Today is August 8.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from the book of Romans, chapter 8. 
 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither 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. 
  

Many Christians, especially those of us who have grown up in the West, are not really prepared for suffering, especially suffering for our faith. But throughout the New Testament, suffering for Christ is a given. The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippi and says: “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” Paul sees suffering as a gift, something that is granted, because it’s a way that we can identify with Christ. Now, consider for a moment how you think about suffering. What is your reaction when you experience hardship or suffering?  
 
Paul here says, can suffering separate you from Christ? Trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword? No way. We are more than conquerors! What circumstance in your life is keeping you from the love of God? As you listen the passage again, can you invite Christ to transform your mind that you might think of yourself as more than a conquerer?   
  
As we close our time, what if you make this your prayer today, and you repeat it quietly through the day…Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen  
  
Music: What Can Seperate - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)