Dying While Living, Living While Dying

ALL – Psalm 44:8-26
ALL – Proverbs 22:13
OT – Job 37:1-39:30
NT – 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:11

Interesting passage for the day: These sufferings of ours are for your benefit. And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there are to thank him for his great kindness, and the more the Lord is glorified. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. – 2 Corinthians 4:15-16, The Living Bible

Thought: Is ministry draining or empowering? Is it death or life? I’m not just talking about professional, paid ministry. I’m talking about how you and I relate to our neighbors, our relatives, our co-workers. When we serve them, when we hear about their struggles and temptations, when we debate with them over where our faith is worthwhile or not—what happens to us? Are we renewed? Or do we fade away?

Honestly, sometimes being there for other people is draining. Sometimes the struggle is more than sometimes. It might be normal or usual. Sometimes it feels like we’re dying so that everyone else can have life.

But what a joy to see more people joining us in thanking the great God we serve! What a thrill to see Jesus’ name lifted high!

And there is something tremendous happening—no, not just happening—GROWING, inside us. We are gaining strength, even when our bodies feel like they’re falling apart. The physical strength we sometimes like is being replaced with a deeper, permanent, eternal life that keeps us going and reminds us that any pain we might go through is only for now. It won’t last forever.

Question: Do you remember when you’re going through really tough periods that Jesus is giving you a life that is growing stronger day by day? Or do you forget? Or do you have a hard time caring? How can we learn to find strength through Jesus more frequently and joyfully?

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.