The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 22:13 (HCSB)
13 The slacker says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!"
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 44:8 (HCSB)
8 We boast in God all day long; we will praise Your name forever. Selah
The Word of God for encouragement:
2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (HCSB)
7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.
8 We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair;
9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.
10 We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
11 For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus' life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.
12 So death works in us, but life in you.
My observation:
The life and ministry of the Apostle Paul presents such an amazing contrast to those who opposed and oppressed him. He was willing to pay the price of standing in the gap, and being faithful to the will, way, and word of God. The way of compromise may lead to safety, but Paul chose to go the way of sacrifice; he chose to go the way that Jesus chose to go; the way of the cross.
Paul was willing to endure suffering, sacrifice, and scars for the sake of the gospel of Christ, and for the salvation of the lost. He was willing to follow in the steps of Jesus, who gave his life for you and me. Paul was willing to give his life for their sake. O that we would each have such love for God, and such love for others that we would be willing to give of ourselves for the sake of others.
2 Corinthians 4:15 (HCSB)
15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God's glory.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that you bless abundantly your servants who are willing to put you first in their life, and who are willing to suffer and sacrifice for the benefit of others. Father, make me more like Jesus and like Paul as he imitated Jesus.
Father God, I pray that an avalanche of thanksgiving will ascend to your throne room, as your people learn to serve by suffering and sacrifice. In Jesus name, Amen.
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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
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