Hope does not disappoint us

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:5, New International Version

Dutch version / Nederlands > Hoop zal niet worden beschaamd

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    Hope has become such a "wimpy" term in modern vocabulary. It hardly qualifies as an adequate translation of the meaning in most New Testament passages. Hope is the assurance that what we believe will happen. We could call it spiritual confidence. We have that spiritual confidence because more than just a wish, more than just an emotion, more than just a belief rests in our hearts; God himself lives in us through his Holy Spirit. When we become Christians, Jesus pours out the Spirit upon us (Titus 3:3-7) as God's gift to us (Acts 2:38; 5:32) to cleanse us (1 Cor. 6:11), make us part of the same Body (1 Cor. 12:12-13), and live inside us (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Paul adds one more thing to that list of blessings from God's presence within us -- God's love. We don't just have it; God keeps refreshing it through the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised (John 7:37-39).

    Holy and Almighty God, awesome in power and majestic in holiness, thank you for not only coming to us, but thank you also for living in us through your Spirit. Please pour your love into my heart so that the fruit of your grace may flow from me to those around me and everyone around me will know of your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 

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2014 January update:

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What part of the Body am I?

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

1 Corinthians 12:27, New International Version

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Welk deel van het lichaam ben jij
Previous> Parts of the body of Christ

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    Some questions we each need to ask ourselves: What part of the Body am I? What's my function, my purpose? How are I blessing others in the Body of Christ? Who is someone in the Body who does a great deal of service to others who needs my encouragement and praise, and perhaps my assistance? Who is someone who feels neglected and lonely who needs my love to be shown to him or her?

    Father, thank you for making me a part of something so precious, so awesome, as the bodily presence of the Lord. Please help each person in our church family to find his or her gifts of service and to use those gifts in ways that touch others with your grace and that bring you glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Parts of the body of Christ

But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

1 Corinthians 12:18-20, New International Version

Dutch version> Leden in het lichaam van Christus

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    The Apostle Paul reminds us that God assigns our roles in the Body of Christ. Several principles interact with God's choice. First, be faithful in what God has given you to do -- until we are faithful in/with little things, he will not entrust us with big ones (Luke 16:10-13). Second, if we don't use what he has given us, it will be taken away (Matthew 25:14-30). Third, we reap what we sow -- sinful or irresponsible behavior can create consequences that limit the effectiveness of our service (Galations 6:7-8). Bottom line -- let's be faithful with what God has given us, let's serve him when given new opportunities, and let's honor him with our choices so that Satan (*) cannot use our failure to interfere with our service!

    Dear Father and LORD of heaven and earth, please help me see my opportunities to serve in your Kingdom. Please grow my effectiveness in your service so that I can bring you glory and be a blessing to the Body of Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.

* The evil

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