Clint W. - April 4, 2011
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
Observation:
Paul is making a statement about our weakness in order to make a point about God's power. We may be beaten down, we may feel pressure from all sides, and we may face all kinds of "stuff" that goes along with living in a fallen world. However, it is not those things that define us, but the life of Jesus that we show.
Application:
I need to continually humble myself. Nothing that I do, or ever could do, will amount to anything without Jesus Christ. In the times when I face persecution or loneliness, I know that Christ will bring me through. I look at other areas in the Bible where devout disciples were persecuted and overcame that. When Stephen was stoned for his faith in Christ, he saw the clouds open and Jesus stood up in Heaven to welcome him. Stephen knew that he was not alone, and that it was not for his sake that he was being stoned, but for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Thank You, Jesus, that You are always with me. You never leave me or forsake me, and You'll never allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear. You constantly look out for my best interest, and words cannot express my gratitude for that. I pray that You will continue to grow my faith. Open my eyes to see the care that You are taking with me. Give me the faith to know that there is an army fighting on my behalf whether I see it with my eyes or not. Help me to more fully commit my flesh to death so that Your life can show through me more and more. Amen.
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