1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 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. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:1-5
Questions for Reflection:
In what way have you (or do you) struggle with shame in your relationship with God? Do you feel He is ashamed of you? Are you ever ashamed of Him?
How does it feel to know that God wants you to have a solid hope (profound certainty) that His grace is so big and the work of Jesus so complete that all shame and the separation it causes, is neutralized by His love which is personally and lavishly delivered to your heart by the Holy Spirit?
Prayer of the Week:
Holy and Victorious Trinity - Father, Son, Holy Spirit- I come to You now to be restored in You to be renewed in You to receive Your love and Your Life and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I love You, I worship You, I trust You, and I give myself over to You in my heart’s search for Life. I renounce all other gods and idols and give myself totally and completely to You. You are my HOPE for Life today and for Life everlasting.
Father, I ask for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that I might know You better. I want to know You, Father, deeply and wholly. I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened so that I might know, really know, the HOPE to which You have called me and that I might know the riches of the inheritance You have in store for me and all my brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to live as a person of HOPE.
Jesus, I desire HOPE in You to be the difference maker in how I live this day. HOPE in You lifts my eyes from the downward draw of this worlds priorities to the upward gaze of life in Your presence. I want to live in this world Jesus but not of this world. Jesus, I believe You have given me a new birth into a Living HOPE through Your resurrection from the dead. I now receive afresh today this new birth, new life, and resurrection of HOPE - purchased by You and given to me.
Holy Spirit, I open the eyes of my heart to You asking You to pour Your love into my heart and pour resurrection Life into every crack and crevice of my living. I pray that You, the God of HOPE, fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You that I might overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
