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Psalm 44

Take the plunge

If I’m safe in Christ then why do I feel so anxious? Nothing can or will separate me from the love of Christ and yet I feel discontent and irritable. James tells me that I fight because of what I desire. People are used to get what I want or they become obstacles in my way. So life is filled with conflict (James 4:1ff). The problem isn’t that I can’t get what I want. The problem is what I want.

Take the plung of willing self sacrifice

Lately the books I’ve been reading have been talking about the importance of worship. Usually what you want is what you worship. The difficulties I have in my marriage, work and community come from what I worship. My dreams, my hopes, what I think will make me happy take over my life and drive me, they whip me like slave masters when I don’t get what they want. And when I do it is never enough, there is always something else to strive for.

Paul talks about being like a lamb for the slaughter everyday (Rom 8:36). He has learnt to renounce his life long dreams and replace them with a life long love of Christ. This means that he’s not going to stress about what he needs, he has taken the plunge.

Sacrificing my happiness is a really scary thought. But I’m not very happy anyway so why not dedicate my life to learning to worship God more than I do anything else? Why not seek his kingdom first and let God worry about meeting my needs? If you want to join me then ask Jesus to help you take the plunge.   the Rev

Romans 8:35-39 Live the Gospel = Walk in the Spirit

Bible Reading: Psalm 44

Exercises

• Give examples of what Paul lists as not being able to separate us from Christ v35

• Discuss and explore the freedom behind v36 and how this promotes God’s kingdom

• Explore your security in Christ & how this makes you more than a conqueror v37-39?

• How has this passage encouraged you to love God and love people?

Prayer: Heavenly Father forgive me for the many times when my fears have captured my attention and dominated my life. I rejoice that nothing can and nothing will ever separate me from the love of Christ, that my destiny is certain and this makes me more than a conqueror. Enable me to live with this confidence so that I will not be intimidated by people or circumstances but boldly love you and people with everything that I am and have. Amen