Condemnation, Heirs, Problems, Attacks
One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:1 which tells us that if we are in Jesus Christ (following Christ and being submissive to God's will) we are not going to be condemned. People can try to condemn, but it cannot stick. The law will try to condemn you for missteps or mess ups, but God is not condemning you. Yes, there are earthly consequences for our actions, we are not getting off scot- free on earth, but God is not holding everything against us as people do.That is so freeing. We can beat ourselves up for the bad decisions we make, but when we go to God and seek to do better with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and truly repent, He isn't holding it against us. Isn't that great news?!?!
Romans 8:14 tells us that if we are led by the Spirit of God then we are sons (children) of God. The English Standard Version uses "sons" but as we say mankind, we do not only mean men, but women as well. So, whether you are male or female, if you are led by the Holy Spirit, then consider yourself a member of God's family.We are not associates, or friends or buddies with God, but children of God. There are many out there who do not have strong family units and with the understanding that if you submit to God's will and are led by God you are apart of His family.
And when things seem down right horrible and never ending, we must remember that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). I have been dealing with this thinking recently as things I am experiencing are not turning out favorably at the time in which they occur. I am learning to trust in God and remember that His will is working in my life as I am led to follow Him and seek His will. It is hard to remember because there are painful things that happen or are said, but in His will those things can work for His purposes. The results may not be now and I may never see them, but that is not my focus. I do what the BOSS says.
And finally, if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? No matter what people say or do to me or whatever circumstances come my way, I am empowered to know that being led by the Holy Spirit will not do me wrong as I am in Christ.
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The Storm and Shipwreck
While traveling at sea, a stormy wind called a northeaster struck the ship. They could not fight it and had to let it control them. Fear struck the men aboard as they thought they would run aground (crash) so they began to get rid of cargo one day. The next day they started to get rid of the ship's tackle. Many days passed and the storm persisted and the storm did not let up and they lost hope in being saved (Acts 27:13-20).
In verse 21-26 Paul assures them that he has faith in the Lord as God has saved him from before in regard to being killed and imprisoned and being able to state his case before Caesar. In verses 30-32, some men wanted to jump ship but Paul let them know that if they did, they would not be saved and the men due to their trust in Paul cut away the small boat attached to the ship for just such situations. Paul continues to encourage the men and gather them together to eat. All in all there were 276 people and after they ate that lightened the ship as the threw the remains overboard. They eventually shipwrecked, but all men were saved just as Paul had stated in the Holy Spirit.
Overall, this all reminds me of Proverbs 3:5. The men did not want to trust in God or even speak to God, they just reacted to what seemed natural. Just because it seems like the best option, without consulting God, then it may not be an option for you at all. If those men had taken a small boat instead of a large ship that fit 276 people on it, then what good would a small boat be in that storm. When in fear, look to God. Ask Him for direction. Ask Him to lead. We can lean on our own feelings and make decisions, but it is not always the best way.
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Giving Up Control
This may seem like a topic that I have exhausted or even just touched on last week in Friday Focus #7, but I wanted to share an idea from another perspective that can give more clarification.
Years ago I saw an image, I cannot remember where, that really gave some perspective to how we hang on to things too long. We hang on to the way we used to be. We hang on to relationships that make us feel good. We become co-dependent on the things of this world. We try to control too much. We don't see the beauty that exists when we give our life an d all parts of it to Christ. When we let go of the control and put it into the hands of Jesus as we walk the path that God has laid before us in His will, it changes EVERYTHING. You have NO IDEA what God has in store for us if we would just LET GO.
Proverbs 19:21 tells us that we can make as many plans as we want to, but God's plan will prevail. We may as well give in to His plan any way.
There is strength in giving in to God's will. His will won't fail us. It doesn't mean life will be perfect and we never have problems but you understand that God is teaching you something and letting you be used to teach others. Let go and let God.
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Give it UP!
We have all heard all types of saying that can classify as Christian rhetoric such as "Give It To God" and "Let Go and Let God." But, if you really look at what is deep in the meaning of what those phrases are, is it really rhetoric?
We try to control so much in our lives, but there is so much that we are not in control of. Have you ever tried to control someone? What about trying to control other aspects of life? What about worry? Isn't that what leads us to try to control things and people? We think that something bad will happen and we worry and try to fix it so it doesn't happen. Why are we so worried?
Worry is just a symptom, in my opinion, of not having any faith that God will take care of things. Our worry leads us to actions that we think are fixing things, but really our worries and actions from being worried are not God centered. We aren't taking things to God, we are taking matters into our own hands because we lack faith in God and patience in the process.
God wants us to cast our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7). He doesn't want us walking around being balls of anxiety with two legs. No! He wants us to be at ease and to release those anxieties, stresses, pressures and worries to Him.
He has a plan for us and we are to not lean on how our own understanding, but trust in Him, acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
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