OUR DAILY BREAD : SHORT-TIMERS

[cimi]

february 22
Monday


SHORT-TIMERS

READ:
Romans 5:1-5
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Hope does not
disappoint.
__Romans 5:5
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I served in the Armed Forces many years ago and have always been thankful that I was able to give those years to my country. I must say, however, that my most memorable time in the service was the brief interval when I was a "short-timer."

Short-timers are soldiers who have but a few weeks before discharge. They spend their last days "mustering out"--visiting the commissary and the quartermaster' office to clear accounts and return equipment. What I remember most about that period was my jaunty pace and the happy, carefree spirit with which I carried out my tasks. I had duties but few worries, for I knew I was going home.

Now that I'm an "old-timer," once again I'm a short-timer. It won't be long before I'm discharged from my duty here. Again, my pace is jaunty and my spirit is light for I know that very soon I'll be going home. That's the outlook that Jesus and His apostles called "hope" (Acts 24:15; Rom. 5:2,5).

Hope, in the biblical sense, means certainty and assurance. It is the firm, unshakable, indomitable belief that we will be raised from the dead (as Jesus was) and will be welcomed into our eternal home. That's enough to put joy in our heart and a spring in our step this day! __David Roper
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```````````````````God has given us a life abundant```````````````
`````````````````As we serve Him in this world below;`````````````
``````````````Though our time on earth is surely fleeting,```````````
```````````Hope of heaven makes our pathway glow. __Hess````````
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The risen Christ will come from heaven
to take His own to heaven.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ Romans 5:1-5**************

1 Therefore, having been
justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through
whom also we have access
by faith into this grace in
which we stand, and rejoice
in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only that, but we
also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation
produces perseverance,
character; and character,
hope. 5 Now hope does not
disappoint, because the love
of God has been poured out
in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit who was given to us.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Bible commentator Warren Wiersbe says that Romans 5 is Paul's
explanation of the last two words in Romans 4:25, our justification,
where God declares that sinners who believe in Jesus Christ (f:8-10)
are "righteous." Paul describes the blessings (vv.1-11) and the basis
(vv.12-21) of our justification. When we are declared righteous, or
put right with God, we have these benefits :peace with God (v.1),
for we are no longer God's enemies (v.10); access to God (v.2),
confidently approaching the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16); glorious
hope (v.2), being restored to God's glory (Rom 3:23); a new
perspective of life's challenges and pains (vv.3-4); James 1:1-4); a
new experience of God's inexhaustible love (vv.5,8). __SIM KAY TEE