April 19, 2024

This Week…Romans 5:1-2

June 26, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through Whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand.
And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2

This week, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we are continuing a mini-series on the subject of HOPE.  Our devotional writers have shared the Truth given us in this week’s passage reminding us that ‘we boast in the hope of the glory of God’!  Here are a few of their thoughts….

In Spiritual Hope (2), Ann reminds us to trust, and not doubt, God….

Whatsoever God spoke concerning our lives shall come to pass. Let us not doubt God.  We will be rewarded as we believe Him.

For in this hope we were saved.
But hope that is seen is no hope at all.
Who hopes for what he already has?
Romans 8:24

Hope is ‘…expecting something you are visualizing but it is not there yet.’  Brethren, when hoping for something, let us put ourselves in totally trusting God; do not have something in mind already…That is why in Romans 15:4 the Word says “…for everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

❦

In Hope in the Glory of God, Ahmee writes about our amazing God….

God is amazing in so many different ways!  I looked up the definition of the word glory.  It means “…high renown or honor won by notable achievements.”  To say that we have hope in the glory of God is very true. God has done many amazing things.  Some we have seen ourselves and others we have heard from other people and, some even, we have read in the Bible. God is amazing!

To speak up and say “This is possible all by the grace of God!” is an enormous thing to do.  It points to the glory of God – the same glory that is our hope.  So, point to it…continue to point it…and don’t ever stop pointing to it so that others can find the hope that we have. So, that others can hope in the glory of God.

❦

In Helmet of Hope, Tina shares an encouraging quote with us….

I am currently re-reading Derek Prince’s book Faith to Live By. In his book, there is a chapter Faith versus Hope in which he states,  “Hope, in the biblical sense, is a confident expectation of good – a steady, persistent optimism. Hope protects our minds. Every Christian should wear a helmet of hope twenty-four hours a day. If we lay aside the helmet and begin to dwell on negative thoughts and gloomy forebodings, our minds are vulnerable to Satan’s subtle attacks.”

Our thoughts need to be focused on what is positive, good and worthy. Prayer—along with becoming aware of what we are thinking, watching, and listening to—will begin to change our thoughts and behavior patterns.  It will not be given to us.  We will have to focus on what is right.

❦

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By Thee, O God, Invited

June 25, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy], peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand.  And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.

Romans 5:1 and 2

(click here to listen…and sing along…to this beautiful old hymn)

By Thee, O God, invited
We look unto the Son
In whom Thy soul delighted
Who all Thy will hath done
And by the one chief treasure
Thy bosom freely gave
Thine own pure love we measure
Thy willing mind to save
O God of mercy—Father
The one unchanging claim
The brightest hopes we gather
From Christ’s most precious name
What always sounds so sweetly
In Thine unwearied ear
Has freed our souls completely
From all our sinful fear
The trembling sinner feareth
That God can ne’er forget
But one full payment cleareth
His memory of all debt
When naught beside could free us
Or set our souls at large
Thy holy work, Lord Jesus
Secured a full discharge
No wrath God’s heart retaineth
To us-ward who believe
No dread in ours remaineth
As we His love receive
Returning sons He kisses
And with His robe invests
His perfect love dismisses
All terror from our breasts
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Spiritual Hope (2)

June 24, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand
and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Justification through faith brings the believer various results—

  • peace with God
  • grace
  • hope
  • assurance
  • sufferings
  • the love of God
  • the Holy spirit
  • salvation from wrath
  • reconciliation to God
  • salvation by the life and presence of Jesus and,
  • joy in God

In our current series, we have been looking at HOPE.  Let’s see what hope did in the lives of some different men of God in the Scriptures.  Against all hope Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “so shall your offspring be” (Romans 5:5).

Whatsoever God spoke concerning our lives shall come to pass. Let us not doubt God. We will be rewarded as we believe Him.

For in this hope we were saved.
But hope that is seen is no hope at all.
Who hopes for what he already has?
Romans 8:24

Hope is expecting something you are visualizing but it is not there yet.  Brethren, when hoping for something, let us put ourselves in totally trusting God; do not have something in mind already.

God knows that we are people made of flesh and blood; and, if not properly handled,  He will lose all of us since we often lose heart when faced with adversity.  That is why in Romans 15:4 the Word says “…for everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”  Hope call us to testify as in 1 Peter 3:15.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you
To give the reason of the hope that you have,
But do this with gentleness and respect.

Our spiritual hope should be awake at all times.  May God grant us the grace for this. Otherwise we may miss the mark through our unbelief.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Lord, thank You for this portion of Scripture we are sharing this week.  Thank You for leading us through this wonderful period of understanding hope.  We have seen a lot in Your Word about this word—HOPE.  Thank You for the insights therein.  We pray for Your grace to abide so that we will put all our hopes in You in all areas of our lives.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Hope in the Glory of God

June 23, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through Whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand.
And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2

God is amazing in so many different ways!  I looked up the definition of the word glory.  It means “…high renown or honor won by notable achievements.”  To say that we have hope in the glory of God is very true. God has done many amazing things.  Some we have seen ourselves and others we have heard from other people and, some even, we have read in the Bible. God is amazing!

The sad thing is that some people can see the glory of God and yet they fail to hope in it.  Some cast it aside as unreal, unbelievable, or fake.  Truthfully, I can’t blame them.  If someone doesn’t believe in God or trust God, I can understand why they would have problems believing in someone who, not only rose from the dead, but has risen others from the dead.  (In their case) I can understand why it would be  hard to hope in someone who multiplies little and makes it huge. He does crazy amazing things!

I feel that in order to remind others that God is amazing, and glorious, we should continue to tell of all the wonderful things that He has done in our lives and not shy away when the opportunity arises.  To speak up and say “This is possible all by the grace of God!” is an enormous thing to do.  It points to the glory of God – the same glory that is our hope.  So, point to it…continue to point it…and don’t ever stop pointing to it so that others can find the hope that we have. So, that others can hope in the glory of God.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Lord, Your glory is amazing.  You are awesome.  Thank You for all that You have done, are doing, and will do.  Let us never forget about Your amazing glory and may our hope stay planted in You.  Amen.

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Helmet of Hope

June 22, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 
Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.

Romans 5:1-2  AMP

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

How many times have we thought, “I am such a worthless sinner, how can God possibly love me, now?”  My friend, Paul so eloquently states here in these verses that, because of Jesus’ intercession on our behalf, we are able to enter into the presence of God.

I am currently re-reading Derek Prince’s book Faith to Live By. In his book, there is a chapter Faith versus Hope in which he states,

“Hope, in the biblical sense, is a confident expectation of good – a steady, persistent optimism. Hope protects our minds. Every Christian should wear a helmet of hope twenty-four hours a day. If we lay aside the helmet and begin to dwell on negative thoughts and gloomy forebodings, our minds are vulnerable to Satan’s subtle attacks.”

Our thoughts need to be focused on what is positive, good and worthy. Prayer—along with becoming aware of what we are thinking, watching, and listening to—will begin to change our thoughts and behavior patterns.  It will not be given to us.  We will have to focus on what is right.

God desires you to put Him first in everything.  We are to trust in His ability to provide for our every need.  Unless we train our minds to think like this, it is difficult to start.  Remember how we constantly thought of our boyfriend or husband all the time in the beginning of our relationship?  That is what God wants from us.  I find myself starting off my day, thanking Him and asking for His provision as my day starts…but often I may not think about Him until lunch time or later in the afternoon.  We need to be aware of Him in every aspect of our life.  We need to fall in love with God again.

Our desires drive us.  This week, let us begin again.  Let us put aside our failures, our hurts, and put on the helmet of hope and ask God to show us how to love again as a child.  A couple I serve with at church has a daughter who is almost 4 years old.  I love how she declares Jesus to everyone.  How she says Jesus died but rose again.  I call her a little evangelist.  She brings a smile to my face whenever I see her.  I pray she never loses her child-like love for her heavenly Father.  And I pray God will use her and our next generation in new and exciting ways!

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, we thank You for Your hope.  Let our hope in You spill over to others.  We pray for this helmet of hope to cover us and to be placed there when we forget to ask for it.  Help us guard our hearts and minds against what would destroy us.  Help us to learn to rebuke evil and to be brave when You call upon us to act.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Your Grace On Which I Stand

June 21, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
Romans 5:1 and 2

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

This anchor for my soul
This everlasting Hope
Your grace on which I stand

It’s where my life begins
My future held within
Your grace on which I stand

Oh, this grace on which I stand
It will hold me to the end
Never failing

Oh, praise the One who rescued me
Jesus, You will ever be
My salvation

And when I’m on the run
The road that leads me home
Your grace on which I stand

And when I see Your face
The only claim I’ll make
Your grace on which I stand

Worthy is the Lamb of God
Who takes away the sin of the world
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
To receive all honor and praise

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Rejoice Over God’s Plan

October 23, 2013 by

SeekingHimLogoI saw the American flag hanging as a backdrop…Congressmen were moving within the chamber as white papers were being passed between them…something important was happening.

As I sit here this evening, the news channel shows Congress is voting about a big decision that will affect our county. It’s appropriate that the volume is turned way down. The decisions happening in Washington, D.C. need to fade in this moment.

I am aware that difficulties are on the horizon—if not soon, then, in the not-so-distant future. I need to be aware, to care, and to be in prayer. But the leaders of this world will not solve the problems of this world.

As beautiful and as massive as the White House and the Capitol buildings are, and as powerful as the people who live and work in them may seem, they cannot save us.

But I know of One who saves. And to Him I am grateful. His name is Jesus.

The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;
the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118: 22-24

When Jesus came to earth, He was rejected and crucified. He died in our place for our sins and rose to live again, so that we love and serve a risen Savior! He became the Capstone for us, and He is the only One who can truly lead us, save us, and help us!

When Christ was killed, even those closest to Him did not understand at first. But they soon came to realize that it was all part of God’s Plan! What seemed only to be evil at first came to be understood as a beautiful, loving, and sacrificial gift of God giving His Son to save the world.

So, we rejoice over what God did through his Son, Jesus.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2

And even though the future may hold many unknowns, I know God has ultimate victory, and I choose to put my trust in Him. Let’s take one day at a time. Dark days will come, and we don’t know how many days each of us have, so let’s make the most of what is given to us. How do we respond to an unknown future? Let’s strengthen our faith and be found trusting God’s plans for us.

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.
Proverbs 3:5-6

I close with this:

On my TV screen, the Capitol is lit up in the dark skies…pretty scene….

In our lives, let our hearts be lit up with the love of Jesus in a dark world…more important scenes….

* * * * *

Dear Lord, let us be thankful that You sent Your Son to die for our sins and to become the Capstone!  We rejoice over Your Plan of salvation for us!  We love You, and let us each day remember what all You have done and rejoice and be glad in it!  In Jesus’ precious Name.

Amen.

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