2 Corinthians 4:13-15
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 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 4:13-15 NIV
The content of our faith is too much to keep to self. It demands that we share it with others. It shares Christ, regardless of the consequences. This comes from an earnest conviction of what is true. When we learn to deny ourselves for the sake of others, we need to firmly believe that Jesus is the Savior who has resurrected from the dead. Christians often see the difficulty of self-denial, but neglect the joy of resurrection. Paul was able to overcome the pressures of life because he firmly believed that Jesus Christ is the resurrected Savior and that Jesus will give him strength to overcome his difficult situation so he may sit on the throne with the Lord. Paul was able to look forward to that eternal glory and not focus on the current suffering. When we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we have experienced His resurrection power. Because of Jesus resurrection, we are able to enter the Kingdom of God and be set free from the bondage of sin. However, we cannot merely stay in the moment of salvation, God wants us to experience His resurrection power in our daily lives. There are many places around which seems to be full of death and darkness. There are families that are void of love or trust, many hearts that do not have hope and many church that do not have vision or power. The resurrected life of Christ needs to expel darkness and death, causing what is dead to come alive again. Because of God’s faithfulness, we can overcome our disappointments. Because of His forgiveness, we can overcome bitterness. Because of His presence, we no longer feel lonely. Because of His victory over death, we no longer need to be afraid. We can accept death calmly because when Jesus comes, we will rise with Him. Like Job’s friends, people in the world tend to look at hardships, difficulties, trials, and losses as meaning a person is not in God’s favor. The reciprocal is then believed to be true. When things are going well and all is peachy, it is perceived that God must really favor that person. This is shallow at best and hardly conveys the message of the Bible. God deserves our praise. He doesn't really need it so much, but sometimes we need to feel it and show it, to understand how important God is to our lives, and to the lives of everyone around us. I don't think God's glory can ever be the empty praise that we sometimes offer, only the recognition of the truth. When we understand His infinite goodness, and our relationship to Him, then He is glorified as we understand our relationship to him, and join Him in His work, to strive always for the happiness of all of creation. Often, hardships are used by the Lord for His purposes and they have nothing to do with His disfavor. Through good times and bad, be sure to praise the Lord and look for His hand in what is resulting from the situation as it unfolds. As we humbly, faithfully serve Him, His power flows through us to others. The final result is that more and more people will worship and glorify God and cry out with thankful hearts!!!
Father we thank you this day and the strength to walk in it. Lord pour out your abundant blessings from the storehouses over my friend and family today. Lord because You not only died, You rose from the dead and You want to manifest Your resurrection power in every aspect of our lives. Lord help us to learn from Your example, to be able to deny ourselves, so that Your resurrected life may be reflected through us. Lord may we have the same spirit of faith as he who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke." we believe too, and so help us to speak. Father we that You the God who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and bring us into His presence. Lord use my friend to extend Your grace to more and more people that they will pour out their thanksgiving to your glory. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!
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