Starting out my day with God is so important. I attempt to start every morning reading my Bible. It's hard to figure out what to read when you don't have some kind of guide. So I am going to share what I am reading and learning so that maybe others can follow along. I recently read Romans 8. I learned so much from it, that I backed up and started from the beginning of Romans. Here are a few things I have discovered in Romans 8.
There are 3 verses in chapter 8 of Romans that really spoke to me. The first is Romans 8:5 "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." (ESV) Okay, so this verse is pretty self-explanatory right? Those who live with fleshly desires have their mind set on the flesh, and those that live with the Spirit's desires have their minds set on the Spirit. Much easier to read than to live. Once your take your eyes off of the Spirit, you will become set on the flesh. And as I will tell you later, the flesh is going to let you down. The flesh will disappoint. Jesus never disappoints. He's always there, waiting for you to follow.
Next verse, Romans 8:17 (just the second part of the verse) "...provided we suffer with him (Christ) in order that we may also be glorified with him." (ESV) This one hit me like a rock. All of us suffer. My examples would be...an upcoming move, selling a house, finding jobs, etc. There's all sorts of suffering and no one is exempt from it. Suffering can come in the form of a struggling marriage, rebellious children, a bad job, a conflict with someone, financial trouble...the list goes on and on. We are not alone in our suffering..."provided we suffer WITH him"...WITH him, not alone. Jesus is by us every step of the way through our suffering. And if there's anyone who knows suffering, it's Him. Through our suffering with are glorified WITH him, again with being the key word. We are not alone, we are here for a purpose and the troubles we have are for a purpose. The purpose is to bring glory to Him. And I know that suffering isn't easy...but if God chooses to use me in order to glorify Him, then I am honored to be a part of His great work.
Third verse, Romans 8:38-39 "For I am sure 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." (ESV) Did you get that? Nothing in all of creation can separate us from the love of God. Absolutely nothing. Not a failed marriage, not a rebellious teenager, not a move, not a bad job, not a conflict, not even financial trouble. Nothing can ever take away the love that God has for me and for you. People will let you down. Even the people who love you the most---because we are ALL sinners and we ALL fall short. Only Jesus will be there with you through the suffering and then the glory. And only He will love you all the days of your life, no matter what they bring.
So here are a couple questions for you. Are you focused on the Spirit? Do you live to best glorify the Lord who gave His Son, His life for you? If you are suffering through something, are you using the lifeline you have? The lifeline is Jesus. He is the One that can always mend your hurting, broken heart. And last question, do you understand that He loves you? Say it with me - God loves me, (fill in your name here), with an everlasting love that will never fade. Tell yourself that 3 times a day for a week and see how it changes you.
If you aren't focused on the Spirit, you aren't using your lifeline, or you need to be reminded of His everlasting love...I encourage you to talk to someone you trust. God is ready, willing and waiting for you to give your troubles over to Him. He can handle it, He's in control. All you have to do is surrender.
There are 3 verses in chapter 8 of Romans that really spoke to me. The first is Romans 8:5 "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." (ESV) Okay, so this verse is pretty self-explanatory right? Those who live with fleshly desires have their mind set on the flesh, and those that live with the Spirit's desires have their minds set on the Spirit. Much easier to read than to live. Once your take your eyes off of the Spirit, you will become set on the flesh. And as I will tell you later, the flesh is going to let you down. The flesh will disappoint. Jesus never disappoints. He's always there, waiting for you to follow.
Next verse, Romans 8:17 (just the second part of the verse) "...provided we suffer with him (Christ) in order that we may also be glorified with him." (ESV) This one hit me like a rock. All of us suffer. My examples would be...an upcoming move, selling a house, finding jobs, etc. There's all sorts of suffering and no one is exempt from it. Suffering can come in the form of a struggling marriage, rebellious children, a bad job, a conflict with someone, financial trouble...the list goes on and on. We are not alone in our suffering..."provided we suffer WITH him"...WITH him, not alone. Jesus is by us every step of the way through our suffering. And if there's anyone who knows suffering, it's Him. Through our suffering with are glorified WITH him, again with being the key word. We are not alone, we are here for a purpose and the troubles we have are for a purpose. The purpose is to bring glory to Him. And I know that suffering isn't easy...but if God chooses to use me in order to glorify Him, then I am honored to be a part of His great work.
Third verse, Romans 8:38-39 "For I am sure 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." (ESV) Did you get that? Nothing in all of creation can separate us from the love of God. Absolutely nothing. Not a failed marriage, not a rebellious teenager, not a move, not a bad job, not a conflict, not even financial trouble. Nothing can ever take away the love that God has for me and for you. People will let you down. Even the people who love you the most---because we are ALL sinners and we ALL fall short. Only Jesus will be there with you through the suffering and then the glory. And only He will love you all the days of your life, no matter what they bring.
So here are a couple questions for you. Are you focused on the Spirit? Do you live to best glorify the Lord who gave His Son, His life for you? If you are suffering through something, are you using the lifeline you have? The lifeline is Jesus. He is the One that can always mend your hurting, broken heart. And last question, do you understand that He loves you? Say it with me - God loves me, (fill in your name here), with an everlasting love that will never fade. Tell yourself that 3 times a day for a week and see how it changes you.
If you aren't focused on the Spirit, you aren't using your lifeline, or you need to be reminded of His everlasting love...I encourage you to talk to someone you trust. God is ready, willing and waiting for you to give your troubles over to Him. He can handle it, He's in control. All you have to do is surrender.
Thanks! I needed that!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome Bri! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete