Daily I continue in the Word of God and praying on my knees for hurting hearts while in my “no dairy, no sugar” fast!

The Apostle Paul was a man who served the Lord with great boldness. In his letter to the Corinthian believers, he describes the difficulty of his service through afflictions, perplexing circumstances, persecutions, and being repeatedly knocked down while carrying about in his body the sentence of death. Yet, he announces,

“We do not lose heart!”

2 Corinthians 4:2, NASB

Here I sit realizing how easy it is for me to lose heart; plans fall through, a relationship disappoints, health struggles mounting, or the old dollar just does not stretch as far as I would like!  

But for Paul, when called upon, he suffered willingly, and always with his fellow believers in mind and for the glory of God!

All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

2 Corinthians 4:15, NLT

A dear ministry friend at church is preparing to be her pregnant daughter’s “coach” for the baby due in the next 2 weeks. Her daughter has 2 adopted children, and recently, buried her husband after a 3-year battle with cancer. She shared with me how God has not forsaken them but is carrying them through this very difficult time. Her testimony is that of the Apostle’s. 

Therefore, we do not lose heart . . .

2 Corinthians 4:16a, NASB

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18, NLT

Many are facing dire circumstances but let us pray for them . . . TO NOT LOSE HEART!