Today I read a daily word from Joel Osteen and Victoria and it addressed growing, continuing to learn, stretching, not doing "just enough" or for me, "good enough." The Lord desires for us to persevere and endure to develop character, that we may reach the places and peoples and lives He desires and has planned for us...the calling He has upon our lives.
"Therefore since we have been justified through faith..." He's called us and we've believed and asked Jesus into our hearts, admitting our sins, failures but knowing only He can save us...
"...we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope and glory of God..." Grace and Hope, a life filled with Life...
"...Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope..." We learn to trust and rely upon Him, seeing His growth in us and bringing us places that we never thought possible (physically, mentally and spiritually)...
"...and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." (Romans 5:1-5) Oh, how precious...we're never disappointed by the Lord. We may be disappointed by situations, people, ourselves...but handing it over to the Lord, and waiting on Him and hoping through situations (for His ways are not our ways), produces this character He desires for us, growing our faith and love for and by Him.
As my sweet friend says, it like working out, you sure don't want to go, but after you've done it you never regret the exercise! We never regret what the Lord has brought us through, because with Him and on His path there is glory to Him and joy for us. When we veer from the path, it is those things we regret...but He still is faithful, to care, guide and direct our paths, with forgiveness and unconditional love. Praise the Lord for grace and hope!
I later read this great post at Study in Brown, speaking to me, in connection with persevering, as to why we are homeschooling, the hope of the calling on our children's lives..
Dear Lord, help me to grow in the knowledge of you, persevering with the faith and hope you've given me that my heart and actions may be pleasing to you, praying Lord that these gifts would be instilled in our household and in our children, that we may never stop until the end, that you may say, "well done, good and faithful servant!" -(Matthew 25:21) In Jesus' name, Amen
God bless you and your day!
Bree |
