Day 3 - Week 46 - Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer."

When you find yourself in one of life's low spots, how do you handle it?  Where does your mind first turn?  Does your mind immediately find itself immersed in the emotion of joy?  If so, I stand in awe of you...for you are a mature Christian!

A mature Christian can hear Paul's words and completely understand them...not just hear them.  For a mature Christian knows that at the very time you find yourself in a time of trouble, you can hear the Word of God saying to you, "This will all work out for your good".."Trials bring maturity"..."You will learn great lessons from this time"...and most importantly, "I am with you every step of the way, trust in Me."  And when those words ring in your mind, a smile can come to your face, and you can experience...yep, you got it....joy!  Joy in the hope of what God is doing as you trust in Him.  Joy in knowing that you are on the cusp of a great adventure that God is going to walk you through.  Easy, no.  Worth it, absolutely.  For with God, ALL things work together for our good and we come through our trials stronger and better.  For we have been refined by the Master. 

If you haven't ever heard this story, hear it now.  I love it, because it helps me to understand the hard times of life, the purposes they can have, and the maturity they can bring.

The Refiner's Fire Story

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to

read the scriptures and make them the subject of

conversation. While reading the third chapter of

Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression

in the third verse.
"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

One lady's opinion was that it was intended to

convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the

grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a

silversmith and report to them what he said

on the subject. She went accordingly and without

telling the object of her errand, begged to know the

process of refining silver, which he fully described

to her.

"But Sir," she said, "do you sit while the work of

refining is going on?" "Oh, yes madam, " replied

the silversmith, "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed

on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining

be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver

will be injured."

The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort

too, of the expression,

"He shall sit as a refiner and purifier

of silver."

Christ sees it needful to put His children into a

furnace. His eye is steadily intent on the work of

purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged

in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come

at random; "the very hairs of your head are

all numbered."

As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith

called her back, and said he had still further to

mention, that he only knows when the process of

purifying was complete, by seeing his own image

reflected in the silver.

Beautiful example! When Christ shall see His own

image in His people, His work of purifying will

be accomplished.

Author Unknown

Day 2 - Week 46 - Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in afflication, be persistent in prayer."

Don't you love these verses that are stated in three distinct instructions?  Last week it was:

1. Do not lack diligence
2. Be fervent in spirit
3. Serve the Lord

Now we add:

1. Rejoice in hope
2. Be patient in affliction
3. Be persistent in prayer.

I'm a fairly practical person, and these verses really appeal to the practical side of my nature.  Simply telling us, as Christians, how to live...diligently, zealously, serving God, joyfully, patiently, persistently.

This week's triplet is an interesting combination.  When are you in the deepest need of hope?  When things are not looking that great...possibly when you're suffering some type of affliction.  Again, I'm going to work backwards in the verse.  When we are persistent in prayer, we will find the necessary patience to get through our present affliction, and we will find not only the ability to persevere, but we will find a joy in the midst of the affliction, because we will be reminded, through our dialogue with God, of the hope that He has given us.  The hope that tells us that whatever affliction we are going through He is faithful, He is working things together for our good, and He is preparing for us a life to come that will be free of any type of trial or suffering.

Listen to what Charles Spurgeon had to say about this verse:

Joy and patience are curative essences, but they must be dropped into a glass full of supplication, and then they will be wonderfully efficient.

Robert J. Morgan responds to Spurgeon's comment by saying, "These are the Great Physician's three prescriptions for tough times:  Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.  Take each phrase in turn, memorize it, meditate on it, consider its implications, then go to the next."

This verse aligns very closely with the verse that Peter includes in his first epistle...

1 Peter 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,      and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,     who are being protected by God's power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials so that the genuineness of your faith-more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Do you see the joy, the hope, the patience and finally the purpose in the midst of trial?

So tomorrow, when something goes awry, will you be able to quickly think..."Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer", and then be able to offer up a prayer asking God to fill you with His Spirit and allow you to have the reaction to your problem that He desires...a reaction based on joy, hope and patience.

Day 1 - Week 46 - And the journey continues!

Hiking on down the trail, we've made it 1,000 miles!  Getting ready to head into the Pennsylvania stretch of the trail, which hikers have described as "a bit rocky."  But we know that when things get tough, we are called to persevere and just keep taking the trail a step at a time, always moving forward, and then before you know it, the path has smoothed out and you can look back and say, "With God's help, we did it!"  That's where we'll be in 54 weeks! Amazingly, we've been at the trail for almost a year...seems unbelievable to me...but it has certainly added a great dimension to my past year, and I can't wait to see what discoveries our journey will bring to light in the coming year!

Before we leave Maryland (or really before we leave our last verse!), I have to include another quote by J.C. Ryle regarding Romans 12:11, "Do not lack diligence, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."  This is just too powerful not to share!

Zeal in religion is a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in the world in every possible way.  It is a desire which the Spirit puts in the heart of every believer when he is converted---but which some believers feel so much more strongly than others, that they alone deserve to be called zealous.  It impels them to make any sacrifice, to go through any trouble, to deny themselves to any amount, to suffer, to work, to labor, to toil, to spend themselves and be spent, and even to die, if only he can please God and honor Christ.

They see only one thing, care for one thing, live for one thing, are swallowed up by one thing, and that one thing is to please God.  Whether they live or whether they die; whether they have health or sickness, whether rich or poor; whether they please others or give offense; whether they are thought wise or foolish; whether they get blame or praise; whether they get honor or shame---for all this the zealous person cares nothing at all.  He burns for one thing; and that one thing is to please God and to advance God's glory.

Wow --- now that person is fervent in spirit, wouldn't you say?  Don't know if I'll ever get there in my journey or not, but it is certainly my goal---to abandon every other concern than pleasing God and bring Him glory.  Because I firmly believe with that as our foremost goal, all other concerns will fall into place.  God will provide for them who seek Him in such a dedicated and diligent manner.

Our verse this week has also brought to mind the lyrics of DC Talk's "What will People Think When they Hear that I'm a Jesus Freak?  What will people do when they find that it's true? I don't really care, what else can I say, there ain't no disguising the truth.  Jesus is the way." 

J.C. Ryle of 1900 and DC Talk of 2010 both are urging us to get out of our complacency and into a vital, boiling hot relationship...one that is not fearful of what others think. 

Hiking on with a zeal that cannot be hidden...do you have a smile on your face today as you walk down the trail?

Let's recall our previous verses and see what today brings us....

The Gift of Assurance (10)

1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life and that life is in His Son.

1 John 5:12-13 The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn't have the Son of God, does not have life. I say these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know you have eternal life.

John 14:1 Your heart must not be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansion, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3 And if I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you unto Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or afraid.

Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed . (KJV)

Isaiah 53:6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquities of us all.

Praise and Thanksgiving (4)

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Revelation 4:11 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

Promises of God (10)

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 3:-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.

Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11
Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.

And the fifth verse regarding obedience is the neighbor to Romans 12:11 and another verse stated in triplet form....

Romans 12:12  "Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer."

I can already see so much to be discovered this coming week...onward!

Day 6 - Week 45 - Romans 12:11 "Do not lack diligence, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

What I'm about to say reminds me of a high school cheer..."Put them all together, and what do you get?"

But when we put the three phrases together, what do we get? 

Sounds to me like we are to (working backwards) serve the Lord with great zeal, never slacking, never doing less than our best!  Reminds me of other verses....

1 Corinthians 9:23
And I do everything for the sake of the Good News, that I may share with my hearers in its benefits. (WNT)
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:33
...just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.  
Ephesians 6:7
Do your work with enthusiasm. Work as if you were serving the Lord, not as if you were serving only men and women.
Titus 2:6-8
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.    In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Sounds like we are to be consistently diligent, doesn't it?  Consistently fervent...consistently serving God in all we do.

We are to be an enthusiastic people...full of life and joy, so that others can see God's Spirit living within us, making us a people who stand apart from the drudgery that life can bring.  Why are we so joyful?  Because we have the Good News of glad tidings that the angels brought so long ago...which shall be to all the people;  for on that day a Saviour was born who was Christ the Lord!

Let's start living like we have Good News!  Because we do!

Day 5 - Week 45 - Romans 12:11 "Do not lack diligence, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

...serve the Lord

Our verse ends up with a very simple directive, doesn't it?  Serve the Lord.  What a great phrase to plant in our hearts this first day of a very new year.  Serve the Lord. 
How are you serving the Lord?  Don't get bogged down into thinking that serving the Lord requires something organized or something huge (although service to the Lord can fall into those categories).  But serving the Lord can be doing something that the world views as insignificant, it can be doing something as small as...hmmmm...as giving a cup of water to someone who is thirsty.  (Mark 9:41)

Service to our Lord is so much more about our hearts and our attitude than about the actual deed done.  The biggest, most noticeable deed done with the wrong motivation is not a true service to God.  And just as we've talked about, this section of Romans is stressing our attitudes toward others.  So if we have committed to a service, and yet do not show true, sincere love to those whom we are serving, then does that qualify as serving the Lord?  For the true definition of the word used for "serve" in this verse is to be a slave, to give oneself up to.  So when we serve the Lord as we are instructed to in this verse, it is with true abandonment to ourselves, and total commitment to our Master and our Lord, subject to Him as slaves to His cause.  And that cause is bringing the world to Him.

So, serve the Lord.  Be His slave in the task of saving the world.  Do it in whatever way He calls you to...not taking on someone else's call...hear His call to you.  And serve the Lord in 2012.