Week of November 10, 2024
It occurs to Pastor Mark that about half of Americans this week will feel pretty discouraged by the presidential election results, and the other half will have reason to be discouraged about something else. Life is often a struggle, and when work, family, and church and community life become especially difficult, we may well feel like quitting. What is it that keeps the Jesus’ follower from losing heart, giving up, and abandoning the journey with Him? This week, we’ll consider how to keep an eternal perspective that energizes our lives.
Monday | 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
The Apostle Paul bookends this chapter with the words, that despite difficulties, he does not lose heart. From what you know of Paul’s life and ministry, what were factors that could have caused him to give up? What are the factors in your life that could lead you to lose heart in following Jesus and serving others? What light does God give you, especially in dark circumstances? What allows God’s people to not be crushed, despairing, feel abandoned, or destroyed?
Tuesday | Jeremiah 18:1-10
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul speaks of our lives being like clay pots. What does such an image suggest about the usefulness, fragile nature, and beauty of a person’s life? In Jeremiah 18, God tells Israel that he is the potter who shapes, breaks apart, and then reshapes their lives. How have you experienced the work of the Master Potter during the course of your life? How has he made you more useful and beautiful? How does knowing that you are in the Potter’s hands give you security despite the fragile nature of human life?
Wednesday | 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:5
What do you think the Apostle Paul meant when he spoke of being renewed day by day (v.16)? Even as we age and our physical vitality inevitably decreases, what will allow our spirits/souls to increase in their strength? How does keeping our eyes on our eternal future help to energize such strength? How do you fix your eyes on what is “unseen” and “eternal” (v.18)?
Thursday | Hebrews 12:1-3
The writer to the Hebrews speaks of several factors that will help us to persevere in our life of faith. How do each of these make a difference … remembering the “great cloud of witnesses”? … throwing off things that hinder our life of faith? … unentangling ourselves from sin habits? … fixing our eyes on Jesus? … seeing the joy that awaits him and awaits us … Jesus’ example of perseverance?
Friday | Galatians 6:7-10
In what ways do we reap what we sow? In what ways does God, in his grace, give us better than we’ve sown? How is serving God and people like farming? How do you handle your impatience when the results of your efforts aren’t apparent? What motivates you to keep doing good, no matter the circumstances?
