Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 2Sample

“Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.” (Romans 12:12)

Paul writes to the church of ancient Rome, and in this verse, he writes about three fundamental principles applicable to the lives of believers.

As we find ourselves at the beginning of a new year, trying new things and setting new goals, I think we should take this to heart.

He first says to rejoice in Hope: “Let your hope keep you joyful." There is a whole year ahead of us, and while we do not know what this year will bring to our doorsteps, we know that we can have hope. We can rejoice because our hope is not in our circumstances but in Jesus. After all, he is everlasting.

Secondly, he says: "be patient in your troubles."

Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit and a quality everyone needs to cultivate, especially in our hasty world. Fast food, fast internet, fast travel, it’s all about getting there faster. Cultivating patience is not just about being patient in our daily routines but in difficult times as well.

We all go through difficult times and have to deal with hardship, but those things can produce greater things in us if we endure them.

Lastly, he says to pray at all times. To stay connected to God through prayer every day, all day. Talk to Him as you go throughout your day about the troubles and trials you are facing, and ask Him to help you. Because surely He will carry you through them.

I want to invite you to put into practice what Paul is encouraging us to do.

Rejoice in hope.

Be patient in your troubles.

And pray at all times.