Romans 5:3-5 Hope Does Not Disappoint

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

Observation: 

Definitions

Endurance: the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina.

Strong character: good repute, integrity, high moral quality

Confident hope: to look forward to with strong desire and full assurance.

Jesus conquered death and sin and because of Him and through Him we have been given the opportunity and power to do the same. However, when going through trials it feels and looks the opposite of power, in fact feelings of failure and utter weakness seem to be what we are plagued with instead. God often works counter-world. The things that make us physically weak have the ability to make us spiritually strong. If we are God's and we ask God for help we can be assured that He is using dire circumstances to produce endurance, a strong character, and confident hope in Him. He is compelled by who He is to do so, because 

He is love.  His love fills our hearts, and sustains us by reminding us both Who we are and Whose we are.

Application:

I remember sitting in an office long ago and hearing about how I had messed things up, the conversation played to the one I was already having in my head. "Why am I here?" "I'm such a disappointment", "I should just give up and let someone else more qualified take over", and in the middle of the meeting I received a text,from someone I barely knew, with this verse. I kept reading the line "and hope does not disappoint" over and over again. I knew it was God and this was divine encouragement. He was and is telling me that I don't disappoint Him. 

Disappointment means that my performance didn't match expectations. How could God be disappointed in me when He has known from the beginning what my performance will be and He loves me wholly and completely anyway?

Many times difficult circumstances whisper that we should be handing things better; for me personally I think I should be praying more, studying scripture more, serving more, working harder to please God in the midst of this difficulty. There is certainly truth to seeking God, for it pleases Him, however, I believe that these thoughts are counter productive to the love God wants to fill in our hearts through the difficult circumstance. Seeking Him is not the same as performing for Him. Seeking says I trust You, performing for Him says the opposite. 

I do not disappoint God, He loves me soooooo much! He will continue to draw me to Himself, not because of me, but because of Him.

Prayer:

Father, You are my Hope. You anchor my soul in the midst of raging storms. There is no one else for me, You are my God and earnestly I seek You. Help me run the endurance race, fill my heart with more and more of Your love, so that I may pour it out over Your people and give it back to You in praise.

Colossians 4:2-4 Prayer

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. (Colossians 4:2-4 NIV)

Observation:

The word devoted means to set apart time to focus, keeping something always at the forefront of your thoughts. Paul is saying that Christians need to lay hold of opportunity for prayer, keeping their minds alert and ready. Watchful is that alertness. Peter uses the same term when talking about fighting our enemy, He say's be alert of sober mind (1 Peter 5:8). Paul describes prayer as part of our armor in Ephesians 6; Paul says to pray at all times, being alert to pray for God's people (Ephesians 6:18).  Paul is saying the same thing here when he asks to be prayed for. Chief speakers need prayer, that God would both give them opportunity and the words to speak.

Like with many prayers mentioned in the bible, we are to lace our conversations with thankfulness; thankful for who God is and what He has done.

Application:

Two words cut straight to the heart, devoted and watchful. I pray all the time, for conversations that I'm in, for decisions I need to make, etc. But I've always been a little envious of those who can set aside an hour each day on their knees and focus in specifically on prayer. I've done pretty good at the keeping the conversation going with God throughout the day, but I've missed something when it comes to developing the discipline in getting alone, in a quiet place, and just praying. It is in this lack of discipline that I very often forget to pray for people. If my only prayer life is a constant conversation throughout the day, but not quality time set aside for just prayer, than my prayer life can easily become fast food for the soul instead of the complete nourishment God longs to give me.

When I sent aside time to pray, my mind wanders, it seems as if I can only stay focused for small bursts at a time. Is there anything wrong with this? No. However, is my prayer life living up to its full potential? No. And I want that to change.

Prayer:

Father, I want more quality time with You. I want that devoted time, set apart strictly for You. Please help me to pray for others and keep my mind directed towards You. Thank You that You are always bringing out more and more in me. I want to go deeper in You.

Psalm 116:5-7 Returning To Rest

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. (Psalms 116:5-7 NASB)

Observation:

Anytime God is talking about rest, we see His character mentioned. God asks us to rest in Him because He is gracious, loving, full of compassion, and our strong tower. When our souls are weary, where else can we turn that promises such a marvelous outcome? No where, not the TV, not work, not friendship, not sports, or anything else in this world. To give us rest we must call and fall on heavenly powers. Jesus says come to Me when you are weary and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). His word reminds You that He is worth trusting and shows how to step into His rest.

Application:

In order to find rest for the soul we have to dwell on who God is and remember what He has done; for the Lord has been good to you. The Lord has been good to me indeed, yet it is very easy for my mind to get caught up in all the ways that I'm failing instead of all the ways God is blessing. Today I want to enter into His rest and praise through trust in the best way to do that. 

Prayer:

Father, You are gracious, You are loving, You are good, and You love me so much! Please allow the message of Your love to saturate my soul. Remind me, O Lord, of Your faithfulness and compassion in my life and may it bubble up in praise to You!

Proverbs 18:20-21 The Power Of The Tongue

With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:20, 21 NASB)

Observation:

1/3 of the proverbs deal directly or indirectly with communication.

The tongue does more than pass information, it provides nourishment or poison for the soul. 

The tongue has a reciprocal nature to it, if we use it to hurt, we will hurt, if we use it to heal, we will be healed.

Destructive speech includes: lying, gossip, slander, insults, flattering, bragging

Constructive speech includes: keeping our word, spread true and good reports about people, speak honestly to others from a place of love,  calls out the best in others, is thankful. 

Promises of constructive speech: it is a tree of life, meaning it continues to nourish and draws the nourishments from it's root, Jesus Christ. (Proverbs 15:4).

Constructive words heal us, they are a balm that goes deep to the soul and soothes our spirit. (Proverbs 16:24).

Constructive words nourish many (Proverbs 10:21). 

Application:

It is out of overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. I need to watch what is going in, because it will eventually come out. The Word of God is the best source of life-giving nourishment and nothing else can compete. All the examples of constructive speech can be found in the bible. As a part of daily discipline it is good to nourish myself with the Word of God. However, keeping guard over my heart is not something that I can do alone, in fact, the task primarily rests on Christ. He is the one who can truly tell if my heart is pure to begin with, He alone purifies my heart, and He alone can stand guard over it. My task is to continually go to Him and respond in obedience to what He asks of me, knowing it is good.

Prayer:

Father, I thank You for the life-giving nourishment of Your word. Please heal me with Your word and refine my heart of any impurities. I also ask that You stand guard over My heart and use my speech to bring life to others, for You are the root of life in which I draw from.