Strength to Persevere

Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus. – (Romans 15:5, HCSB)

All patience and encouragement come from God. And I pray that God will help you all agree with each other, as Christ Jesus wants. – (Romans 15:5, ERV)

I pray that our God, who calls you and gives you perseverance and encouragement, will join all of you together to share one mind according to Jesus the Anointed – (Romans 15:5, VOICE)

This passage is part of Paul’s encouragement to the church of Rome, as it highlights the need for perseverance and encouragement to be united with fellow believers. To join together with one mind does not mean that all people need to think and act alike, but rather it is a matter of agreeing to keep the main things the main things. As a believer, the main things are to love God and love people. When we prioritize doing these things, we are aligned with Christ and do that which He wants us to do. May we ever seek the Lord to grant us strength and perseverance, and help us to encourage one another to love well in all things and at all times. It is only by His grace that we are able to be the children of God that He has called and created us to be.

It is by God’s grace,

that we each can be;

who He has made us,

live in harmony.

His strength is needed,

to choose persevere;

His love enfolds us,

encouraged, we hear.

To hear is to choose,

to listen to all;

His love will guide us,

help answer His call.

The call is to love,

live in unity;

care well for others,

be His hands and feet.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to live in unity with one another, and You encourage and strengthen us so that we can persevere. Forgive us for the times that we have lost sight of what it means to love You and love those around us. Teach us to seek You to be our strength and resolve so that we may persevere in all things and at all times. Lead us in Your love so that we may encourage those around us as we love the way You intended. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we rely on You to show us the ways we should go and to grant us the strength that only You can supply. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling. – Exodus 15:13

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May Compassion Compel Us to Action

During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for these people: they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” – (Mark 8:1-3)

 

Jesus identified a practical need of the people before Him, and went beyond simple concern. Christ’s compassion compelled Him to action, and He carried out another miraculous feeding of the masses. Likewise, the Lord sees and knows our daily needs. He is concerned for us, just as He was for those who had gathered to hear Him. God is never too busy to hear us, nor too callous to not care for our needs. He provides what we need when we need it, though often in ways we would never expect. We are meant to be available vessels, as often He uses us to be His hands and feet to supply what is needed for another. Our hearts ought to be ever open to hear Him, so that we may be ready to reach out however He may ask. Likewise, we need also be willing to receive that which the Lord provides through others, as they may very well be the supply to where we are lacking. May we go forth with open hands and hearts, ready to give and receive all that the Lord has for us.

 

The Lord knows our need,

far better than us;

that is why He sent,

precious Lord Jesus.

Not one of us could,

live life without sin;

we needed saving,

so Christ entered in.

Beyond the big needs,

Christ cares for the small;

He sees where we lack,

and provides for all.

May hearts be open,

to do as He asks;

to give or receive,

trust Him in each task.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the God who sees and knows our needs before we do. Thank You that You care for us and provide in ways that we could not even fathom. Thank You that You invite us to partner with You as Your instruments of peace, to go forth and be Your hands and feet to a world in need. Forgive us for not going where You call us to go, or for refusing to receive what You are providing through another. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may have Your eyes to see what is right before us. Lead us to love others as You love us, and may many come into a lasting relationship with You as a result. Be exalted O God, as we allow compassion to lead us to action wherever You call us to go. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14