Bible League: Living His Word And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.— Romans 8:38 NLT Do you need a word of encouragement, a word of hope? Are there struggles in your life with sin or sorrow? Read Romans 8, a chapter rich in truth and power. Starting in chapter 7 beginning at verse 14, the apostle Paul wrestles with our sin nature and God's law. If Paul had ended with Romans 7:24, it would feel hopeless. BUT he doesn't. Romans 7:25 says, "Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord." Do you ruminate on negative and condemning thoughts? Speak Romans 8:1: "There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." There is power in speaking God's Word out loud. Not only does it activate your sense of hearing, but also if there is demonic presence involved, the enemy must flee. There is a difference between conviction from the Holy Spirit and condemnation from our flesh or the enemy. Conviction leads to repentance and a restored relationship with the Lord. Condemnation is shame-based and leads to death in our soul. Condemnation hinders our walk with Christ and others. Is the voice you are hearing leading you to Christ or away from Christ? "Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace," (Romans 8:6). When we deeply believe the truths of the Bible, we are empowered to live them out. Yes, we need to be able to filter the lies so deeply embedded in our culture, and we need the Spirit's revelation and empowerment. We also need one another. "You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.' For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children,". (verses 15-16). In Christ, we have great privilege and power to call on Abba Father in our time of need and struggle. He hears and responds as the Spirit intervenes for us. God is working all things out for our good conforming us to the image of His Son (verses 26-29). This brings us back to the Gospel. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us (verse 34). Is Jesus Christ your Lord? Have you trusted Christ as the only way of salvation through His death and resurrection for your sin? If so, every promise is yours. Speak His truth to yourself. If not, talk to the Lord now and surrender your will to His. (Reread Romans 8.). Peace and rest are found in Christ through the love of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit. All suffering is temporary. God uses the chisel of pain to refine our faith and make us more like Jesus. In Christ, you are loved, chosen, and cherished. You belong to God's family for all eternity. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. By Debbie Mesin, Bible League International staff, Illinois USA Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 124-127 Psalm 124 -- If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, let Israel now say, NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 125 -- Those who trust in the Lord are as Mount Zion, which can't be moved NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 126 -- When the Lord brought back those who returned to Zion NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 127 -- Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Corinthians 7:1-24 1 Corinthians 7 -- Paul's Instructions on Marriage NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.Insight When a vine bears “much fruit,” God is glorified, for daily he sent the sunshine and rain to make the crops grow, and constantly he nurtured each tiny plant and prepared it to blossom. Challenge What a moment of glory for the Lord of the harvest when the harvest is brought into the barns, mature and ready for use! He made it all happen! This farming analogy shows how God is glorified when people come into a right relationship with him and begin to “produce much fruit” in their lives. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Acts 8:37 If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.These words may answer your scruples, devout reader, concerning the ordinances. Perhaps you say, "I should be afraid to be baptized; it is such a solemn thing to avow myself to be dead with Christ, and buried with him. I should not feel at liberty to come to the Master's table; I should be afraid of eating and drinking damnation unto myself, not discerning the Lord's body." Ah! poor trembler, Jesus has given you liberty, be not afraid. If a stranger came to your house, he would stand at the door, or wait in the hall; he would not dream of intruding unbidden into your parlour--he is not at home: but your child makes himself very free about the house; and so is it with the child of God. A stranger may not intrude where a child may venture. When the Holy Ghost has given you to feel the spirit of adoption, you may come to Christian ordinances without fear. The same rule holds good of the Christian's inward privileges. You think, poor seeker, that you are not allowed to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; if you are permitted to get inside Christ's door, or sit at the bottom of his table, you will be well content. Ah! but you shall not have less privileges than the very greatest. God makes no difference in his love to his children. A child is a child to him; he will not make him a hired servant; but he shall feast upon the fatted calf, and shall have the music and the dancing as much as if he had never gone astray. When Jesus comes into the heart, he issues a general licence to be glad in the Lord. No chains are worn in the court of King Jesus. Our admission into full privileges may be gradual, but it is sure. Perhaps our reader is saying, "I wish I could enjoy the promises, and walk at liberty in my Lord's commands." "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest." Loose the chains of thy neck, O captive daughter, for Jesus makes thee free. Daily Light on the Daily Path Isaiah 61:10 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.Psalm 34:1-3 A Psalm of David when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. • My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. • O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalm 84:11,12 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. • O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You! Psalm 103:1 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Ephesians 5:18-20 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, • speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; • always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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