DO NOT LOSE HEART
Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 4-5
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Ruins of ancient Corinth. These buildings were temporary. Paul wrote, “We have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.” 2 Corinthians 5:1
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: 2 Corinthians 5:1, 17
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
The tent-maker, Paul, calls our bodies “tents.” Our new dwelling is a “building…a house…a new creation.” He uses the present tense. Faith says that the new is already ours.
Seven times the word “therefore” is repeated. This word could be replaced by “as a result” or “the conclusion is that.” (1) “We do not lose heart.” (2) “We are renewed day by day.” (3) “We are always confident.” (4) “Our aim . . . to be well pleasing to Him.” (5) “Now we know Him.” (6) “All things have become new.” (7) “We are ambassadors for Christ.”
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian believers produced the desired result, a correction in their doctrines and in their practices. This second letter, we may be sure, also produced the desired results. A result is something brought about by a cause. Our reading today is producing in us strength, courage, confidence, inspiration, and a resolve to live to the fullest measure of our potential in Christ. AMEN!!!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You are the pure, holy, sinless Son Of God. Yet I read in 5:21 that You were made to be the very embodiment of sin itself for me. I’m overwhelmed by this truth. Enable me, I pray, to live the “new creation” life, which You have provided for me by taking my sin upon Yourself. Amen! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I noticed a Latin inscription in the picture below and wished I could find my old Latin textbook from 60 years ago to help me figure out what it says. Instead, I emailed my friend Dr. Paul Maier, Professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University, and asked him what it meant. He replied right away with the following…”The inscriptions are incomplete, hence the brackets in this attempt at translation: ‘Built by N.P. Caesar, [descendant of] the divine [emperor] Antoninus Pius [and] grandson of Minerva.‘” Dr. Maier explained that Antoninus Pius was Emperor of Rome from A.D. 138-161.
It’s interesting how many of the Roman Emperors claimed to be divine, or a god. Jesus said to Pilate, “My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). The Roman-appointed Jewish leaders said to the Roman Governor, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend” (John 19:12). I’ve just read from John 18:28 to John 19:22 (click here).
Yours for daily soaking in God’s Word,
David
This inscription was discovered in ancient Corinth and was likely above a main entrance to a building. The translation of the inscription is in the “100 Personal Words” section above.
Thank You David for feeding us this bread of life and we thank Jesus for making it All possible to be forgiven for its not I that lives but Christ that lives in me Bless the Lord all my soul and all that is within me Bless His Holy Name
Amen. Such a profound truth!
Your comments today are a great encouragement David. Thank you. We can get weighed down with the temporal and we need to be reminded of the eternal, a temple “not made with hands.” Keep the faith everyone.” Blessings.
Amen!
So touched by today’s message, I am awaiting surgery on April 2nd 4th one in two years same problem. When I think of what Jesus suffered it brings me to tears and I realize my ptoblems are nothing in comparison. Won’t it be wonderful when we all get to heaven and meet each other. What a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus we’ll sing and shout the jubilee. Praise His holy wonderful name . Amen. Blessings, Eleanor M.
Heavenly Father I pray you will grant Eleanor M. total healing from her surgery and that she will know that her restored health comes from You, our Lord God Almighty! The Triune God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Give her total in mind, body and soul and that she may be give you all the PRAISE AND GLORY! In Jesus Name We Pray AMEN!
How wonderful that we now have cameras and pics. can be taken of ancient ruins, etc. which probably won’t last forever.
“Paul encouraged Christians living in dark times, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). We are to follow the example of the One who touched leprous bodies to touch leprous souls, who opened blind eyes to open blind hearts. Now Jesus calls us his “body” (1 Corinthians 12:27). What he did, we are to do. And when we do, they will know we are Christians by our love (John 13:35).”
God bless fellow saints.
Amen!!
Greetings blog friends… Looking at the inscription in the picture above reminds me of where we stayed for the first week on our trip to Italy last year. We stayed in a 15th century home (all to ourselves) in a neighbouring village outside of Rome. It was built on top of an old Roman ruin which overlooked an ancient Roman amphitheatre. There was a similar inscription on one of the stones to that in the pic above…
Thanks for all the great pics along with this wonderful blog bringing fresh bread each morning… Thank you Jesus for showing us how to live on planet earth…
Blessings blog friends
A great experience for you both!! It definately adds geographical meaning to our readings!
Amen!! Ger. God is love.
Thank you David for this daily bread…your faithfulness in providing this for us each morning…May the Lord Jesus Christ refresh you and strengthen you this day.
I’m glad to know that we won’t be just spirits but that we will have glorified bodies. (went to a funeral today). Happy home-going of a nice man who helped many.
it is nearly 7:30 p.m. and I getting out of house and going swimming! I PRAISE AND THANK THAT HE TOOK MY BROKEN LEG AND TURNED IT INTO ME LEARNING TO SWIM! depression high, but God is higher, and wider and much more powerful…He just told me to go swimming because it’s a long evening other wise and I got ready immediately. I really wasn’t gong to go, it’s chilly and dark, etc. but God said GO so I am going to enjoy the swim and talk to people and there just may be some Christians at the pool….please pray for a young guy who has quit smoking and so has his wife and he battles the effects of alcohol, the guy has stoppped but he needs tons of prayer support, he really does want to change his life..he has 2 beautiful children, I don ‘t even know his name, please pray for him for no cravings, to be absolutely free from ALL ADDICTIONS! iN jESUS nAME amen
I Agree with you in prayer for this young man and his family…for deliverance and strength to stand firm in the Lord. In the Mighty Name of Jesus! Amen!!