March 1, 2015: Romans 8:31-39

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.

 

Romans 8:31-39

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection

For a long time this was my favorite passage in the bible. I love the power of these verses as Paul proclaims the power Christians have in salvation through Christ. As we are in Lent, it is vital to remember where our power comes from. I like to do things, to solve things, to fix things, and it is easy for me to think I can do all things. But that is not exactly what the passage means, It says we can do all things through Christ. Or, maybe a better way of thinking about it is Christ can do all things through us if we will let him. This passage challenges me to give up my lone ranger, do it myself mentality, and to invite Christ to work in me, through me, with all my flaws and brokenness. Christ love can conquer all things. Will you let that love shine through you each day?

Reflection Questions:

Morning: When bad things happen, am I a lone ranger or a prayerful companion to Christ at work in me?

Midday: How can I let Christ love shine through me this afternoon?

Evening: Looking back, How has Christ been at work in your life, helping you through the difficult time and the best?

Prayer: Lord, I know you can do all things and you want your love to fill my life. Help me today, to let your love reside in me and work through me. Help me to be patient and to resist the urge to do it myself, but to ask for your guidance and let you work through me to fix it.