| 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. How was Paul able to keep pressing on in the midst of all kinds of affliction? The most important reason was because he was convinced that God was with him, and that God would open up a way for him in the midst of his troubles. When you are faced with all sorts of pressure, learn to entrust these things to the Lord and come before Him with an expectant heart. Just like Moses when he stood by the Red Sea and declared to the people of Israel, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today." The God whom we believe in is a God who can turn crisis into opportunity. The disciples panicked when a storm started while they were out at sea. The sea calmed down once Jesus came. At the wedding in Cana in Galilee, there was no wine left for the banquet, but Jesus turned water to wine. Jesus turned the shame of the cross into a glorious symbol. As long as we entrust our lives to Him and ask God to help us, and as long as we choose to have faith instead of choosing to be negative or complaining, we can see what God can accomplish. On the other hand, Paul was able to overcome pressure in the midst of troubles because he had good spiritual companions to support him. In verse 8 and 9, Paul refers to "we". When he was preaching the gospel throughout the region, Timothy and Silas were his co-workers. When he was in prison, he was accompanied by Epaphroditus and Luke. It is important to have good spiritual companions in the Christian life. When we are under extreme pressure, what we need the most is not others tell us what to do, but a person whom we can trust and who will understand us and listen to us. God put us in the church, so that we can find our spiritual companions in the Lord, with whom we can run the race heavenward together. May the Spirit of God help us to take the initiative to find our spiritual companions in fellowship and in cellgroup. In this way, we can support one another, and learn to lean on God to overcome all kinds of troubles. Someone once said the pressures within your heart are the driving forces for growth. But this is only true on one condition - if you are certain that the Lord is with you and that God will make a way for you. At this time, you are most in need of a spiritual companion who can support and encourage you to move forward. Pray with Pastor Tong Liu 
Lord, we thank you because no matter what circumstances we are in, as long as we have Jesus, the storms can be calmed and our needs can be met. May your spirit give us the passion to live for you and help us find a spiritual companion to walk alongside us. We thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen! |
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