Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Romans 8:31-39 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced 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.

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Reflect

What a common scripture we have here today! I have news for you. It is more than a scripture we can quote when we are competing in or cheering for a team in a sporting event.

Look at these powerful words we have here. “If God is for us, who is against us?” and “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.”

Why can’t I remember this in the midst of difficult times? All the battles have already been won and WE, the children of God, are on the winning side. Nothing has power over us. Nothing.

I know that it isn’t always easy to remember that nothing has power over us, but perhaps we can remember what verse 34 says. Christ himself, who is at the right hand of God is interceding for us. He sees our struggles, our tough relationships, our pain, our need and he is there on our behalf interceding.

I am thankful for a Savior that is for us, and continually working on our behalf!

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Pray

God, we are thankful that you are for us. We thank you that you have sacrificed your Son for our lives and that He is still working at your right hand for our good. God, we have things that are hard for us. Please hear or prayers and remind us that we are not alone and we have a faithful God that loves us. Amen.

Go with God!