Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Saturday November 28, 2009 and we are beginning our studies in the book of II Corinthians, please read chapters 1-4 in your Bible or Click Here to read them http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-november-28

Today's Message: Die To Self
Trials and troubles, in whatever form, are necessary for spiritual growth, without them, we would not exercise our faith or develop spiritual insight and strength. Just as it was necessary for Jesus to die, we too must die to self and become willing partakers of His sufferings.

The book of II Corinthians is the 47th book of the Bible, 8th book of the New Testament and contains thirteen chapters. The author of the book is Paul and it was written to the believers at Corinth. The purpose of the book was to reestablish his apostolic authority. What we are to learn from the book is that human weakness provides an opportunity for the manifestation of the power of God.

The Epistle discloses the touching state of the great apostle Paul at this time. It was one of physical weakness, weariness, and pain, but his spiritual burdens were even greater. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” - II Corinthians 1:3-6. We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience, and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are given by him, as the Father of his redeemed family. It is our Savior who says, “Let not your heart be troubled.” All comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him. He speaks peace to souls by granting the free remission of sins; and he comforts them by the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit, and by the rich mercies of his grace.

The body of a Christian is compared to an ordinary clay pot, and the precious treasure it contains, Jesus Christ. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined 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 earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” - II Corinthians 4:6-10. Earthen vessels (clay pots) have very little value of their own. Their essential worth depends upon what they contain. If they are left empty, they have no purpose for existence. However, if they are filled with gold, their value increases dramatically. How thrilling it is to realize that within us we have what is, to God, the most priceless treasure in all the world. Because of this, we are precious to God. Praise God!

We can face trials and suffering with the confidence that our Lord never makes a mistake. As we submit our wills during times of testing, God imparts strength and the comfort of the Holy Spirit with a two-fold effect: Our burdens are lifted and we become qualified to comfort others just as Paul was able to. “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” - II Corinthians 4:15-18. We as Christian's are wealthier than any person on this earth, the riches that we glorify in may not be visible to the world, but is eternal. Praise God!
Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and weekend.
God Bless You,
Christina

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