We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬9 HCSB

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We all face pressure, perplexity, persecution, and striking blows, but if we are abiding in Christ then we will not be crushed, despaired, abandoned, and destroyed. So then why are we not seeing the manifested glory of God in our everyday lives? Could it be we are not in Christ as we should be? Or has all that power left the church because we no longer need it?

To those who would say that the manifested presence of Jesus has left the church because we no longer need it, I would say they are wrong. To go a step farther I would say we need it more now than Paul did.

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person.  A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial: to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of languages, to another, interpretation of languages. But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills.
1 Corinthians 12:4‭-‬11 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/1co.12.4-11.HCSB

Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy. For the person who speaks in another language is not speaking to men but to God, since no one understands him; however, he speaks mysteries in the Spirit.  But the person who prophesies speaks to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation.
1 Corinthians 14:1‭-‬3 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/1co.14.1-3.HCSB

The gifts of the spirit are still needed in the church. We cannot throw them out because we disagree with one or all of them. After all, God has spoken it and it will not fail. 

We are facing times here in America and around the world where the church is going to come under greater attacks than we have ever known. So that we who are in Christ will no longer just be verbally persecuted, but we will be physically persecuted. So are we ready to stand up with Jesus or will we denounce Him before our accusers, judges, and governors? When we denounce Him in the hard times we will then be crushed, abandoned, stuck down, and despised. But when we stand with Him through it all then we will be lifted up, strengthened, built-up, and empowered.

For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:38 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/mrk.8.38.HCSB

We all face pressure, perplexity, persecution, and striking blows but what will your response be to them? Will you let them destroy you? Or will you decide to stand up for Jesus and not be destroyed? You can be better or you can be bitter it is your choice.

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