Suffering produces perseverance

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Ellende leidt tot volharding

Romans 5:3-4, New International Version

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    What are you living to produce in your life? Wealth? Fame? Status? Significance? Legacy? How about character! Isn't having the character of God our real goal in life? So even in our worst of times, if we can be people of character, then nothing can steal from us our most desired goal, the character of God, given us in Jesus Christ. 



    Dear Father, please bless me so that I can be strong in difficult times and consistent in holy character. Please give me a heart of courage and compassion so that in some small way I can more nearly remind others what you are like and what you can do in their lives. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A new year with hopes and challenges

"How swiftly flies by the time,
A new year with hopes and challenges.
Plan thoroughly and be
Prepared for joy in living
You will achieve joy.

Nothing fearing,
Expect all things possible
With God

Yearning true
Excellence in character
Aim for nothing less than the best you can
Rise up and shine, ready for loving and serving our God!"
- Compilation

"Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day."
Psalm 96:1-2
 

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2013 update + 2014 February update: :

god (Photo credit: Notes for the Voyage)

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• A royal psalm. The theme of deliverance is divided into past, present, and future. (proclaimingthegospelofchrist.wordpress.com)
  Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
• Psalm 96:1-2 - Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. (church4u2.wordpress.com)
  There is an opportunity for musicians in our generation. The Grammy awards showed that the music industry has become a parody of itself, substituting style over substance. There is a great need for artists who can sing to the Lord a new song, going beyond the current categories of music set up by marketing companies. God has a new song for the earth. Can we hear it, or have we become deaf by the roar of money?
• Morning Prayer 1.24.14: Conversion of St. Paul (dailyoffice.org)
  O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.