DO NOT LOSE HEART

Related imageUpon reading 1 Corinthians 3, Paul concludes his thoughts with the Truth that we are "being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."  He further states in chapter 4, because of God's mercy, he has the ministry that God has called him, and "we do not lose heart." His statement of BOLD faith,  irregardless of the abuses he suffered for the cause of Christ and His kingdom.   

When I hear of those who have abandoned their faith because of weariness, disappointment, misunderstanding in the Body of Christ, or anger that God did not answer prayer as hoped and asked, two thoughts come to mind.  Is the abandonment of faith out of a heart not truly belonging to the Lord or it is a prolonged loss of heart from unresolved hurts and misunderstandings? I do recognize that the strategy of the evil one is always active in either action.  As god of this age, he seeks to blind the hearts and minds of unbelievers and attempts to distort and  challenge us to question God's motives in transactions with us as Christ followers.  Scripture says that we know the strategies of the evil one...but when do we recognize them? The more intimate our times with the Lord and His Word, the more apt we are to recognize the ole liar, his shenanigans, and our own selfish demanding flesh!   

Paul reminds us of several metaphors of our temporariness as pilgrims of this world: we are earthen vessels, our bodies are earthly tents, and our bodies are wasting away.  In 2 Corinthians 4:13, "It is written" 'I believed; therefore I have spoken.  With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak."  Since Paul has a strong faith in God's providence (dealings with him), he believes and he speaks, "Therefore,we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So then we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

For today, I yield my heart and mind to the Holy Spirit NOT fixing my eyes on circumstances which may press, but fixing my eyes on Almighty God who is ABLE (Almighty in power). We speak:  We do not lose heart!  Forever learning.  In process.  #IHAVETHREESONS

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LAST THOUGHT ON LEVITICUS

Image
  For the first time in many years, I have enjoyed reading through Leviticus.  I have skipped it several times and read on.  This go round, I have sought to focus on some thoughts, words, phrases, or practices that God had instituted for the Israelites and their physical and spiritual well-being.  The Ten Commandments and many of the laws have real practical value for society and the Christ follower today.  The Lord God gave them a standard, a commandment, which is applicable for today, "You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees.  I am the Lord (Jehovah) your God (Elohim).  Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them.  I am the LORD."  Leviticus 18:4-5   My concluding thought from Leviticus is this admonition or commandment:  " You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."  Leviticus 20:26.  Even though spoken to Israel, the truth of being holy is directe
Read more

REHEARSALS

Image
  I wonder how much time do I give to rehearsing God's goodness and how He has intervened in my life to "save" me from myself?  How alike the Israelites I can be, complaining about what goes wrong, how it affects me, and what I lack.  As a Christ follower, I have the Indwelling Holy Spirit to give me remembrance NOT of my complaining and grumbling, but of a recall of God's faithfulness to me.  It is recorded in Psalms 78 and 106 that " They forgot what He had done, the wonder He had shown them", "They did not remember His power--the day He redeemed them from the oppressor...", "They did not remember Your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.", "But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.", and "They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt...". Contrast with me, God's remembrance: Ps. 106:44-46, "But He took note of their distress
Read more

ORDER AND DESIGN

Image
    I do not have OCD, but I do confess that I like order in my home.  Now that I am retired, I am not so much into spotless, but "picked up" and "kinda" clean. (Do not open drawers and closets!) I might go to more trouble when I know I am having company, but otherwise, I remove the clutter that seems to reproduce on its own.   When I began the reading in Genesis in January, I was again taken with the with the orderliness and design of God in creation, and have seen Him use Moses and Aaron to ORDERLY marshal the Israelites to move out of Egypt. How do you move some 600+ males and that is not even wives and children? Animals also?  They have been one year+ out of Egypt, and have been camped at Mt. Sinai where God has given them laws for their spiritual and physical welfare.  God gives Moses the design of the Tabernacle and Moses is able to bring together the workers to complete the Tabernacle.   The clip art at the top is the positioning of the 12 Tribes and the
Read more