"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)
Reading "Dead Heat" this past week made me realize one thing about this terrific author... he's extremely realistic about how events can unfold in our lives. Not everything in our Christian walk seems pleasant and bad things can and do happen to good people. Unlike other novels on futuristic church events that I have read, sometimes those who are doing the right thing are tortured and suffer. Not all the characters have a happy ending. The cowboy in the white hat doesn't ride off into the sunset.
Our world is racing toward the return of Christ at record speed and things may appear like the church is losing ground, but never lose hope. With HIM, we are the majority no matter how things look around us in the physical sense. "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (KJV)
I sat and watched Fox News for the first time in about a week yesterday and could barely believe the headlines. Two stories in particular caught my attention: marriage being redefined in this country and Christians in Islamic countries are being given the death sentence for simply choosing a faith other than Muslim. Sometimes it seems like evil is overtaking the world. Jesus tells us however, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)
1 John 5 also encourages us: "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
Here's another thought on my heart today: Perhaps God is "breaking you" through difficulties today in order to refine you and use you. Was it Billy Graham who said that 'the Lord breaks a person before He uses them'? Don't give up. You might be on the verge of breaking through to a new place with the Lord.
We should not be ashamed when we face difficulties or even circumstances that are a direct result of our own blatant sin. We should rejoice; not that we are spared from evil events (though it is our prayer that the Lord will keep us from evil), but rejoice that nothing can separate us from the love of God...and that our names are written in the Lamb's book of life!
Read the bold verses above again and let the Word become alive in you today. No matter what you are facing, it is not separating you from God unless you allow it to!
Blessings friends!
