romans 5.3-4 (ms), we continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever GOD will do next. in alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged.
the way GOD produces the fruit of the spirit in our lives – love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, self-control – is by putting you in the exact opposite situation.
you want to learn love? GOD is going to put you around some unlovely people. it's easy to love the lovely. you want to learn joy? HE'll put you in some tragedies and you'll learn that joy is different than happiness. peace? it's easy to be peaceful setting on the beach in tahiti or long island. but peace is learned in chaos. goodness? HE'll put you in situations where you're tempted for badness. self-control? HE'll move you nex to a dunkin donuts or a baskin-robbins. GOD allows us in the opposite situation in order to help us grow.
what do you want to change the most about yourself? the power to change comes from GOD's power and your choices. when you choose to do the right thing, GOD gives you the power. what GOD tells you to do HE gives you the power to do. whatever you want to change it takes cooperation with GOD. HE will work it in if you will work it out.
GOD has promised to give you both the desire, the will power and the ability to make those changes. HE will do it through HIS word and through HIS SPIRIT. HE will energize your life to make those changes. but it starts with our choices.
just a thought from the front porch...
No comments:
Post a Comment