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Happy, Sad
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2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don't know what to do, but we don't give up. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed. So we constantly experience the death of Jesus in our own bodies, but this is so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies.
Listen to the radio broadcast of Happy, Sad
Download audio fileIt’s easy to imagine that if you honour God, if you set out with all your heart to follow Jesus, that somehow the going’s going to be easy.
I was with a group of Christian leaders recently at our annual conference; we’ve become like a family over the years. And as we serve the Lord, each in our particular corner of God’s vineyard, it’s so wonderful to come together and share in each other’s stories. The annual conference is great, but the fellowship, well it’s more like food for the soul.
What struck me this year was, that in the lives of these men and women, there were tough stories. Sad stories. I sat with quite a number of them and listened to their struggles, their challenges, their hurts and their losses.
God’s doing so much in the lives through these godly men and women, and yet, there’s this humble, broken reality. It seems like such a stark contradiction – the amazing impact of their lives on the one hand, and the trials and suffering on the other.
But as I thought and prayed some more, what I came to see, was the body of Christ. That’s what God calls His people – His body. Beaten. Bloodied. Apparently defeated. And yet, strangely victorious.
Such a gritty reality in this Jesus. Such a gritty reality in His people.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed. So we constantly experience the death of Jesus in our own bodies, but this is so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
Comments
Alcy
Thank you for this. I’m now 39 years old and I have pictured my whole life through this verse. I’m now happily married with a child, and we’re all actively serving in our church here in Manila, Philippines. I praise God every day for His love and grace. That He had saved me from those darkest moments in my life and that I can be victorious. I recently realized that my deepest need is to improve my way of living…my understanding of Jesus’ love and mercy, so I can continuously minister my family to be closer to our Father,
Stewart
It was for me so easy when I first came to know the LORD as he broke so many chains in my life – alcohol,drugs and years of depression. He changed my heart so much. I now have to pray for perseverance in my life but recently He’s released me from the compulsion to gamble. I thank you for this LORD. I recently went through quite a tough period in my life and I am now so grateful for that praying for perseverance. Just if you’re having a hard time just now, hang in there and keep praying,it works for me so it can work for anyone. I thank you LORD for doing so much more for me than I could possibly do on my own,Thank you for your Son Jesus and his sacrifice for my sins,Love you LORD. Amen.