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Friday, January 23, 2009

Faith Conquers All...

faith I have been studying the Book of Romans for a while now. Each time time I read from this awesome book, I learn something new and incredible! This book is full of gold nuggets… that is, if we take time to take in what God is trying to teach us! I have been going over chapter five of Romans for two weeks now.

I believe the Lord is telling me through His word to encourage you:

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith in this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

The peace mentioned in verse one is much more than the absence of conflict but rather, the unspeakable peace for those who have experienced that new relationship with Jesus Christ.

For those who have not this saving knowledge and a new relationship with Jesus – they remain awaiting the day of His impending wrath.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." Romans 1:18

Paul goes on to say:

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:7-8

Our relationship lost by our all being born into sin, is restored through faith in Christ, which banishes all enmity between we and He. The result is the unexplainable peace we now have - especially during times of hardship and tribulations.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we don't have to go to a mediator to have total access to our Heavenly Father. In verse two it makes it clear that we stand in His presence and He is available and immediate to hear us when we speak to Him.

I don't know about you sisters but these truths brings even more joy and peace to me. He is indeed, a harbor and place of shelter against the storms of life and coming judgment. What about you?

As we respond to tribulations by rejoicing in them we gain eternal rewards too! It is the proper response to our tribulations that really matter to our daily Christian walk. Tribulations don't always mean tragedies but it can mean additional stresses or pressures as we journey the Christian walk day to day.

In verse 3, we are reminded to glory our trials. Why? Because these tribulations produce perseverance - meaning we don't give up but rather, pressing on to something greater with God’s power to help us to do! Paul is encouraging us to endure the hardships and life's difficulties because it produces character too. Character learning to walk with grace under pressure and is another part of our Christian experience. Through all these things, we are being purified through and through.

I remember when my kids were younger, I would read a character building book to them that helped their realizing just how God builds character in their lives. Thinking back of some of the different characters gleaned from the bible, individuals such as David, Samson, Zacheeaus, Deborah and more, became real-life examples. These wonderful saints still are there for our examples too!

When we finally grasp some of these basic truths found in the scriptures; coupled with the testing and trials each of us face day to day, we emerge victorious! We possess "hope" which is based on the eternal love and power of God. This same Hope is our one day, making to our eternal heavenly home with our sweet Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

I was so excited to grasp this as I have really been digging in these few verses. What an encouragement it is, to know that what we go through and how we handle each hardship is building in us character, perseverance, peace and hope!

He is working in us what we don't know we even need! The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to endure and persevere though… so as we are building our character we look forward to the day we see our Savior face to face too. We wait to hear these words from our Jesus Christ:

"Well done thy good and faithful servant."

Romans chapter five and in fact, all of God’s Word is really helping me to understand and to handle the day to day crisis we might face as wives, mothers, and daughters.

If we decide to question our Savior, it should not be.”Why?”, but rather, “ What?”

This nugget you might want to carry with you as you walk this journey in life!

Close and Personal;

  • How do you handle the day to day crisis?
  • Do you make a point to remember through out the day where and what is our hope?
  • Have you been thankful for "character building" techniques that our Savior has used in your life?

Dear Lord,

Thank you Father for your many blessings and love you have for us your children! Thank you Father for choosing us. Lord, I want to take this time to specifically thank you for using the tribulations we face in this world to build into us perseverance and endurance in our Christian walk. As we have experienced this in our lives we have a peace that reminds us of our eternal hope Father. I am here to tell you Thank you and I love you!

Join Elaine daily at her personal site.

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9 Comments:

Blogger Denise said...

Be blessed sweet one.

January 23, 2009 at 5:27 AM  
Blogger Debbie Petras said...

This post is very timely for me as I'm going through a difficult season in life. I guess God must be building my character. It helps me to think of it that way instead of why is this happening. I do receive encouragement when I read about the heroes of our faith and how they endured. I also enjoy reading biographies of Christians like Hannah Whittall Smith and others.

January 23, 2009 at 6:37 AM  
Blogger Betsy Markman said...

We all need more Romans!
Thanks for this timely dose.

January 23, 2009 at 8:33 AM  
Blogger Pamela said...

Thank you so very much!

Have a blessed day.

Pam

January 23, 2009 at 8:44 AM  
Blogger Melanie @ This Ain't New York said...

Wow! God has worked on me about hope as well. I shared about ti today.

Isn't it amazing how He speaks to us through so many avenues? He is so good!!

January 23, 2009 at 9:54 AM  
Blogger Stephanie said...

This was so powerful, you hear so many christians say that they are walking on faith but just as soon as a storm hits they are not so eager to stand on that faith. God tested me on my faith about 3 months ago with my job. When the enemy tried to tell me to walk out like everyone else since we were not going to get paid I stayed went everyday and even though that door was shut I know that since I stayed becouse I trusted in God he is going to open another door for me. He is going to put me where he knows my ministry is needed.

January 23, 2009 at 10:41 AM  
Blogger LauraLee Shaw said...

INcredible INsight that could only come from the Lord Himself. Thanks for sharing His message with us.

January 23, 2009 at 12:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so thankful for the way that God seems to meet us exactly where we are in life. I have been a christian for only a short time. At this time in my life I am going through a few hard things in my personal life. I have been coming to God more in prayer on the matter tugging at me. It is comforting to find strength in the word of the Lord. Thank you for this message.

January 23, 2009 at 9:58 PM  
Blogger Rebecca said...

I have had my Bible open to Romans 5:1-5 for the last 3 days! I have been reading it and soaking it in. I was thrilled to read your insights too. It is such a deep, rich passage, with so much for me right now. When we go through hard times in life, that hope that is talked about is priceless! I don't know how I'd make it through without.

January 24, 2009 at 12:20 PM  

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