Good morning people whose faith stirs faith in other people.

Romans 1:11-12 MEV For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be strengthened. This is so that I may be encouraged together with you by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

I was about to move on and I saw something that I feel to lean into a little further.

Paul said, “This is so that I may be encouraged together with you by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

Paul did not say, “This is so that I may be encouraged together with you by each other’s accomplishments, both yours and mine.”

It is the act of faith that is most inspiring, not just the outcome.

It is a confident trust in God that encourages people, not just the miracle that we may or may not see.

It is seeing people still walking through dark valleys and difficult contradictions, and yet they shine Jesus through their lives and lips that stirs our faith.

This focus makes an immeasurable difference on our walk with God and others.

I have seen people who have received the miracle and yet their faith in God is not presently visible.

Conversely, I have seen people who have been waiting in faith for decades, and yet their confession and countenance is still one of believing God.

Is your faith a source of encouragement to others on their journey?

Do a 7 day YouVersion devotion from my Dad – ‘Faith for New Beginnings’.

Good morning people who bless others by your faith and who are blessed by their faith.

Romans 1:11-12 MEV For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be strengthened. This is so that I may be encouraged together with you by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

As a minister, I absolutely love this last sentence in verse 12!

Too often the flow of receiving goes only one way – from the “leader” to those they lead. This is not the biblical way.

Paul was clearly a strong leader in the church. His letters contain profound truth and clear instruction, including rebuke and correction. He was a person that people listened to and learnt from, and rightfully so.

And yet his posture and heart and communication was that there would be mutual encouragement between him and the people he was ministering to. Leaders lead and leaders receive. Those who are led both receive and give. We are all in this together!

I have the privilege of speaking into many wonderful people. I intentionally listen to what the Father is saying and I always desire to strengthen others. But the beautiful part of what God is saying to us today in this BIY is the testimony of my life: When I strengthen other people, I also receive encouragement from their faith and walk with God!

When you give to others, are you also receiving from them?

When you lead others, are you also being encouraged by them?

When you are receiving from a leader, are you intentional about encouraging them in their faith?

Let’s get rid of the hierarchy and the ladder climbing mentality. Let’s be like Jesus who led and loved in the most empowering and encouraging way. Together is better.

Good morning people who become stronger as you walk in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:11-12 MEV For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be strengthened. This is so that I may be encouraged together with you by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

The purpose of the gift of the Holy Spirit and His spiritual gifts is to strengthen people. It’s that clear and that simple.

The Holy Spirit is not given to impress us, bless us or give us goose bumps. He is not for our entertainment or even to help us do what we desire to do.

The Holy Spirit desires to strengthen the people of God.

The primary way that we are strengthened in the Holy Spirit is through a revelation of truth.

John 16:13 MEV But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.

Think about this. When we deeply know by seeing and experiencing the truth, our lives can’t help but we strengthened in the very core of our being. Life flows when we walk in the truth.

The Holy Spirit also strengthens us so that we can witness and testify about Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:8 MEV “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

How strong is your desire to know and walk in the truth of who God is and what His Word says?

How committed are you to receiving the Holy Spirit’s power so that you can witness about Jesus to a lost and dying world?

Truth and testimony are clear markers of people who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Good morning people who are privileged to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:11-12 MEV For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be strengthened. This is so that I may be encouraged together with you by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

I love the depth of truth and way of living for the church that I see in these two verses. Before you read on, go back and slowly read the words again – look to see what the Spirit is saying to you and to the church.

I see Paul’s reason for desiring to see the believers in Rome: he wanted to impart to them some spiritual gift so that they may be strengthened.

I believe that the primary spiritual gift – not gifts – that Paul is talking about is the gift of the Holy Spirit Himself. In connection with impartation through laying on of hands, the following Scriptures make this clear.

Acts 8:1 MEV Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:6 MEV Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands. 

While most people use this last Scripture to talk about spiritual gifts, this verse says gift, not gifts. The truth is, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not in us. The holy Spirit is in us, and at times, He anoints us to operate in spiritual gifts, but they don’t reside in us.

Spiritual gifts (plural) are wonderful, but the spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit is infinitely better.

He is who we need in our lives, and He is who spiritually mature leaders can impart through the laying on of hands.

Good morning people who plan your ways and trust in the Lord.

Romans 1:9-10 MEV For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing, I mention you always in my prayers, making request if, by any means, now at last I might find a way in the will of God to come to you.

‘In the will of God’ – words to live by.

The word will here means determination. This is not about God trying hard, but rather, it is about God’s desire and intention for our lives.

There are lots of thoughts concerning God’s will for people’s lives. Some believe that it is stringent and an almost impossible target to know and hit. Others believe that God is OK with anything we choose because God loves us. I believe it is different to both of these extremes.

So, what does God’s will look like in the lives of a submitted believer?

As in everything with God, it is simple and it is deep.

Paul had a desire to come and visit these people he was writing to. His desire was to encourage them in God and to strengthen their faith – a very noble cause.

Paul declares that he will try and find a way to come to them. This speaks of his intentionality and his action. Paul’s life was not easy, and his track record shows delays in his plans that came in the form of persecution and hardships.

Ultimately, even with the best of plans, Paul knew that if it was God’s will for him to see these people, he would get to them, and if it wasn’t, then he wouldn’t. It almost sounds fatalistic, but it is about God’s providence as we trust Him in every step.

Do you diligently make plans according to the permissive will of God?

Do you trust God with whether those plans come to fruition or not?