CAN ANYTHING EVER SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST?

That title is from Romans 8:35 - a question asked in rhetorical form so Paul could address an issue that concerns us all. What can separate us from the love of God?

He gives us a list of possible things:

• tribulation?
• distress?
• persecution?
• famine?
• nakedness?
• peril?
• sword?

Then he gives his answer: "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." Rom. 8:37

Nothing! Nothing can separate us! How awesome and what does this mean?

First, what it does NOT mean: It does not mean you can do anything or live any way you want and God will accept you into his heaven. He has rules about entrance into heaven and these do not change - only holy things can enter a holy heaven.

So, what it does mean: It means that even though you and I do things not acceptable before God, his love for us doesn't change; he does and always will love us. However that may not benefit us. The reason is due to his rules.

RULES:

• you must be born again to enter heaven
• you must have your sins forgiven - continuously (1 John 1:9)
• you must love God

If you don't meet his rules, you don't go to his heaven.

But you must understand, he still loves you. It's just that your choices separate you from him. His choice is to save you and to take you home to live with him forever. Your choice may be to live in such a manner that that is impossible.

Remember: Nothing can separate you from his love - except your decisions and choices. Pain, trouble, hatred, war, unfaithful friends or family, none of these things can keep you from the love of God.

Only your choice to let them come between you and God or even make you blame God for your situation - only that choice has the power to separate you from him.

God will move heaven and earth, send mighty angels, provide miracles, hold you in his hand, protect you in the midst of the storm - you name it and God will make a way for his love to connect with you - if you let him.

So why not declare today "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is MINE through Christ, who loved ME." Rom. 8:37 (My paraphrase) GO WITH GOD!

STRENGTH FOR TODAY

Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible)

"I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."

Many are the days when we flat run out of strength or will power to face the day and the particular trial it has brought.  Well might we 'throw-in-the-towel' only we don't have enough ump to do so. 

I had a friend who faced extreme circumstances and his response to my question "Are you depressed?", was, "My depression is depressed."

Maybe you have felt like that or you may in the future.  Here's some hope and direction so you will know what to do.

I will number these steps so they are easy to follow:

1) I trust God, now I must trust His Word (the Bible)
2) His Word is true and God cannot lie

3) His Word says "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me..."

4) That means whether I feel it or not, that strength is present with me because God says so!

5) It also addresses every possible scenario we might encounter [all things]

6) This word 'empower' means to take the power of one and place it into another without losing any of its vitality or ability.

7) Therefore I will not face the issues of life in MY strength, but in Christ's strength - therefore I cannot fail to overcome the issue because He overcame all the issues for me.

8) [eight is the number for new beginnings] So now that He has made a way, I will overcome this thing, because He will take me through it, over it, around it, under it or He will just take it out of the way!  I start anew now through Christ!

You may say, "But you don't know what I'm facing."  No, but He does and nothing, and I mean nothing, is impossible for Christ to conquer.

Remember you are to declare and expect to see results when you take your stand (even if you are flat on your back, stand up inside yourself) and say it out loud - "...I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency".

As you declare this, the Holy Spirit will move in you and give you assurance that this Word is true and active in and for you NOW!  (Yes, I shouted that!)

So remember nothing is too difficult for you because you are not alone.  The All Powerful One lives in you and fights for you so you are a winner even when you don't look like or feel like a winner.  You win (and I win) through Christ Who makes us strong.

That should give you STRENGTH FOR TODAY and every day.  GO WITH GOD!