Rejoice in Hope
We have been going through Romans 12 verse by verse at our church and understanding how a gospel-centered community should live. I so enjoyed it and wanted to share a bit of it with you today. Hope it resonates in your spirit too:)
Rejoice in Hope, be patient in tribulation and be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
Rejoice?…really? How can I possibly
rejoice, my job is changing and my income is being cut in half. How can I be
full of joy…my doctor just said that I have this issue that is going to alter
the course of my life. You must read the entire phrase…REJOICE IN HOPE…you would never be expected to be thrilled by
disappointing news and behavior but when you lean into Christ…when you exchange
your weakness and humanity for his strength and divinity…there will be a
change: maybe not in your circumstances but there will be a change in YOU!
Christ IN YOU is the HOPE of glory. My hope is built on nothing less than
Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I frame my thinking with the understanding that
Christ is in control and no matter what it may look like to me, He is all that
I need in the trouble. That empowers me for the next part…
be PATIENT IN
TRIBULATION
Nobody wants pain to last a long time. There isn’t a
person in here that prays for more challenges!(that is unless they are praying
for patience) Patience is built from the trying of your faith so if you are
praying for more patience, you may just get more trials! Patience and
Perseverance are interchangeably in scripture…perhaps because sometimes you feel like you are at the end
of your rope and you just need to tie a knot and hold on. Hold on till
hope rises in you. Jesus said in this world you would have tribulation…but he
didn’t leave us hanging…he said be of good cheer(rejoice)….why? Because I have
overcome the world. Not just the trouble, Jesus said I’ve overcome the world in which
trouble shows up! So how do I hold on?
BE CONSTANT IN
PRAYER
Stay in touch. Your power and guidance will come from a life filled with
prayer. We need to move out of this mode of just a prayer time to a life that is
constantly laced with conversations with God. Talk to him throughout the day. Be engaged!
Pretty great advice for how to get along in this life. Rejoice together. Be patient together. Pray together. Have an amazing day! #rejoiceinhope
