Snippets

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I'm continually amazed when I read God's word and all of His promises to us, when I hear His voice, when I feel His presence. In addition to this, I'm also amazed at how selfish we are as humans...especially humans who have a promise from an almighty God that He will never forsake us and that we will never be separated from the love of our God because of Christ Jesus.

God reveals Himself so strongly to me... I learned a lot about why and how this works for me when I had the opportunity to attend The Greenroom Conference at Seacoast. As an artist, a worshipper, and a leader, God has created me to see Him in the beauty of His Earth, in paint, in music, my own voice, the eyes of children, and my list could go on forever. These are the things that my God has created my soul to be filled with and to worship Him with.

It is because of these things that I am also taken back when I realize the items in my life that are not pleasing to Him and do not glorify Him. How can such beautiful things that God has provided for me honestly fit in the same heart as sin? And when we become aware of the mess in our lives, we can clean it up. Lately, God has revealed to me how we can so easily fall into the trap of "being okay" with our mistakes by finding others who will wallow in our messiness with us. It's much easier to give up when you avoid those who will call you out on your junk. I'm guilty of it to the nth degree and I see it all the time in my friends and in my students and it breaks my heart, because I've been there and it isn't what God wants for us. I'm empowered by His promise that He will forever be with me and always provide for me...and I know that it in no way means life will be easy. But that's why there's the rest of the Bible....to guide us through the tough spots. His word encourages us to lift each other up, hold each other accountable, and carry each others burden's.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2

Think of ways to encourage one another to outburst of love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11