Renewed!

Renewed!

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 KJV

There is a work that God is doing that will stand the test of time. He is doing some amazing work in the lives of all who are totally surrrendered to Him, and this work will be made manifest in the process of time. If you read the verses before this one, you find a glimpse of the work God is doing. 

First, there is a ministry given to me. It is not defined by me, but by the One who gifts and places men where they can best carry out His assignment. Second, all who have this ministry have received mercy. This is mercy that helps me carry out the terms of the ministry. As it is, neither the ministry nor the mercy is of me, but of God. I couldn't earn or deserve either, so there is no room for pride. However, the third pivot is my total surrender to and dependence on the One who owns the ministry and the mercy. 

In the course of ministry, hard times will come. God never promised anywhere that things would be easy, but He did promise us His presence. So, I carry His mighty presence, even in my weak outer cover. My body is dust, and will return to dust if physical death happens before his appearing, but while I am down here, his Life and glory will be made manifest in this same body as I strive to work for Him. 

Because of His Presence in me, I know where I am headed, which is eternal life with Him. This confidence flows from the assurance that His Presence can birth and sustain. This hope keeps me sane, even when the world is going insane. My inner man is renewed daily by its daily interaction with the inner witness of God: the Holy Spirit. 

Who is the person holding the reins of your heart and determining its daily pursuits? No amount of make up or body care can prevent the effect of time on flesh and blood. Flesh and blood were not built to last forever on this side of eternity.

Flesh and blood cannot inherit the  kingdom of God, but as I strive for that kingdom while I am down here in the flesh, I must keep my eye on the King of that kingdom as He strives to bring me into His kingdom when I am all done down here. So, which one am I feeding and investing in: the outer or the inner? Which one is really at work in and through me: the outer or the inner? Eternity hangs on my response. His time of favour is here.