Devotional for November 17-23, 2008

                  By Minister Mamie L. Pack

A Changed Perspective

“8) We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9) persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10) We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 1 Corinthians 4: 8-10 NIV

Paul is one of my favorite writers in the Bible.  He is candid, refreshing, and transparent in his walk with Christ.  He does not bog the reader with pretentious vocabulary, although he was well educated, nor does he boast of his accomplishments, even though he helped to establish many churches.  Paul simply pours out his heart to Christ and to other fellow believers.  He speaks of the joy of serving Christ, the temptations of his flesh, the importance of repentance, among so much more.  Not one time does he uplift himself, but in all things gives glory to God.

When I read his epistles, I am often challenged to check my perspectives on my current situations in life.  Here is a man, not a deity, but a man who choose to walk away from his old life of death and choose to live for Christ.  For this choice, Paul spends most of latter years of his life suffering persecution while writing many letters from the solidarity of his prison cell.  In just this epistle alone, Paul is being accused of fickleness, ministering without proper credentials, cowardice, and more.  In spite of all this, Paul’s kept his perspective.

Here he simply is saying, “Yes, things are difficult, but there is still room for growth.  Sure, our resources may be limited and the plan is not clear, but we still have hope.  Okay, I know that we are facing opposition from all sorts of people, but God is still with us.  We may even get knocked down a few times, but we are never knocked out.”  Wow!  What a perspective.  Paul does not pretend that there are not difficult times in being obedient to God’s Word or challenges in being submissive. He knows that problems will arise, people will challenge your beliefs, and even those closest to you can seemingly abandon you. 

In it all, Paul kept a positive perspective.  His confessions did not end with identifying the situation, but speaking life to each of them.  He continually had hope in knowing that God was always with him, in keeping his focus on things above and not below, in trusting that God was working everything to his good.  Sometimes when I am faced with difficulty, the first thing I often do is complain, vent, or even cry.  I begin to negatively focus on the situation instead of changing my perspective.  I am encouraged when I read these scriptures so that when the challenging times come I can choose to have a God focused perspective.  I can choose to confess life over my situations, to trust God, and walk in faith.  I don’t have to look at the situation; instead, I choose to keep my eyes on Christ.

Prayer.

My Lord and Savior, thank you for this beautiful day.  I am thankful for being able to have another chance to grow in my relationship with you.  Thank you for every gift and talent that you have placed within me for your glory.  Help me Lord not to be so fixated with situations in my life.  Instead, help me to change my perspectives so that I am fixed on you and trust that you are working everything to my good.  I pray that I may have the faith to be still and know that you are Lord of my life.  Thank you for the Word and the obedience of your vessels in ministry.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Suggested Weekly Reading

Monday           2 Corinthians 4: 7-18

Tuesday           Psalm 37: 24

Wednesday      Micah 7: 8

Thursday          Hebrews 13: 5

Friday              Galatians 6: 17

Saturday           Philippians 3 8-10

Sunday             Romans 8: 17

Application

Write this scripture down and place it in your car, on your desk, and in your home.  The next time you begin to complain about a difficulty, meditate on these scriptures.

About the author:

As a wife, mother, educator, daughter, friend, I, Minister Mamie L. Pack, seek to be an accessible tool to the Lord.  It is my desire to use my gifting of writing to reach the lost, encourage the believer, and teach the people through the Word of Jesus Christ.  Click here for other writings available at the author's blog  www.LifeINowLive.blogspot.com 

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