DAD'S DAILY BREAD

2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Rom 5:2-5

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard someone say or I read myself about what it takes to be saved!! The Spirit is talking so I better pay attention! By the blood, Christ’s blood, Christ shedding of His own blood is the only way to freedom! Our sin requires a payment. A payment that I couldn’t make myself even if I wanted to. The God of the universe gave His very own son, His Blood for me… Why… you ask? Because He loves me enough to not leave me in the miserable state I was when He found me! He knows how much I need Him! Thank God for that! If that’s not a reason for you to rejoice then I don’t know what else could be… God saved me when I was still a sinner and continues to save me each and everyday that I decide to wake up and put Him first! Because of what Christ did I get to rejoice and I have access to God everyday! Those beliefs should change the very nature of my being and lead me in a way that honors God with the rest of my life! But how easy is it to rejoice when things are going your way? What is your attitude like when things aren’t working out or you are literally suffering and in pain? Paul tells us in the very next verse.

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 

This verse is very convicting! I mean I can say I’ll rejoice in my sufferings but I would be surprised if I actually followed through once the suffering started… This causes you to completely change the way you look at life. Changes the way you view your own circumstances. Scripture says that suffering is helping you grow. Without it you don’t get the practice and the endurance and the character you need to stand firm for Christ when something is not right. Suffering is a powerful tool that God can use to change you and make you more dependent on Him! Sometimes I think God will use suffering and trials to get your attention. In my life when things were good I would walk away from God and start worshiping myself. So God had to break my legs and put me on my knees so the only direction I had left to look was back up and back to Him. Don’t be afraid of a tough situation or something you view as too hard or too much work because you could be totally missing something that God wanted to use to make your life better and closer to Him. Don’t miss your blessing! Every single thing that happens to you can be used to honor God. Don’t be selfish like me and spend most of your life blind and suffering alone! Wondering why the world hates me and being completely self absorbed. God is there and He wants to help you and He wants you to be better! He wants to give us FREEDOM!

So there you have it, rejoice because God saved you when you didn’t deserve it. Rejoice that we are saved by the blood of the lamb and nothing can get in the way of that! Rejoice when things are great and be thankful! Also rejoice in the bad times in the midst of your suffering and your trials because it is God’s hand in your life molding you into something that you would never be without Him. Look at your life with an eternal view and see God working in every situation. With a healthy attitude adjustment you can quickly turn a painful situation into a life saving lesson. And then all those lessons build endurance and character and then before you know it you wouldn’t want to have missed out on that suffering because you can see what God was and is actively doing. Praise God for mercy and grace that is literally unexplainable! Lord please help me to be better! Help me to recognize you in every area of my life! 

APPLICATION:

Stay in God’s word at all times! If I’m not filtering my life and my thoughts with scripture then it’s me making decisions and I am not letting God’s word influence my life. Try to think more before I speak. Keeping in mind my attitude and that my words tend to show what I believe in my heart. Rejoice at all times spreading that love to others around me. Recognize what is going on around me and try to be a light in dark situations! Don’t hide my light but share it with everyone! Especially with those who are suffering! Remember that my most powerful tool God has given me is prayer! Pray all day and all night! Let God’s word just resonate in my head everywhere I go and during everything I do! Lord may I never forget that it was your BLOOD that rescued me! You gave it all so that I could have this relationship with you. Please let those truths change every single aspect of my life! Help me to rejoice AT ALL TIMES! I want to be better because you deserve it!! Thank You Lord!

IN HIS NAME!!