2 Corinthians 4:1-8

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 4:1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God,...

 I sometimes think that I participate in ministry because I "stepped up" or "because I was available" or because God has "gifted me". These are all shades of truth. I need to keep in front of me that I can participate in ministry because God is merciful.
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 4:1 continued: ...we do not lose heart

 If I realize that it is God's mercy that allows my to participate in ministry, I will not lose heart.
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 4:2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

 I need to not succumb to pressure to make God's Word more palatable. I need to say the truth openly. God is watching.
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 4:5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

 I am learning so much about ministry this morning. We need to proclaim Jesus. We need to others servants - for Jesus' sake. This succinctly clarifies ministry.
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 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

 Again, it is not about me, but about God. God's goal in history is not to make me awesome. I need to worry less about "being all I can be" (the best dad, the best husband, the best witness, the best teacher, the best blogger,...) and concern myself with God and His glory. A recent theme for me has been, "God tastes so good, I hate my life" (cf. Luke).
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 4:8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed

 Just this week I imagined what this verse would be like if I didn't know Jesus. Basically, I would only the "but not" parts of the verse. Think how horrible this is: We are crushed, driven to despair, forsaken, destroyed So sad this would be. Uh oh, Yoda voice. People need Jesus.
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