Seeing The Invisible

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Focus Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18 "So we don’t spend all our time looking at what we can see. Instead, we look at what we can’t see. What can be seen lasts only a short time. But what can’t be seen will last forever."

We have all come to points in our lives where we feel like giving up and quitting.  I think it is during those times that we get too focused on the things that are seen.  Maybe our job is not going well, or you are having trouble with your grades in school.  Maybe there are issues in your marriage. In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks a lot about an inner strength that we can call on from the Holy Spirit.  Remember it is only through our weakness that God can be made strong in our lives.

Our ultimate hope during times of trouble or discouragement is the realization that this life is not all that there is.  We have life after death. Knowing that we will live in a place with God forever where there is no more sin, no more trouble, no more problems should give us great encouragement.  So let us not forget all that is waiting for us that we cannot see right now.  It is "earning for us a glory that will last forever."

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Authority Disobeyed to Obey God

Scripture Reading:  Acts 4:13-22

Focus Verse: Acts 4:18 "So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus."
The Bible commands us to obey the authority that is placed over us.  Is there ever a time that God would want us to disobey that authority?  I believe that whenever that authority gives a command that keeps us from obeying God then we must follow the Bible and not the authority.

In our scripture reading Peter and John are told by the Jewish Sanhedrin council not to speak in Jesus name.  Their response was, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."  Clearly Peter and John had to talk about the things of Jesus they had witnessed. Jesus commanded them to do this.  In fact they believed so much in what they were talking about, they were willing to die for it.

Are you willing to speak about Jesus no matter what kind of opposition you get?  The Bible has given us as believers to take this Gospel to the whole world.  So if you have opposition to speaking in Jesus name, be encouraged, it's been happening for centuries.  There are many in the world that will continue to reject the message of Jesus.  But there are some that will believe and receive.