptation to slip into comfortable, easy Christianity (an oxymoron if ever there was one). The reality is in our culture and society, a person can profess faith in Jesus, go to church, go through the motions, but never know the mind of Christ. How critical it is to unite with other believers who will encourage us to grow and challenge us to live in the Spirit.

Do you have the mind of Christ? Do we have the mind of Christ as a body of believers? What will it take for us to get there?

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki