We are each designed for a unique and divine purpose. Live yours!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Monday Manna


Welcome to Monday Manna. The purpose of this meme is to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. The first and third Monday of each month, anyone who wishes can post their thoughts on a verse Joanne introduced at her blog the Thursday before. It doesn't have to be a long post -- just a few thoughts, a picture you feel helps express it, a poem, a short story, a devotional. Today's verse is:

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV)


So few words, yet such high expectations AND such promises!

Be joyful in hope: This could be interpreted as "Be joyful in hope because there IS hope! That hope is in our God who desires only good for us. Our hope is not to be one of wishing, but rather one of expectation! This could almost be written as if it were one of the Beatitudes: "Blessed are those who hope, they will be joyful."

I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:2 NIV)
I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. (Psalm 31:7 NIV)

Be patient in affliction: This doesn't mean we should just tough it out, but that we are to rest in the assurance that no matter we are experiencing, God is with us and He will bring us through it. Not only that, our affliction will yield healing and refining of our spirits and our souls. Patience in our own affliction will serve as an example and a source of hope for others in their affliction.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7 NIV)
And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. (Hebrews 6:15 NIV)

Be faithful in prayer: Pray believing God will answer your prayer: not perhaps the specific thing you pray for, but what is best for you through His eyes.

To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, (Psalm 18:25 NIV)
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:8 NIV)

8 comments:

Laurie said...

Hey sister! Thanks for your Scritpures you added! That is a lot of good stuff to feed on today. THANKS!

Joanne Sher said...

Wonderful insights into this verse, Mary - and I love all the "extra" scripture you plugged in. I love especially your reminder of what kind of hope we have! Thanks for participating!

Sharlyn Guthrie said...

You did a beautiful job of constructing this meditation. I love the Scriptures you chose to emphasize each part of the verse. I also appreciate the admonition to hope expectantly, rather than wishfully.

RCUBEs said...

Thank u for sharing the wonderful verses I need to digest today. May we be patient and remain hopeful for whatever affliction comes our way. Rejoicing in the Lord, ROSEL

Spring M Fricks said...

Love it. That scripture reminds me of a favorite song we sung in church growing up. I will enter his gates. I'll be singing it for the rest of the day!

RCUBEs said...

I'm your "fan" so pls come by my site when u get a chance to see what it means...God bless and have a great day!

Debbie said...

I like how the scriptures are backing up the scriptures..
I loved what you wrote and was blessed. God Bless you,
Deb

Laurie Ann said...

Awesome post and I'm so glad you listed these verses. I can't wait to dive into them the way you did.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today and for the sweet comment you left.