Category: Published

Romans 5:1-5 NIV  Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-6 PHILLIPS   Since then it is by faith that we are justified, let us grasp the fact that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of grace, and here we take our stand, in happy certainty of the glorious things he has for us in the future. This doesn’t mean, of course, that we have only a hope of future joys—we can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. Taken in the right spirit these very things will give us patient endurance; this in turn will develop a mature character, and a character of this sort produces a steady hope, a hope that will never disappoint us. Already we have some experience of the love of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us.

Observation

“Wait just a doggone minute!  Isn’t this Christian life supposed to be full of peace, joy and blessing?  What is Paul talking about – “we also glory in our suffering”?  I wasn’t told I was signing up for all that character building!!”  How many of us have said this to God in one way or another?  We find it easy to rejoice when He displays His sovereignty, moving in favor and power on our behalf or when He blesses us through the generosity and kindness of another; however, “glorying in our suffering” is an entirely different matter.  Didn’t the sacrifice of Jesus overcome the world?  Jesus never promised us an easy life (John 16:33) but He did promise that we would have His peace and His presence to go with us through whatever comes.

The Jews of Jesus’ time blamed their suffering and trials (poverty, sickness, and so on) on God’s disfavor or punishment – what you did or were brought down His wrath.  “What did I do or not do to displease God and bring this down on me?  How did I go wrong?  What ritual can I perform to fix this?  I am just too bad to be redeemed.”  Jesus teaches us that those in Christ who go there do not understand God’s heart.  In Christ there can be no separation from the very love of God (Romans 8:38-39 NIV).  Our position in Him is not about what we have done but rather about what Jesus did for us. He provided grace, salvation, redemption – period and all for free.    

Sufferings and trials sometimes come through God’s faith-building plan (see Acts) but always result from our own foolish choices or our enemy, the devil.  If we don’t understand the nature of the relationship we have in Christ with God, we will be tempted to surrender to the despair and deterioration the devil’s efforts are working in us and the world around us, causing us to live in defeat rather than victory.

Paul teaches us here that enduring and persevering in faith with God through difficult times is one way we confirm that we understand His heart and this new covenant in Christ.  As we grow in character by exercising our faith, we demonstrate our gratitude for His grace, our trust in what He has promised, and personally enforce the defeat of the devil won for us in our own lives on the Cross by Jesus.  Paul tells us to glory in our sufferings because it strengthens our faith in God’s presence, goodness, mercy and provision; it fills us with boundless hope and trust in God’s will and purpose being fulfilled in our lives.

Impact on Me

I think about when my daughter was born. I did not rejoice in the labor but I did glory in the result. I imagine it is similar for athletes, students and others who invest much hard work and many hours into achieving their goals. The investment of time, energy and “suffering” are worth the result. So, saying “Yes” to God (staying the course, seeking His guidance, continuing in prayer and the Word) when things in life go desperate, catawampus or topsy-turvy is part of the plan to equip me to be who I am called to be in order to do what I am called to do. God is giving me (and you) the opportunity to build strong character – whether in blessing or sacrifice – that will provide hope that never disappoints. 

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”  (Romans 15:13 NLT).  No matter the reason for the challenging or difficult path (God’s plan, the devil’s contriving or my own folly), I have the confidence that Jesus goes with me and, as I let Him, He will lead me with grace and truth to grow in faith and fulfill God’s will and purpose for me and my life.

Prayer

Lord God, You are Wisdom itself and the source of true love.  I want to stop complaining about my circumstances so I can hear Your voice guiding me through them. I want to allow You to determine the best character-building exercise for me, knowing that as I do the work, You will build the muscle of my faith and hope. I want to increasingly recognize Your presence with me in all circumstances so I will depend increasingly less on myself and ever more on You.  I want my question to be “What do You have for me to do here?” rather than “What did I do to deserve this?!”  May I always remember that Jesus agreed to go to the Cross for my sake so I will never question the cost to me when You ask me to be a sacrifice. Build that character in me that rebounds in faith and never loses hope. In Jesus’ name, make it so.

Proverbs 20:5 MSG Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.

Observation

Knowing what is right in any circumstance is the first hurdle.  How many times do we immediately run off to execute our fix, our solution, for a challenge?  “I know what you need to do!”  However, our fix, our solution, may be temporary, ineffective or harmful because it is based solely on our own limited perspective, knowledge and understanding.  Finding what is right for myself or others takes time and effort to filter through all the options the mind and heart present.  So many of the options will be colored and influenced by my personal experience/perspective or how much my pride, position, power and influence will be impacted – what it might cost me personally.  If I make the decision regarding what is right to do without drawing on the ethics, values and standards of God’s Word, aren’t I just like those in the book of Judges who did what seemed right in their own eyes?  That didn’t work out so well.

What is truly right in any situation is only confirmed by having a well within that is filled with the water of the Word.  This water is made sweet and full of God’s truth by spending time in the Word and prayer, listening for God’s wisdom and instruction, hearing the counsel of Godly people, and just plain waiting on the Holy Spirit to confirm and bring peace to our souls and spirits regarding what God would have us do.  The second hurdle is to choose to do it!

Impact on Me

I know these are right for me:

It is always right to sacrifice my pride, position, and power on the altar to do what is necessary to fulfill God’s will and purpose – no matter the cost to me.

It is always right to be honest, living truthfully, before God and others, not appearing to be something I am not.

It is always right to be submitted to the authority God has placed over me – not insisting on my own way, but trusting God to give wisdom and direction to those He has placed in authority over me.

It is always right to speak the truth in love and choose to have faith to allow God to be responsible for the results.

It is always right to forgive personal offense while doing what is necessary to protect the innocent or those who are under my care – even if that causes conflict or makes me offensive.

It is always right to seek godly counsel before setting my plans in motion – even if that counsel does not change my course.  Hearing what I don’t want to hear or being pointed in a direction I don’t want to go or considering another perspective allows me to weigh it all so I will know that I have truly and clearly heard from God before I launch out.

It is always right to wisely use the gifts, talents, abilities, resources and counsel God has supplied me to help me be a valuable member of the team/church community He has formed to execute His plan and do His work.

Prayer

Holy One, Lord God, Wisdom Itself, Helper, Teacher, Lover of my soul, I submit myself to You without reservation.  Confirm in me what you would have me do and be in this season of my life.  I do not want to act out of any personal motive; I only want to act according to Your will, purpose, wisdom, Word.  Help me to allow You by Your Word and prayer to deepen the pool within me so I may draw from its depths the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, grace, strength and peace I need.  Speak to my heart so clearly that I will have no question in me regarding what to say and do as we go forward.  I am willing to be a sacrifice if that is what it takes.  I love You, Lord, with all my heart. In Jesus’ name, make it so.

Romans 2:28-29 (Phillips)  – I   have come to  the conclusion  that  a  true  Jew is not  the  man  who is merely  a  Jew outwardly,  and  a  real  circumcision  is not  just  a  matter  of  the  body.  The true Jew is one who belongs to God in heart, a man whose circumcision is not just an outward physical affair but is a God-made sign upon the heart and soul, and results in a life lived not for the approval of man, but for the approval of God.

Observation

This evidence of a “true Jew” has not changed.  The physical act of circumcision was intended to be physical evidence of a God-made sign on the heart and soul, evidence of living for the approval of God alone.  In Christ, our circumcision is of the heart.  Our physical evidence is how we represent the love and grace of Jesus in the way we live out our lives. 

We can’t be Christian in name only, acting piously in the company of other Christians, but no differently than the world around unbelievers.  We shame God and make a mockery of the Gospel if we do.  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45) and the man acts.  So, looking good is not good enough (that life lived for “the approval of man”).  Our motives and heart behind what we do will be exposed as they are reflected in our actions. 

Impact on Me

I was talking with someone about worship and how it must be 24/7 and motivated by a heart of gratitude, not duty driven or to fit in with the crowd. The conversation has set me to thinking.  Worship should not be something I feel I owe but rather something that flows freely from my gratitude for my redemption.  True worship is more than singing or spending time in the Word.  True worship is when I honor my God, Father, Son and Spirit, by living a life that reflects His heart, His will, His purposes, no matter the cost to me. 

The King of kings and Lord of lords has His eyes on us all; can I believe that He sees me (can you?)?  Can I truly embrace that the Creator of the universe would even know who I am, and even die for me (can you?)?   He owes us nothing.  We are born at fault for our predicament, our circumstances.  He could have left us unredeemed, but He chose to reclaim us.  Those who are circumcised of the heart, full of gratitude for this unfailing Love, live a life of true worship, and their circumcision is evident to all.

Prayer

Lord God, Redeemer, Helper and Lover of my soul, I worship You.  Work in me to make that circumcision of the heart evident in my life so that others may come to know You because they meet You in me.  Mold and shape me so I will see with Your eyes past the outward appearance to the soul in anguish, scarred by life, needing Your healing.  Fill my heart with Your compassion, Your grace, Your goodness so all I do will be true worship to You.  Make it so, in Jesus’ name. 

Joshua 1:8-9 (NLT) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Observation

This simple instruction from 1000’s of years ago has not changed and God is as faithful in this promise now as He was then.  It is so simple that it seems too good to be true – just be obedient to follow God’s instructions laid out for us in His Word to find success!  This is when our humanity, culture and heritage kick in, and we begin to meditate on things such as: 

• Surely prosperity and success is at least as dependent on the work, initiative and creativity invested on our part.
• Surely we need to always consider common sense and human experience first to determine the risks of stepping out in faith on God’s Word alone.
• Surely we must update this ancient command and interpret it to fit our current culture.
• Surely God has not said/did not mean… (Seems to me this was first suggested in an ancient garden by a sneaky snake).

This passage in Joshua does not tell us not to plan, not to work hard and diligently, not to use our gifts, talents and experience to accomplish what He has set before us to do.  This passage does tell us to study and meditate on God’s Word so we can be courageous knowing that obedience to His Word and submitting our gifts, talents and abilities to His plan are the ways to guarantee prosperity and success – in life, in ministry, in all we do.

Impact on Me

I must confess that I have been guilty of the folly of trying to improve God’s plans for me.  I have been foolish enough to limit God to what I think is possible.  I have adapted or updated the interpretation of His Word to make me more comfortable in obeying it. Like Eve, so many times, I have allowed myself to be deceived into questioning God’s instructions, wisdom, intent and meaning or into rationalizing that my plan might improve on His.  Like Eve, I have always found that to be a bad choice with many unpleasant repercussions.  

God knows what I am thinking before I ever act on my thoughts.  As I study and meditate on His Word, He reveals Himself – Who He is, how He works, what His heart is for all of His creation.  He wants me to embrace His Word so that I can have the courage and confidence to be what He is calling me to be and do what He is calling me to do.  He is asking me to trust Him and His plan made before the Earth was created – one with no flaws, no unexpected repercussions.  His plan will not fail even if I do.

Prayer

Lord God, Creator, Eternal, All-Wise, All-Knowing God, ever to be praised.  Thank You, God, for inventing repentance, redemption and restoration so that my foolishness, my sin, my rebellion, can die and be buried in Your mercy, grace and love.  You have proven over and over again that Your Word, Your promises, and Your ability, power and faithfulness to keep Your promises to those who choose to obey are the same yesterday, today and forever.  Lord, may I embrace Your Word so I can become strong, courageous and wise enough to choose to obey without question.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.