Blog Archives

Nothing Can Separate Us!

4/26/2016

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8:38-39 ESV)

As believers, there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love! If we accept His salvation, we are secure in Christ. Jesus promised us an everlasting life that we can never lose. It was guaranteed by both the Father and the Son, who Jesus said are one (see John 3:16 and John 10:30).

There is no circumstance, no power, nor anything in all of creation that can ever separate us from His great love. Every dimension of creation is subject to the lordship of Jesus Christ and can never have power over us for we live in Him who has power over all.

We need not fear that we will ever be abandoned by Christ for He promised to be with us forever (see Matthew 28:20). He will never leave us. In the trials of life and even in death, we will always be in His presence. We can feel totally secure in knowing that He is constantly present with us and He is constantly protecting us. His love will never fail us.

His life, death, and resurrection are our proof that His love is unconquerable. No spiritual forces are powerful enough to overcome what He has done for us. Fears and worries cannot threaten us. Nothing that can happen in the present and nothing that can happen in the future can ever cause Him to leave us. There is nothing in all creation can have any effect on our relationship with Him.

By grace we are saved through our faith in Him (cf. Ephesians 2:8). Since we have faith in Him, we have both the confidence and the assurance that He will save us from anything that challenges to separate us from Him. If we truly believe this, we need not ever to be afraid.

Rejoice! Be comforted in knowing that Jesus lives within us! We know that we live in Him and He lives in us because He has given us of His Spirit (cf. 1 John 4:13). Since He lives within us by the power of His Spirit, we know that by His power there is nothing that can separate us from His love!

Thank you Lord for the gift of Your Spirit that lives within us! Thank You for Your promise of everlasting life with You! We know there is nothing that can separate us from Your unconquerable love. In Your name we pray, Amen. †

0 Comments

God Is For Us!

4/19/2016

0 Comments

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:31b-34 ESV)

Here, the Apostle Paul reminds us of God’s enduring love and faithfulness. God has transferred us from the realm of Adam, sin, and death into the realm of Christ, righteousness, and life. There is nothing that can stand in the way of our ultimate salvation.

God is for us and He has done His work for us in Christ. We have been justified in Christ who intercedes for us and stands in our defense. No one can stand against us successfully or overcome such a defense. Satan and those under his power will attempt to stand against us but cannot do so successfully - in the end, God promises ultimate victory. His omnipotence is working on our behalf and no lesser power can defeat Him.

When we stand face to face with a world that is hostile to God and His values, we have the assurance of knowing that He is for us! God has demonstrated His commitment to us by sending His one and only Son to die for us. God did not hold back His heart’s greatest Treasure but gave Him over to a death of shame and loss on our behalf. Knowing He has done that for us, we know that we can depend on Him to provide all that is necessary to bring us to glory. He will not withhold anything we need in order to live for Him.

God shows His eternal love for us through His work in creation and redemption. Yes, God is for us at all times and in all situations. Let’s do the same and be sure to live our lives for Him at all times and in all situations! With God on our side, we can overcome all adversity!

"If God is for us who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b ESV)

Father, we thank You for always being there for us. We thank You for providing all we need to live for You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. †

0 Comments

Following After Jesus

4/6/2016

0 Comments

“And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.” (Luke 23:26 ESV)

"And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
(Luke 9:23 ESV)

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21 ESV)

Simon of Cyrene was forced by the Roman soldiers to carry the cross and walk behind Jesus. Here we see a pictorial portrayal of what it means to follow Jesus; here we see the symbol of the true disciple - carrying the cross and following behind Jesus.

Jesus calls us to come after him. He gives us specific instructions on discipleship: if we desire to come after Him, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow after Him! (cf. Luke 9:23). While Simon had been forced to do so, today we have the choice to decide whether or not we will carry the cross of Christ and follow "in His steps" (see 1 Peter 2:21).

Many have read Charles M. Sheldon's classic work In His Steps which raised the question, “What would Jesus do?”. This question has become a motto for many Christians and is often referred to today as “WWJD”. While we consider what Jesus would do, let’s also be sure to remember “What Jesus did!”. Let’s remember what He did for us! Let’s remember the suffering He endured for us and the love He has for all of us! We follow after Him when we do what He has done and also do what He would do; we follow in His footprints as He leads us; we follow after the Good Shepherd who goes before His sheep.

What might have looked like a catastrophe to Simon turned out to be a wonderful opportunity because it brought him in contact with Jesus. When we face trials in our lives they may appear to be catastrophic but they bring us to Jesus. There are many crosses we may bear but knowing that we follow after Christ in doing so, we have the confidence to carry on. We find strength in the example of our Savior - for we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength! (cf. Philippians 4:13).

Simon found that carrying the cross and following after Jesus is difficult and painful work; and it still is. G.K. Chesterson once said: “It is not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.” Bearing the cross is the most difficult and most important work that we can ever do.

We have the choice to deny ourselves and take up our cross and do the work of Christ as we follow in His steps - or to deny the cross and go our own way. What is your choice going to be? Let us all take up our cross and follow after Jesus!

Loving Jesus, You are our example and our strength. We choose to take up our cross daily and follow behind You! You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Lead us Lord! In Your name we pray, Amen. †

0 Comments

Nothing Can Separate Us!

God Is For Us!

Following After Jesus

Our Blog

Archives

Categories