Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 9-20-19

Romans 8:31-39 New Life Version (NLV)

Every day I think about Jesus Christ and how God’s life and love within me has grown stronger over the years. Salvation is such a gift and miracle! As believers, we face nothing alone and we will never be found guilty. It is the truth of God’s love based on the cross; it is the truth of eternal life based on the resurrection. Believers—those who live in and practice the Truth—are seated with Christ. If you belong to Jesus, you are buckled up with Truth; snuggly held in place and protected by his love.

Many people in the world have experienced abandonment from others who promised to love them, but God will never abandon his children in Christ. Sure, we will experience challenges in life; we will be wronged by others and we may taste all kinds of needs. Yet, Christ will NEVER allow anything to come between us and his loving presence. It is impossible to be separated from Christ. It is for this very reason, we are compelled to praise the Lord. Upon this Word or promise, we place our confidence; not in ourselves, but in the love of Christ for us to bring us into glory. This great love extended to us is what motivates us to live the Word or Truth and repent when we fail.

Romans 8:31-39
31 What can we say about all these things? Since God is for us, who can be against us? 32 God did not keep His own Son for Himself but gave Him for us all. Then with His Son, will He not give us all things? 33 Who can say anything against the people God has chosen? It is God Who says they are right with Himself. 34 Who then can say we are guilty? It was Christ Jesus Who died. He was raised from the dead. He is on the right side of God praying to Him for us. 35 Who can keep us away from the love of Christ? Can trouble or problems? Can suffering wrong from others or having no food? Can it be because of no clothes or because of danger or war? 36 The Holy Writings say, “Because of belonging to Jesus, we are in danger of being killed all day long. We are thought of as sheep that are ready to be killed.” 37 But we have power over all these things through Jesus Who loves us so much. 38 For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! 39 The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your abiding love; thank you for never allowing anything to separate me from your love. I place my confidence in you, so keep me in your embrace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.