Himalayan Heights: Romans 8
All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.
Today's Reading: Romans 8
Though we are going to focus each day on a different portion of this wonderful text, read Romans 8 each day. If there are some Scriptures that are the Himalayas of the Bible, Romans 8 must be Mt. Everest! Starting with the affirmation that there is no condemnation in Christ, through the promise that all things work for the good of those who love him, and ending with the promise that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, it is one mountain peak after the other. We could do a year of daily devotions from this passage and not exhaust its glories, but we will settle for doing one week - seven days.
We have enjoyed taking our grandchildren to Broken Kettle Grasslands We marveled at the beautiful views of the rolling Loess Hills and enjoyed the bison that roamed there. It is not hard to impress an Iowan with hills. I can only imagine standing on the summit of Mt. Everest and seeing that view.
That's where we stand today, looking at the final declarations of this glorious chapter.
We have enjoyed taking our grandchildren to Broken Kettle Grasslands We marveled at the beautiful views of the rolling Loess Hills and enjoyed the bison that roamed there. It is not hard to impress an Iowan with hills. I can only imagine standing on the summit of Mt. Everest and seeing that view.
That's where we stand today, looking at the final declarations of this glorious chapter.
Through the Bible Readings: Ruth 1-2, Luke 12:35–59, Psalm 49:11–20, Proverbs 11:9-10
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional: True Winners
I'm a competitive person; I like to win.
The last few weeks and months I feel like I've been involved in some giant battles - that's just the way life is sometimes - and I don't always feel like I'm winning. It's not like our church is coming apart at the seams or anything, but it's been a stressful time in a lot of ways. Some of the things going on in the denomination have created stress for me as well. The national election. Financial matters. Personal conflicts. Constant stress, pressure, and the relentless strain of criticism, negativity, and frustration.
I'm guessing your life isn't always easy either.
These things can get us down, make us blue, even leave us irritable, depressed, and wanting to give up. That is why the truths of Romans 8:35-39 are so crucial.
It all begins with the fourth of the questions we examined yesterday. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Is there anything that can interrupt the flow of God's love to us in Christ?
Paul lists a series of possibilities in verse 35.
Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
The quote, in verse 36 makes it clear that all of these can be realities in our lives. Christianity does not eliminate these from our lives or guarantee us lives of ease and comfort - the prosperity preachers are not preaching the word of God. Our lives can be filled with distress, need, danger, and even martyrdom as we walk in the will of God.
But in all of these things, we are "more than conquerors" according to verse 37. We defeat them. How? It is not that we avoid trouble or deny the difficulty of it. No, we are more than conquerors because no matter what comes our way we continue to experience the will of God.
Remember Stephen? They were bouncing stones off of him to kill him, and he was enraptured in peace - a peace that passes understanding. We are more than conquerors because these things the enemy sends to try to destroy the work of God in us just drive us into the arms of the savior.
Nothing he does can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ. Nothing. Nothing. Ever.
What a view from Scripture's Mt. Everest!
I thank you for the victory I have in Christ, because of all he has done for me. I am more than a conqueror through Christ!
Think and Pray:
Thank God for the great and glorious promise that his love in Christ is real no matter what this world throws at you.
Remember that this world can be filled with hardships but the love of Christ is not hindered by the hardships of this world.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Remember that this world can be filled with hardships but the love of Christ is not hindered by the hardships of this world.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
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