Post by mommadee48 on Jan 31, 2023 16:24:22 GMT -5
THE FRUIT of PERSEVERANCE: By Charles Stanley; (READ: 2CORINTHAINS 4).
THE APOSTLE PAUL OFTEN WROTE ABOUT PERSEVERANCE.
If anyone demonstrated endurance, it was Paul. He urged believers to not tire of following Christ, even when persecuted.
Consider the awesome harvest that resulted from the apostle's faithfulness.
Do you realize how impactful your life is?
Don't be deceived by Satan's lie that your suffering or obedience will amount to nothing. Your faithfulness to God never goes to waste. Paul didn't know the extent of the fruit God would produce through his steadfast obedience. Neither can you gauge how the Lord will use you. So don't lose heart. Keep your focus on eternal things, not the hardships of this life.
THE DAILY WORD: (READ SCRIPTURES: ROMANS CHAPTER 5:6-8, CHAPTER5:10-11, CHAPTER 11:15, 2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-19, AND 1 CORINTHIANS 7:11).
THIS IS REAL LOVE:
"I felt like the rug had been pulled from under me, "Jojie said. "The shock of the discovery was like a physical blow." She'd found out that her fiance' was seeing someone else. So when she later heard about God's love at a Bible study, she couldn't help wonder:
Is this another scam?
Will I get hurt if I believe God when He says He loves me?
We may have experienced troubled relationships that left us feeling wary---or even afraid---of trusting anyone that promised love. We may even feel this way about God's love, wondering where the catch is. There is no catch. "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us".
Whenever we wonder whether we can truly trust God's love, let's remember what Christ did for us on the cross. We can trust HIS promises of love, knowing that HE's faithful.
Reconciliation restores those who've been alienated. Paul uses the word reconciled more than any other New Testament author.
Today's passage highlights the necessity of Jesus' death for our reconciliation to God. But that isn't the end. Our reconciliation through HIS death leads to our salvation through HIS life. Paul writes, "How much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through HIS life!" We have been reconciled and we shall be saved. Paul says that both death of Jesus and His resurrected life are necessary to our salvation.
When or why have you found it difficult to trust God's love?
How can knowing Jesus, died for you change your response?
Pray this prayer (if you wish). Dear Father, thank you for Your son's great love that He showed me by dying for me. Let Your love change me, heal me, and direct my relationships.
In Jesus/amen.