Here’s some great new music from a young lady I had not been familiar with until this song. I’m not usually a big gospel fan, but I do love this anthem by Ms. Jekalyn Carr. God is changing your story!
June 5
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through 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. 3Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And 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)
A lot of what Paul writes needs no further analysis. He is a common sense teacher and a common word preacher. His words are poetic and powerful. Just looking at the verses above, when he writes about our suffering, how we find glory in our suffering, because we know suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character gives way to hope.
2020 has given us much suffering. Are we finding glory in this suffering? Are we looking at the events that are quickly unfolding and praising God for this because we realize how much stronger we will emerge from this year? How much better our character will be after 2020 is over? How much more we will cling to the hope of eternal glory in Christ’s kingdom?
Of course, America, as a nation, does not find glory in our suffering. We just complain about it on social media and want someone to make our lives much easier. But as Paul clearly teaches us here, it is in our suffering where we find and build our true character. The hope of 2020 being a year of peace and prosperity are gone, but 2020 will be the year when we define who we are as a nation, a generation, and a kingdom of God.
Reading plan: Romans 5
Deeper reading plan: Psalms 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50
Prayer and meditation: Pray for our country. Pray for love to conquer all. Pray that Christ infects our hearts and ignites a final fire of revival to sweep this land.
Fitness challenge: Free for all Friday! (This one came from my daughter):
Run 2 miles
100 4-count jumping jacks
200 push-ups
I’ll throw in 200 sit-ups (or crunches). This will give you something to do on your rest sets for the push-ups.
Common Sense Reborn 