We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Rick Crabtree.
Bible Reading:
2 Corinthians 5:6-10
“6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.“
Word:
As Christians, it’s important that we keep ourselves eternally focused. So many times, we get caught up in the day to day, moment to moment aspects of this life. And in doing so, we can become weary and weak in our walk with the Lord. Each and every day it’s crucial to be reminded of where we gather our courage and confidence from.
Sometimes we feel that what is happening in our world cannot be part of His plan, and we start to have worry and doubt. But as Paul reminds us, we do not walk by sight or by our feelings. We walk by faith. We are confident that God is working His purposes out in our lives, and that ultimately, we are going to make it home.
Paul encourages us that if we are pressing into Jesus and keeping our eyes on Him, we can be of good courage and have complete confidence. You see, our ultimate goal should be to spend eternity with Jesus. Paul reminds us where that eternity is. As Christians we recognize that we are in exile in our present bodies. We are sojourners and strangers. We are not really home yet. When we are at home with the Lord, then we are really at home.
Paul encourages us to be confident in that destination, and in doing so we grow to be the courageous Christians we are intended to be in this life. We should all strive to live in such a way that when we are in the presence of Jesus, we hear “well done, good and faithful servant.” We make it our aim to please the Lord, knowing that we will all stand before Christ and each receive what is due, whether good or evil. When we keep this mindset, when we keep our eyes on Him and our destination, we become more courageous and confident in our walk with Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I pray that we find our courage and confidence in you. I pray that we keep our eyes on you. No matter the circumstances we face here in this life, you are on the throne, and our destination is there with you. Help us not to fear the unknown in this life, and instead to find complete courage and confidence in your promises and truths. I pray that we make it our goal to please you and for us to look forward to being absent from this body, knowing then that we will be present with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Skillwork:
This week, make it a point to wake up 10-15 minutes early and seek the Lord. Search out verses that talk about finding courage and confidence in the Lord while navigating this life. Meditate on these verses and pray for the Lord to set your heart and mind on Him and his promises.
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