Romans 8

If you need a boost step away from the 5 Hour Energy Drink and dive into Romans 8! This passage has pumped me up so much! Our God is so good. These are just some of the things that stuck out to me:

Well before the Jesus Pep Rally, the Lord reminds us just how much we in the flesh need Jesus. "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:8). Dang. The idea that we being indulged by worldly desires and loving any part of the world we cannot in anyway please God. How hard is that? To not be chasing the world, money, careers, fame, relationships, etc. If we find our peace and joy in these things we are hostile to God. (verse 7). Now that is a challenge.

Here's the uplifting part I was talking about. "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received he Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15). Holy moly. through Christ's sacrifice we are freed from fear. There are so many things is this world I fear: tragedy, loss, rejection. The Lord has FREED us from fear and replaced it with adoption into in God of the universe's family. Hold up. Take a breath. We are adopted into God's family. I don't know about you, but this verse gives me chills. He is our Abba, Father. How blessed are we.

"And we know that for those who love God all things works together for good, or those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28). Peace. It will all be okay. No matter the size or severity of any obstacle we face, the outcome is going to be for the glory of God, and the good of his children. Peace.

The chapter ends in this rally cry. "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present 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 8:37-39). Now this...this is what I was talking about. Absolutely nothing in this Earth can separate us from God's love. Even when we want it to. When we are down and out and hiding from God, he is always there. His love knows no bounds and nothing we can do wil screw our relationship with him up. He will always love us. Through him we are more than conquerors. I am so pumped up by this chapter! I'm a little white girl, but through Christ I'm more than a conqueror?! Powerful.

There is so much in this passage that i could go on and on. Those are just the things that stuck out the most.

Overwhelmed. Adopted not enslaved. Empowered. Loved.

Thank you Abba, Father.