So I am doing this much earlier today because right after the afternoon church service there is a service at the local nursing home and then there is coffeehouse and volleyball. I wasn't planning to go to nursing home and coffee house, but my crush really wants me to and I couldn't say no to him 😊.
2 Corinthians 4:1-18 KJV
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
If God gives you something to do, he will also give you mercy that you will be able to do it.
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
[3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
[4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
[5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
[6] 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.
[7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
[8] We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
There is no need for hopelessness when we have the hope of Christ in us!
[9] Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
[10] 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.
[11] For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
[12] So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
[13] We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
[14] Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
[15] For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
[16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
[17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
All our troubles in our short time on earth will feel like nothing when we are in glorious eternity!
[18] 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.
Don't focus on earthly things that pass away, focus on eternal things that will never pass away!
Psalm 7:1-17 KJV
[1] O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
[2] Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
[3] O Lord my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
[4] If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
[5] Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
[6] Arise, O Lord, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
[7] So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
[8] The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
Since we have Christ's righteousness, when God judges us, we will be without fault!
[9] Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
[10] My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
[11] God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
[12] If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
[13] He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
[14] Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
[15] He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
The wicked will destroy themselves.
[16] His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
The old saying is true, 'What comes around, goes around.'
[17] I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
Dear Lord, You alone are perfect and just, You will destroy the wicked if they don't destroy themselves first. Thank you that we can trust and hope in You! Please help us focus on the eternal things rather than the things of this earth. Please bless and keep everyone in my prayer journal, in Jesus's name, Amen