Monthly Archives: July 2026

ROMANS…PARTNERSHIP – 27

Bible Study, ,

“Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem. Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other. And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭30‬-‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul was deeply conscious of his dependence on fellow believers to help him by praying for the strength and wisdom to execute his mission. He was no loner. As much as he was the trail-blazer, he was also the leader who not only led by example but carried the people with him in his mission to the Gentiles. 

Paul kept his beloved churches informed of his movements and encouraged them to participate with him in the work of his ministry. Everyone played an important part. There were those who accompanied him and those who remained behind to pray for him. 

Paul also directed their prayers. Obviously, there were concerns that he wrestled with…always aware of the dangers that faced him…and the unpredictability of the people he was interacting with…even in the churches. Not everyone who claimed to be a believer was genuine or mature in his faith and behaviour. There were always those who had ulterior motives in their association with the church. 

Paul knew this. He had experienced the false teaching that had crept in as well as the fiery opposition that had threatened his life, especially from his own fellow Jews. He needed the prayer backing and covering from his brothers and sisters in Christ…their love for him urging them to intercede for him at the throne of grace. 

I wonder how many pastors take this partnership seriously enough today to follow Paul’s example. How many pastors are humble enough to recognise their need for their own congregation to back them up in prayer? How many of God’s servants admit their weakness, and take their congregation into their inner world of insecurity, doubts, and fears. 

Pastors are also human. They wrestle with issues just like everyone else. They are not exempted from the tests and trials every human faces. Their lives can be very lonely without the loving prayers of their own people. If not everyone, at least there are trusted people who can partner with them in their struggles, as Paul had. 

It surprises me that Paul was not embarrassed to share his heart with the whole congregation…in an open letter…expressing the  awareness of his weakness and need. He trusted that, in God’s grace, some would love him enough to care about his humanness…and faithfully support him in his request for prayer. 

“The Apostle Paul frequently asked other believers for prayer partnership, modelling the belief that collective prayer strengthens ministry and brings glory to God. His most famous request is found in Romans 15:30, where he pleads for the church to join him in a “struggle” or “strive together” in prayer. 

“Here are Paul’s key Bible verses about prayer partnership:

  • Romans 15:30: “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” (NIV) 
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2: “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.” (NLT)
  • Ephesians 6:18-19: “…Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests… Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” (NIV)
  • Colossians 4:3: “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ…” (NIV) 

(Source: Google AI)

Paul both recognised his need for prayer backing and expressed his gratitude when prayers on his behalf were answered. 

“In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Surely, Paul’s witness is enough to urge us on to partner with our spiritual leaders in their commission to shepherd the church and to spread the gospel in a hostile world. 

To be continued

ROMANS…PLANS – 26c

Bible Study, ,

“But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭25‬-‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul’s plans were elaborate, detailed, and worked out to the last minute…or so he thought. First, Jerusalem…to deliver a money gift from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia to the church in Jerusalem…to show their love and solidarity in a time of trial. 

Paul interrupted the declaration of his plans with an explanation that shows how connected the churches were, even across many miles in the Roman Empire. There was no such thing as denominational differences, separating God’s people from one another by walls of theological interpretations. The church across the empire was one body, functioning in small cells but aware of and caring for one another in a hostile world. 

Some of the churches in Macedonia and Achaia had collected money, poor as they themselves were, to help the believers in Jerusalem during a time of famine. Paul gives details,in his second letter to the Corinthians. 

“Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Such was their concern that they entrusted their gift to Paul…and it would take Paul many weeks of travel to deliver their gift. This interruption formed part of his travel plans. 

Why was this important to Paul? The gift came from Gentile believers who owed their Jewish brothers and sisters a debt of gratitude. 

“Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially.” 

Nothing was taken for granted. They were one body. When one part suffered, they all suffered. They were aware of each others’ needs and did something about it despite their limited resources and the distance separating them. 

How different from the fragmented church in our world today! We can send money across the globe at the click of a button. We can gather and send information faster than we can blink. And yet…we huddle together to protect our theological integrity as though we have no link to the rest of the body of the Lord Jesus. We only fellowship with like-minded people and treat other groups as strangers and foreigners. 

What is the answer? I don’t know? 

We have access to the throne of God through prayer…and Paul’s encouragement to pray for all believers everywhere should spur us on. 

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 Perhaps this is the place to start…Using our access to information and prayer…the most powerful gift we have from God…we can join with Him and entreat Him to unify and purify His church as we prepare for Jesus’ return. 

Will Jesus’ prayer be answered?

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yes! Our unity is determined, not by the peripheral things that divide us, but by the one unifying confession…and the life that flows from it…

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved….Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬-‭10‬, ‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Even in the record of Paul’s plans, we glean truths that help us to navigate our lives as the body of Christ. We are one world-wide family…joined together by our confession of Jesus as Lord…united by prayer and participation, as and when we can. We are witnesses to the world by our love and unity, preparing for our Lord‘s return by our obedience to His command to love one another and to be faithful to Him. 

This is simple but not easy but… we have His Spirit and His grace to carry us through to our destination and goal. 

To be continued 

ROMANS…PURPOSE – 26b

Bible Study, ,

am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ NLT

Paul was never ashamed to boast about the work he was doing among the Gentiles. After all, was he not a servant under authority, not only obeying what his Master told him to do…but also empowered by his Master and expecting the results of his obedience? Why should he not boast? But…he bragged about Jesus, not himself. 

The results of his labour were out of his hands. Paul understood his mission. He was in partnership with Jesus through the Holy Spirit in him. His role was to preach the message of Jesus and to anticipate a harvest because the gospel message which was entrusted to him, was powerful and effective in changing lives. 

Imagine that! In Paul, Jesus had a willing and obedient partner who had placed himself in the hands of the one who could do wonders through his words and deeds. We have, in Paul’s witness, a confirmation of the place of signs and wonders in the work of the gospel. 

As I have often mentioned, miracles, in the work of Jesus on earth…and in the ministry of those whim He sent to continue His work…was never to attract attention, to have healing campaigns, or to elevate certain “specially gifted” people. God worked miracles through humans, both through Jesus on earth and through those to whom He has entrusted His mandate, to reveal Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and to authenticate the ministry of His servants. Miracles were never an end in themselves but signs that pointed to someone and something bigger. 

First, miracles were signs that identified Jesus as the Son of God. 

“In biblical accounts, the miracles of Jesus were never intended to be mere magic tricks; they were deliberate, profound signs pointing to His true identity as the Messiah and the Son of God. These acts revealed His divine authority and fulfilled ancient Old Testament prophecies.” 

“The purpose of these miraculous signs can be understood in three main ways:

  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The miracles served as tangible proof that Jesus was the promised Messiah. When John the Baptist sent disciples to ask if Jesus was the one to come, Jesus pointed to His works: the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, and the dead being raised. These actions fulfilled specific prophecies, such as those in Isaiah 35. 
  • Demonstration of Divine Power: Jesus displayed authority over every sphere of life. He commanded nature (calming the storm, walking on water), spiritual forces (casting out demons), sickness (healing the blind and paralyzed), and even death itself (resurrecting Lazarus). These acts proved that He possessed the power of God. 
  • Invitations to Believe: In the Gospel of John, miracles are often explicitly called “signs”. They pointed beyond the physical act to a spiritual reality, challenging observers to recognize Him as the “Light of the World” or the “Resurrection and the Life”, ultimately inviting people to place their faith in Him for eternal life.” (Source: Google AI)

Second, miracles confirmed Jesus’ word. 

“The phrase “miracles confirmed the word” primarily refers to the biblical truth found in Mark 16:20, where it is recorded that the disciples went out and preached, and “the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs following.” 

In Christian theology, these miracles—such as healings, casting out demons, and supernatural signs—were not seen as ends in themselves. Instead, they served specific, vital purposes: 

  • Authentication: They provided divine proof that the messengers were sent by God and that their message was true.
  • Validation: They physically demonstrated the power of the Gospel, showing “show and tell” evidence that God’s kingdom had arrived.
  • Expansion: They caught the attention of the public, leading thousands to place their faith in Jesus Christ.

(Source: Google AI)

Jesus said to the unbelieving Pharisees…

“But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬

…and promised His disciples…

“These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Third, miracles authenticated the ministry of the apostles…

“So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Fourth, miracles are not intended to create faith but to follow faith…

“The phrase “do not seek signs and wonders” generally refers to Jesus rebuking people for demanding miraculous proof before they will believe. This sentiment appears in several key Bible verses: 

  • Matthew 16:4: Jesus states, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah”. [1]
  • John 4:48: Jesus says to a royal official, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will never believe”. 
  • Matthew 12:38-39: When the Pharisees asked for a miraculous sign, Jesus replied that seeking signs from a place of disbelief characterizes an “evil and adulterous generation”. 

These verses are often interpreted as an encouragement to build faith based on God’s word and character rather than relying solely on supernatural spectacles for proof.” (Source: Google AI)

So, Paul was big on boasting but never because of his own power or spirituality. He was always glad to put His Master on display. He spoke much about himself but always as a servant, an instrument in God’s hands to accomplish God’s will in God’s way…whether it meant suffering or  loss in the process. 

“Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.”

Paul’s life was an offering to God…a sacrifice which he made gladly because he himself was the recipient of grace and mercy. What a motive and an intention to live by!

To be continued 

ROMANS…PLANS – 26a

Bible Study, ,

“But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul had plans! Rome was in his sights. For many years he had laboured in Asia Minor, moving on to Europe but always with his eye on Rome, the capital city and hub of the Roman Empire. Why Rome? 

Rome was where everything started and ended…the imperial city, the seat of government…power and control. If Paul could preach the gospel in Rome, especially as close to the seat of power as possible, perhaps the influence of the gospel in high places could change the way God’s people were being treated. The message of Jesus would spread out from Rome in all directions, carried by His followers to every city and town in the empire. 

Of course, Paul had no idea that God also has plans for Rome…not the way that Paul anticipated but through his imprisonment in the very precincts of the emperor himself. Paul’s longing to go to Rome would be fully satisfied and even the means to travel there, not supplied by the church in Rome as he thought, but at government expense! Not only would he get free passage to Rome but he would be housed in the palace itself, albeit imprisoned and chained to a Roman guard…a captive audience if ever there was one!

Paul was incorrigible. Even in his darkest moments, he found joy in what God was doing through his pain. He saw light in the darkness. Every trial was God’s opportunity to further the spread of the good news of salvation through Jesus. Paul was dispensable for the sake of the gospel…and he rejoiced in being the vessel God used to pour out His love on a broken world. 

“And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives…But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭15‬, ‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul acknowledged, in his  last letter to Timothy, that he would never escape from the clutches of the emperor. His time was up…but he was prepared. 

“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul anticipated his death with joy. Death held no terror for him…but only the prospect of meeting his Lord face-to-face and receiving from Him his reward…and for those who served Him faithfully. 

“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

With an attitude like that, how can anyone lose? 

Paul’s circumstances, uncomfortable as they were…could not dampen his joy. His letter to the Philippians,  written from a Roman prison to one of his favourite churches, was the most joyful of all his letters…full of gratitude for the people who loved, prayed, and served him faithfully, and for the place where God had planted him to shine in the darkness. 

Despite Paul’s discomfort and the prospect of execution, he didn’t flinch. He turned his suffering into celebration. Yes, he had experienced his portion of hardships…physical, financial, and even spiritual. Yes, he had even pleaded with God for release from his struggles…but…instead of becoming bitter and resentful, he had learned…what?

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on hardly anything or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

With Jesus at the core of his being, giving him the power to overcome, Paul has learned to treat his circumstances as irrelevant. Not that he didn’t experience difficulties and trials, but that they made no difference to his inner life. The three most important and significant attributes of Jesus, lost to the human race at the Fall, but bequeathed and restored to His disciples on the eve of His death…His love, His joy, and His peace…held him steady and immovable. 

A story on YouTube deeply moved me. An African American woman gave this testimony…after her husband and two sons were shot dead at the bus stop, waiting for the school bus, her response was…“Let’s have church!”

Can we, like Paul, express our trust in Jesus with such conviction that we can say, in the darkest times of suffering…”Let’s have church!”?…and really mean it?

Pain and sorrow are real but…Jesus’ joy can carry us through, if we see Him…above and beyond our earthly suffering…as always with us and always working, in all things, for our good and for His glory. 

To be continued

ROMANS…HOPE – 25

Bible Study, ,

“Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: “For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.”…I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭8‬-‭9‬, ‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Jews could never claim Jesus for themselves. They were the bridge between God and the nations. 

All distinctions, differences, barriers between Jews and Gentiles have been swept away through Jesus. Old enmities no  longer apply. They are one new race…one family of faith descended from their spiritual father, Abraham. Exactly as God planned before time, His family has been born through Jesus…and now, in unity, they grow together in faith and hope. 

The Gentiles now had a reason for their hope…a solid foundation of truth upon which they could build their future, both in this world and in the next. 

We have explored the meaning of faith. Not let’s look at hope. 

Hope! What is hope? 

It is important that we understand what Biblical hope is because hope plays a significant role in our lives as believers…. True for the Gentiles then and for all believers, Jew and Gentle…for all time.  Without hope, we would suffocate in this wicked and uncertain world. Hope is the air of heaven we breathe that keeps us going until we leave and join God’s eternal family. 

I cannot give a better explanation  of hope than Google AI’s…

“In the Bible, hope is not a “fingers-crossed” wish or wishful thinking. Instead, it is a confident, unwavering expectation of future good based entirely on God’s character and promises. While secular hope looks to chance, biblical hope is a guarantee. 

The concept of hope in Scripture branches into a few distinct categories:

1. The Core Meaning

  • Confident Assurance: In the original languages (Hebrew: Tikvah; Greek: Elpis), hope implies a firm certainty. It is the steady anticipation that God will fulfill His word. 
  • An Anchor for the Soul: The New Testament describes hope as something steadfast that keeps believers secure during life’s storms. As stated in Hebrews 6:19, hope is “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure”(NIV). 

2. The Relationship Between Faith and Hope

Faith and hope work together as two sides of the same coin:

  • Faith is grounded in the reality of the past and the present (e.g., trusting that God’s promises are true and that Jesus lived and was resurrected).
  • Hope looks to the future, eagerly anticipating what God has guaranteed will happen next. 

3. What Believers Hope For

Biblical hope is almost entirely future-oriented, specifically centered on the ultimate culmination of God’s redemptive plan: 

  • The Return of Christ: The New Testament frequently refers to the second coming of Jesus as “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).
  • Resurrection and Eternal Life: Believers look forward to the resurrection of the dead and a new creation free from pain, suffering, and sin (Revelation 21:4).
  • God’s Faithfulness: In the present, hope rests in the expectation that God’s grace will sustain believers through any trial.”

Can you see how important our hope is? The Bible says that the Gentiles were “without hope” until they became a part of God’s new family. 

“Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We were dead in sin, cut off from God, and without hope. What a horrible life! What a horrible place to be in!

But God…without His intervention, we Gentiles would be lost forever. 

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, Paul’s prayer…

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

With God’s joy and peace in control of our lives, the hope we have that anchors our hearts to a secure future, will steady us in life’s trials, tests, and troubles. The Holy Spirit at work in us, will keep us steadfast…faithful…and persevering…

“I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul was never reluctant to teach and remind. No matter how long we have been on this road, we need the constant reminder to persevere…to keep going…to live this life against all odds because…there is an eternal reward for faithfulness that is worth all the struggles and suffering we endure in this life. 

Hope in God’s faithfulness to His promises is the bright light at the end of the road that keeps us moving on towards the goal. We  never give up against all odds until we reach our heavenly destination. 

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT

To be continued