Romans 8:28 has been my personal favorite verse for a long time..."All things work together for good to those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose"...
And yet this SOAP method of reading the Bible is helping me to dig deeper and apply many other verses to current circumstances in my life. I have really enjoyed reading everyone elses' observations as well.
THERE IS SO MUCH HERE in Romans 8. Many other verses popped out at me. And they all seem to be related to our mind being ruled by selfish desires rather than filled with the Spirit. (8:6, also 7:23 from yesterday's reading)
In the midst of our "slavery", we can fight for our minds. And even in the midst or our suffering, even if we cannot pray, the Spirit can pray for us that which cannot be put into words (v. 26). What a blessing to someone who struggles for words when praying.
And the suffering we endure allows us to share in the suffering Christ endured. As we are filled with the Spirit, we can be assured that we, too, will share in Christ's great glory. (8:17b, 18)
The battle for the mind, selfish desires, fighting for peace, suffering for glory, the struggles of our daily lives continue. These are the "ALL THINGS" that work together for good.
I just have to remember "ALL THINGS" and "NOTHING" because "Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord" (8:39b)
For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
This verse rings very true to me. Many times I haven't been sure why something happened, and have even railed against God. Example: What possible good could come from Mike and I being infertile? It's not FAIR! It's not what I wanted and planned! Now, as we raise our beautiful Grace, adopted from China, I can see how God has worked for the good of our family.
How do I apply this verse to life now? I need to remember the many instances where God made some apparent evil turn out well. So when I face something that seems bad--a difficult boss, a "no" when I wanted a "yes," a closed door--I can wait with confidence, knowing God will work it for good.
Verses 38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Just typing those words gets me pumped up. Romans 8 takes some heavy lifting to work through. It is theologically deep. There is a lot to take in. But in the end what Paul is writing leads up to this truth - nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus.
I love that. I need that. When I have been through a difficult day I need to know the love of God. I don't need to feel it. I need to know it. Feelings come and go, they change. God doesn't change. His very nature is to love me no matter what. Good day, bad day, said the right thing, said the wrong thing - His love never fails.
Verse 28 is very popular. Why? Three words for me - ALL & HIS PURPOSE.
God is a "detail god". He is concerned with EVERY detail and circumstance in our lives. There is no coincidence with God. No luck. Nothing unexpected. The question to ponder is - "Does someone knowing you that well bring you comfort or uneasiness?"
The good news is there is no wrong answer to that question. If you answer "comfort", then you know that comfort comes from our Abba Father. If you answer "uneasy", the same thing - your uneasiness is proof that God is at work in your life.
So, He uses ALL things - in, around, and affecting our lives - to work on some character issue that needs addressed.
Why? HIS PURPOSE - to get me closer to His will for my life, so I can bring glory to Him. As a follower of Christ Jesus, there is no better place than to be in the center of God's will.
This is such a strong chapter. What I really like about it is that it lets the reader know that grace is not cheap. It comes with a huge price and it requires something. "we have an obligation— to live according to it (the Spirit). It is only in that that "we are more than conquerors"
One could spend weeks discussing the meat of this passage.
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?... God is always on our side. He put his only son on the cross for us. He does this every day on our behalf. Father and Son would do anything for us.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (verse31b)This short piece of scripture has served as my lifeline many times. What now seems like a very long time ago, in a different life, this scripture was my rope up and out of a dark pit of fear.
"No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (verse 37). The story doesn't end with the rescue, it only begins. Not only did Christ rescue me from the darkness of fear, but through his love, I learned to more than just survive, I learned to overcome my fears. And I trust the Lord with each new circumstance that he will continue to strengthen me for "greater things yet to come."
Dear Father,
Thank you for your enduring love and continual grace. Thank you for pulling me from a pit of fear and setting me on the mountaintop of hope. Thank you for taking the mess of my life and working it into something good that serves your purpose. Let my eyes always be on You. Let my heart always be filled with gratitude. Let me learn to be still and patient in the quiet seasons of life. Help me to discern Your way, always stepping forward when you call with a willing, teachable heart and a courageous spirit. Amen
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
ALL THINGS and NOTHING
ReplyDeleteRomans 8:28 has been my personal favorite verse for a long time..."All things work together for good to those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose"...
And yet this SOAP method of reading the Bible is helping me to dig deeper and apply many other verses to current circumstances in my life. I have really enjoyed reading everyone elses' observations as well.
THERE IS SO MUCH HERE in Romans 8. Many other verses popped out at me. And they all seem to be related to our mind being ruled by selfish desires rather than filled with the Spirit. (8:6, also 7:23 from yesterday's reading)
In the midst of our "slavery", we can fight for our minds. And even in the midst or our suffering, even if we cannot pray, the Spirit can pray for us that which cannot be put into words (v. 26). What a blessing to someone who struggles for words when praying.
And the suffering we endure allows us to share in the suffering Christ endured. As we are filled with the Spirit, we can be assured that we, too, will share in Christ's great glory. (8:17b, 18)
The battle for the mind, selfish desires, fighting for peace, suffering for glory, the struggles of our daily lives continue. These are the "ALL THINGS" that work together for good.
I just have to remember "ALL THINGS" and "NOTHING" because "Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord" (8:39b)
Halleliujah and THANK YOU LORD!
For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
ReplyDeleteThis verse rings very true to me. Many times I haven't been sure why something happened, and have even railed against God. Example: What possible good could come from Mike and I being infertile? It's not FAIR! It's not what I wanted and planned! Now, as we raise our beautiful Grace, adopted from China, I can see how God has worked for the good of our family.
How do I apply this verse to life now? I need to remember the many instances where God made some apparent evil turn out well. So when I face something that seems bad--a difficult boss, a "no" when I wanted a "yes," a closed door--I can wait with confidence, knowing God will work it for good.
Verses 38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
ReplyDeleteJust typing those words gets me pumped up. Romans 8 takes some heavy lifting to work through. It is theologically deep. There is a lot to take in. But in the end what Paul is writing leads up to this truth - nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus.
I love that. I need that. When I have been through a difficult day I need to know the love of God. I don't need to feel it. I need to know it. Feelings come and go, they change. God doesn't change. His very nature is to love me no matter what. Good day, bad day, said the right thing, said the wrong thing - His love never fails.
Thank God!
v8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I love your comment. Well said.
Verse 28 is very popular. Why? Three words for me - ALL & HIS PURPOSE.
ReplyDeleteGod is a "detail god". He is concerned with EVERY detail and circumstance in our lives. There is no coincidence with God. No luck. Nothing unexpected.
The question to ponder is - "Does someone knowing you that well bring you comfort or uneasiness?"
The good news is there is no wrong answer to that question. If you answer "comfort", then you know that comfort comes from our Abba Father. If you answer "uneasy", the same thing - your uneasiness is proof that God is at work in your life.
So, He uses ALL things - in, around, and affecting our lives - to work on some character issue that needs addressed.
Why? HIS PURPOSE - to get me closer to His will for my life, so I can bring glory to Him. As a follower of Christ Jesus, there is no better place than to be in the center of God's will.
Verse 28 should bring us great comfort!
This is such a strong chapter. What I really like about it is that it lets the reader know that grace is not cheap. It comes with a huge price and it requires something. "we have an obligation— to live according to it (the Spirit). It is only in that that "we are more than conquerors"
ReplyDeleteOne could spend weeks discussing the meat of this passage.
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?...
ReplyDeleteGod is always on our side. He put his only son on the cross for us. He does this every day on our behalf. Father and Son would do anything for us.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (verse31b)This short piece of scripture has served as my lifeline many times. What now seems like a very long time ago, in a different life, this scripture was my rope up and out of a dark pit of fear.
ReplyDelete"No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (verse 37). The story doesn't end with the rescue, it only begins. Not only did Christ rescue me from the darkness of fear, but through his love, I learned to more than just survive, I learned to overcome my fears. And I trust the Lord with each new circumstance that he will continue to strengthen me for "greater things yet to come."
Dear Father,
Thank you for your enduring love and continual grace. Thank you for pulling me from a pit of fear and setting me on the mountaintop of hope. Thank you for taking the mess of my life and working it into something good that serves your purpose. Let my eyes always be on You. Let my heart always be filled with gratitude. Let me learn to be still and patient in the quiet seasons of life. Help me to discern Your way, always stepping forward when you call with a willing, teachable heart and a courageous spirit. Amen