Romans 12:12 - Rejoice in confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12 (NLT) Rejoice in our confident
hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
INTRODUCTION
If we take counsel with our doubts and
fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot
see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities
will only increase and deepen. But if we come to
God, feeling helpless and dependent, as we really
are, and in humble, trusting faith make known our
wants to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees
everything in creation, and who governs everything by
His will and word, He can and will attend to our
cry, and will let light shine into our hearts.
Through sincere prayer we are brought into
connection with the mind of the Infinite. We may have
no remarkable evidence at the time that the
face of our Redeemer is bending over us in
compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not
feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us
in love and pitying tenderness. SC96, 97
COMMENTARY PEARL
When Kids Go Astray
I came from a crazy, broken home, but
when I became a Christian, my life changed. In my
early days as a Christian, I would meet some kids
who were rebelling against God. They told me how
they came from homes where there was hypocrisy.
So I told them they had no idea what a
bad home looked like. Why would they not walk
with God?
Of course, I later began to realize what
hypocrisy does. In some ways, its almost better to
come from a home of complete unbelief than from a
home where parents say theyre Christians but
dont live it.
Thats because when youre raised in
the kind of home that I was, which was godless,
you know that it isnt good. I knew that I
didnt want that. I knew there had to be something
better. At the very least, I knew it wasnt an
example to follow.
On the other hand, if a mom and dad say
theyre Christians and contradict it. If theyre
fighting, screaming, getting drunk, or even breaking
up, its the worst thing they can do to their
kids. Theyve given their children an excuse for
their unbelief.
Live a godly life. Show your kids what
love looks like. Show them what a good marriage
looks like.
Sometimes, however, children still go
astray, and we feel like we have failed somehow. My
own sons both strayed from their faith for a
time. But we never gave up on them. And both of
them came back to Christ.
Maybe you havent talked to your
children for a while. They dont want your faith,
and they dont want your life. Its hard,
but dont give up. And know this: Your
children can escape your presence, but they can never
escape your prayers. So keep praying for them.
[Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Prayer is a Habit Worth Having.
Do you want to know how to deepen your
prayer life? At the risk of sounding like a
preacher - which I am - may I make a suggestion? Why
dont you check your habits?
In Romans 12:12, Paul says, When
trials come endure them patiently; steadfastly
maintain the habit of prayer. Prayer is a habit
worth having. Dont prepare to pray. Just pray.
Dont read about prayer. Just pray. Dont attend
a lecture on prayer or engage in discussion
about prayer. Just pray.
Posture, tone, and place are personal
matters. Select the form that works for you. But
dont think about it too much. Dont be so
concerned about wrapping the gift that you never give
it. Better to pray awkwardly than not at all.
And if you feel you should only pray when
inspired, thats okay. Just see to it that you are
inspired every day. [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at
maxlucado.com]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Romans 12:12 - Be Joyful in Hope; Patient in
Affliction and Faithful in Prayer.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210131-0939.html
Luke 18:1 - Always Pray and Never Give Up.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210814-1032.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
