We Are Not of Those Who Shrink Back and Are Destroyed

heart-905598_640In the light of a new day, facing more headlines, another body count, more cries for war and tears for peace, we will be tempted to lose heart. And we would, in fact, lose heart, if not for Jesus Christ. For in these times when we grieve, we lament, we keenly feel our mortality, our frailty, the brief candle that is the wisp of a single life, it really comes down to this – how will you live today?

Will you live intentionally with gratitude, with purpose, with a heart open to love, with words full of light, with a mind set on eternity, and a strength drawn from the wellspring of life? You have received the gift of a new day, how, then, will you live?

“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” 2 Corinthians 4:1

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:5-12

 So we do not lose heartThough our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light eiffel-tower-1209157_640momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,  as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Hold fast, loved ones. Press into Jesus. Don’t fall prey to the schemes of the evil one. Live well. Love hard. Go in the strength you have, mighty warriors.

I have no clever words, no poetry, nothing of my own to offer you today for I am like you, I’m so weary of the death and sure there is more to come. But our God has the words of Life and it is His I share freely. Know you are all in my prayers this day as I offer prayers for the world, ”

“For you have need of ecastle-195105_640ndurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” Hebrews 10:36-39

Race you to the fortress, loved ones. I’ll meet you there.  A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Message me, loved ones, or comment here if you need to be mentioned to our God in prayer because your weariness is more than you can bear. Remember you can download for free (for personal use or use with your church group) Free to Face the Headlines (thirteen proven strategies for consuming the news without being consumed by the news.)


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2 Comments

    The Conversation

  1. Jan says:

    Lori l am so weary at the moment as enforced change comes my way yet again. I know without doubt that The Lord has always provided and protected me and l trust in Him completely. He has never failed me Amen!
    I am a great encourager and lifter of heads always with a loving care of others but you know l am for once being so honest in saying ‘l am so so weary’. There I’ve said it and perhaps in my acknowledgement it will release in me a new fresh approach to honesty. It’s no crime is it?
    Thank you for your honesty Lori you are a true lifter of heads and have encouraged me greatly just when l needed it most. Bless you!

  2. Melanie Gibson says:

    This blog post popped up on my Facebook feed in between other posts about mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and a premiere showing of a movie about a zombie massacre. It renewed my hope and sense of belonging to a higher purpose. We are so blessed to have the Lord to focus on while the culture all around us is about people who are lost and empty inside because they have chosen to follow a god that has turned on them and consumed them. There is still a lot of good that surrounds us; I will keep looking for that.