file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread/: db940626.txt
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Our Daily Bread                                      Sunday, June 26 1994
                        WORKING ON THE INSIDE

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being
renewed day by day. -- 2 Corinthians 4:16

It was a typical summer Sunday evening service. People were scattered through-
out the 500 seat auditorium. There was testimony time, and several people
spoke up, sharing from their hearts what God had done.

Then Buddy stood and talked. He was grateful that he could be in church. When
he told us that even though he didn't have a ride he was glad he was able to
walk the mile or so to church, you could hear the others respond in surprise.
On this Sunday night when so many others had found reasons to stay away from
church, Buddy had come alone, one dark step at a time. Buddy is blind.

We can learn a lot from him. He struggles to do things we can do with little
effort, but often neglect. He is more aware perhaps than those of us without
physical disabilities that "our outward man is perishing" (2 Cor. 4:16), so
he works hard at feeding his "inward man" by meeting with other believers.
He knows what the apostle Paul knew: It is only through a strong reliance on
the Lord that we can succeed in our Christian life.

Buddy did not lose heart when he had to walk to church in his blindness. May
his example help us to stop letting outward things halt our inner growth.
--JDB

                 If we seek His hand to guide us
                 And His power to make us strong,
                 He will help us fight life's battles
                 And will fill our heart with song. --Stott

Bible in one year: Joel 1-3

Thought for the day:

Discipleship requires discipline.

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