October 15
2013
Monday (Tuesday) Morning Words of Encouragement
Happy beginning of a new week (it is Tuesday, but feels a bit like a Monday to me!).
I appreciate the beginning of each new week, even more so than the beginning of each new day. A new week ahead signals a clean slate, a new beginning, a chance to do it differently, unscathed by the challenges of the week before.
In doing my devotions this morning I was encouraged by Romans 8. I thought it was a very appropriate chapter for the beginning of a new week 🙂
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1
The marvelous grace of God – a new beginning, a re do, a start over. Today, this morning, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Praise God!
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God,. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:14-17
Who am I? Today I KNOW that I am a child of the Most High God. And as a Child of God, not only is there no condemnation, there is also no need to return to bondage in fear. I have been adopted into the family of God and can call out to the Father “Daddy!”. What a blessed reminder!
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
As I look at my circumstances I can be assured that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (v. 28). Do I understand how that works? Nope. Does everything that happens make sense and look like it it all going to come together? Nope. BUT, I know that God Himself will take the broken pieces of my life and lovingly place them together in a lovely stained glass or quilted masterpiece!
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26
When I am without words, the Spirit prays on my behalf!
If God is for us, who can be against us? …Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword….yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 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 created things, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31, 35, 37-39
No matter the day, no matter the week, no matter the trial and tribulation, I am Christ’s and He is mine and at the end of the day and at the end of time, the Love of God in Christ Jesus will keep me close and comfort me. Be encouraged in the Lord today and go forward and live this week, fearless and bold in the Lord!