All About GOD2024-03-28T14:27:45ZPoiemaDeihttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/PoemiaDeihttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/61783126?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://www.allaboutgod.net/group/thenetprayerroom/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=31imozmmsgepu&feed=yes&xn_auth=noLet's Pray for each othertag:www.allaboutgod.net,2018-08-06:1383940:Topic:17579472018-08-06T23:04:08.639ZPoiemaDeihttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/PoemiaDei
Hi Friends,<br />
Prayer do work.<br />
Let us not get tire praying for our personal and individual needs. God do answer prayer and He will answer your prayer at the appropriate time. Believe and it shall come to pass.
Hi Friends,<br />
Prayer do work.<br />
Let us not get tire praying for our personal and individual needs. God do answer prayer and He will answer your prayer at the appropriate time. Believe and it shall come to pass. pray for a strong relationship with Godtag:www.allaboutgod.net,2018-03-29:1383940:Topic:17510182018-03-29T16:59:26.090ZPoiemaDeihttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/PoemiaDei
I'm facing a difficult time now don't see myself holding close to God I see myself moving away from him and trying /doing things against his will and command pls brothers and sisters I need your interception for me .<br />
<br />
Carlson okie
I'm facing a difficult time now don't see myself holding close to God I see myself moving away from him and trying /doing things against his will and command pls brothers and sisters I need your interception for me .<br />
<br />
Carlson okie Letter from Jesustag:www.allaboutgod.net,2017-12-16:1383940:Topic:17462232017-12-16T04:12:09.102ZPoiemaDeihttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/PoemiaDei
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/91642783?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/91642783?profile=original" class="align-center" width="256"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/91642828?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/91642828?profile=original" class="align-center" width="540"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/91642783?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/91642783?profile=original" class="align-center" width="256"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/91642828?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/91642828?profile=original" class="align-center" width="540"/></a></p> The Basis for Discernment Hebrews 4:12-13tag:www.allaboutgod.net,2017-07-28:1383940:Topic:17383872017-07-28T21:38:31.875ZPoiemaDeihttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/PoemiaDei
<p><span class="font-size-4" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">The Basis for Discernment</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_19510"><span class="font-size-4" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/tzmmzjlcmwmklpcgkbfrdksdljkphffpwvldzzgcbvzzpjm_tjbvzllvcjcj.html" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_19512" name="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_19512" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hebrews 4:12-13…</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">The Basis for Discernment</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_19510"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/tzmmzjlcmwmklpcgkbfrdksdljkphffpwvldzzgcbvzzpjm_tjbvzllvcjcj.html" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_19512" name="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_19512">Hebrews 4:12-13</a></span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_19475"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">Since spiritual discernment is the ability to see life from God's perspective, it requires that we know how He thinks and acts. The Bible is His unchanging, infallible revelation of Himself. However, the Lord doesn't simply give us a list of facts about His character and ways. All throughout the pages of Scripture, He illustrates who He is and how He operates.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_19522"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">Although the Bible is ancient, it's not a dead book. It's alive and as fresh as if He were speaking directly to you. The stories may have taken place centuries ago, but the principles and applications are current and relevant. It's our instruction book about how to live. Guidance for decisions and discernment about situations are found from Genesis to Revelation.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_19524"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">God's Word is active and piercing. The words don't simply sit on the page. They penetrate our hearts and judge our thoughts and motives. This convicting quality is why some people don't like to read the Bible. But self-discernment is essential if we don't want to keep making the same mistakes over and over again. Some Christians live on a surface level, never understanding why they react to situations the way they do. But if we'll approach the Word of God with an open spirit, it will bring to light our hidden motives and reveal unrecognized sins.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_19573"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">Spiritual discernment involves seeing not just our circumstances but also ourselves from God's perspective. Have you learned to embrace the piercing sword of Scripture, or have you avoided doing so because it makes you uncomfortable? Remember, God's Word cuts only so that it can heal.</span></p> The High Cost of Wavering Faith Deuteronomy 1:19-40tag:www.allaboutgod.net,2017-07-28:1383940:Topic:17388122017-07-28T21:32:13.226ZPoiemaDeihttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/PoemiaDei
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18942"><span class="font-size-4" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18944" style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;">The High Cost of Wavering Faith…</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18950"></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18942"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18944" style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-4">The High Cost of Wavering Faith</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18950"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-4"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/gwylynctlwldcmthdkqpjdsjcndmgqqmwrcjyyhtkrwcmyc_cqgcdttclqlq.html" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18952" name="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18952">Deuteronomy 1:19-40</a></span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18954"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-4">God has given believers personalities, abilities, and spiritual gifts which will equip them to accomplish His specific plans for their lives. But each one must choose to step out in faith and obedience. At times the Lord challenges us to do something that seems beyond our ability, but if we back off, we’ll miss His awesome blessings.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18956"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-4">Let’s learn from the Israelites who made several choices that led to unbelief, resulting in a lifetime of aimless wandering. They . . .</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-4">* Listened to the wrong voices. To walk obediently with the Lord, we need to guard ourselves from being swayed by those who don’t understand the greatness of our God. Not only that, but we must also learn to recognize the lies of Satan. He wants us to become ineffective, accomplishing little for the kingdom of God.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18960"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-4">* Relied on human perspective.At times trusting God conflicts with human reasoning. But those who choose to trust Him--even when the external evidence points to an impossibility--will find that He is bigger than any obstacle.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18958"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-4">* Let feelings overcome faith. Perhaps the biggest hindrances to obedience are fearand inadequacy. An internal focus is a trust killer. The way to overcome our feelings is to rely on the Lord and His promises. He will equip us for whatever He calls us to do.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_19009"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" class="font-size-4">Every challenging call to obedience is a fork in the road of our lives. To go the way of unbelief will lead to a lifetime of regret and aimless wandering, but to courageously trust God and do what He says will result in the greatest blessing of your life. The choice is yours.</span></p> When Faith Wavers James 1:5-8tag:www.allaboutgod.net,2017-07-28:1383940:Topic:17387172017-07-28T21:30:24.228ZPoiemaDeihttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/PoemiaDei
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18007"><span class="font-size-4" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18006" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">When Faith Wavers…</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18002"></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18007"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18006" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">When Faith Wavers</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18002"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/kspdhflsdtdjlpsgjrkqbjwblfjpmkkptvlbhhgsrrdplsf_ycfklsskgcgc.html" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18004" name="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18004">James 1:5-8</a></span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_17982"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">If we believe that God is who He says He is and will do what He has promised, why do so many of us habitually waver in our prayers? Instead of exercising bold faith, we come to the Lord “hoping” He will hear us and answer our requests, but we’re just not sure He will. With this kind of thinking, we cannot expect to receive anything from Him.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18014"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">One reason we are so prone to doubt is that we fail to see God at work in our circumstances. We asked, and nothing happened. But the Lord is not some cosmic bellhop who jumps in response to our requests. He sees past, present, and future and knows the right time for every answer. His invisible hand is already at work on our behalf--arranging situations to accomplish His will, opening hearts,</span><br/><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">and preparing us to receive what He wants to give.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18016"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">Another cause for uncertainty is ignorance. If we don’t know God’s ways, we will be disappointed in His response. All too often our prayers are accompanied by expectations of how He will work. When He fails to intervene according to our timetable or anticipated method, we start to doubt. But placing our faith in the Lord and trusting in His good and perfect ways gives us stability as we wait for His answer.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_18026"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">To overcome doubts, spend time in the Word to learn God’s principles and ways. Then you’ll begin to grasp what He wants to achieve in your life and how He goes about it. Examine your past from a biblical perspective--faith will grow as you see the unexpected ways He answered your prayers.</span></p> The Power of Patience Hebrews 6:9-15tag:www.allaboutgod.net,2017-07-28:1383940:Topic:17386842017-07-28T21:27:46.843ZPoiemaDeihttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/PoemiaDei
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13363"><span class="font-size-5" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13362" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">The Power of Patience…</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13371"></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13363"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13362" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-5">The Power of Patience</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13371"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-5"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/atbtksmptbtnmlpwnyzgvnrvmsnldzzlbhmvkkwpyyhdlpl_gnkryccrtntn.html" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13373" name="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13373">Hebrews 6:9-15</a></span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13375"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-5">Picture yourself waiting in a checkout line that hasn’t moved for ten minutes. Many of us would feel frustrated. We live in a generation that expects instant results.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13345"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-5">Everyone struggles with some degree of impatience. We’re born with this trait--think about a three-month-old who wants milk in the middle of the night. The inborn reaction is to fuss at the first hint of discomfort and to keep at it until the need is met. Patterns from our old “flesh” nature make this a continual battle for most people, but one that is very worthwhile to fight.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13377"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-5">Let’s consider the biblical definition of <em>patience</em>. It can mean both <em>longsuffering </em>and <em>perseverance</em>, or not giving up and yielding under pressure. In either case, it reveals itself when we are willing to wait without frustration while suffering or experiencing some strong desire. In other words, we accept difficult situations without giving God deadlines. What’s more, patience means accepting what the Lord gives, on Histimetable--or what He chooses not to give. This quality results in inner peace and lack of stress. Meanwhile, we should pray, obey, and persist as we seek God’s direction.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13381"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-5">The danger of impatience is that we might miss the Lord’s perfect plan and His blessing. Only when we trust our Father’s will and timing can we rest peacefully.</span></p>
<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1501362815104_13379"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;" class="font-size-5">What causes you stress? Carefully examine whether you are taking matters into your own hands or releasing the circumstance to almighty God. Listen to Psalm 37:7, which says, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Seek His way and His timing. Anything else can be destructive.</span></p> prayers pleasetag:www.allaboutgod.net,2017-07-27:1383940:Topic:17383762017-07-27T16:46:12.806ZPoiemaDeihttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/PoemiaDei
<p>I am need of prayer for several areas of my life right now:</p>
<p></p>
<p>my relationship with Jim and that we can discuss and fix our issues. While binding Satan from our relationship</p>
<p></p>
<p>that I get a job I interviewed for this week</p>
<p></p>
<p>That my finances get better so I can pay my rent</p>
<p>I am need of prayer for several areas of my life right now:</p>
<p></p>
<p>my relationship with Jim and that we can discuss and fix our issues. While binding Satan from our relationship</p>
<p></p>
<p>that I get a job I interviewed for this week</p>
<p></p>
<p>That my finances get better so I can pay my rent</p> FOLLOW GOD'S LEADtag:www.allaboutgod.net,2017-07-17:1383940:Topic:17375222017-07-17T07:07:52.434ZPoiemaDeihttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/PoemiaDei
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24466"><span class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24654"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24653"><a href="http://www.cgg.org/r/?s=KxzQZ2u" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24652" name="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24652" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24651" style="color: #003300;">Matthew…</span></a></span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24466"><span class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24654"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24653"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cgg.org/r/?s=KxzQZ2u" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24652" name="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24652"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24651" style="color: #003300;">Matthew 5:3</span></a></span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24667"><span class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24666"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24665">(3) "Blessed <i id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24668">are</i> the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. <br/><br/></span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24670"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24669" class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;">"<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/PERSONAL/k/202/The-Beatitudes-Part-Two-Poor-Spirit.htm" title="library"><span style="color: #003300;">Poor in spirit</span></a>" does not mean to conduct one's life without vitality, nor does it mean that a person is weak.</span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24672"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24671" class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;">Would we ever accuse <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cgg.org/r/?s=DYWbMEl"><span style="color: #003300;">Jesus</span></a> of being weak? Jesus was the personification of humility.</span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24674"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24673" class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;">People think of humility as weakness because they are judging carnally by man's spirit, by sight.</span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24676"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24675" class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;">But the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/RA/k/1648/What-Is-Holy-Spirit.htm" title="library"><span style="color: #003300;">Spirit of God</span></a>, the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/RA/k/974/Faith-What-Is-It.htm" title="library"><span style="color: #003300;">faith</span></a> of <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/CGGBOOKLETS/k/421/God-Is-What.htm" title="library"><span style="color: #003300;">God</span></a>, judges according to things not seen, the Kingdom's standards.</span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal"><span class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;">Here is a definition of poor in spirit from a commentary by Emmet Fox on the Sermon on the Mount:</span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal"><span class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;">To be poor in spirit means to have emptied yourself of all desire to exercise personal self-will and what is just as important to have renounced all preconceived opinions [prejudices] in the wholehearted search for God.</span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal"><span class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;">It means to be willing to set aside your present habits of thought, your present views and prejudices, your present way of life, if necessary, to jettison in fact anything and everything that can stand in the way of your finding God.</span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal"><span class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;">When Jesus counselled us in <a rel="nofollow" name="2373223732"></a><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cgg.org/r/?s=kQLspmf" title="verse"><span style="color: #003300;">Matthew 18:4</span></a> that unless we became as little children we would not even be in the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cgg.org/r/?s=LAB6Swa"><span style="color: #003300;">Kingdom of Heaven</span></a>, He was not holding up a child's innocence or purity as a model.</span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24688"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24687" class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;">He was not counselling us to become childish but to have a child's unconcern for social status, honour, or anything similar.</span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24686"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24685" class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;">When we are carnal, pride is such a master that we have little choice but to follow it.</span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24683"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24684" class="font-size-4" style="color: #003300;">It is plowing the way before us. One who is truly poor in spirit, however, can ignore pride and follow God's lead.</span></p>
<p class="yiv8219711298MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_24681"><span> </span></p> AMEN AND AMENtag:www.allaboutgod.net,2017-07-17:1383940:Topic:17374572017-07-17T07:04:42.336ZPoiemaDeihttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/PoemiaDei
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22289"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22490"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22489"> …</span></b><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22324"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22323"><a href="http://www.cgg.org/r/?s=DGRp4X4" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22322" name="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22322" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22289"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22490"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22489"> </span></b><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22324"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22323"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cgg.org/r/?s=DGRp4X4" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22322" name="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22322"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22321" style="color: #000000;">Romans 5:1-5</span></a></span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22302"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22319"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22318">(1) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,</span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22295"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22294"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22293">(2) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.</span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22493"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22492"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22491">(3) And not only <i>that,</i> but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;</span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22496"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22495"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22494">(4) and perseverance, character; and character, hope.</span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22315"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22317"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22316">(5) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. <br/><br/></span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22313"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22314" class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">"Hope" appears three times in these verses, and it is tied to justification and the doors that open to us. In verse 2, hope motivates us to rejoice that we can look forward in positive expectation of God's glory!</span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22311"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22312" class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">What an awesome opening that is to us! It is not the glory of a perfect human or even of angels, but of <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/CGGBOOKLETS/k/421/God-Is-What.htm" title="library"><span style="color: #000000;">God</span></a>!</span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22304"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22303" class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">This is so hard for us to imagine because it almost sounds blasphemous. Is it any wonder that Christians can be optimistic about life in the face of all the evil we are aware of?</span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">The goal is so great that it is worth more than all the burden of being human, dealing with our sins and the repercussions of others' sins.</span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">Our hope does not disappoint or bring us to shame because it is based in the reality of God and His promises.</span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">The common hopes of man may or may not come to pass because they are fragile and frail at best and in many cases utterly false.</span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22310"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">Yet, the believer's hope is no fantasy because it is firmly anchored in the person and promises of the Creator God.</span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22309"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22308" class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">As mentioned earlier, the activity of God among us produces hope.</span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22306"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22305" class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">This is drawn in part from verses 3-4, where Paul says that trials, borne while God is part of our lives, produces perseverance, character, and hope.</span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal"><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">Because of this hope a person is never embarrassed through failure because God, who is our hope, never fails.</span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22508"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22507" class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">God loves us, and He communicates His love to us through His instruction, fellowship, and discipline.</span></p>
<p class="yiv0517495196MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22502"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22501" class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;">Through these, we come to know Him and His faithfulness. As our admiration for Him grows, these things motivate us to purify ourselves to be like Him (<a rel="nofollow" name="3058130582"></a><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.cgg.org/r/?s=ZloPzw8" title="verse" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22506" name="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22506"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22505" style="color: #000000;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500356585027_22504">I John 3:1-2</span></span></a>).</span></p>