Today’s Reading, Romans 14-16
Focal Scripture: Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
How would people describe you? Would they say you are a person that is full of hope, joy, and peace? If not why would that be the case? Don’t get me wrong we all have our moments when we are not the most pleasant people to be around. I know I have those moments. Usually it happens with my family when I have kept my frustrations inside all day. Then I get home and they don’t see a person that is full of hope, peace, and joy. I tell you that story because we will have moments where we fall. However, that should be the exception not the rule.
In todays reading Paul is giving some great insight the church at Rome. He reminds them that God is hope. He sustains when nobody else can. He also fills people with joy, hope and peace. How does this happen? Through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul is pointing the church to rely on the Holy Spirit to meet their needs as a church and personally. Paul wants the believers in Rome to be known for their fruit.
So what about you? Is joy part of your life right now or would you be described as a very unhappy person. Are you known for peace or are you a trouble maker? God doesn’t want you to just have these fruits he wants you to be full of them. Overflowing at the brim. Contagious to others. He wants you to have a life that rests in him.
If you are struggling with this in your life here are some things you can do to remedy the situation.
- Confess sin in your life
- Spend time in scripture
- Earnestly pray
- Spend time in silence before God
- Learn how to plug in to the Holy Spirit
- Acknowledge you don’t have it all figured out
God wants the best for our lives. He wants us to be people who are full of joy, hope, and peace. He wants us to be examples of a spirit filled life. People need to know we have been changed. This is evident by how the Holy Spirit is seen in how we live.
Live different. Show people a powerful life because they need to know that there is better out there. Be a person that demonstrates peace, joy, and hope.
Tomorrow I plan on reading 1 Corinthians 1-4
