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“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?” Romans 8:35
“God must be mad at me.”
Have you ever thought that? Something goes wrong in a relationship. You’ve tried to live a healthy life and are suddenly faced with all sorts of health issues. You’re doing your best to live for Jesus and do his will but are faced with rejection, misunderstanding or attack. Hard as you try to manage your money there is never enough to pay your bills.
Life circumstances can distract us from the promises God has given us. Good has given us many promises. Two of them are:
1) We will encounter bad things in life. Some with no explanation.
2) Nothing we encounter in life will separate us from God’s love.
The question Paul asks in Roman’s 8:35 is a rhetorical one that he answers a few verses later.
“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:37
Whatever you are going through, for whatever reason, don’t forget that God’s love for you never changes. In fact he loves you more today than yesterday!
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:2
It’s so easy to be distracted. Bills need to be paid. Chores need to get finished. Shopping needs to get done. The list can be endless and overwhelming.
Have you ever noticed that when you think of what needs to get done the list snowballs? In no time at all you can feel defeated, frustrated and like a complete failure. Paul knew frustration.
Paul knew defeat. Paul knew what is is like to be misunderstood, rejected and overwhelmed by the pressure of life and ministry. What was his solution? Focus.
Focus on the things of heaven. Heaven is power. Heaven is timeless. Heaven is love, forgiveness and remembering Jesus’ promises to care for you in everyday situations.
Jesus, help me in the struggles of today to focus on your promises. Amen.
But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. Psalms 71:14
The Psalmist in Psalm 71 is in the midst of a crisis. He feels alone. He feels attacked. He doesn’t understand what is going on around him. He is pleading for God‘s protection. He is pleading for deliverance from whatever is plaguing him. Yet in the midst of this, in the midst of his hope for deliverance, his attitude is one of praise. Whatever life throws at us, whatever struggles we may be going through, God inhabits the heart of praise and gratitude.
The questions of why something happens may never be answered here on earth. But whatever happens to us, we can remember it has to first to pass through the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.
But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. Psalms 71:14
The Psalmist in Psalm 71 is in the midst of a crisis. He feels alone. He feels attacked. He doesn’t understand what is going on around him. He is pleading for God‘s protection. He is pleading for deliverance from whatever is plaguing him. Yet in the midst of this, in the midst of his hope for deliverance, his attitude is one of praise. Whatever life throws at us, whatever struggles we may be going through, God inhabits the heart of praise and gratitude.
The questions of why something happens may never be answered here on earth. But whatever happens to us, we can remember it has to first to pass through the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.
Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. James 2:26
How can we show others the love of Jesus? By being an encourager. By being that person that lightens everyone’s mood. By being that person others can count on. By being a light in the darkness. Our good works, no matter how small or insignificant, should be as natural as our breathing.
Yesterday a dear friend stopped by to see how I was doing. When he left he prayed over is and our situation. It brightened my mood and my day. Who needs a prayer today? Who do you know that is going through hard times that may appreciate a word of encouragement?
Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. A thermometer moves to the temperature of the room. A thermostat changes the temperature of the room to a comfort level.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 