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Scripture for the day: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 16-18 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed, always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body …. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Thought for the day: Good morning! What a great day yesterday; temperatures in the 70’s, a light breeze was blowing, the work needing done went much easier than expected, and the sun was shining without interruption. It just doesn’t get much better than that. Now, back to the really important work. 
 When God works His way in us, the answer to our questions is always yes. When the answer is yes, we win, no matter the nature or the severity of the challenge we may face. Victory may not always look exactly as we would like, but the victory is ours; the battle has already been joined and the enemy is defeated. Those two assurances are enough, or should be enough, to sustain us through the most violent of storms, but there’s even more.
 Today’s scripture reminds us that, when God works in us, we’re changed. When He allows us to catch just a glimpse of His glory, we are changed forever; we can never be the same. The Bible is full of examples. When Moses had his audience with God on Sinai, he was so affected by having been in the presence of God that he had to wear a veil when he spoke to the people. With the Holy Spirit in our lives we can at least see a dim reflection of who God is to us. When we’ve encountered the living God, when we’ve become His disciple and sit at His feet as He teaches, as we bow before Him as His servants, we are transformed each day just a bit more into His image. 
 Think for a minute; when Stephen was dragged outside the city and surrounded by men intent on stoning him to death, what did he do? The Bible makes no mention of calling for police protection or threaten a massive lawsuit if they didn’t let him go. Stephen prayed for those who were about to kill him; why? How could he do such a thing? It wasn’t because God had suddenly changed the hearts of the people. Stephen prayed for them because God had changed Stephen. When God begins His work of transformation in us, we become the new creatures Paul spoke of in his letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 5:17).
 As we look deeply into the things of God, becoming more and more like Him, He is glorified through our lives. He is pleased to use these “earthen vessels,” these cracked pots, so there can be no question of who is doing the work and who deserves the glory. Now, owe often don’t feel much like winners; the answer doesn’t always look like a giant YES. We know how Paul felt when he said we are hard pressed on every side, as if the whole world were crashing in on us. We can easily become confused by the way things are working out, not understanding the reasons God is acting, or not acting, on our behalf. 
 We’re called to believe that “all things work together for good to those who love the Lord” (Romans 8:28). Well, in the spirit of honesty, I’m still waiting to see the good in some of the things that have happened in my life. I may not see that good before I stand before Him at the throne, but I cling to this: though I may be persecuted by those I never thought would, though I may be struck down by disease, death in the family, financial concerns, and the worries of this world, I am not crushed, not in despair, not forsaken or destroyed. And the reason is that God has promised victory, regardless of the burdens I’ve been asked to bear. 
 Sometimes He is pleased to deliver us from those burdens we bear. Other times, He is glorified when we bear up under them gracefully. Either way, God is glorified when I submit to His Spirit abiding within. God has said YES to us today and His promise cannot be broken. He has promised to change us into the likeness of Christ so that we might reflect that image to the world. He has promised to keep us through every challenge, trial or temptation. 
Now go take on your world.  -  Bill