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Romans 5:3-5 - Turning Trials Into Testimonies.

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when 
we run into problems and trials, for we know 
that they are good for us - they help us learn to 
endure. 4 And endurance develops strength of 
character in us, and character strengthens our 
confident expectation of salvation. 5 And this 
expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how 
dearly God loves us, because he has given us the 
Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Tracie Steger loves her pets - all seven 
cats and two dogs. The Spring Hill, Florida, 
resident took daily walks with her pets to the 
amazement of her neighbors. None of the pets were on 
leashes. Steger worked hard to train all of her pets 
to come when she called, even the cats. Her 
pets were so well behaved that she often left 
them outside in her yard to roam around 
unsupervised. But when Steger called her pets inside for 
dinner on November 15, 2009, Giggle-Blizzard didn't 
come. The one-year-old gray kitty was known for 
his playful attitude but had always been 
obedient. Steger immediately grabbed her golden 
retriever and searched for him for hours. The next day 
she put up "Lost Kitty signs and posted an 
announcement on Craigslist. 
   For more than a week, she didn't hear a 
thing. Then on Thanksgiving - eleven days later - 
she heard yowling on her porch. She opened the 
door, and there was Giggle-Blizzard! His back legs 
were smashed (probably hit by a car), but he was 
alive and home. Steger couldn't have been happier. 
Even two surgeries and $3,000 in veterinarian 
bills didn't bother her. She was glad to have her 
kitty back. Giggle-Blizzard showed amazing 
perseverance. Despite being hit by a car, he dragged 
himself home on his front legs. 
   The apostle Paul wrote a lot about 
suffering. In Romans 5:3-4 he says, We also glory in 
our sufferings, because we know that suffering 
produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and 
character, hope." Honestly, we usually don't rejoice 
about suffering; we complain about it. Nobody 
likes to suffer, yet Jesus promised that we would 
have trouble in this world as we follow him (John 
16:33). But in the midst of our troubles, we can 
find peace in God's power. 
   Take a closer look at today's verse. 
Notice the result of suffering. When we go through 
a hard time, it teaches us to never give up. 
That attitude builds our character, because we 
know that no matter what happens in our lives, we 
can overcome it with the Lord's help. And all of 
that leads to hope. Can you remember a time in 
your life when you learned something through 
suffering? Talk to a parent or grandparent and ask them 
the same question. You're sure to hear some 
amazing stories. God works in our lives in many 
ways: one of those is through suffering. [Case For 
Christ For Kids by Les Strobel] 

COMMENTARY 

   What do you really believe about God? Not 
what you say you believe or even ought to 
believe, but what do you actually hold to be true 
about Him. Here's how you can know. The next time 
you run into a difficult, painful, or even 
heartbreaking situation, watch how you react. Nothing 
reveals the stuff of which your Christian beliefs 
are made than tough times. Maybe that's why 
today's Scripture urges us to "glory in our 
sufferings" and James counsels us to "welcome trials as 
friends" (Jam. 1:2). In fact, these hardships will 
teach you - as nothing else can - the real quality 
of your faith.  
   God, of course, already knows what's in 
your heart. He just wants you to know. Do you 
believe He is kind and good? In control of the 
details? Do you believe He is sovereign and has a 
purpose for your suffering? How you respond to your 
trial will make it plain to you.  
   Lord, I know how often my mouth gets 
ahead of the reality in my heart. I can say or 
write faith-filled messages by the dozen, but it 
all rings hollow if I don't cling to You when I 
suffer. I'm really tired of just talking about it, 
Jesus. I want a faith that runs deep and carries me 
through anything. [A Spectacle of Glory by Joni 
Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby] 

   Sometimes because of faulty decision 
making or maybe just the press of multiple 
circumstances, we find ourselves tired, discouraged, and a 
little burned-out. Yes, a vacation or a weekend 
away might help. But it may not be a change of 
scenery we need as much as a change of perspective. 
Today's Scripture provides that very thing: "Not 
only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, 
because we know that suffering produces 
perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, 
hope." Paul is saying, Stand the test, friends. For 
the end is in sight. Hope is on the horizon. 
Sometimes we think of the suffering in Romans 5 as 
huge life catastrophes. We forget that God's 
grace-giving power is mostly for everyday sorts of tests 
and trials. What are your tests today? Where do 
you need perseverance, staying power, and hope? 
Ask God to help you step back and see a bigger 
picture than the trial right in front of your nose. 
He uses everything in our lives to mold our 
characters and make us more like His Son. 
   I'm thinking of the words of that old 
hymn - "Just for today, Lord, just for today. 
Keep me and guide me, just for today." For the 
next twenty-four hours, fill me with the grace to 
face each setback and stress point with patience 
and joy beyond my own. [A Spectacle of Glory by 
Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby] 

   We often think that we could be happy "if 
only" we had fewer problems, or more advantages, 
but it is very unwise to put off being happy. Be 
full of joy now, because "now is all that you 
have. We all hope for many tomorrows, but today is 
our only guarantee. This day is a gift from God 
and it would be tragic to waste it being 
unhappy. 
   Even if your circumstances are unable to 
provide your joy, let Jesus be your joy. Just 
imagine having your problems and not knowing Him! 
None of us enjoy dealing with painful situations 
in life, but we can rejoice and trust God's 
promise to work something good out of them (see 
Romans 8:28). We live in a world where the sin 
principle is at work, and we should face the fact that 
nothing is perfect here and it never will be. 
   God invites us into a life where, 
although we cannot avoid all difficulty, we can find 
a place in Him to live above it. The Bible 
calls it resurrection power! (See Philippians 
3:10.) I urge you not to waste your time thinking 
that you would be joyful "if only things were 
different in your life. Serve the  
Lord with gladness and always remember that 
the joy of the Lord is your strength! 
   Father, You have given me many blessings 
and I want to always be joyful for You and what 
You have done for me. Forgive me when I put off 
being joyful until another time, and help me to 
always rejoice now! [My Time with God by Joyce 
Meyer] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

   Do not expect to be treated fairly in 
this life. People will say and do hurtful things 
to you, things that you don't deserve. When 
someone mistreats you, try to view it as an 
opportunity to grow in grace. See how quickly you can 
forgive the one who has wounded you. Don't be 
concerned about setting the record straight. Instead 
of obsessing about other people's opinions of 
you, keep your focus on Me. Ultimately, it is My 
view of you that counts.  
   As you concentrate on relating to Me, 
remember that I have clothed you in My righteousness 
and holiness. I see you attired in these radiant 
garments, which I bought for you with My blood. This 
also is not fair; it is pure gift. When others 
treat you unfairly, remember that My ways with you 
are much better than fair. My ways are Peace and 
Love, which I have poured out into your heart by 
My Spirit. (Col. 3:13; Isa. 61:10; Eph. 1:7, 8; 
Rom. 5:5) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE


http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170214-0934.html 

EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON 28 REVELATIONS OF 
JESUS 

1st of 28: Divine Dining: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY 
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ 
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4 
4th of 28: Cared For: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXyJVdcCds 
5th of 28: Saved: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX45kGRe1HI 
6th of 28: You Can Change: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0gkvK18fo 
7th of 28: Reprogramming Our Brains: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov36f_RapXc 
8th of 28 Our Holy Father: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XabXLEXsxbY 
9th of 28 Gifts of Service: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtuGZviodkA 
10th of 28 The Holy Spirit: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in89XVs4cGo 
11th of 28 The Law of God: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Q601HjogI 
Live ongoing series in progress.

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs