Romans 12:9-21 – “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.  14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20 “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  NASB

This passage gives much more than my title suggests, but I want to focus on those three things for this discussion.  Paul gives us the foundation leading up to his powerful prescription in verse 12 by telling us to Love without hypocrisy, abhor evil, cling to the good, be devoted to brotherly love, honor one another, and to be diligent, fervent in spirit, and serve the Lord with our all.  Then he comes to the three keys to victory:

• REJOICE IN HOPE.   (Without hope life becomes an almost impossible task for the human soul.  Jesus is our Hope, not the government, not the church, and not man – JESUS!  If we have Hope, we have an expectation of life that will enable us to walk through anything.

• PERSEVERE IN TRIBULATION.  (Trials, troubles, difficulties, setbacks, problems come to each of us and how we handle those problems largely depends on the first item on the list – Hope.  If we are living in “hope” we are more able to walk through the time of tribulation than if we are Hopeless.  When our focus is on our Great Hope, we have an Expectation of Ultimate Victory and therefore a renewed strength and determination that enables us (Grace) to walk through the fire and the flood.)

• DEVOTED IN PRAYER.  (Without this the first two fall apart.  Without determined, consistent, committed communication with the Lord, we will be in danger of falling into self-pity, self-focus, and self-centeredness rather than making Him the center of our universe we will be.  At that point, we are candidates for despair rather than victory.  But if we keep our eyes on the prize of the High Calling and on the Lord Jesus Christ, we can go through anything that is set before us because of our assurance and hope in Him.)

As you begin your day, begin it with a commitment to Hope, Perseverance, and Prayer.  I pray that the LORD will give you the Grace to walk through the situation and empower you to overcome anything you face.  It may not be easy or pretty, but you will come out on the other side in Victory! 

Blessings as enjoy this wonderful day the LORD has given.