November 12th

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:12, 14

When circumstances determine your joy, you are living with a ball and chain called your flesh. Your flesh can give you only ever changing and fleeting happiness. This is both deceiving and dangerous to us. Often what we want is not what we really need. The goal of the flesh is to love our self. This selfishness pulls us away more and more from the deeply satisfying love of God. Following our flesh hardens our heart by constantly causing us to be distracted from the plan and will of God.

Truth and clarity come from focusing on the Word of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, we would not have any hope or any ability to be patient in our afflictions. Our prayer life is effectual when is inspired by the Holy Spirit, who gives us the ability to be faithful to the end of our lives.

When we have a deep and effectual connection with God, His love allows us to love our persecutors with God’s love when our flesh says curse them. Love is the triumphant power that enables us to live out the Word of God.