Passionate Patience

What is it that challenges bring to me? What does all the trouble mean? I get to shout praise. I get passionate about being patient. Not just patient but passionately patient. I go after the patience in new and deep ways. There aren't enough containers to hold the patience that is mine through the HOLY Spirit.

There'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! Romans5:1-5

Shouldn't we be afraid?

You know, if you really think about it, we should all be terrified of God. Anybody that can create the Universe with a word, light up the stars by the millions and breathe life into mankind is simply awe-striking. The sheer power of our God should have us all on our knees trembling in fear, shouldn’t it?

But, Love has been added to the equation. While we are on our knees, it is God's Love that lets us feel His hands on our cheeks. And He is turning our face upward to Him. He is telling us that He loves us and He is saying that He even knew us before we were born. And we can hear Him. And there is no need at all to be afraid.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:35

How can I help?

Here is what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy on himself by avoiding anything. Particularly when it came to people and relationships. He waded right in and He helped out. So am I strong in the faith? Do I lend a hand to those who are struggling? Or do I just look for the "easy way"?

My approach and attitude should always be, "How can I help?"

May I find how our Father wants me to help!!!

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" Romans 15:1-4

That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!

No excuses. Seriously, we have none.

Oh how we all love excuses. God doesn't and we don't have any. The Apostle Paul knew that at his core. We should as well.

And if anyone thought he had some, Paul probably did. He was raised as a very good religous person. He did all the right things. But one day Jesus confronted him. None of it mattered. Jesus brilliance blinded him. Why was Paul persecuting  Jesus? That was the question. Silence. No EXCUSE. And then God healed him.

No excuses. Period.  End of story.

 So nobody has a good excuse. Romans 1:19

The raw power of God

There is a time to think long and hard. That of course would be about what God has created. Just think about it. Think about it long and hard. It is amazing. The raw power of it all. Imagine, then think, about what it took to create all that we enjoy and take for granted everyday. Come on, think about it. NOW, think about it some more.

And, how mysterious is it that God could do all of this. We can't imagine it. It is beyond us. And, that God, lives in side of us. He can do anything in His Country. He is the President of it all.

By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. Romans 1

Being sure

Am I sure? Do I know it for a fact? God's enabling Spirit is in us and lets us know that God is good and He loves us. Every detail is being worked into something good. That is just the way it is.

That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:28

May I be sure of God's love and the details He is working out for me.

Strength is for service

My oh my, there is some misguided thinking going on in this world. God has a goal for us. We are to tap into His power. Why? To serve. That is all there is to it.

It is not about what is convenient. It is not about what is comfortable. It is not about me. It is not about status. It is all about Him.

It is all about service. That is it.

“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?” - Romans 15:2