Thursday, January 6, 2011

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God of the Impossible
Woodrow Kroll
Natural man has a penchant for trying to explain away God.  The theory of evolution was developed in an attempt to remove God from the arena of creation.  Liberal theologians have attempted to demythologize the Bible in order to remove the miraculous works of God from it.  Man does all he can to explain naturally the divinely originated phenomena in our world.

God has always been aware of man’s desire to usurp His position and authority.  Frequently in scripture God placed men in deliberate situations so they would have to recognize that He was solely responsible for their deliverance.  When God removes the possibility of any natural explanation, man is left with the inevitable conclusion that God is in the miracle business.  Such was the case in Judges 7

Israel was assembled and ready for battle.  Already the faith had been stayed two days by the dewy and dry fleece so that Gideon could receive a token of God’s presence with them.  Now the fight was to be delayed again.

On the morning following the second test with the fleece, Gideon and all the people with him “rose up early and pitched beside the well of Harod”  (Judge 7:1).  Anxious for the battle, they had already moved into military position when God told Gideon he had too many people in his army.  Jehovah wanted to be certain that Gideon, as well as Israel and the nations watching, would understand that Israel had won the battle by the hand of God.  Therefore he instructed Gideon to command any of the 32,000 troops who were afraid to return home from the front.  Much to the surprise of Gideon, 22,000 admitted their fear and retreated.  Surely if a battle were won by 10,000 Israeli troops against 135,000 Midianite (8:10) this would indicate that the victory was the Lord’s.  But again Jehovah surprised Gideon by indicating that these 10,000 troops were still far too many.

Gideon was to take the troops to the spring of Harod for a strange and severe test.  The soldiers were divided into two groups, those who lapped water as a dog and those who dropped to their knees to drink.  Whatever the purpose of the test, only 300 soldiers were selected for Gideon’s army.

Next God instructed Gideon to go with his servant Phurah down to the perimeter of the Midianite encampment and eavesdrop on the Midianites.  They overheard one soldier telling another of his dream about a cake of barely bread that rolled into the Midian camp against the king’s tent and flattened it.  His fellow soldier interpreted the dream that this was none other than the sword of Gideon and that God was about to deliver Midian into Gideon’s hands.  So evident was it that this dream and the interpretation had both come from God that Gideon immediately returned to the host of Israel and said, “Arise for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.”  Three hundred men defeated the entire Midianite army, and the glory belonged entirely to God.

We must never shy away from impossible situations.  When the odds seem least favorable for our success that is when God can gain the greatest glory from our success.  Large armies are not as admirable as dedicated ones.  The recruiting slogan of the United States Marines Corps is “We’re looking for a few good men.”  God is looking for the same.  Will you be one today?

On ev’ry hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array;
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray!
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about;
The earth shall tremble ‘neath our tread
And echo with our shout. CL




Mark of a 'God- Possessed' Person
by Roy E. K

Those detestable and unpleasant tasks can be turned into joyful, enthusiastic opportunities.


Pic. by PVA



















One of the best-kept secrets of all time, "hidden for ages and generations, but now ... disclosed to the saints" is this:

"Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:26, 27). That wonderful truth is the basis of our dynamic relationship to God. It is also the source of genuine and lasting . enthusiasm in the Christian life.

Did you know that our word "enthusiasm" comes from two Greek words (en theos) meaning "one who is God-possessed"? A God-possessed person then should be an enthusiastic individual but, comparatively speaking, few are. Why?

Perhaps we should define enthusiasm first. The dictionary calls it "zeal, fervor" or an "eager interest." Using that last definition, let's ask ourselves some searching questions: Is it possible to have an "eager interest" in everything? What about our work? Statistics reveal that less than 50 percent of all Americans are fully satisfied with their present employment. Can we be enthusiastic about our work even though it may be tedious and monotonous? Can we have an eager desire to do even a dirty job or work for a difficult boss-and do it for less than maximum wages? I believe we can!

What about housework, ladies? Is it possible to be enthusiastic about washing dishes, doing the laundry, polishing furniture and cleaning walls? Do you have an eager interest in those tasks? Why not?

What about church-related activities? Can a person really be enthusiastic about working in the church nursery, teaching Sunday school, and attending a prayer meeting? And what about Bible reading, witnessing and tithing?

The Bible reveals the secret for putting enthusiasm into everything: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (3: 17).

This verse obliterates all distinctions between the so-called "secular" and "sacred." It puts a halo around everything. Anything that is legitimate and moral is included in this all-embracing command. It includes scouring dirty pans, studying for tests, cleaning the barn, washing the car and preaching sermons thing!

In Jesus' Name

The answer is twofold. First, we must do everything "in the name of the Lord Jesus." This does not mean that His name is some kind of holy charm or sanctifying influence. Rather, it means that we do everything under His authority and for His glory. Colossians 3:23 states: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." What an exhortation!

Whom are you really working for? Who is your ultimate employer? Are you working for your company or for the Lord? Are you doing this for money or for God? The next time you face a hard task, ask yourself, Am I going to gripe and complain about this work? Am I going to be miserable all the while I do this, or can I tackle this with enthusiasm and do it for the Lord? Believe me; you can if you think you can. It all begins with a· scriptural foundation. This biblical base is the springboard for a truly Christian positive mental attitude that can change the most boring task into something of actual enjoyment.

Since, as a believer, Christ lives in you, you are already a "God possessed" person. Therefore, God can rightly expect you to be enthusiastic about everything and commands you to do just that. When we fully realize what our blessings are in Christ and whom we are serving, our motivations will change radically. Paul reminds us, "Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (3:24).

Genuinely believing this amazing truth will cause you to tackle any job with eager interest and finish it with the same high level of zeal. Motivation is the key. One thing is certain: If you don't do it as "unto the Lord," almost any work can become boring in time.


Frustration will set in, and procrastination can become a way of life. On top of that, you will be miserable and your discontentedness will spread to others. A person without scriptural motivation is a detriment to himself and to others. It is better to live the Bible way. Therefore, prepare yourself for everything and do it all "in the name of the Lord Jesus."

'Give Thanks'

The second step to putting enthusiasm into everything is to "give thanks to God the Father through him"(3:17). This means thanking God first for the privilege of so acting that we may honor the name of the Lord. Isn't it a joy to do what the Lord commands? Have you ever really thanked Him for that privilege?

We need also to be reminded that it is God who gives us the strength and opportunity to serve Him-even for that seemingly monotonous

There is no 'secular' work for the true believer.

and unenjoyable job. It is helpful also to remember there are many, many people in this troubled world who would be thankful to be in your shoes.  Doing your work no matter what it is.

Why aren't we as thankful as we should be? Is it because we are caught up in this world of greed, covetousness and complaining? Are we behaving just like others who are not "God-possessed"? Is it because we have forgotten that God is sovereign and that He is the One who has assigned us our appointed role in life? Have we fixed our eyes on ourselves and said, "Poor me," rather than praising God for the privilege of working for Him? Have we been ignorant of these Scripture passages and therefore disobedient to Him? Whatever the cause, it can be corrected in a moment. For when you capture this biblical concept, enthusiasm can become a way of life for you.

Application

As a practical implementation of this astounding truth in Colosssians 3: 17, let me challenge you to tackle that detestable job-the most difficult one first-and say to yourself, I'm going to do it for Jesus' glory and in His name! Mentally picture yourself serving the risen Lord. You will be amazed at what happens. New purpose and strength will be instantly yours, and you will begin to experience a brand-new zest for living.

A professional person once confessed, ''I'm ashamed of myself. I hate housecleaning, and there is one room in my home that is a disaster area. I love my work, but I just can't get myself motivated to do anything at home anymore!" However, when she learned this basic principle of scripture and began to put it into practice, she began to sparkle and so did her house.

So, begin to daily thank God (aloud, if possible), for everything-your church, your employment, your home or whatever your task may be. It will revolutionize your day! Paul said, "Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart" (II Cor. 4: I).

What is your ministry? It is whatever you do as a Christian in the name of the Lord! There is no "secular" work for the true believer. It is all sacred, and it can all be stimulating-even thrilling-if you do it for the Lord and with a thankful heart. Remember: An enthusiastic person is a "God-possessed" person. The bottom line is, Does He have you? If He does, it will show in your words and deeds today. You can put enthusiasm into everything! 


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IF YOU’RE AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE

                                                             

                                                                                                            ELDERLY/RETIRED

What should you do when you sense that no one around you is concerned and you even feel that God doesn't care?

Have you ever felt as if God has forgotten you? Do you perhaps now sense that God doesn't real1y care-that He has forsaken you and gone off and left you? This was how the Jews in exile in Babylon felt. They questioned the knowledge and the power of God. We read about this in Isaiah 40:27, where they said, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God."*

Here they were, 900 miles away from their homeland, surrounded by the idolatry of Babylon. They were without their king, without their priestly system, without their sacrifices, without their annual religious festivals. The temple had been burned, their houses demolished, and the city ransacked in that terrible year, 586 B.C. They concluded, "God doesn't know about us, or if He does, He doesn't care!" If you think God doesn't see you or He doesn't care, you need the same antidote that Isaiah wrote for the captives. That is, Isaiah 40.

This great chapter, which Alfred Lord Tennyson said is one of the five great classics of the Old Testament introduces the second half of this book, which was written ahead of time as if the people were in captivity. Isaiah looked ahead by means of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as he wrote these marvelous chapters and then, more than 100 years later, the Jews in exile could read these chapters and be comforted by them.

Isaiah 40, at the beginning of this majestic portion, stresses that God does care because He is the sovereign God. There are two thoughts in this chapter that we need to see. First, the sovereign God wil1 restore His people (see vv. 1-11). Second, the sovereign God wil1 renew or strengthen His people (see vv. 12-31).

God Will Restore

In verse 3, Isaiah wrote: “‘clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.' “Isaiah was referring here to the custom of workers in those days going ahead of the king, clearing debris from the road and making the ride smooth for their king. Al1 four Gospels quote this verse, and in fact apply it to John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Lord Jesus. But Isaiah was speaking here primarily of the Lord who would clear the way for the exiles, as they would return 70 years later.

He wrote then in verses 6, 7: "Al1 flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass." He is comparing humanity to grass, which  dries up in Palestine when the hot wind blows on it overnight. And this would have great significance for the exiles, because the Babylonian empire was a great nation. That nation had conquered Assyria and then Judah and had attacked many other nations.

That city, the capital city of Babylon, was well fortified, so much so that Nebuchadnezzar said, "Is not this Babylon the great which I have built?" There were two huge systems of outer walls around the city. Within the city were 53 pagan temples, and the temples and the gates were named after their gods-and the Babylonians believed that those gods were greater than the God of the Jews. They felt that was proved by the fact that they were able to conquer the Jews.

But Isaiah is reminding the exiles that that concept of their Babylonian captors is wrong-for all the splendor of the Babylonians, he says, will vanish just like grass withering overnight. That actually happened when the Persians conquered Babylon-the Babylonians became like grass. Later, the Greeks conquered the Persians, and the Persians became like grass. Then the Romans conquered the Greeks, and the Greeks became like grass. Then barbarians conquered the Romans, and the Romans became like grass. Therefore, God is saying that He will lead the exiles back home because their enemies wil1 become powerless. He wil1 do it with a strong arm (see v. 10) and with a tender arm like that of a shepherd (see v. 11).

God Will Renew

The second major truth in this chapter is that the sovereign God will renew His people. He can give inner strength because of who He is, because of His strength.

Isaiah contrasted the greatness of God with several things. First, he contrasted God's greatness with the world. He spoke in verse 12 of the water and the mountains being smal1 in comparison to God, and even the vast universe, he said, can be measured by God's hand.

Second, he contrasted the greatness of God with the nations. Our Lord says through Isaiah, that these nations are like a drop from the bucket, like a speck of dust on the scales. In fact, they are total1y insignificant and amount to nothing. They are, he said in verse 17, less than nothing. This is an important reminder for us today: Every nation, however strong, prosperous or terrifying, is absolutely nothing.

If the nations are nothing, therefore, then certainly their idols are nothing as well. This is what he speaks of in verses 18-20. Isaiah, with delightful sarcasm, belittles these idol makers, who cast an idol and then cover it with gold. Others who are not rich cut down a tree and carve an idol out of the wood. Isaiah is reminding the exiles that that is what those idols were made of. They are simply man-made and therefore are totally insignificant compared to the sovereign greatness of their-and our-God.

Fourth, Isaiah contrasted the sovereign greatness of God with the rulers. He said in verses 23, 24 that these rulers are nothing. They are like seed planted in the ground that may begin to take root, but when God blows on them, they wither, much like the grass we saw earlier in the chapter. He stated in verse 22 that it is not these Babylonian gods nor is it these Babylonian rulers who sit in sovereign power-it is God who sits above the dome of the earth. He is the One who is the Ruler. So Judah had no need to be afraid of these Babylonian kings-they were totally insignificant.

Likewise, Christians today do not need to be afraid of wicked rulers, because our God is the One who is in charge.

Fifth, Isaiah pointed out the sovereign greatness of God by contrasting Him with the stars (see v. 26). Why stars? This is highly significant because astrology began in Babylon. It was the center of star-worship, and the stars, they believed, were gods. But the sovereign God Jehovah is saying to the exiles that this concept is wrong. It is God who controls the stars, not the stars who control man.

All of these contrasts are meant to lead them and us to verses 2773 I, and to help us see that God can strengthen us because of His strength. In verse 28 we read: "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His

Nations are meager compared to God's majesty and puny compared with God's power.

Understanding is inscrutable." God never gets tired. He is never too preoccupied to help us, He is never too exhausted to rise to our need, He is never incapable of understanding our situation.

Inner Strength

In these closing verses, Isaiah used several words for "weary" and "tired," and also several words for "strength" and "power." He wrote: "He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength" (vv. 29, 30).

How do you get that inner, spiritual strength from the Lord to continue on in the face of difficulties? The answer is in verse 3 I:  "Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength." The word "wait" does not mean to sit around and do nothing. It means instead to trust, to hope expectantly, to recognize that our times are in God's hands, and that He will work in His way and in His time-because He does care.

The result then will be that we "will mount up with wings like eagles"-that is, we will rise easily above our difficulties, confident in God's power. We "will run and not get tired ... [and] walk and not become weary" (v. 31). He is speaking not so much of physical strength as he is spiritual strength. So when you are down and weak spiritually, you need to turn to the One who indeed is strong.

If you have not trusted Christ as your Saviour, turn to Him the One who is the Shepherd, who gave His life, who died for the sheep. If you are a believer, hope expectantly, wait for God's timing-because of His strength.

Several years ago, two ladies, missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators, were driving in a remote region of an Asian country to take a language survey when their car broke down. They realized they were in serious difficulty because they were about 80 miles from a mechanic. The Lord brought along a stranger, however, who happened to have a . rope in the trunk of his car. He offered to tow them to a place for help. He tied the rope to the two cars, and they started out. But the rope broke. So they stopped, tied it, and started out again. Then the rope broke again. They continued to do that, with the rope breaking several times and their tying ""knots in it. Finally there was no way they could tie any more knots in that rope. They did not know what to do. Just then they spotted a stronger rope at the side of the road, lying in the bushes. Later these women, writing about this experience, said, "When we literally came to the end of our rope, God provided a better one."

Are you at the end of your rope? Do you think that your way is hidden from God as these Jewish exiles thought? Do you sense that God has forgotten you, that He does not care? Then wait, hope, expect and remember God's' sovereign greatness. Then you will be strengthened and renewed by His strength.
                                                                              - by Roy B


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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

How to have a good and godly day

Warren W Wiersbe and his wife Betty
Psalm 34:11- 16

How often has someone said to you, Have a good day”?  That’s a nice statement, but what does it mean?  When you review the day’s activities before you go to bed, how do you know whether the day as good or bad?  When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery that was a bad day.  But God turned it into good for him.  When Potiphar’s wife lied about Joseph and had him put into prison it was a bad day.  But God turned that into good for him also.  You see, we don’t always know what a good day is.  However, we can make our days good if we follow the instructions given in today’s passage.

First, control your tongue.  David asks, “Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?  (v.12)  Of course, everybody wants long life and good days.  So you must “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit” (v.13).  When you say the wrong thing, you will have a bad day.  So keep your tongue under control.

Second, “depart from evil and do good” (v.14) If you want to have a good day, do good.  If you sow the seeds of goodness, you’ll reap the harvest of goodness.

Third, “Seek peace and pursue it” (V.14) Don’t go around with a revolver in your hand.  Don’t be bothered by every little slight or by everything that people say.  If somebody cuts in from of you in a line, don’t let it bother you.  Be a peacemaker, not a trouble maker.

Finally, trust the Lord because He’s watching you.  “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry” (V.15).  The word open means “attentive to.”  You don’t have to worry about what other people do.  God is watching, and He’s listening to you.  You can have a good day if you’ll just follow these instructions.  So, have a good day!

“Have a good day!” may be a stale expression, but you can have a good day if you follow certain instructions from Scripture.  Try following the guideline of this psalm.  Not only will you have a good day, but those with whom you come in contact will be blessed.
                                                                  —Warren W Wiersbe 
                                                                                             Former Director Back to the Bible Intl.



Monday, January 3, 2011

Don’t Lose God’s Perspective

Pic. Credit. Charles Philip

by Roy Z
The few days of a new year are always filled with promise.  We are eager to begin the year with renewed vigor and fresh goals.

Soon, however, that initial thrust loses speed as the days and weeks fly by.  We begin to get weary.  With all of our job pressures and/ or school activities, we become like the man who decided that having only “in” and “out” baskets on his desk was inadequate.  He felt he needed four baskets—and he put the following tags on each one: “urgent.”  “frantic,”  overdue” and “forget it.”

When we can see our goals clearly and can see the possibility of making them, we are encouraged.  But without the goals immediately before us, and the prospect of reaching them diminishing, we begin to lose our perspective.
In our Christian life, as well, it possible to lose our perspective as we press on toward greater spiritual growth.  When we do not have God’s perspective clearly defined, we can lose out.

God’s Perspective

One of the greatest Bible passages on the proper perspective on life is Romans 8:28-39.  The reason this passage is so great is that it looks at life an its goals from God’s perspective.  I call it the glory passage because verses 28-30 say that we are predestined for glory, and verse 31-39 say we are preserved for glory.

Notice verse 28:  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  We know—though we may not sense it in our expertise—that God works for the good of those who love Him.

There are many things we do not know, but we do know that God is at work in every circumstance in our life.  God is meshing everything together in our life like a giant puzzle.  This does not mean that everything is good in itself only that things are working together for our good.

Are you aware of the amazing inclusiveness in this verse?  Paul said that all things work together—including the trials mentioned in verses 35 and 36.  It does not say some, or many or most—but all The problems we face do not signify that God’s plan; they are incidents that are a part of His plan.

One time a cowboy decided he should have some insurance since he was working out on a big ranch.  So he contacted an insurance agent.  One day the agent  came out to see him and to ask him a few questions to fill out a form.

“Have you ever had any accidents?”  the agent asked

“No,”  the cowboy answered.
“Are you saying that you have never been hurt here on the ranch?” the agent replied.
The cowboy thought a minute and then said, “Well, a branco kicked me in the ribs last summer and a couple of years ago a rattlesnake bit me on the ankle.”

“You wouldn’t call those accidents? The agent inquired
The cowboy then answered in all seriousness, “No, they did it on purpose.”

In God’s plan, things are not accidents:  they are on purpose.  And for whom is this true?  To those who love Him (the human side) and those “who are the called [converted] according to his purpose” (the divine side).

Sir James Thornhill was completing a painting in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.  He was high on a scaffolding, with an assistant working with him to hand him the brushes and oils.  As Thornhill stepped back on one occasion to get a better look at the painting, his assistant realized that if he were to take one more step he would plunge to his death below.

The assistant was fearful of shouting a warning to the artist thing that that might startle him and cause him to lose his balance.  Instead, he took a brush and made a swath across the painting.  Sir James Thornhill ran up to him and said, “What are you doing? Why did you ruin this painting that we have worked on for months?”   When the assistant very calmly explained why, Thornhill’s tone changed completely.  He realized that what seemed to be bad and undesirable was actually for his ultimate good.  How true is this in our Christ life?

Predestined

But we must not lover look verse 29, 30 when studying verse 28.  These two verses take us from eternity past to eternity future.

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son” (v. 29).  To foreknow, means that God had regard for, or made a loving choice of.  Therefore, whom God had regarded for, Paul said, He predestinated.

Furthermore, the word “predestinated” means “to determine the end result before hand.”  And that end result is that we would be confirmed to Christ’s image.  We are not just saved by Him.  We will be conformed to Him.  God is not satisfied that we be like Christ in some superficial way, but that we would have a genuine likeness in sharing His splendor.

Verse 30 speaks of the steps by which this takes place: “Whom he did predestinate, them he also called [saved].”  God takes the initiative in the regenerating and convicting work of the Holy Spirit.  “Whom he called, them he also justified [pronounced free from guilt and declared righteous by imputing Christ’s righteousness]:  and whom he justified, them he also glorified [honored].”

The step of sanctification is not mentioned in this verse because it is considered part of glorification.  Think of it this way:  Sanctification is glorification begun; glorification is sanctification completed.

Notice the word “glorified” is in past tense.  God looks from and through the lenses of eternity.  To us these things are steps in time; to God they are as good as completed—and we cannot undo His work.
God’s Provision

In verse 31, Paul asked:  “What shall we then say to these things?”  He answered his own question:  “If God be for us, who can be against us?”  the idea is that no one can, successfully.

It does not matter who is against us, because God is for us and He is greater than all.  Some may try to oppose us, but they will be unsuccessful.  Why?  Because there is not change in God’s provision (see v. 32), there is not charge against God’s people (see vv.33,34), and there is no separation from God’s power (see vv 35-39).

First, God’s provision was His own Son, the Lord Jesus, the greatest possession He has.  And as verse 32 states, God will certainly give us all the other lesser things we need as well.  He met our major need for eternity; He will certainly meet our minor needs in time.

Second, there is no charge against God’s people because God has justified us.  If someone could indict us, what would that do to the work of God in justification?  Neither can we be condemned because Jesus Christ endured our judgment on the cross.  We are free.  There can be no indictment; the case against us is dismissed.

Third, no one can separate us from God.   We cannot be pulled away from that love,. Unbelievers may see us having problems and think that Christ has withdrawn His love from us.  We may even agree with them and start to lose our perspective.

 So Paul lists seven circumstances—the first is of which he himself had endured (see II Cor. 6:1-10; 11:1-33)—that would not separate a believer from God’s love.  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”  (v. 35).  Then in verse 37 he answers with a resounding “Nay!”

Even the sword—a picture expressed in verse 36 of sheep being slaughtered—cannot separate us from the love of God.  An a matter of fact, Paul said that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us”  (v. 37).  Why does he say we can more than conquer?  Because we are not only victors, we are also possessors of the spoils.  No matter what troubles, hardships, or dangers come, we are conquerors—and then some.

God’s Love
In the final two verses of this chapter, Paul bursts into a victorious crescendo as he lists ten things that cannot possibly separate us from God’s love.  “Death” cannot separate us because then we will be in the presence of God.  “”life” does not separate us because Christ is living within us.  The “angels” will not separate us because they are ministering spirits.  “Principalities” or “powers” (demons, or perhaps human government) cannot separate us because Christ is greater than they.

“Things present,” the hardships of today, or “: things to come,” the uncertainties of the future, cannot separate us from God.  Nor can “height” and “depth” separate us.  Nothing overhead can come bursting down on us suddenly, and nothing hidden can come rising over the horizon and separate us from God’s love.

He concludes by saying, “nor any creature.”  There is absolutely nothing or no one able to drive a wedge between us and God’s love for us.  There is no chance of separation because of that love.

These 12 verses are a tremendous shout of triumph for the believer.  What an exclamation point from the heart of Paul regarding the assurance and security of the believer and God’s perspective on life.  It removes the element of fear.


Whatever the problem, God will see us through.  Whatever happens this week, this month or this year will simply be part of God’s purpose in continuing what He  has started in us (se Phil. 1:6).  There is no change in God’s provisions, there is no charge against God’s people, and there is no separation from God’s love.  Rejoice in all of these things as you face circumstances and people today.