Verse of the Day 9/13

 

Romans 12:12  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

If you are one who has never memorized much of the Bible, perhaps today's verse is a place to start.  It is a short verse, three brief statements, that if memorized, followed and adhered to will change perspective and change your life.

 

First, rejoice in hope.  In doing so you are rejoicing in something that you don't currently have.  It may be restored health, a repaired relationship, or deliverance from an oppressive situation.  It is looking forward, looking beyond your circumstances to a brighter day in God's promises.

 

We considered the word fervent yesterday, when your spirit is boiling over.  Tribulation is when our world is boiling over in a negative way, trouble at every turn with no visible easy way out.  It is something you must go through.  You press on believing, trusting and hoping that He will see you through.

 

Then we have "be constant in prayer", for some this will be the hardest one.  In the hustle and bustle of today's world, its frantic pace, how can we pull away and set aside time to pray.  Think about how Jesus was constantly pressed, hounded by the Pharisees, people wanting things from him, demanding his time.  Yet we read where he regularly withdrew to pray.

 

I'm reminded of another old hymn "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand".  For me, this hymn draws many of these things together.  I can't help but think that the writer faced a difficult situation , but the song reveals hope, patience and was most likely covered in prayer.  Read the words, may today's verse and this song support us if we are in the "whelming flood". 

 

 My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

 His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Romans 12:12  Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come endure them patiently, steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.  J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Romans 12:9-12

J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

Let us have real Christian behaviour

⁹ Let us have no imitation Christian love. Let us have a genuine break with evil and a real devotion to good.

¹⁰ Let us have real warm affection for one another as between brothers, and a willingness to let the other man have the credit.

¹¹ Let us not allow slackness to spoil our work and let us keep the fires of the spirit burning, as we do our work for God.

¹² Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come endure them patiently, steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.

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