The Daily Fountain Devotional Tuesday, August 16, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Tuesday, August 16, 2021
TOPIC: ENDURING HARDSHIPS
TEXT: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Tuesday, August 16, 2022
INTRODUCTION TEXT
Hardships are experiences which cause suffering or deprivation. They are unpleasant happenings which make life unbearable and sorrowful for an individual. These events result in physical pain and emotional torture. Apostle Paul, in our text today, listed what he described as troubles, hardships and distresses which are: Beatings, imprisonments, hunger, dishonour, bad reports, misrepresentations, unappreciated affection, riots, sleepless nights and hard work. He went further to add his coping strategies in all the uncomfortable situations which included .endurance, patience, kindness, righteousness, rejoicing, working to better the lives of others, contentment, truthful speech, sincere love, purity, understanding, and above all, relying on the power of God.
It is often said that Christianity is not a bed of roses.
Life is full of challenges and so is ministry. Christians working day and night to snatch souls from the grip of Satan and his agents must expect confrontation from the evil one. Hardship is a tool employed by Satan to discourage or entirely stop a faithful minister of the gospel. Whatever you are passing through at the moment, you must realise that it is expected and for you to be unshaken and unmoved, you must employ the coping principles of Apostle Paul and depend on the power of God to see you through. It is only then that you will not disappoint God who has called you or let down those who look up to you as a role model.
Prayer: O Lord, keep me strong and focused in the face of adversity and distresses. Enable me to see you in times of trouble and grant me victory over them all in Jesus Name.