The Lamb of God continually intercedes for us.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This weekend, a missionary couple on furlough spoke, showing us pictures of the people they were working among in a country hostile to evangelical Christianity. They spoke of what they 'saw' as they 'worked', like a language tutor who seemed bent on rejecting their godly counsel and making bad choices resulting in an immoral lifestyle, a woman their family had grown to love. What was visible was a grim picture. They almost gave up but gave in to God's nudging once more. They sent out prayer requests for J. Behind what was visible, an invisible power was at work. They were privileged to see the results. J. rededicated her life to Christ, and with her husband who also committed to the Lord, they stand as fruit of the harvest of prayer. The eternal result.
The message was clear. Do not lose heart. Persevere. Get a support group of people to pray you through when you just cannot.
2 Corinthians 4: 7-18
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15All 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. 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So 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.
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15All 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. 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So 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.
What are you going through today that you need to persevere through?
Do you have a support group at your church?
If not, are there blogging friends who will commit to pray for you?
Hold on, He is at work!
Father, please grant us all we need to persevere: friends to uphold us; faith; hope; provision; protection. May Your Spirit open up the fountain of life in us this day. We thirst for You, the Living Water. Drive out all that comes against the knowledge of the living God. Be with Your servants today who are serving in hostile places. Cover them with your love and protection this day. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
2 comments:
That 's true. Satan vants us to give up. Have have to keep holding on
My support over the past few months has been the blogging community, especially the last eleven days. Thanks so much for showing up tonight and taking the time to comment to my son. I know he will be blessed. Your package should be arriving within the week. Let me know.
peace~elaine
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