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Gleanings From The Word

Tag: Romans 8

  • In Charge: Finding Faith in Chaos

    In Charge: Finding Faith in Chaos

    Dark storm clouds over a vally with the text "Is anyone in charge?"

    The world is in chaos. Political divisions, economic messes, pollution, crime, hatred and more. It can feel as if God is slowly slipping out of sight. It makes you wonder, “Is anyone in charge?”

    The church is in chaos. It feels like we’re losing ground to competing worldviews, and people seem to be walking away from the faith. Churches struggle financially, and there are plenty of false teachers out there. It makes you wonder, “Is anyone in charge?”

    Sin is running rampant. It feels like the inmates are running the asylum. Relationships are breaking down, and people are more connected than ever before through technology, yet lonelier than at any time in history. It makes you wonder, “Is anyone in charge?”

    The answer is yes, someone is in charge, and none of this is a surprise to Him.

    In his letter to the church at Colossae, the Apostle Paul writes about Jesus.

    Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, And in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross—through Him—whether things on earth or things in heaven. Colossians 1:15-20

    Jesus is in control of all things. In Him, through Him and for Him. Nothing can thwart His plans. His victory was never in doubt and has already been accomplished.

    That’s why Paul could also write…

    For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

    The Lord is all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing) omniscient, and all present (omnipresent). He is ruler (sovereign), unchanging (immutable), non-created (self-existent) and outside of time and space (transcendent).

    Nothing in all of creation can thwart His plans for us or His creation. The church will always be, and believers will always belong to him. The answer to “is anyone in charge?” is clearly yes and amen.y

    No matter what you face today, because the Lord knows, He cares, and He is in control.

    Praise Him and give thanks no matter your circumstances.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

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    SUMMARY

    In a world that feels out of control, the Apostle Paul reminds us that Jesus is sovereign over all creation — nothing in heaven or earth can thwart His plans. Because He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, believers can rest in the certainty that they are held securely in His love.

    KEY POINTS

    The chaos we see in the world, the church, and in sin is not a surprise to God

    Jesus created all things, holds all things together, and will have first place in everything

    Nothing in all creation can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus

  • Hold Fast – You are safe against the flood

    Hold Fast – You are safe against the flood

    Jesus outstretched hand

    This morning, my inboxes had videos of the continuing recovery efforts post-hurricane in the Carolinas and the recent minor flooding in our local area.

    The flood waters reminded me of the presence of evil in the world today. It seems to be rising and threatening to flood over. A quick look at the world around us shows an increasing denial of the truth of Scripture with an increase in every kind of sin. It seems to wash over and threaten to carry everyone away.

    On the other hand, I was also reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit comes, He pushes other things aside and does so with far more power than evil can withstand. 

    We often think of life as a battle between those two forces… the power of evil versus the power of God. Certainly, life has those elements, but we tend to think of them as a battle of equals. Nothing could be further than the truth.

    Evil, sin, the devil, and the grave are already defeated.  Nothing, no power in all of creation, equals the power of God. Even when evil runs high and with great power, when it threatens to overwhelm everything in its path, its power is minuscule compared to God.

    God’s power holds His people safe in His hands.

    For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39 

    Death and the grave are defeated.

    When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 ESV

    Satan is defeated

    For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:19-20 ESV

    The final home of all believers is a place where nothing and no one evil can come in.

    And saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.  By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:22-27 ESV

    When you watch the news, the media seems to show evil triumphing hold fast. Hold fast when you get bad news about a friend or a loved one. When the world seems to be against you, hold fast.

    No matter how high the river of evil threatens to rise, how far up the banks it creeps, or what the forecast seems to predict, we can hold fast in the arms of Jesus. Nothing can separate us from Him, and God Himself has guaranteed victory.

    When I think of that, I remember a rhyme I heard years ago. I don’t know where it is from,

    Safe in His hands

    Secure in His love

    When life gets hard

    Just look above.

    Until next time, even if you are neck deep in the rising waters, remember that God has proclaimed victory, and the river of the Spirit trumps the river of evil every time. 

    Rejoice in God no matter what the world throws at you.

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Where do you find true strength

    Trial and Persecution

    Why every member is necessary

    Safe in the arms of God