5 Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us. 2 Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory!
3 But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. 4 And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. 5 And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!
Romans 5:1-5 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Today brings a major decision for me.
Do I commit to teaching another series of Bible Studies in the coming quarter?
I think…no–not this time.
I think what’s needed before I make that commitment again is a season of study and preparation. I think a season of character development is necessary to lead me back to HOPE. Lately it seems all to easy to re-wrap the old studies, giving them an update for the needs of the present group.
Planting a spring garden comes to mind. If I plant last season’s seeds, there is no guarantee they will be viable. Probably not the best analogy, but you get the idea. Okay… I know God’s Word never returns void, and I know the seeds depend on the quality of the ground where they’re planted. I get that. But, I need fresh seed!
So… No! No new commitment to teach in this season. Instead, a fallow season of rest, personal study and preparation. And maybe, just maybe a new book to bolster the teaching in a coming season.
Your prayers for His guidance would be appreciated.
Contentment Cottage 