1-29-21   THOUGHTS

There are many places in God’s Word that we could go to preach Jesus to a needy soul.  Passages that are bound together and packed with such powerful words that the Good News just oozes out!  It’s there!  The first eleven verses of Romans five qualifies.  Read through it at least five times.  Let it come at you with all of its power!  It comes from every direction!  Faith, yet sinners, grace, hope, God’s glory, tribulations and growth, love, the Holy Spirit, the wrath of God, the death of Christ, reconciliation, and saved by his life.  WHAT A STORY!

Rom 5:1-11    Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2  through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6  For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11  And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Surely there is a lesson for us who consider ourselves in a time of tribulation. We can, no, we must grow in tough times!  
This is truly GOOD NEWS FOR MANKIND!  Four leprous men in 2Kings 7 made a marvelous statement as they discovered the delivery of Samaria from Aram, for there was a great famine in Samaria.
2Kings 7:9    Then they said to one another, "We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent; if we wait until morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king’s household."
I’m convinced there is a lesson above that we must take to heart, hand and mouth.

My Prayer:
Dear Lord, God of heaven, thank you for the reconciliation that is in Christ Jesus.  Cause our hearts and mouths to overflow with this good news.  Help us to mourn for the souls of the lost. May we see the harvest and not our own comfort.  Give us boldness and rejoicing as servants to proclaim your name and the name of your Son.  Allow us Oh God to see the eternal picture with each breath that you give us.
In the name of Jesus            Amen