Get ready to start a journey…a journey through the pages of the Bible and the pages of your life.
Let’s think about the word “hope”—what does it mean? Some people hope it doesn’t rain, while others hope the rain comes soon. Some hope something goes away; others hope something shows up. Some people are hopeful. Some are hopeless. Some people find hope, while others lose it.
Rebecca and Michael Lukens on Rebecca’s challenges at home, an unplanned pregnancy before they were married, life as a single mom, being evicted from her apartment, Michael’s entrance into her life, the challenges of marriage, and why divorce was never an option.
The pain we endure in life hurts. Sometimes, our journey takes us through times of devastation and discouragement. The loss of a job, illness, relationship breakups, an unrealized dream, and death are just some of the adversities that can bring about “sufferings of this present time.”
How do you know for sure? How can you know that you are a child of God? How do you know for certain that you will go to heaven when you die? You have trusted in Jesus and do your best to follow him, but how can you be confident that when you close your eyes in death, you will open them to see the Savior?
Have you ever heard the term “mortification of the flesh”? That’s how theological writers of old termed what Paul presents in our passage today. These writers understood the spiritual battle—the old life, ruled by the sinful nature, versus the new life, ruled by the Spirit.
The Spirit of God lives in you. That’s the amazing truth for every true believer. And when the Spirit of Christ lives in us, that changes everything.
Do you feel it? There is a battle raging within us. On one hillside of my heart the sinful nature is encamped. This army, hostile to God, desires to be in control.
What’s on your mind? What do you find yourself thinking about? What are the default thoughts that occupy your mental energy?
What if you could experience spiritual freedom? Freedom from fear. Freedom from anxiety. Freedom from discouragement. Freedom from a heart that is never content.
Kim and Bill Sarniak on how Christian’s 105 days changed their life, the emotions of knowing your baby will die, choosing life, making the most of every day, and cherishing the memory of life.
There are some things I can’t erase from my memory. Hurtful words and actions against me or those I love are seared into my conscience. I don’t want to remember these things or feel the emotion that goes with remembering. I can’t recall what I had for lunch yesterday, but I can relive the painful interaction with a teacher, coach, boss, or friend that took place decades ago. I have worked to forgive, but I still can’t forget. That’s what makes today’s passage so amazing to me.
What some of the most powerful men in the world are unable to do, God does…every day. Today’s passage, written to believers, reminds us of God’s amazing grace. When we come to him in confession (sorrowful for our sin), he forgives us and wipes away the mess from our hearts. When we acknowledge our sin, he will forgive us every time.
All of us have something in common with Velma Thomas. We were dead. We were dead in our sins. There was no sign of spiritual brain activity. We were helpless, hopeless. But then God came to our spiritual bedside. Here’s how Paul describes it.