Visible v.s. Invisible

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

God never said life would be easy, but, in a way, trails are good because they test us. They make us work and suffer, which helps us look forward to the "eternal glory." God wants us to have a rich inheritance in heaven.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:10-11

God wants us to receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord. He wants us to bear through the sufferings of life and then have the joy of rewarding us forever. Keep in mind that suffering does not always equal a heavenly reward. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen" We have to focus on Jesus when things get bad, not worldly things.
If you set your mind on yourself, your circumstances, or human wisdom you will only frustrate yourself. This kind of approach to life does not bring eternal blessings. We must focus on the unseen things because "what is unseen is eternal."

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
2 Thessalonians 2:16

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Unseen things are what God gives us through grace.
We have to depend on God. The Christian life is lived by faith in God. Our afflictions are turned into eternal glory by looking to the grace of God during our difficulties and having faith that he will help us.

For we live by faith, not by sight. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:7-8

Sources:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/dbdbg/view.cfm

Photo Credit:
http://brotherdismas.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html

Daily Reminders #16

Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:8-9

Photo Credit:

https://plus.google.com/photos/101903912947951995404/albums/5878864637279833633/5878864639510002018?pid=5878864639510002018&oid=101903912947951995404

Our Treasure

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Christians are just ordinary jars of clay, but what makes us so extraordinary is what’s on the inside. I like the first sentence. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” We are nothing, and that’s why it’s so amazing that God gives us his treasure. What God has done is obviously not the works of us. We’re just a pot. It’s obviously from God. And this treasure is much more valuable than silver or gold, it’s Jesus Christ himself.

God has given us his treasure and it’s the best treasure out there, but thieves will try to take away your treasure Satan wants you to crumble, but we are never crushed. A clay pot is weak, but through the treasure, Jesus, we are able to withstand the pressures of life.

Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2b-3

As a Christian, you will face tough decisions and impossible issues, but our treasure will be our counselor. Jesus protects us from hopelessness.

... God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5b

Persecutions are included in the process. We will be accused, misunderstood, and have lies told about us, but we know that Jesus will never abandon us.

They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.

Psalm 18:18

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Mathew 11:28

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:29-31

Bad stuff will happen too. We will be “struck down, but not destroyed.” Life may feel like it’s overwhelming you, but Jesus will still be there to bear the burdens with us.

The bible never said life as a Christian would be easy and I fill you with lies if I tried to say that being a Christian would be. Life will be hard, but the amazingness of Jesus Christ will help us survive. Life comes at us like an overpowering tank and there is hope for survival with anything man has to offer. There is no earthly way a clay pot can overpower a tank, but with Jesus there is nothing a tank can do to destroy you. There will be challenges, but with Jesus you can withstand the pressures of life.

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist  which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.

1 John 4:2-5

Sources:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/dbdbg/view.cfm?Date=05/22

A Free Heart

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, LORD; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.
Psalm 119:30-39

As a Christian, God sets our heart free from sin, distractions, and anything we put above God. The only reason we can obey God is because he frees us.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
This author is talking about anything we have above God. Since this author is talking about something bad. I get this idea because it's something that this person wants remove. Of course, it doesn't need to be bad, it could be something that gets in his way and the author feels he would be better off without this worthless thing. And by reading the earlier verses "Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart." This guy has already said he wants to follow God's rules. I think it makes sense to think that he's talking about something bad, or something that's not bad in itself, but it was getting in his way of worshiping God. 
I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding...Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
God sets our heart free. Our heart is imprisoned by sin and guilt, but God sets us free from that. Even before before God sent Jesus to die for us, he still gave people the option of having a free heart. God wants you to have a free heart too.
Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.
This author fears disgrace. He wants promises fulfilled and God to be feared. He says that God's laws are good. Every last one of them. I think the author of the song wants to make sure there is nothing between him and God. No fear, no sin. The author wants to make sure he's doing what's right.
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
The song writer wants understanding, as we all should. If you ask for understanding or wisdom, God will give it to you (James 1:5). So if you lack wisdom, then ask God for it. That is one thing God will give you.

Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways...Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 199:2-3;5-11