Effects

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:   Matthew 8: 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him.

Memory verse: Romans 8:32 ►

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Today's reading: GENESIS 27-28 MATTHEW 8:18-34

Effects 

Romans 5:3–5 describes the effect of affliction(among other suffering) while we live.

We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

If our hearts are in the right place, all this is good the way God wants it.

If our hearts are not right...

...suffering can tear at our will for living-if we allow it

...suffering can make us bitter and abrasive-if we allow it

...suffering can steal our hope-if we allow it.

The choice is the same as it has been all our lives. If our first and last thoughts of the day are of God and His love for us...we will not allow suffering to twist us.

When Paul wrote Romans 5:3-5, he was writing to those who he knew who were striving to be faithful followers of Christ-those who had given everything for their Lord.

The key, then, is to give it all. Give all your heart to every minute you have with the Lord. He offers you every minute. Take it.

The Holy Spirit offers counsel, strength, character, hope, endurance.

Guitar players talk a lot about the 'sustain' of any instrument they play. When they strike a note, how long does it continue to 'sing'? The best 'sing' the strongest and longest.

When you are stricken with some suffering, how long do you sing?

God is right here, to take your song and make it the most effective for His kingdom.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Faithful God, forgive me for my weak faith. Strengthen my belief and my dependence on you. Build my trust and my focus. Build my endurance.

Holy Father,

In the name of Christ Jesus,      

Amen