Good Morning!

Some have asked where I get the subjects of the Good Morning messages. I truly believe that they come from the Holy Spirit working within my life … making me aware of little things as I journey through this life. Today’s is an example. I am sitting in the back seat of Euell and Patsy’s car Sunday when we passed a little church on Noah’s Ark Road in Jonesboro. (Yes, there is a Noah’s Ark Road … believe it or not.) On the church sign was the Bible reference “Romans 12:12”. So I became curious and looked the verses up as we rode along to Bible Study. Here’s the passage:

Romans 12:9-22 (English Standard Version)
Marks of the True Christian
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[a] serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[b] Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[c] to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Footnotes:
a. Romans 12:11 Or fervent in the Spirit
b. Romans 12:16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks
c. Romans 12:19 Greek give place

This passage is just filled up with so much good stuff that it would make an epic Good Morning to write it all down. So where do I start and keep it manageable for all of us to get a good start for today. Well, let’s stick with verse 12:

Rejoice in hope – it is so easy to get down in this negative world. Someone (I think it was Anna) commented Sunday how we are surrounded with negatives. And it is true – it seems like we are always looking at the dark side of things. I think we are so focused on human solutions to spiritual problems (and yes, most of the trouble in this world has a spiritual problem basis) that we forget to trust in God. When our human solutions fail, we begin to lose hope for a solution. But Christians can rejoice because we have the hope that comes from knowing that God has control of the situation.

Be patient in tribulation – Tied to rejoicing in hope is being patient in tribulation. We live in a world that expects the instant. We have instant coffee – bleaghhh. We have instant potatoes – yuck. And we have “instant winners” – fat chance. So why doesn’t God answer our needs instantly? Remember, tribulation comes to teach us something. We are in a learning process – and learning to trust God is not instantaneous. We learn to trust Him for our salvation. We learn to trust Him for our sustenance. We learn to trust Him for our survival. But these lessons are learned in a lifetime. Sickness comes – we learn about His power to heal. Finances go to pot – we learn that He is capable to provide for our needs. Death enters – we learn about His presence in life’s hardest moment. But it doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient in tribulation.

Be constant in prayer - Again, tied to the theme, constant praying allows us to rejoice in hope and be patient in tribulation. I do understand “ceiling prayer” – you know, when it seems like your prayers only get to the ceiling because it seems like God isn’t supplying an answer. Let me assure you that God is not above the ceiling. No, God is right there beside you as you kneel in prayer. One of the sweetest sights to see in a church meeting is when a suffering saint comes to the altar … and a brother or sister in Christ joins them at prayer. No words have to be spoken – just the presence of another is enough. And I see that as a picture of what God does when we kneel to pray to Him. He is right there, His powerful, loving arm wrapped around our sagging shoulder, lifting us up. So be constant in prayer – He is waiting.

There is so much more in this passage. I encourage you to meditate on this passage today as you continue this journey in life.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

New Prayer Need:

The family of Dorothy Heaton who passed away at age 92. Funeral today at 2:00.

Charles Johnson – health issues

Shared Praises: