TODAYS BIBLE READING:
 

We read in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

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Paul became the Paul of the Bible by being stretched by God and learning to seek Him in all situations. We read in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,". In our flesh, we tend to be self-reliant. We measure up an obstacle, and utilizing our natural skills, we seek to remedy the situation. But there will be those times when we are pressed beyond our abilities, when our strength and reasoning fall short. We don't want these situations, but these are the moments when we learn to trust on Him rather than ourselves. In this walk of faith, if we are going to step out in His power, rather than our own, this training ground is necessary. We read in Jeremiah 17:5,7, "Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord"..."Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord." We read in 2 Corinthians 2:4, "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you." Paul founded the Corinthian church and was now being personally attacked, with both his character and ministry being questioned. But rather than outrage, they were met with love, which is not the natural response.

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Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:17, "For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ." We must all take stock of ourselves and do a little honest assessment of ourselves. Do we resemble those in the world, or do we seem different. perhaps even odd at times. When others begin their long list of complaints: too much work, not enough money, bad weather, uncaring spouses, problem children, etc, you know the complaints, because the world is becoming increasingly hardened. But as Christians, we are to shine light in a dark room. We are to soften what is otherwise hardened. We are called to be different. This does not mean to respond in a "holier than thou", super-pious position. This means we exude love and joy in each and every circumstance. It means when the world yells, we love. It means when the world sees hopelessness, we give the only true message of hope. The extent that we do this, reflects the extent that we abide in Him. If we surround ourselves with Jesus, then Jesus is what will be reflected to a world in such desperate need to know Him.