OUR DAILY BREAD : DON'T LOSE HEART

[cimi]

FRIDAY JUNE 12


DON'T LOSE HEART

READ:
Galatians 6:9
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In due season we
shall reap if we do
not lose heart.
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Cooking can become tedious work when I do it three times a day, week after week. I get tired of peeling, cutting, slicing, mixing, and then waiting for food to bake, grill, or boil. But eating is never tedious! It's actually something we truly enjoy even though we do it day after day.

Paul used the illustration of sowing and reaping because he knew that doing good can be tiring (GAL. 6:7010). He wrote, "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (v. 9). It's difficult to love our enemies, discipline our children, or pray without ceasing. However, reaping the good we have sown isn't tedious! What a joy when we do get to see love conquering strife, or children following God's ways, or answers to prayer.

While the cooking process can take hours, my family usually finishes a meal in 20 minutes or less. But the reaping that Paul talks about will be eternal. As we have the opportunity, let's do what is good and wait for the blessings in God's timing. Don't lose heart today as you go about following God's ways. Remember that joy is guaranteed for more than a lifetime.

**Dear Lord, help me not to become weary of doing good today.
I'm thankful that some day I will be with You for a
joy-filled eternity!
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Keep running the race with eternity in view.

**************************Today's Bible Reading __ Galatians 6:1-10***************************
1 Brethren, If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who
are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness,
considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one
another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For
if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing,
he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work,
and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in
another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things
with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man
sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will
of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will
from the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary
while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not
lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good
to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The churches of Galatia, a province in ancient
Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), were recipients of this
emotionally charged letter from Paul. He had founded these
churches (GAL. 1:8; 4:13, 19), yet they had fallen away from the gospel
of grace that he had preached to them. Instead, they had begun
embracing a blend of the gospel and legalistic Judaism. Because
grace (rooted in God's kindness) and legalism (rooted in our
performance) are incompatible, Paul responded with this letter in
which he expresses deep concern for their spiritual condition.