June 2 “poured into our hearts”

Romans 5:5

⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ^[1]

The process of suffering ultimately leads us to hope. Hope does not put us to shame” in other words, there is no fear and there is no discouragement in hope.  Why, because God has filled our hearts with hope through the Holy Spirit. We have been justified and we are standing in the grace of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday was a day of education at the cancer center. My mentor, my friend and one of the most encouraging men I have ever known, Roy Savage and his wife Kay were there. They are one of the loveliest couples that Janette and I have ever had the privilege of knowing.  I have known Roy for around 20 years.  He is going through his own journey with cancer.  He is about to take his last round of chemo next week and today he gets to celebrate his granddaughter’s wedding.  What I saw was a man full of faith, with a full smile, and someone with a lot of love to give.   He could have complained about his journey, he did not do that.  He was the same Roy I have always known.

I have learned many things from Roy through out the years and now that we are on these similar paths he is teaching me once again to be full of grace, mercy, encouragement and love.

We cried a little bit, laughed a lot but in the end we both gave praise to Jesus for this journey he as given us.

How can Roy be so full of joy?  Number one, that is the way God has made him.  Number two; he is full of hope that has been given to him by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He is not discouraged, he is not fearful; he takes one day at time.

That is all any of us can do.  God has given us this day; make the most of it because God gave it to us on purpose.

^[1]The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 5:5). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.