Four thoughts: (continued)
4. Jesus was stretched out on a cross between two thieves so that we would always know the reach of love.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one + only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. —John 3:16 NIV
But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.
—Romans 5:8 MSG
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8 NIV
So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition + exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly + freely do for us? + who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us + Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture . . .
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us + God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. —Romans 8:31-39 MSG
A Prayer
“Heavenly, thank You for loving me. I realize that I’ve sinned. My sin has separated me from You. But today, I make a decision to stop trusting in my own efforts + to start trusting in what Jesus has already accomplished. I believe that Jesus died for my sins + in my place. I ask that You forgive my sins + lead my life. Today I choose to trust Jesus. Amen.”
Today’s Verse: I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. —Romans 8:38 NLT
Today’s Prompt: Have you ever felt separated from God?
Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that there is literally nothing that can keep me separated from God + His love for me.
Today’s Prayer: Father, help me stay rooted in the conviction that nothing will ever separate me from You. Remind me that I don’t have to fear death or worry about my life. I don’t have to succumb to the powers of hell or cower under the weight of my anxieties. I don’t have to chase angels or run from demons because You are in control of it all, You reign over it all + You devised a divine plan to conquer it all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
