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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Faith Makes Possible

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)

Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see. – (Hebrews 11:1, ERV)

Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. – (Hebrews 11:1, TPT)

Confident hope comes as we trust in He who is able to bring all things into being. Though no one has seen God, evidence of His existence is everywhere. Our faith cannot be dependent on our circumstances, but rather in He who is present with us through them all. The inexplicable peace that is made present in chaos, the light that shines on the darkest days, the strength and help to persevere when weariness is overwhelming – all remind me that God is with us and that faith is what grows hope in what is yet to be. May we ever have faith in He who grants us hope and hold fast to the promises of what is yet to be.

Faith makes possible,

What is yet to be;

Helps us to hold hope,

In what we can’t see.

What God has promised,

Is trusted and true;

All that is needed,

Is what God will do.

Strength in the struggle,

Peace when it is hard;

His love forever,

Right here where we are.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our hope and You grow faith within us. Thank You that faith fuels the hope within us that trusts in what is unseen and yet to be. Forgive us for our fears and doubts. Teach us to trust You more as You grow our faith in You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that increase faith and offer hope where it is lacking. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we have faith in all that is hoped for and all that is yet to be seen. Amen.

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

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. – Hebrews 11:6