Wise In Christ!

You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us - and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we might also reign with you!

For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.

And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

Being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

1 Corinthians 4:8-18 – Gideon’s International Version

A large part of our lives revolve around anticipation. How much we would lose if we were to wake up one day and find that Christmas was just ten minutes away. The enjoyment of life in many of life’s events is built on the fact that we have time to anticipate them.

For now, those of us who weep can dwell on hope instead of hopelessness and anticipation instead of sorrow. It may be nighttime in our hearts, but just ahead lies the dawn of eternity. And with it, God promises the endless joy of heavenly morning.

We can endure this life’s trials because of the next life’s joys.

Our Daily Bread – December 1, 2008