| Good Morning Everyone, Our theme for this month: “The power of hope” Our Bible verse for today: ““We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Faith in God gives us hope in tough times” The apostle Paul knew something about facing difficult times. There was rarely a time in his ministry years when he wasn’t being opposed, ridiculed, persecuted, sick, attacked, or imprisoned. He was constantly being pressured in numerous ways and from many sides, but he was never crushed. He was sometimes perplexed, and the way forward may have seemed uncertain, but he did not despair. He was frequently persecuted, but he never felt abandoned. And often times he was struck down – he was struck down in terms of his ministry efforts being cut off as he was run out of town; he was struck down in terms of being imprisoned; and he was struck down physically when he was sick or when he was beaten and stoned – but none of that could destroy him. Whew! Paul endured a lot. So how did he do it? How did he stay strong and focused and encouraged? He answered that for us in numerous places in his Biblical writings but perhaps nowhere more clearly than in Philippians 4:11-13: “…for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content – whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Paul’s rock-solid faith in the Lord carried him through. He continually relied on Christ. He kept his eyes on Jesus and he trusted in God for provision, protection, and deliverance. His faith and his hope were in God. Periodically we all face difficult times. Maybe ours aren’t as bad as Paul’s were, or perhaps sometimes they’re even worse. But in all cases, we can count on the Lord to walk through it with us. You may feel pressured, perplexed and persecuted; but you do not have to feel despair, crushed, abandoned or destroyed. If your faith is in God then you have reason to hope. God Bless, Pastor Jim |
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