8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
2 Corinthians 2:14-16
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,
2 Corinthians 3:4-5
The Lord Jesus has overcome! What’s that to us? We are still living in this world, still facing challenges and difficulties every day! Sometimes even face a lot of pressure that we don’t know how to get through! The great Apostle Paul even had no hope of life during his struggle! God did not make it easy for us to go to heaven after we believe in the Lord. Instead, he allows suffering, challenges, difficulties, and despair to urge us to rely on him even more!
Some people say that they are so poor that only money is left.
We would say that we are so poor that only God Himself is left!
God is to let all the difficulties make us know that we have nothing, let us only focus on him, not what we can undertake by ourselves, we would rely on God for everything! Thank God who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession! Do you understand the heart of God? Do you have this proud confidence in Christ? No longer relying on your own abilities, but seeing that Christ has conquered sin, death, and the devil! Trust in him! His victory is also our victory! Overcomers, we shall all sit on the throne with Christ, in triumphal procession!
WORDS AND MUSIC BY KEITH GETTY & STUART TOWNEND
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost it’s grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 