September 18 – One Develops Another

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  Romans 5:3-5 (NASB)

Our verse is from the book of Romans, a letter written by Paul to the faith believers in Rome.  Paul hoped to go to Rome as some time in his future. Eventually he does but not as a free man. Paul faced many tribulations (sufferings) in his life and here he says we are to exult (rejoice) when they come. This passage presents a chain of results or effects for us when we obediently rejoice in our sufferings.  Like the book of James instructs us to consider it all joy when trials come in our path. (James 1:2-4). Here, we should already know that tribulations are an opportunity to persevere in our faith. That proves our character which brings a hope that does not disappoint or cause us shame because it will always be fulfilled.  How do we know hope from tribulations and trials won’t make us appear silly, or put us to shame?  We know because it comes from the love poured out and into our hearts from God’s Holy Spirit.  It is He who has given us the opportunity to rejoice in  tribulations. We have a bundled blessing. Sufferings produces Perseverance produces Proven Character produces Sure Hope.

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November 13 – Believe Because It's Worth It

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”  -  James 1:2-3 (NIV)

If there is any promise that is difficult to live with it may well be the promise we have for today.  The promise is that our faith, when it is tested, can produce perseverance.  Our faith will get stronger, larger, and more powerful as we exercise it when facing trying and difficult challenges in our life.  But such growth is not possible without facing the trials and testings which God allows to come into our lives. James, the half brother of Jesus knew what this meant.  He knew about testing and perseverance of faith.  If we then know that the testing we encounter and the trials we endure make our faith stronger, it makes sense to view them with the kind of joy we looked at yesterday.  The joy Jesus had as he went to the cross for us because He knew the result was worth the difficult and awful, but necessary, death He had to go through to get the result.   

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July 23 – The Promised Holy Spirit

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,”  Ephesians 6:18 (NASB)

Sometimes when we read a verse like this, we might question where the promise is found?  We believe promises are included in every passage in scripture that speaks of God's involvement with humankind.  Since verse numbering can disrupt the original content flow and since they were applied long after the scriptures were written, we do find verses that might not contain a promise.  But our verse today does have a promise for us. It reminds us of the ways that the Holy Spirit of God has been promised to help us in our Christian lives.  We receive the Holy Spirit when we believe in Jesus as our Savior.  One important promise is the ministry which He performs to help us in our praying.  The Holy Spirit prompts us to pray and what to pray for. We pray to remain alert and we pray for the preservation of each other in Christ's church – the family of God and body of believers.  We know the promise that God is listening and hears our prayers helped by the Holy Spirit who is our guide in this life.

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June 1 – Sustaining Good Actions

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)

We are all susceptible to getting tired.  Today's verse is an encouragement to not get tired of doing what God has given us to do, that is, doing good and not evil.  Our thoughts, words, actions are all watched over by God.  He has a purpose he has given to us and we persevere in that purpose.   When we believed and received the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life, we were bought into God's family.  This is the result of our salvation bought by the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross.  As children of God and members of His family, God wants us to show this relationship by our actions toward other members of this great family.  God wants us to do good, especially to other believers and to not get tired doing good.  We are promised a reward if we persevere.  Be on the look-out, be alert for the opportunities to do good to everyone.  Be especially intentional of doing good for the brothers and sisters in Christ who are part of the family of God.    

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July 13 – Encouragement Brings Hope

“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:14 (NASB)

The purpose of this daily blog is to find encouragement from the Bible each day and inspiration for living.  But this process is something that has been going on long before any of this communication technology was invented.   Notice that the apostle Paul writes about receiving encouragement from the Scriptures.  And he wrote that not only for himself because he knew that way before his time people were finding instruction and were being encouraged as they read the Old Testament Scriptures.  Paul also meant all his friends who were also encouraged as they read, or heard other read the Scriptures.  Yes, even before Bibles were printed people would gather and received encouragement as God's Word was read from the scrolls.  And so even today you and I find encouragement from God's Word, don't we?  The final promised result is important – encouragement of Scriptures brings us hope.   We are promised that result and it's a good reason to read and listen to the Scriptures.

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