Day 2 - Week 77 - Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek."

In the middle of pain and dark times, you get little glimpses of light.  Returning to my Bible study group tonight was a ray of light in a dark time of life.  Seeing friends' faces full of sympathy, full of God's love extended toward me, brought His light into my soul.  Much needed and much appreciated...both from God, the source of all love, and from sweet friends who allowed Him to shine through them.

Our study tonight focused on the story of Noah, and the grace of God extended to Noah and his family.  Just as the ark was their vessel of salvation from God's judgment against evil, God has offered to us the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, as our vessel of salvation.  Just as Noah was not ashamed to follow God's instruction and build an ark of gargantuan proportions in a seemingly arid environment, I will not be ashamed to proclaim that I believe, yes I most assuredly believe, in the gospel of Jesus Christ...it is the power of salvation to all who believe...it is our ark, delivering us from judgment to a new beginning. 

When hard times come, beliefs are tested.  I am clinging to the power that God gives to me through faith...a faith that has felt shaken, but then confirmed by reading the words of His eternal plan, from start (Adam and Eve), through the almost-but-not-quite destruction of creation through the flood, but culminated in the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I am not ashamed...but I pray to be even less concerned about people's reaction to my statement of faith.  If I truly love them as Christ instructs us to love others, then I truly want them on the boat!