37 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
37 lines
4.4 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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July 8
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<h1>Still More on God's Ability and His Promises</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I <b>know</b> whom I <b>have believed</b> and <b>am persuaded</b> that <b>He is able</b> to <b>keep</b> what I have <b>committed to Him</b> until <b>that Day</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti', 1, '12-12');">2 Timothy 1:12</a>)</div>
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<p>A growing appreciation of <b>God's ability</b> produces an increasing tendency to rely upon <b>God's promises</b>. In this present meditation, we are reminded of how <b>relationship with the Lord</b> is <b>always</b> at the <b>heart</b> of the Christian life.</p>
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<p>Paul's experience of suffering was the setting for this "one verse testimony." <i>"For this reason I also <b>suffer</b> these things."</i> The reason he suffered was related to his <b>calling</b> to preach the <b>gospel</b>: <i>"to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti', 1, '11-11');">2 Timothy 1:11</a>). When the Lord first called Paul to serve Him in the good news of grace, God revealed his future sufferings. <i>"I will show him how many things he <b>must suffer</b> for <b>My</b> name's sake"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act', 9, '16-16');">Acts 9:16</a>). Suffering is inevitable while serving God in an ungodly world. Jesus Himself was our example. <i>"For to this <b>you</b> were <b>called</b>, because <b>Christ</b> also <b>suffered</b> for us, leaving us an <b>example</b>, that <b>you</b> should follow <b>His steps</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe', 2, '21-21');">1 Peter 2:21</a>).</p>
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<p>Although Paul suffered, he was not shamed by his suffering. <i>"Nevertheless I am <b>not ashamed</b>."</i> If our suffering is for godly reasons, we likewise do not need to be ashamed. <i>"If anyone <b>suffers</b> as a <b>Christian</b>, let him <b>not</b> be <b>ashamed</b>, but let him glorify God in this matter"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe', 4, '16-16');">1 Peter 4:16</a>). The faith that enabled Paul to endure sufferings properly came from His growing relationship with Jesus. <i>"For I <b>know</b> whom I <b>have believed</b>."</i> Since originally believing in the Lord, Paul had become increasingly acquainted with Him. A wonderful consequence of increased intimacy with Christ is becoming increasingly convinced of His ability. <i>"For I know whom I have believed and <b>am persuaded</b> that <b>He is able</b>."</i> This conviction encouraged Paul to entrust the issues of life into the care of His Master. <i>"<b>He is able</b> to <b>keep</b> what I have <b>committed to Him</b>."</i> This trust was Paul's daily desire right up to the return of the Lord: <i>"until <b>that Day</b>."</i> Again, Jesus left us a similar example. He committed His daily situations into the hands of His able heavenly Father. <i>"When <b>He suffered</b>, He did not threaten, but <b>committed Himself</b> to <b>Him</b> who judges <b>righteously</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe', 2, '23-23');">1 Peter 2:23</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear heavenly Father, again I see that it is all about relationship. As Jesus related to You in His day by day living, I want to relate to Jesus. Lord Jesus, help me to know You more and more. Getting to know You is what persuades me of Your ability to fulfill Your promises. Lord, I have many sufferings that I need to trust You to handle, from now until You return for me. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.</div>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/07/0707.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/07/0709.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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