A Mighty River
When challenges come your way, let God’s amazing love wash them away.
I’ve always liked the idea and the thrill of whitewater rafting, yet I have never been…have you? One day I will have to try it out, and maybe you and I can swap stories. But until then, I’ll just stick to the idea.
The idea of a rushing river, the force, the rapids, all these things make me think of God’s love for His Church. I mean, think of it, this powerful, sweeping, flowing – ever-rushing love! It’s simply breathtaking.
Our verse for this month’s promise is Romans 8:38-39:
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If we think of God’s love like a rushing river, Paul here is telling the church in Rome that essentially nothing can block God’s love from flowing down to us…he even names a few things the enemy tries to use – death, life, angels, rulers, present things, future things, powers, depth, height or all of creation….
The enemy is subtle and whispers to us that we are unloved. He convinces us that we’ve done this or that, we’ve not done enough of this or that, and we’re not worth being loved.
Earlier in Romans 8:28, Paul talks about how God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them.
So, that means our past failures, our present problems and our anxiety of the future – God takes those things and flows through them to work for our good. Any attempt to block God’s love is completely and totally unsuccessful.
God doesn’t necessarily remove those things from our lives…the mistakes of our past haunt us, we will face temptation and struggles, and our thoughts sometimes will get the best of us…but, in spite of all these things, God loves us, and none of those things can nor will ever prevent God’s love flowing to us. And, if we allow Him, He turns our painful moments into purpose for His glory.
There is a stream near our house and, when it rains, the stream is so powerful that it moves anything in its path. My son, Lincoln, likes to throw sticks in the stream when it gets this way. The flow is so strong that the sticks are swept down the stream. This is how I picture God’s love – when things get thrown my way and convince me I’m unloved, I let God’s truth, His mighty love, wash it away.
Life will throw us many things, but let those sticks keep coming because they will never stop the powerful, sweeping, ever-flowing love of our mighty God.
Action steps:
The idea of a rushing river, the force, the rapids, all these things make me think of God’s love for His Church. I mean, think of it, this powerful, sweeping, flowing – ever-rushing love! It’s simply breathtaking.
Our verse for this month’s promise is Romans 8:38-39:
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If we think of God’s love like a rushing river, Paul here is telling the church in Rome that essentially nothing can block God’s love from flowing down to us…he even names a few things the enemy tries to use – death, life, angels, rulers, present things, future things, powers, depth, height or all of creation….
The enemy is subtle and whispers to us that we are unloved. He convinces us that we’ve done this or that, we’ve not done enough of this or that, and we’re not worth being loved.
Earlier in Romans 8:28, Paul talks about how God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them.
So, that means our past failures, our present problems and our anxiety of the future – God takes those things and flows through them to work for our good. Any attempt to block God’s love is completely and totally unsuccessful.
God doesn’t necessarily remove those things from our lives…the mistakes of our past haunt us, we will face temptation and struggles, and our thoughts sometimes will get the best of us…but, in spite of all these things, God loves us, and none of those things can nor will ever prevent God’s love flowing to us. And, if we allow Him, He turns our painful moments into purpose for His glory.
There is a stream near our house and, when it rains, the stream is so powerful that it moves anything in its path. My son, Lincoln, likes to throw sticks in the stream when it gets this way. The flow is so strong that the sticks are swept down the stream. This is how I picture God’s love – when things get thrown my way and convince me I’m unloved, I let God’s truth, His mighty love, wash it away.
Life will throw us many things, but let those sticks keep coming because they will never stop the powerful, sweeping, ever-flowing love of our mighty God.
Action steps:
- Recognize the lies the enemy whispers in your ear, and then find Scripture that combats those lies with truth. Call them out and give them to God. Allow His love to wash over you and the problems you’re facing.
- Memorize this month’s verse (Romans 8:38-39) and say it out loud when you begin to doubt God’s love for you.
- Pray. Now that you’ve received this amazing love, pray and ask God how you can show and share His love with those closest to you.
Verse to Memorize
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Pursue the Promises
Throughout 2024, every Monday morning by 7:00 AM, we will post a new video from Pastor Shane or an article written by a member of our staff that connects to that month's featured promise. Learn more.
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