Scripture that stands out to me this morning-

Romans 5
Results of Justification:

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Here is the same section of scripture from The Message:

1-2By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

3-5There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!


These verses give me such a lift in my spirit!

This week has been a troubling one - not for me, necessarily, but I see the enemy poking around , taking jab punches, wearing down an already tired and worn out group of servants - and it eventually does affect my own heart.

I pray, begging God to "call off the dogs". "Can't You see how worn out everyone is?? Can You NOT see how financially strapped they are?? Can You NOT SEE how yanked in a thousand different directions these people are? HOW can YOU do this to them?? They have been SO faithful to You- and I am sorry , God, but .. this makes me feel discouraged. "

I have found myself repeating this alot lately:

God is Sovereign, and this is NOT "all for no good reason."

That really does take alot of the load off if you grab onto it, and begin to believe that God already KNOWS the outcome.. He is calling the shots, and because He is LOVE, and He is GOODNESS, then something that glorifies Him will come out of a troubling situation.

Trials = strengthening, which = increased patience and capacity, which = the ability to give more grace and love to others. This translates into a projection of HOPE into the world, and it also translates into authenticity in our journeys. IF we can get to a point where we are automatically making the choice to praise God in the midst of our troubles, the enemy loses. God gets the victory. We survive the situation and come out stronger on the other side... "out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory!"