--"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." ---(2 Corinthians 4:16)--
~~~~The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is a spectacular building. Its architecture is spellbinding, and its stained-glass windows and beautiful interior features are breathtaking. But after centuries of towering over the Paris landscape, it needed renovation—which had begun when a devastating fire caused extensive damage to the glorious old building.
So the people who love this eight-century-old landmark are coming to its rescue. More than a billion dollars has been raised to restore the building. The stone structure must be shored up. The damaged interior and its prized artifacts need to be repaired. The effort is worthwhile, though, because for many this ancient cathedral stands as a symbol of hope.
What’s true of buildings is also true of us. Our bodies, like this old church, will eventually look a bit worse for wear! But as the apostle Paul explains, there’s good news: while we might gradually lose the physical vibrancy of youth, the core of who we are—our spiritual being—can be continually renewed and growing (2 Corinthians 4:16).
As “we make it our goal to please [the Lord]” (5:9), relying on the Holy Spirit to fill and transform us (3:18; Ephesians 5:18), our spiritual growth need never stop—no matter what our “building” looks like.
--ODB/DB~
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." --(Ephesians 5:8) ~--
---I KNOW BETTER, but I still keep trying. The instructions on the label are clear: "Needs full sun." Our yard has mostly shade. It is not suitable for plants that need full sun. But I like the plant. So I buy it, bring it home, plant it, and take really good care of it. But the plant is not happy! My care and attention are not enough. It needs sunlight, which I cannot provide. Plants need what they need.
And so do people. Although we can survive for a while in less-than-ideal conditions, we can't thrive. In addition to our basic physical needs, we also have spiritual needs that can't be met by any substitute.
Scripture says that believers are children of light. This means that we need to live in the full light of God's presence to thrive (Psalm 89:15). If we try to live in darkness, we will produce nothing but "fruitless deeds" (see Ephesians 5:3-4, 11). But if we are living in the light of Jesus, the Light of the World, we will produce the fruit of His light, which is good, faithful and true.. ~~
"The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are his children." --(1 John 3:1)--
~~LET ME TELL you who you are. In fact, let me proclaim who you are.
You are an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).-
You are eternal, like an angel (Luke 20:36).--
You have a crown that will last forever (1 Corinthians 9:25).
You are a holy priest (1 Peter 2:5), a treasured possession (Exodus 19:5)...
"We really are his children." As a result, if something is important to you, it's extremely important to our Creator God. But more than any of the above--more significant than any title or position--is the simple fact that you are God's child... --JESUS LOVES YOU! NEVER EVER FORGET THAT!
My care and attention are not enough. It needs sunlight, which I cannot provide. Plants need what they need. 
~~