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.” And (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.
Soaking in God’s everlasting Word, with fellow saints in the Lord, this morning. We give praise and honour and glory where due, to our precious Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, Lord Adonai and Prince of Peace. Wherefore would we be, but with You, Lord? Blessings upon blessings, beloved saints–for oh, how He loves us so!!!
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
As the Deer (with lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5pZkLWZv-E
one of my favorite!! thank you Beverlee Yes, oh how he loves us!!!
Yes soaking in God’s word this morning. Am blessed by the verse of Paul which says for us not to lose heart which I need this morning when I see the snow built up all around my house and more added yesterday. Thank you Eleanor M, Irene and Joy for your prayers and kind words. The Lord bless and meet all your needs in Christ saints. Please pray for me in my effort to get help to remove this snow and my protection as well. Thanks!
Father God, thank you for being with our sister Ger and protecting her through the snow storms and all of life’s storms.
I ask that you send help to her at this time of need. That the snow will be cleared for her and that she will be able to get around and be safe.p
May the whiteness of the snow around her, remind Ger that you see her “as white as snow” and that she is very precious to you.
May she sense your presence and bask in it. Bring peace and comfort to our sister, we pray. Amen!
Agreeing in prayer with Luisa and other saints for you, sister Ger. Lord God, our Heavenly Father, Saviour Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit, we call on You for snow warriors to come and remove Ger’s snow around and about her house on the east coast. Take her worry and fear away. Give her comfort and an overwhelming sense of peace. Grant her rest and joy, beyond all measure. We lift her up to You, our gracious King. In Jesus precious Name, amen, amen, and amen.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Amen Beverlee!!!
Yes, Amen! Agreeing with Luisa’s prayer for you. Ger!!
Praying for your needs Ger. A difficult winter this year but Jesus is with us through it all!
Thank You Lord.
Amen,amen!!!!!
I would appreciate your prayers, dear saints.
I’ve had trouble with my teeth for some time and after several visits to the dentist it seems to get worse instead of better.
I will be seeing the dentist again tomorrow. Please pray for wisdom and guidance for her in knowing what is causing the problem and being able to solve it.
Thank you and may God’s blessings be upon you!
Lord God, we call on You for wisdom to be granted to Luisa’s dentist. Open her eyes that she may see clearly where the pain is emanating from and know how to treat it efficiently, immediately, and effectively. Give Luisa a sense of peace and trust in You, Lord, that this pain in her teeth and jaw will be resolved. We grant her Your loving grace. In Jesus’s precious Name, we pray for this blessing upon her. Amen, amen, and amen.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Amen Beverlee, agreeing in prayer with you for Luisa!!!
And blessings on you. Faith and truth will set you free. May God favour you. You have my prayers.
Lord send the proper people who are trained in dentistry to see what can be done for Luisa, I presume x-rays have already happened;
decades ago I had pyrea between the teeth had them all pulled and have been wearing dentures, maybe 50 years! Best decision I made,
Lord look after Luisa; give her guidance,wisdom,keep heart and mind open to You deal Lord; bless her abundantly; heal her completely from head to toe; bless her as she serves you Lord with all her heart, Thank You Lord in Jesus Name we pray amen
I have prayed for Ger and Louisa also.”Be still and know that I am God” comes immediately to mind.Trust Him.
Reading in John brings this Easter poem to mind.Yall be blessed
Off The Cross
They opened my flesh to the bone,
Harder still when they heard no moan,
As meat was torn from my ribs;
For my clothes they claimed dibs.
As the cross was still on the ground,
A mother’s sobs were the only sound,
My body ached in so much pain,
From the whips that fell like rain.
They drove the spike through my hand,
As my Father’s shadow covered the land,
Then they raised the cross up high
To where my body would soon die.
Each breath then came with bolts of pain
As Satan sought this world to regain.
But he knew I would do it again
Just to break his worldly reign.
That is why I broke the serpent’s sword
And became your loving,willing Lord,
For to step down off the cross,
The world then would be My loss.
GW (Bill) Marshall/ (2011~2012)
Thanks William for sharing; very appropriate and meaningful!!!
Thank you dear sisters, Luisa, Beverlee, Doreen, Blessed and brother William for your loving prayers. The Lord has blessed me with this brother from my church who is willing, strong and never complained although the job was very taxing. I worked along with him also cutting the snow with my pointed shovel for him to blow away. The other half of the job has to be done later.
Agreeing in prayer with Beverlee for your teeth Luisa. If you have pain, I find that spraying some hydrogen peroxide on the tooth and gum helps me a lot. Trust you will have a successful visit with the dentist and you will be well soon.
Thanks for sharing that tip about hydrogen peroxide for a sore tooth, Ger. Good information to know.
Beautiful Easter poem William. What agony our Lord endured for the world!
Agreeing with Ger for your Easter poem, Bill. God’s blessings on you!
HE DID IT ALL FOR US; HE SUFFERED AND DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE: THANK YOU JESUS, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS; BLESSED BE HIS HOLY NAME, AMEN and AMEN!!!!
I prayed David’s powerful prayer; YES, “Enable me to be the “new creation” life
that You provided for me by taking my sin upon yourself In the Mighty Name of Jesus I pray; Amen and Amen!!
Powerful Scripture! full of emotion!
Great photos, including the interpretation of the Latin inscription thank you for posting them, and this blog: thank you Ron and Ann and Reynold!!
I am being told that renting my room out would not be a good thing; nowadays people are very rude,cause much problems;can destroy the place;can`t be evicted anymore because of the Charter of Rights! So, Lord what do You want me to do!
What can I do to make money to pay bills,help family; Lord I have been praying for a financial breakthrough to help me; I pray Lord You will answer that prayer; I would like to send money to my daughters on the 6th & l5th of March, their birthdays Bless my children Lord; keep them healthy, wealthy and wise; protect them at all times,fill their hearts with Love for the Lord and for others Thank you Lord In Jesus name I Pray amen