7-23-24
THOUGHTS
We find our key thought this morning in verse 11b... “so that the life
of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” Verses 5-7
remove our importance and put the importance in “the Light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” So “BELIEVING,
WE ARE TO SPEAK THE NAME OF JESUS!” Our “outer man is decaying,
yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” The “SEEN” and
the “UNSEEN” are contrasted. To God be the GLORY!
2Cor 4:5-18 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ
Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6
For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is
the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God
and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but
not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the
dying of Jesus, so
that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly
being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also
may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but
life in you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is
written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe,
therefore we also speak, 14 knowing that He who raised the
Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 15
For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is
spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to
the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but
though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by
day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an
eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we
look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;
for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen
are eternal.
My Prayer:
Father, renew our inner spirit each day. Revive and awaken us to the joys
of Your salvation. Help us to live powerful lives filled with
eternal meaning. Teach us fruitful self-examination. Arouse us from
comfort to a joint participating with You to expand the Kingdom. Complete
in us the work You have begun. Give us power to speak as we
believe. All praise is Yours, O God. We pray always in
Jesus' name, Amen.