Now and Later 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “16 So we do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. 17 We have small troubles for a while now, but they are helping us gain an eternal glory that is much greater than the troubles. 18 We set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever.” Do you recall how much you loved candy as a kid? I do. I would risk life and limb for it! JuJu Beads …. Tootsie Rolls (both the small, two for a penny, and the jumbo, nickel size). One of my favorite candies were Now and Laters. In each pack were approximately ten pieces, two different flavors, five grape and five sour apple. They were a kind of taffy. You could have some now and some later, hence the name. They were awesome! Yea they were awesome. Some sweet…some sour. Have it now, share it, store it up, and stick like five pieces in your mouth! Any way you choose it… they were awesome! Did you know there are Priorities in our walks with Jesus, as followers? They’re like my candy, some focus on the now, some the later. They can all be found in our reading today. Verse 16 reminds me that the process of dying begins at birth. Though we die a little each day, we are also renewed; revived daily by HIS Spirit. Most importantly, we should NEVER give up, never give in, always press on in our mission, and Grow in righteousness, and godliness. In verse 17, we see that we should not focus on the waves and the storm, but rather keep our eyes on the end game. The very things we endure are what pressures that change the coal into a Diamond. They are the things that make us into the very image of Christ. Godliness, with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6) as Paul said. They are the things that refine us; teach up. They provide us with the comfort with which we comfort others. A truth Paul has made clear earlier in this letter (2 Corinthians 1:3-7). Satan loves to get us into a pity party. Poor, poor me. When we give into those feelings, we are focusing inward, not looking out at the later part.” It makes us focus on the now at the expense of the later. We begin to live and act as if this world, this life, is all there is. We forget that we are Kings Kids. It matters not what the situation is, even impending death. NOTHING we leave will compare to what is to come…Nothing. Eternity awaits the faithful. As Paul puts it, what is now, fades, what is to come, is prepared for us later. For today, obedience to the dictates of the Spirit is enough, be they what we see as good, or not so good. Sure things can be rough NOW, but Later…it won’t even be a memory! Let’s Pray: Father, You have the very best in mind for us. We must always trust You no matter what the circumstances may be. Please help us to not allow our circumstances to define us but to step up and over trials and difficulties and use those to grow now and then later minister to others in need. You have the perfect plan and we are a small part of that plan. Please help us to do our part to glorify You in all that You do for us and with us. In Jesus precious name, Amen. Brought to you with Love by Living Witness Ministries. Please feel free to share, this as an outreach to others.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 03:05:10 +0000
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