Read Romans 8:37-39
It’s sad that we can read parts of God’s Word and without reflection or comment pass on as though we were reading an irrelevant ‘help wanted’ ad in the local newspaper. Romans 8:37-39 can easily pass us by because we are well off and comfy in the West. Our lives are so cushioned and so protected that we think nothing of these verses. Isn’t that really sad?
But put yourself in the shoes of a believer in rural Nigeria. As you wake in the morning you pray that the water tap 3kms away will actually give fresh water today. It hasn’t for days now. So you commit it to the Lord and you pray silently for your daughter who has to make the 6km round trek. You pray for her safety as she could be kidnapped or raped and even worse, killed as she walks the streets.
As the day progresses you remember that the morsel of food in the cupboard will only feed half of your family. It cannot conceivably fill everyone’s stomach. The chance of work today is slim and the garden probably won’t yield crops as it hasn’t rained for over 3 months now. You wonder if your anti-Jesus neighbours will attack you again, swearing and throwing rocks at you like they did the other day. Then your heart sinks as you think about the Christian families down the road whose houses were burnt by the terrorist mob and who lost many many loved ones. You wonder if you’ll make it through tonight without facing the same
As you read Romans 8:37-39 again can you hear the words of comfort and joy? Can you hear words of life and encouragement? Can you sense the hope? Can you hear your soul leaping for joy and reaching upwards in adoration and praise?
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.
These words mean little to a prawn and chardonnay saturated culture. They mean little to a culture where love is blurred into sexuality and where every conceivable need is only as far away as the nearest laptop or iPod. These words fall on deaf ears in a selfie obsessed culture saturated with the noise of TV, radio, internet, 24/7 music streaming, Facebook, You Tube and Twitter and a gluttonous host of other self absorbed social media outlets. These words mean nothing to a culture that has no needs except the need for 24/7 entertainment and lust on demand. It’s time to wake up from our slumber. The Word of God is being increasingly paralysed as we squander our lives in self indulgent luxury.
Prayer:
Having read today’s passage and notes jot down various prayer points in each:
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray for a revival in the Christian church that we would know God and the love of God intimately and deeply. Pray that our riches and assets would be put in their right perspective and used for His glory not for our indulgence.
¨ Pray that the churches in the west would be generous in their giving and willing to support the poorer brothers and sisters around the world.
Don’t let the comfort of your surroundings and the easiness of your life blind you to the hope and life in the Word of God.
1. Explain what Romans 8:37-39 means to you.
2. How can we as a church grow in love for God and love for each other?
3. How can you help Christians wake up to what’s really happening?
Intro: We are increasingly being numbed to the Word and love of God. With 24/7 access to the internet, with music in our ears all day and all night, with TV going around the clock, we hardly have time to listen to God.
Discuss the things that make it difficult for you to listen to God.
Read Psalm 46:10.
When do you make time to be still before God?
How can you improve your ability to listen to God?
Pray together that God would give you wisdom in making time to be still before Him.
Intro: We are increasingly being numbed to the Word and love of God. With 24/7 access to the internet, with music in our ears all day and all night, with TV going around the clock, we hardly have time to listen to God.
Discuss the things that make it difficult for you to listen to God.
Read Psalm 46:10.
When do you make time to be still before God?
How can you improve your ability to listen to God?
Pray together that God would give you wisdom in making time to be still before Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment