Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- September 11, 2013
Be joyful in hope. Romans 12:12
God makes us giddy when we think of the amazing grace He has poured over our soul, mind and heart. Like a warm spring bubbles up from an otherwise cool, quiet creek, Christ’s hope relaxes our life with joy. He is joy. His hope is a handmaiden who offers the Holy Spirit’s help. His joy is a journeyman who takes us to a peaceful place. Hopeful joy is not reserved for certain temperaments, even the melancholy and the morose can experience joy in Jesus. Be glad in God.
Too much religiosity can create the unintended consequence of an excessively somber soul. If our convictions restrict us from rejoicing in the righteous acts of the Almighty, we may be more pious than the Lord intends. A spiritual discipline that does not lead us to enjoy God and others is suspect of self reliance. Moreover, hope in Christ is an excuse to exercise the freedom to be happy in Him. Jesus gives us hope to enjoy life’s journey. Salvation alone is enough for the saved to smile.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Trust in God precedes hope in God. Indeed, faith is the foundation of a spiritual life built with windows of hope. So take time to peer out of prayer’s portals into the Lord’s work. His Spirit releases those captured by crime, seduced by success and trapped in sin. The work of God is global and massive in influence: new converts, new churches and new Christian leaders populate the planet. Yes, joyful hope supported by belief in Jesus is sustained by the Holy Spirit’s power.
Therefore, be a channel of Christ’s hope. Like a refreshing river brings life to vegetation and trees along its banks, so out of your surrendered life flow rivers of living water that grow joy and hope along the banks of your being. Hope breeds joy. Hopelessness kills joy. Hope brings peace. Hopelessness feeds fear. Hope perseveres. Hopelessness gives up. Hope trusts. Hopelessness distrusts. Yes, faith fuels hope. Praise be to God who offers a lively hope in His son Jesus Christ!
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray my hope in You grows my joy into a practical gift for my friends.
Related Readings: Job 8:13; Proverbs 10:28, 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; Philippians 4:1
Post/Tweet today: A spiritual discipline that does not lead us to enjoy God and others is suspect of self reliance. #joyfulinhope
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© 2013 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
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What a blessing this devotional is in my life at this very moment that I’m about to undergo a crucial medical procedure. Romans 12:12 is a life verse of mine and you have used it aptly and timely to encourage me. God bless you indeed.