Romans 5:1-5
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Hope, just the sound of the word reminds me that even in the darkness of life, Jesus light shimmers. My friend Nancy is a cancer survivor; she has been in remission from lymphoma for about three years. Most days on her jacket, she pins the word HOPE. She knows from experience that suffering brings perseverance that perseverance grows character, and that character opens our eyes to hope.
We wonder why the bad things happen, especially to good people; the only reason I know is that we live in a world filled with sin. Even as our hearts break from sin and sadness, we can rejoice that God’s power, love and hope outweigh anything that Satan pushes our way. As God’s children we have the Holy Spirit to call on, who guides us and protects us and helps pick up the pieces of this difficult life.
May God bless you this week as he makes his presence known in your life.
Life without encouragement is like cheerios without milk. The round circles of oats just sit on the bottom of the bowl. Add the milk and they are lifted to the top.
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