The face of this young one receiving Christ's body and bread from Dr. Rusty Freeman, shows the awe of encouragement we receive from Jesus. Does your face show the same?
Christ Showed Us The Way; Stay on It!
From Romans 5: 1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
I don't know if it's been the week, the month, or the days leading up to today, the first day of Spring, that has had many feeling discouraged. At first glance at that word, it literally seems to mean without courage. And we do need courage for almost everything we do, including getting out of bed, dressed and ready for a new day. And for those in professional ministry or just trying to stay focused on Jesus Christ, discouragement is a great weapon used against us. The enemy would love for God's army to be without courage. Paul's passage reminds us of several things; number one, we have been made right with God through faith. That in and of itself would satisfy most; you've reached the point where many have sought for most of their lives and have either found it or given up. But Paul says, those who have been made right with God have found peace. Beyond an absence of war or conflict, peace means an all around sense of well-being, and this through and because of Jesus Christ. Christ opened the door to grace, and on grace we stand and live and have our very being of who we are now. And that place is hope; hope that one day we will share in all that Christ promised to us. And yes, we have hope even in the midst of the challenges and struggles, illnesses, trouble, worries that we go through. Paul added a progressive list that Christians go through: From suffering will come our endurance to face all things. From that endurance will come character. From character will come hope (so important Paul repeats it!), and hope does not disappoint. Paul is asking, How can you be discouraged? (How can you lack courage for and from Whom you serve and believe?).
When you opened the door to your heart for Jesus to come in, love also came in, God's precious, never failing love. God used the Holy Spirit to pour that love into our hearts, and though we might be weak, Christ died for us. Paul says, "For the ungodly," and reminds us that rarely will anyone die for anybody else, but Christ died for you and me; that proves God's love for us. No longer can we say we are enemies of God; we are on the same team, in the same army, we have been made right with God.
So, dear friend, what seems to be the challenge or thinking that has drained from you the courage you need to move forward? Is it greater than the power of God? No. God is greater than our need, and will prove it to you today if you will let Him. Turn over your disappointments and the feelings of regret; share with God that which has drained from you the joy of your salvation, and expect to receive that which will bless you and allow you to move forward and upward.
PRAYER: Father, in the name of Jesus, we rebuke discouragement in the life of this dear reader. Yes, what they face has seemed great, almost the size of a mountain, but Lord, You who formed the mountains can also destroy them, so remove the mountain and make straight Your path. Lift this dear reader's spirit, and share with them that which You shared with Paul as he wrote this passage for us. This we pray in the Name of He who died for us and made us right with You, Jesus our Lord and Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
