Matthew 1:24 - 24 When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her.
Reflection: Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Earthly desires and pursuits can cause us stress, confusion, and a feeling of being overwhelmed by the fallen world’s pain.
Getting caught up in ourselves will most certainly lead us to believe that we’re in control or that we’re solely dependent on our strength. We may achieve what we set out to achieve, or receive what we thought we wanted, but we'll likely end up disappointed and distressed that the end result wasn't what we had hoped for. Regardless of the outcome, either one is probably not part of God’s plan. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says “God is not a God of disorder, but rather of peace”. Our hope and pursuit of knowing Jesus will lead us to obedience.
When we fail in our own ways and we endure earthly sufferings, Romans 5:4 reminds us: “… but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And 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.”
Bogdan Calin
Prayer: Heavenly Father, open our eyes to the glory You have bestowed on us through Jesus Christ, our Savior. The pain of this fallen world can be unbearable at times, but knowing that the same Holy Spirit that brought Christ from the dead is the same one that dwells in us is reason to rejoice and have hope. I pray that all those hurting and all those that don’t know You open the eyes of their hearts, see You, and have hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection: Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Earthly desires and pursuits can cause us stress, confusion, and a feeling of being overwhelmed by the fallen world’s pain.
Getting caught up in ourselves will most certainly lead us to believe that we’re in control or that we’re solely dependent on our strength. We may achieve what we set out to achieve, or receive what we thought we wanted, but we'll likely end up disappointed and distressed that the end result wasn't what we had hoped for. Regardless of the outcome, either one is probably not part of God’s plan. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says “God is not a God of disorder, but rather of peace”. Our hope and pursuit of knowing Jesus will lead us to obedience.
When we fail in our own ways and we endure earthly sufferings, Romans 5:4 reminds us: “… but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And 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.”
Bogdan Calin
Prayer: Heavenly Father, open our eyes to the glory You have bestowed on us through Jesus Christ, our Savior. The pain of this fallen world can be unbearable at times, but knowing that the same Holy Spirit that brought Christ from the dead is the same one that dwells in us is reason to rejoice and have hope. I pray that all those hurting and all those that don’t know You open the eyes of their hearts, see You, and have hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.