Happy Wednesday! Sometimes fear can keep us from experiencing good and bad things. The problem with fear is it tends to keep us from good things that God is calling or has called us to do. Fear unchecked will make us miss opportunities to step out the boat onto the water or keep us from sharing the Good News. While we may be small in our own eyes, God who is mighty in power illuminates within us. He is the light and power that gives us all that we need to accomplish His plan. Join me as we continue our reading in 2 Corinthians chapter four. 

Bible Verse – 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 NLT

“⁷ We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.^[b] This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

⁸ We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. ⁹ We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. ¹⁰ Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”

Reflection

Paul was no stranger to difficulties. Although, he was an amazing man and servant for Christ, he wasn’t exempt from pressure on all sides. In these verses Paul was open about the struggles he had encountered as a servant of Christ. He confirmed that He knew where his strength and power came from. 

Sisters and brothers, we may be pressed by troubles on every side, but praise God we are not crushed. We may be perplexed, but because of the mighty power of Jesus we are not driven to despair – our hope is in Christ Jesus. We may be hunted down by the enemy but we are never abandoned by God – Jesus is our victor. We may get knocked down, we may fall on our face but we are never destroyed – we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Regardless of what we may be facing, Jesus Christ knows…we can stand firm in our beliefs, we can trust that the word of God is true, we know that nothing and no one has greater power than our Savior and Lord. So no matter what we are going through, let’s keep our eyes open and focused on Jesus.

Given these verses, how do you plan to face today? ___________

Prayer

Father God, thank you for today. Thank you for your word. Lord, thank you for the hope and light that you sent into this world. Lord, thank you for the light that shines brightly within us. Lord, you have been so good to us. Lord, even at times when we tried to diminish the light, Lord you simply shined brighter and brought along other sisters and brothers to help light our way. Lord, no one compares to you or your love for us. Lord, you are so gracious. Lord, as we step out of the boat onto the water to follow after you, help us to keep our eyes on you. Lord, when the waves of despair crash around us, when the darkness appears like thick fog, when the roar of financial and family troubles seem too loud, and the depth of grief tries to pull us down and grab us by our hands, Lord, strengthen our hearts and whisper in our ears that you are with us. Lord, continue to lead us and guide us. Lord, be with our nation, global leaders, our soldiers and their families today. Lord, we need you. Lord, you know the evil that is at work in our nation and around the world, shine your light and open our eyes to see you at work – showing up victoriously.

Lord, we pray for finances, we pray for families who are struggling financially. Lord, we pray for those seeking employment and we ask that you open doors and opportunities for them. Lord, we pray for those who are having a slow or downturn in their jobs and we ask for you to provide. Lord, be with those who are going to work today and we ask that you give them favor in their assignments and in the work that they do. Lord, clear away confusion and frustration. Make known what needs to be known. Develop them for greater things.

Lord, we continue to pray for the man who will begin cancer treatment today. Lord, prepare his body for the treatment and heal him. Lord, strengthen his family as they pray and provide care. Lord, we continue to pray for the woman in the hospital and we pray for her recovery. Lord, continue to comfort those whose hearts are broken and grieving. Lord, be with us all – mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

In Jesus name, amen.

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