- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,081
Inside Story
. . . though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16
Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
An astonishing $14 trillion a year is spent by Americans attempting to look stylish, according to a report last year by the U.S. Department of Commerce. 1 People's obsession with how they look dates as far back as the Lord correcting Samuel: ". . . man looks at the outward appearance, but [I look] at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
Mirrors don't reflect the inner part of us that lasts forever. And when trials knock on our doors, looking cool won't prepare us to victoriously meet their test. The apostle Paul describes the inner man as being renewed day by day as spiritual muscles grow stronger. He wasn't a perfect specimen of health (2 Corinthians 12:7), but Paul survived persecution and imprisonment because he lived his life from the inside out, focusing on eternity. When stress-producing events occurred, Paul survived and kept on singing (Acts 16:25).
What's at the core of your life? Are you so focused on looking fashionable that you haven't spent time strengthening your inner person through studying God's Word and praying without ceasing? What could you adjust in your schedule this week to allow more time for spiritual growth?
Read-thru-the-Bible
Hebrews 12:1 -- 13:25
. . . though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16
Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
An astonishing $14 trillion a year is spent by Americans attempting to look stylish, according to a report last year by the U.S. Department of Commerce. 1 People's obsession with how they look dates as far back as the Lord correcting Samuel: ". . . man looks at the outward appearance, but [I look] at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
Mirrors don't reflect the inner part of us that lasts forever. And when trials knock on our doors, looking cool won't prepare us to victoriously meet their test. The apostle Paul describes the inner man as being renewed day by day as spiritual muscles grow stronger. He wasn't a perfect specimen of health (2 Corinthians 12:7), but Paul survived persecution and imprisonment because he lived his life from the inside out, focusing on eternity. When stress-producing events occurred, Paul survived and kept on singing (Acts 16:25).
What's at the core of your life? Are you so focused on looking fashionable that you haven't spent time strengthening your inner person through studying God's Word and praying without ceasing? What could you adjust in your schedule this week to allow more time for spiritual growth?
Read-thru-the-Bible
Hebrews 12:1 -- 13:25
