2 Corinthians 4:1 (KJV)
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

A chapter about the ministry, Paul wrote:

We faint not
At its difficulties and distresses. It is difficult. We must not avoid it because of the hardships involved.

We have renounced dishonesty
Paul refused to manipulate either the Word of God or the people he ministered to. The ministry would be what it was. He would be true to his convictions.

We accept that the gospel is hidden to some
As much as we might wish to make Christians out of unwilling souls, Paul would not do it.

We lift up Christ not preachers
The tool never accomplished anything without being taken in hand. The preacher is but the tool.

We embrace our weaknesses
That the excellency of power might be of God and not man. This is not to say we glory in our weaknesses. It gives us no excuse for lack of growth. It merely means we glory in God and not our skills.

I heard recently of the suicide of a pastor from California. Just after, I saw an article by Thom Rainer concerning the depression pastors go through. Pastoring is a challenging calling. Spurgeon said something like, “Depression is the Lot of the preacher. God will not share His glory.” Perhaps we ought to embrace such sensations rather than seeing them as signs of failure. On the other hand, I suspect we bring much of our depression upon ourselves because we place expectations upon ourselves God never intended us to take.

To my readers:
First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and more than 4300 earlier Daily Visits with God visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2006.

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2 Corinthians 4:1 (KJV) About the Ministry

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