The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Peace in Suffering" for Tuesday, 1 November 2016 with Scripture: Romans 5:1-5issue cover

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Peace in Suffering" for Tuesday, 1 November 2016 with Scripture: Romans 5:1 So, since we have come to be considered righteous by God because of our trust, let us continue to have shalom with God through our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah. 2 Also through him and on the ground of our trust, we have gained access to this grace in which we stand; so let us boast about the hope of experiencing God’s glory. 3 But not only that, let us also boast in our troubles; because we know that trouble produces endurance, 4 endurance produces character, and character produces hope; 5 and this hope does not let us down, because God’s love for us has already been poured out in our hearts through the Ruach HaKodesh who has been given to us.
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Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.[Romans 5:1 (NIV)]
In his last days, my father-in-law, Pastor Vicente Barrón, suffered from severe bronchial distress and most of the time had to be connected to a breathing apparatus. His distress became ours as family members stayed by his side and cared for him constantly.
Despite his acute health crisis, Pastor Barrón showed spiritual maturity and reliance on the Lord — especially by reminding us constantly of the verse quoted above. My father-in-law had given his life to serving the Lord — both in the mission field and in pastoral ministry. It was a blessing for all the family members to observe the way he remained faithful and never lamented his suffering. Instead, he encouraged us to remain at peace, to continue to place our trust in God’s work.
As we devote our lives to service and remain faithful through our times of suffering, then we, too, can gain the peace that only God can give.
The Author: Raúl E. Rocha Gutiérrez (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Thought for the Day: The peace of God surpasses all understanding. (See Philippians 4:7.)
Prayer: God of eternal life, give us the peace that only you can provide through our faith in Christ. Amen.
Prayer focus: CONGREGATIONS THAT HAVE LOST A PASTOR
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