God's love Archives - Page 1714 of 2130 - Daily Thoughts about God

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

It is not in our human nature to want to suffer. In fact, our society encourages us to avoid hardship at all costs. But what if suffering was part of God’s plan for our restoration?

Paul of all people knew what adversity was. From an illness that was always upon him, to beatings, stoning’s, prison, and even shipwrecks, Paul experienced it all. Yet he knew in his heart that his sufferings were to be rejoiced over.

All of us have experienced various forms of afflictions and suffering: the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, income or home, divorce, sickness. I personally can attest to everything I just listed; however, I wouldn’t change anything about my life. Every form of affliction I have endured — and will endure — has brought me closer to God. These painful experiences have transformed me into who I am today.

Our restoration and hope in is Christ Jesus. Our suffering will restore our hearts, teaching us endurance, which will develop our character to be a reflection of His. This is our restoration in Him: to be one with Him as Christ was One with the Father.

Hear our cries today, Lord. You know our struggles. Help us to face our afflictions with a joyful heart, knowing that in them we will only grow closer to You. May we trust You with everything in our lives, so that You may restore our hearts to be one with You. Amen.

Thought: Do you feel overwhelmed by life right now? Ask God to change your mind and attitude about whatever afflictions you face this week. Read Romans 5:3-5 again, and meditate on its promise of restoration and hope.

By Daniel Forster

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2015/06/12/df_rejoice-in-suffering/

Our passion for God is the greatest tool we have when it comes to living a life free from fear. Our passion comes from our heart; deep within our hearts. Where our hearts are, so will be our thoughts and actions. Putting God above all other things, and people in our lives, is a passion that exceeds all other passions. It is a passion that stems out of surrender; a passion that is hungry and full of a desire to know Him more.

To summarize how we can live a life free from the bondage of fear is to be found in our passion for Jesus. God wants all of us, and it is for our own good. He does not however force us to give Him everything; He leaves that choice up to us. It is in our passion for Him in that we can truly stop being slaves to the bondage of fear, and choose instead to trust full heartedly in our Lord.

Just as Jesus was clear about us putting God first in our lives; He was equally clear about how our passion for God should top any other passion we have in this life. The reason why Jesus was so clear on this fact is because He knew (better than we could possibly ever know how) how fear, and other tools of the enemy can function within us when we live a life of contentment. For most in the world today, contentment is something to be strived for and achieved. To God however, contentment is seen as a footstool for the enemy to come in and corrupt our lives. In one of the most talked about Scriptures in the book of Revelation, Jesus takes this conversation of contentment and tackles it head on.

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” (Revelation 3:15-16, NLT)

Some of us may be offended by the tone Jesus takes in referring that He would spit us out of His mouth by being lukewarm; however, we must realize that when God wants a point to hit home with us, He will say and do whatever it takes. He says He will spit us out of His mouth for our own good. He knows our weaknesses, and He fully knows how a state of contentment can lead us to a life that is not lived to its fullness in Him. Every tool of our battle plan to overcome fear is directed towards a life of abundancy in Christ Jesus.

Fear cannot rule our lives when we are truly living on fire for Him.

Excerpt From “Our Battle Plan, Waiting For the Other Shoe to Fall“;

By Rev. Daniel Forster