Week 45 Day 7
Father God, I come to the end
of some days and honestly feel
there is little to be thankful for,
that all my joys and victories
are in the distant past.
There are times when all my efforts
seem to add up to zero, when
everything requires something more,
and the results are not fruits
but frustration.
It is no comfort to be told
that I am better off than someone else,
because meaning in life is not measured
by the degree that some are
more or less diseased than others.
It is not ingratitude nor
insensitivity that I feel.
It is as though some great cloud
is blocking my vision
and refuses to go away.
And yet I know that You are here,
in my darkness,
in my despairing,
and that You encourage me
to trust you.
---rus
REVELATIONS AND FAREWELL
The more I need God, the stronger I become!
II Corinthians 12 & 13
1 I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago, was caught
up to the third heaven. 3Whether in the body or out of the
body I do not know, God knows--4he was caught up into
Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful
for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself
I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6For though I might
desire to boast, I will not be a fool; I refrain, lest anyone think
of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
7Lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance
of revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger
of Satan to buffet me. 8 I pleaded with the Lord three times
that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me, "My grace
is sufficient for you, My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that
the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses,
for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me.
I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I
behind the most eminent apostles. 12Truly the signs of an
apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance,
in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
14For the third time I am ready to come to you. I will not
be burdensome. 15 I will very gladly spend and be spent for
your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less
I am loved. 19But we do all things for your edification.
20Shall I find you such as I wish? Shall I be found by you
such as you do not wish? If there be contentions, jealousies,
wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits,
tumults; my God will humble me among you, and I shall
mourn for many who have sinned and have not repented.
7Now I pray you do no evil and do what is honorable.
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
11Finally, farewell. Be of good comfort, be of one mind,
live in peace; the God of love and peace will be with you.
12Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13All the saints greet you. 14The grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Spirit be with you all. Amen.
This Bible passage was condensed from the NKJV
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The Bible Condensed. From Genesis to Revelation (Old Testament and New Testament)
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