Verses: Romans 4 : 13 - 25
My thoughts about the verses:
We all have a reason to celebrate life. Jesus died on the cross so that we may have everlasting life. It is a free gift that we do not earn. We do not have to live within a strict code of laws. We do not have to do tons of outward signs. We do not have to do great works. The gift of Eternal Life comes through our faith.
Faith even though is not earned by the works we do it is expressed through those works. Once you have accepted Christ into your life the Holy Spirit comes to reside within you. The Holy Spirit will lead you to do things that you never thought possible. You begin walking in faith because you realize that there is no other answer for what is happening in your life.
We all go through struggles and trials. Those that have Jesus in the center of their life will be able to walk in strong faith. People think that they have to do it on their own struggle and fall short of meeting their goals. We all know people that are going through rough trials. Yet, they seem to have a calm spirit. Those individuals understand that it is their belief system that keeps them going. Though they are going through hard times they do not blame God. Instead they put their faith in the power of God and trust that they will get through their struggle because God is with them.
I want to share something with you that are very hard to talk about. I call it the trial of my faith that led me to a closer understanding of the power of God. There is nothing like having someone whom you love is struggling between life and death. Knowing that they are getting ready to go under a surgery that may kill them instead of cure them. Know you have to turn it over to God because there is nothing that you can do to fix the problem.
Imagine the physicians giving you nothing but negative outcomes. Being told that your lover if she makes it through the surgery might not wake up. Even more that if she does it might take weeks to months to get out of the ICU. This to me was a reality. I have to admit I was scared and so was she. Yet, our church family united around us.
I can remember being called into the family room in about half the time that we were told the surgery would last. I knew in my gut that this was either the dreaded news or maybe just maybe we were getting ready to be hit with awesome news. The physician came in the room and smiled. Instantly I knew everything was okay. The surgery was more successful and less complicated than he expected. Right then and there we thanked God because we knew that it wasn't only the surgeons in the room that day but the great Healer was also present.
Your faith grows when you realize that everything that a person warned you about was turned upside down. The surgery wasn't as complicated. The ICU was less than a few days and most importantly someone who didn't know if they would make it 5 days to turn 60 is up and about. There are still times you question it all but you know that it all happened because of Faith and nothing else. That is time for a celebration of Life. Not only for 60 years on the earth but for the knowledge of Eternal Life in the future.
Prayer:
Dear God thank you for fulfilling your promises. Dear God we thank you for loving all of your people. We praise you for being with us during our struggles. We ask that you help us depend on you when we are struggling. Help us understand that you are all we need. Help us put our trust in you. In the name of God we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you ever had a struggle that you thought you could not overcome? Have you ever truly given your life over to God? Are you willing to put your trust in God? What do you need to do to strengthen your faith? Are you helping others understand the power of God?
My thoughts about the verses:
We all have a reason to celebrate life. Jesus died on the cross so that we may have everlasting life. It is a free gift that we do not earn. We do not have to live within a strict code of laws. We do not have to do tons of outward signs. We do not have to do great works. The gift of Eternal Life comes through our faith.
Faith even though is not earned by the works we do it is expressed through those works. Once you have accepted Christ into your life the Holy Spirit comes to reside within you. The Holy Spirit will lead you to do things that you never thought possible. You begin walking in faith because you realize that there is no other answer for what is happening in your life.
We all go through struggles and trials. Those that have Jesus in the center of their life will be able to walk in strong faith. People think that they have to do it on their own struggle and fall short of meeting their goals. We all know people that are going through rough trials. Yet, they seem to have a calm spirit. Those individuals understand that it is their belief system that keeps them going. Though they are going through hard times they do not blame God. Instead they put their faith in the power of God and trust that they will get through their struggle because God is with them.
I want to share something with you that are very hard to talk about. I call it the trial of my faith that led me to a closer understanding of the power of God. There is nothing like having someone whom you love is struggling between life and death. Knowing that they are getting ready to go under a surgery that may kill them instead of cure them. Know you have to turn it over to God because there is nothing that you can do to fix the problem.
Imagine the physicians giving you nothing but negative outcomes. Being told that your lover if she makes it through the surgery might not wake up. Even more that if she does it might take weeks to months to get out of the ICU. This to me was a reality. I have to admit I was scared and so was she. Yet, our church family united around us.
I can remember being called into the family room in about half the time that we were told the surgery would last. I knew in my gut that this was either the dreaded news or maybe just maybe we were getting ready to be hit with awesome news. The physician came in the room and smiled. Instantly I knew everything was okay. The surgery was more successful and less complicated than he expected. Right then and there we thanked God because we knew that it wasn't only the surgeons in the room that day but the great Healer was also present.
Your faith grows when you realize that everything that a person warned you about was turned upside down. The surgery wasn't as complicated. The ICU was less than a few days and most importantly someone who didn't know if they would make it 5 days to turn 60 is up and about. There are still times you question it all but you know that it all happened because of Faith and nothing else. That is time for a celebration of Life. Not only for 60 years on the earth but for the knowledge of Eternal Life in the future.
Prayer:
Dear God thank you for fulfilling your promises. Dear God we thank you for loving all of your people. We praise you for being with us during our struggles. We ask that you help us depend on you when we are struggling. Help us understand that you are all we need. Help us put our trust in you. In the name of God we pray. Amen
Questions:
Have you ever had a struggle that you thought you could not overcome? Have you ever truly given your life over to God? Are you willing to put your trust in God? What do you need to do to strengthen your faith? Are you helping others understand the power of God?
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