Romans 8:31-35; 37-39

“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? 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.”

— Romans 8:31-35; 37-39

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My Two Cents….

This is another one of my “go to” passages in Scripture.

When things get hard, and life doesn’t seem to make much sense I turn to Romans 8. When I am faced with new sorts of challenges and feel separated from the things I that I previously knew and the people I love, this gives me great support. When I’m lost in “the new”and the blessed rhythm of ordinary life is nowhere to be found, it is of immense comfort to know that nothing absolutely nothing can separate me from God‘s life.

God‘s love in Jesus Christ, which is filled with grace and forgiveness endures when everything else falls away or stops working. Knowing that nothing can separate me from God is not only a respite but it is a place from which I can start anew. Blessed by God’s presence I am never alone. Seeking the strength and wisdom of God who remains I can build anew. In God I can find the courage to reach out to others to repair and construct meaningful relationships.

in Christ’s Light,

Walt

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Isaiah 43: 1-3a

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“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

— Isaiah 43:1-3a

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My Two Cents….

This is one of my favorite passages from scripture. It reminds me that God created me and will always be near no matter what life might bring my way. This has provided me courage to face some big threats and obstacles.

What water and fire do you face heading into this week? Are you feeling overwhelmed? What do you fear? How might the assurance that God knows, loves, and promises to be near to you, provide you the strength that you need? At the start of each day this week, how can you lean into Isaiah’s wisdom?

In Christ, Walt

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger

Scripture to Start Your Week

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“When God began to create heaven and earth— the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from God sweeping over the water— God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, a first day.”

— Genesis 1:1-5 Tanakh translation from the Jewish publication society

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 Permission granted to share today's content with family and friends.  Copyrighted 2019. Walt Lichtenberger