There Are More Unknowns than Knowns

[S] For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (Romans 8:24, 25 NASB)

[O] Hope is to wait for the future that is unseen because it doesn't mean much to hope for outcome that is already known. There are a lot of unknowns in our lives and that is why having hope is important so that we would have a healthy perspective of what is to come.

[A] I need to have hope in the crisis I face now because I cannot see how it will resolve itself in the future. I need to wait eagerly for it with perseverance as I put my trust in God.

[P] Dear God, there is so much unknown than known in my life I have to trust in You in order to have the right outlook in life because otherwise I'll be so entrenched in my own ways to make things work, I will spend all of my energy doing that just for the short span of life I live here in respect to the eternity You have for me.  May my heart be filled with Your hope and may it carry me through the life I live here on earth to glorify You.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Perseverance and Encouragement Brings Unity

[S] Romans 15:5-6 --
5  Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,6  so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[O] The two operatives perseverance and encouragement are the secret sauce of receiving likemindedness with others in service to God resulting in glorifying God.  Unity among a group of believers first begins by latching our hearts to perseverance and encouragement which come from God.  When two or more people gather there exists differences in opinion and from that can arise divisions.  Perseverance will prevent this because it allows waiting and eventually accepting others as they are moving into the territory of encouragement.  I know that when I coach teenagers soccer, I can see their eyes sparkle when I encourage them on specific thing they did well which results in their deeper interest in the game.

[A] So, as I am constantly asking the question of how to "CONNECT" people at my church, I will take these two operatives to heart and also emphasize to the small group leaders to take on the same heart.

[P] Dear Father, we have a small group seminar in a couple of weeks where we want to build a unity of spirit among the members of our church in order to lay a rock-solid foundation of small groups to carry us further into Your wonderful ministry of reaching out to the people around us so they may know You and Your beautiful plans for their lives.  Would you please send Your Spirit ahead of this event so our members will attend with the hearts of perseverance and encouragement?  In Your name.  Amen.

In For the Whole Distance

[S] Isaiah 57:10 --
    ¹⁰"You were tired out by the length of your road,
         Yet you did not say, 'It is hopeless.'
         You found renewed strength,
         Therefore you did not faint.

[O] The road of following Christ was not meant to be a walk in a park as Jesus tells us to take up my own cross and follow Him daily (Luke 9:23).  In fact, at times even in the midst of the joy of seeing lives transformed and lost souls finding God's grace and love, I feel tired and wearied and the road seem just endless without the "light at the end of the tunnel."  It's at times like these my original vision and commitment is tested to either give up (or retreat with discouragement and hopelessness) or find renewed strength in Him.  I am reminded of David a simple boy who took five smooth stones to go up against Goliath.  He knew from the beginning he may have to go the full distance to take down Goliath by preparing himself with five stones not just a couple which would be too little and not a bag-full because that would slow him down.  God allowed His strength and power to work through the first stone David flung at Goliath but David's preparedness impresses me and encourages me to do just that.

[A] What was my commitment and preparedness when I entered into initiating the new small group ministry at my church?  Was it based on some "successful" metrics or was it founded in the strength of God which will funnel the renewed strength in my life as I hit the challenges in carrying out this ministry?  I need to go to the foot of His Cross to renew my strength to stand up and not "faint."

[P] Heavenly Father, may Your awesome strength sent to us through the Holy Spirit and the Cross Jesus bore permeate through my life, especially now, to carry on the small group ministry that You desire to establish at our church.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.