“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”
2 Corinthians 4:15
The Apostle Paul describes his struggles in verses 8-12, a litany of burdens like being hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. We know from Scripture that God brought him out of every one of these struggles, personally assuring that Paul was not crushed, in total despair, abandoned, or destroyed. This is how personally God is interested in your relationship with Him, too.
As we deal with and confront the unexpected of life, there are attitudes, complaints, and criticisms that can tie us up in knots. Paul reminds us that the One who raised Jesus from the dead is the One who will deliver us. Like Paul, we declare, “Therefore we do not lose heart.”
If we let it, the world of information and communication 24/7 easily robs us of what God knows we need: time with Him. I’ve tried many scheduling devices like Day Timers, Franklin Covey, and few of my own ideas — all having some benefit — to set a devotional time with Him. But only when I “fix my eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) do I find the reality of the heart of faith.
As we deal with and confront the unexpected of life, there are attitudes, complaints, and criticisms that can tie us up in knots. Paul reminds us that the One who raised Jesus from the dead is the One who will deliver us. Like Paul, we declare, “Therefore we do not lose heart.”
If we let it, the world of information and communication 24/7 easily robs us of what God knows we need: time with Him. I’ve tried many scheduling devices like Day Timers, Franklin Covey, and few of my own ideas — all having some benefit — to set a devotional time with Him. But only when I “fix my eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) do I find the reality of the heart of faith.
Scripture Focus
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Insight
With the eternal presence of Christ in us comes hope and direction through the tender moving of His Spirit.
Bible In A Year
- Judges 10-11
- Psalm 114
- 1 Corinthians 5-6
