Do the Math

Here’s a question you ought to ask yourself often: If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31.

It’s an astonishing question. Look closely. The question is not simply, “Who can be against us?” That is not the question; for undeniably we face all kinds of opposition. Indeed the world, the flesh and the devil are marshaled against us. God never promised that we would not face resistance in this life.

Rather the question is, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” The Bible does not promise that we won’t have any opposition. Instead it promises is that we won’t have any opposition that matters.

No matter what you face as followers of Jesus Christ, God is on your side. And God + You = a Majority. It’s worth pondering this truth everyday.

If God is for us, who can be against us?


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Do all things work for good?

Sorry, I've been away from posting for awhile as my laptop was stolen. I'm back. Here's my latest eCouragement:
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Romans 8:28 is one of the most recognized scriptural addresses in the entire Bible. “All things work together for good.”

But is that true? Or just naïve? Deep down, if we are honest, we sometimes wonder. We think of young mothers who died of cancer, teens who were hit by drunk drivers, child victims of abuse. How can that be good?

As it turns out, the Bible never teaches that all the things we face in life are good. Certainly much is not. Rather it teaches that in all things God is working for His good purpose in us, and that good purpose is defined in the often overlooked following verse: Romans 8:29. "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son…”

God is at work in all things to bring about the best good that is possible ... that we would become more like Jesus.

Now, no one in our generation knows what Jesus looks like. But God has seen fit to allow Christ’s likeness to be reflected in His followers. His goal is that we might become more and more like His own Son in attitude, authenticity, and action.

That is God’s greatest good for us. Whatever we face, we can know that God is always working His good in us.

Adopted!

I love the story of two little first-grade boys who were brothers. On the first day of school, the children were introducing themselves. One of the boys said, "Me and Jackson are brothers. One of us is adopted and one is not, but I can't remember which is which."

That attitude conveys the full-fledged embrace that we have received from God as He welcomes us into His family. He actually treats us, and see sus, and loves us, in the same way He does his Only Begotten Son.

In fact, the Bible says, You have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"… Romans 8:15. And it is because of this adoption, that we can experience a deep intimacy with the Father. As Christians we don't address God as "Your Highness" or "Your Holiness." We call God, “Abba” which, in Jesus’ day, was a very intimate expression; much like we might say, “Daddy" or "Papa”.

Since God has adopted us as sons and daughters, we can embrace Him as our Father. We can run to Him when we are hurt, ask lots of questions when we are confused, and trust Him when He says everything is going to be OK.

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