Romans 5:2b-5 Hope and Sufferings and Hope….and Love

Read Romans 5:2b-5.

Since our faith is in Jesus Christ and that gives us hope - the hope of eternity with Him, the hope of His Spirit guiding us each and every day, the hope that He is in control, the hope that the Enemy does not win in the end and receives his punishment - then we can rejoice. We know our future and it is fantastic!

But for now, we suffer. Now there are varying levels of suffering and if you are looking here for an answer to that one, I do not have it. Jim and I always say we are blessed beyond what we deserve because we have not had to suffer much at all. Our difficulties have been light compared to what so many others have endured. Would I want to trade places with others less fortunate to diminish a sense of guilt over an "easier" life? Not really. Do I wish there was less suffering in the world? Absolutely! Some have brought the suffering on themselves by the choices they have made, but many have just had to endure living in a fallen world where suffering exists. And it will continue to exist and in fact get worse befor it gets better.

One of the hopes through suffering is as I stated above, it will not endure forever because we know one day the Enemy will be stopped. But that also may not happen in our lifetime. So we must persevere, but we do not do it alone.

Another hope in suffering is that God promises that He is molding and shaping us into the people He needs us to be to serve Him best. Isaiah 64:2 says:

"Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."

There is so much hope in that there is truly a purpose to our life, even in our suffering. We are being made into a better version of ourself if we allow perseverance to grow within us….if we let that perseverance develop our character, and the person we are is then our hope to endure to the end faithful and committed to following our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Therefore, we can rejoice in our sufferings. Not because of them, but in them. For we know that we are not alone in this journey of suffering or health for God has "poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (vs 5)

The shaping and molding of our humble clay bodies through suffering is not enjoyable. Sometimes it comes with a pain we simply do not believe we can endure. But through the power of the presence of the Holy Spirit, we can. His love endures forever, and by His power, we can, too.

Father, suffering is a part of our life because we chose to rebel against You. Thank You, that even in the suffering there is joy and hope because You have a much bigger plan for us. Help us to persevere, grow in character and hope, and remain in the power of Your love. So be it.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read Job and his encounter with suffering.
2. How does positivity affect our outlook on our suffering? How do we remain positive in suffering?
3. How can you give hope to those who are suffering more than you?

Judges 6:25-32 "Take a Stand"

"Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height." ~Judges 6:25-26

Gideon's family had taken to worshiping foreign gods, and God wanted Gideon to do something about it. He must tear their altars down and build new ones to the one, true God. Gideon did it, but he was so afraid of what his family would think, he tore them down at night. He still had some growing to do in his trust of God, but he was experiencing a very real human fear of rejection for his beliefs and for following God's ways.

We're experiencing the same things today. We're not tearing down Asherah poles -- at least I haven't lately. But there are other altars that have been built into our lives that we must tear down and replace with the altar of the one, true God. Maybe we have allowed the god of complacency to enter into our lives. Or the deceiver. What about laziness or anger. Maybe it's a person who is taking all our time and thoughts. Maybe an activity or hobby. Sometimes very innocuous activities that in and of themselves are fine can begin to take a top drawer position in our priorities. There are all kinds of "gods" we allow to take over our lives and maybe we don't even realize it is happening. But when we allow those things to creep in, we are slowing and surely, pushing God aside.

Our God is a jealous God. He does not take being replaced lightly. The very first commandment God gave to Moses was, "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3) Too often we hear that and think, "Well, I don't worship other gods. I worship just God. I go to church; I pray to God." But whenever we place anyone or anything above God in our hearts, we are worshiping that person or thing. God must take top priority in our lives -- in all our thoughts, actions, motives, emotions, decisions..... He wants to be in every part of our being. And if he isn't, He will encourage us to tear down the altars and build the right one.

He may demand our respect and attention, but it is for our own good. If He is not Lord of our life, if anything else steps in the place where He belongs, we are choosing a path that is outside of His will. It may be unpopular, but we must take a stand. He will be Lord with or without me. I choose to stand with Him.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do you stand for God and His truth, or are you letting other things take priority?
2. What causes us to veer away from standing firmly with God?
3. How can we prevent straying from placing God first in our life?
4. What price do I need to pay to stand with God? Am I willing?

Father, I believe it is going to get harder and harder to stand with You. The world's philosophy is like a giant magnet enticing me to attach and conform. But my heart remains with You. Keep me close, Father. Even though it may be difficult, help me to stand in Your truth and as Your servant. Amen.

2 Peter 1:1-11 "Adding to Faith, Part 1"

Read 2 Peter 1:1-11.

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." NIV

Peter, towards the end of his life, continues addressing the scattered congregation of believers. While Peter's first letter encouraged the believers to remain strong through persecution, his second letter focuses on dealing with false teachers and evildoers within the church. Both letters call believers to a deeper and truer walk with the Lord.

Whether we face outside opposition or internal invasion, the strength of the whole comes down to the devotion of the parts. Each believer is called to faith and action and when each one does so in increasing measure, the power of the body increases. 

To grow as a believer Peter tells us how to "participate in the divine nature" in verse 5. "Make every effort to add to your faith..."

"goodness:" If we are turning from the evil that was prevalent in our life before Christ and that is still dominating the world today, we will go toward the opposite action to that of goodness. Goodness requires a self-sacrifice that evil does not encourage. It looks out for others before self and desires the greater good over self-satisfaction.

"to goodness, knowledge:" Here is the part about studying His Word. When we focus on His Words, we can learn more about Him, His nature, how He works. When we know more about who God is, we know more about His nature that lives within us and about what is expected of us. The other amazing part about being in His Word is the way His Spirit uses the Word to speak directly into our lives. The Logos becomes our Rema. What an amazing and supernatural form of communication. The trick is.... we have to answer the call.

"to knowledge, self-control:" The temptation to be pulled back into the ways of the world is tremendous. Most of the time, we won't even realize what is happening. It may begin small -- some selfish act or attitude that we allow to creep into our thinking. Then as we nurture that selfishness, it grows and grows eventually taking over our entire worldview and God-view. We filter all of life not through the eyes of the Father, but through how life will affect us. Everything we do runs through that self-absorbed filter and brings us back to an indulgent attitude on life. But we must keep our self-control -- not succumb to the temptations that attempt to pull us back to the life we used to live -- and remain on our guard at all times. You'd think resisting would get easier with time, but remember we are dealing with a cunning enemy. If we are onto him in one area, he'll just change his tactics and attack in another unexpected arena. He never stops trying, so our eyes must always be focused on the Truth to recognize the lies when they come our way.

"to self-control, perseverance:" No one ever said the Christian walk is easy. It is a constant battle to be in a minority and opposing everything around you at all times, and stay true to your calling. This is where the rubber meets the road. Are you going to "stand firm, steadfast" as Peter admonishes in 1 Peter 5:12 or will you waver and slip back into your old ways? Jesus never promised an easy life of luxury and comfort. In fact, He promised just the opposite. He said that we will have trials of every kind. But if we can keep our focus on the true prize; if we can keep our eyes on Jesus and His ways, we can make it through. Our time here -- in good times and in difficult ones -- is very short. We are just a scratch on the rope of eternity. But our lives in paradise are forever and forever. I can take a little trouble here to receive eternity with the Father.

Part 2 on Monday.

Further Thoughts:

1. Which one, if any, of these areas listed so far are the most difficult for you? Why? What do you need to change in your thinking, actions, or attitudes to be in line Scripturally with what God chooses for you to increase your faith?
   
2. Find an Old Testament person that maintained each of these attributes well. What was different about them? How did they keep their focus?
   

James 1:1-4 "Joy in Trials - A Faith-Builder"

Read James 1:1-4.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers...." NIV

James, the brother of Jesus, identifies himself as a servant of God. In the Greek that is a slave or bondservant. A much stronger word than our word "servant" implies. And he is a servant of "the Lord" Jesus Christ. Not just Jesus Christ. James is acknowledging the deity and sovereignty of Jesus Christ. Lordship means that Christ is over all James does and all he is. James is surrendered completely to Christ's leading. (He wasn't at first, but he certainly is now.)

The Dispersion is referring to the scattering of the Jewish believers. This Dispersion happened after Christ's death and resurrection when the Jewish Christians were scattered out among the Gentiles. As the head of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, James wanted to encourage and instruct his people who were living in foreign lands among foreign customs and beliefs.

James begins with joy in trials. Not happiness in trials -- we are never told we have to be happy about difficulties. Happiness is an emotion associated with circumstances. Joy is a choice made deep within our spirit. That's really the only way to have joy in trials -- seeing them as a passing moment that will not rob me of the hope God has given me.

However, trials do test our faith. They push us to the point of once again deciding, do I believe God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. (Beth Moore's Believing God) Can I trust in His promises to always be with me through everything I face; to never give me more than I can handle; to hear my cries; to hold me in my distress?

I love that word, "steadfastness." The NAS says it even better, "endurance." And the KJV says, "patience." All these words infer longevity, hope, and commitment. The more our faith is tested and we maintain the integrity of our beliefs through it, the stronger is our commitment to continue through whatever the enemy throws at us. That's why we have joy in trials. They may not be any fun now, but if I handle them with the grace and tenacity that my Lord gives me, I will come out the other side a stronger servant for Him -- one that will go the long haul. That's the person that God wants to use for His mission to the people of this world. He needs the trial endurers that possess an unwavering faith so that when the storms come, they will stand.

Oh my Lord, I will joy in my trials as long as it makes me a more faithful servant of You.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read more on James (see dictionary entries on right-hand column), the brother of Jesus.
2. Read about Job. No one knew trials more than he did. How did his faith increase because he persevered?
3. What trials are you facing now? Are you handling them in a way that will increase your faith, or destroy it?