Revive me! Weekly Reflections #22 ©www.christian-recovery.com
 

      2Co 3:2 You* are our letter, having been written in our hearts, being known and being read by people.

2Co 4:1 For this reason, having this ministry, just as we received mercy, we do not become discouraged.

2Co 4:16 For this reason, we do not become discouraged, _but_ even if our outward person [fig., body] is decaying, yet the inward [person] is being renewed day by day (ALT)

I wanted to stick to our uppermost verse today and point out to you that you are a living epistle, written in a form of a readable letter that others know you by and read view you by. You are an open book, wittingly or not. Yes, we are known by our fruits of the Spirit which are plainly seen and viewed by others. Is that an ouch or an amen regarding your transparency?

Upon further study and in preparation for today's reflection, I found the next two verses which so well complimented today's reading. Both are exhortations not to become discouraged. These are written by Paul's hand, but inspired and recorded by the Holy Spirit. This is a love letter to you to encourage you, and to make you aware that discouragement might come, especially as we await recovery, but it admonishes us against despair and dismay.

Perhaps discouragement is all you can focus on lately. Perhaps you need an encouraging word. Perhaps you just feel you can never be free of your affliction. I offer this quote to you today. John Wooden: "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."

If today you cannot find the victory you seek, do not allow it to engulf you and return to the place you were when you had no hope to cling to. God is in the deliverance business. It is His obligation as Father God to set you free by the Blood of the Lamb shed on your behalf. He can do it, even while you cannot. Your part is to hope and trust and keep taking those little steps of obedience and changes in your behavior until one day, it suddenly dawns on you, I am free; I am free at last!

Prayer: Thank you Lord for believing in me even when I don't believe in myself. Thank You, Lord for always encouraging me at my low ebbs in life. Thank You Lord, for what has been promised to me, through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Amen

My commitment this week: _______________________________________