October 8-14, 2023
Our focus chapter this month is found in 2 Corinthians 4. Personally, I have been struggling to be my best self lately. This chapter came to me as a reminder that God is at work even when I'm feeling pushed in on, hard-pressed, and frustrated with myself. I hope you can read along and follow the prayer prompts to be encouraged in your own walk with Christ. He is faithful to show us mercy and grace when we are not at our best!
This Week’s Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Focus Reading
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Prayer Prompts
Day 1: The words "lose heart" are kind of foreign to us. What are you discouraged about today?
Day 2: The term "lose heart" can also be translated as "don't lack courage." What do you need to ask God for courage to do or say today? Instead of analyzing it, just practice taking a courageous step. What happens as a result?
Day 3: I think about "outwardly wasting away" all the time. My body parts keep falling apart. LOL! Think about what ails your body or mind today. What seems to be out of your power to fix? Give it to God. Ask for His help or healing.
Day 4: Inwardly, are you being renewed? Do you feel like you are running the old tapes and then rewinding and replaying them? If you are, those pathways might be imbedded and the tracks your thoughts run on are stuck in a rut. But, you can change them slowly. Today, chose to rewrite one of those thoughts with God's definition. Write it down. Put it somewhere you can see it daily!
Day 5: Read over verse 17-18 three times to finish this chapter. Underline the words that stand out. Highlight the truth! Make yourself a note about it. Print the verses out and give them to a friend who needs to hear them. What truth to hold on to in the tough moments!
NOTE: I hope you were encouraged through this reading. If you are feeling down, having trouble finding hope, or stuck in a cycle of beating yourself up, God is the Friend you can rely on. He is the companion with you. Make Him your anchor. You can also reach out to others around you and get support from professional counselors. Don't try to navigate those difficult emotions alone. Raise the flag to someone you trust! I'm praying for you in the middle!
Prayer Prompts and Bible Readings are provided by Michele Bowden and Lisa Brass, Coaches and Digital Missioners with Visual Faith™ Ministry.
Find them on our Visual Faith Ministries page, on Instagram @victoryinart and @aworthylif, and on the web at victoryinart.com.