I'm Following Jesus – Page 1229 – Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Saturday, December 05, 2020
Chapters: II Corinthians 1-4
Message: Christ, The Only Hope We Need

Hello My Friend,

I asked God what my problem was, why is it so hard to do the things that I am supposed to be doing yet so easy to do the things that I am not supposed to be doing. I blame my wretched flesh on being weak, call myself out for being a hypocrite and a failure. Then God reminded me of this, [Romans 7:19-20,24-25 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.]

Then I read this by Charles Spurgeon, [Jesus Christ so loveth sinners that he has built a St. Cross Hospital, so that whenever a sinner is hungry, he has but to knock and have his wants supplied. Nay, he has done better; he has attached to this Hospital of the Cross a bath; and whenever a soul is black and filthy, it has but to go there and be washed. The fountain is always full, always efficacious. No sinner ever went into it and found that it could not wash away his stains. Sins which were scarlet and crimson have all disappeared, and the sinner has been whiter than snow…If all these things are to be had by merely knocking at mercy’s door, O my soul, knock hard this morning, and ask large things of thy generous Lord. Leave not the throne of grace till all thy wants have been spread before the Lord, and until by faith thou hast a comfortable prospect that they shall be all supplied.]

It all came clear to me that even at our strongest we are weak, and that is okay because it is only when we are weak that we are strong enough to go to Christ with everything that we have need of, [Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.]

The Book of II Corinthians was written by Paul to believers at Corinth, and all believers. The timeline for this letter took place approximately 60AD, about a year after his first letter, and the purpose of the book was to reestablish his authority as an apostle, and show gratitude and thanks for their faithfulness in Christ. What we are to learn from the book is that human weakness provides an opportunity for the power of God to be revealed through us. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was one of discipline, this one is of encouragement. He had it written when he himself was discouraged and heard how they had turned things around. He wanted to show them how pleased he was and how much of an encouragement they were to him.

[2 Corinthians 1:3-4,8-10,21-22 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 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. 8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.]

[insomuch that we despaired even of life:] Life is so hard sometimes, and this year I believe has been challenging on everyone. If there was ever a time where we need to trust God it is now, and we must remind ourselves that unlike the world who sees no hope, we are sealed with Christ, who is all the hope we need, [1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?]

I was listening to the radio and heard this guy saying how bad he felt at what is going on in our country and seeing no hope, after a woman was saying how we need to have faith in God to see this through. It was sad to hear how this man of faith was such a pessimist. We need to be very careful that in our own despair that we do not discourage others who are struggling even more.

[2 Corinthians 2:1-4,14-17 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. 14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.]

[but the same which is made sorry by me?] You know them, the ones you want avoid when you see them because all they do is talk about is how bad things are. Yes, it is good to vent, it is good to tell our burdens and talk to someone about our problems, but lighten up, it is not that bad, if you are saved, rejoice in that, knowing that Christ is with you, will see you through, and you will triumph with Him. You have the living God living inside of you, stop wallowing in your sorrows, and start walking in faith, knowing His promises.

[2 Corinthians 3:3-6,17-18 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.]

[but of the spirit:] You are a saved, born again child of the KING! Your name is written in the Book of life, it cannot be removed no matter how many times you fail God. Let me tell you, well, it is not me saying this, it is God, as long as you belong to Him and you are not telling lies about Him, He is going to have mercy on you. He is also longsuffering in that He needs you to go out there and show the lost the hope that you have.

[2 Corinthians 4:1-6 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 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.]

[hath shined in our hearts,] You see, whether we realize it or not, even at our worst, we are faithful to our faith in Christ, and it actually does shine when we are walking by that faith. And walking by faith does not mean we are not going to have days of discouragement, it does mean that God knows and understands that we have this flesh, and as long as our faith in Christ is not in vain, we have nothing to worry about, He is all the hope we need, [2 Corinthians 4:14-18 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; 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.] Amen!

Today’s Prayer: God, When troubles come my way, I admit the last thing I want to do is minister to others, especially when it never seems to end. I know I get discouraged and sometimes even spread my sorrows to others as I try to get by. In fact, all I want to do is hide in a corner somewhere and not talk to anyone, but when I come to my senses I know You are always there, ready to pick me up and show me how to handle things, and get back to doing the work You called me to do. You are so merciful to me that it tears me up to think that I suffered so long when all I had to do was come to You. Lord, there is no one like You, so loving, so trusting, so fearing, just as a Father should be, You may not remove the trouble right away, but Your grace is sufficient enough to help me through it and I thank You for that. Walk with me, guide me, and abide in me, keep reminding me of the hope that I know only comes through my faith in You, and let me be the Light others need wherever You take me. I love You Lord and ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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