Black Spirituality Religion : Christian Devotionals

Nothing Can Separate
Monday, May 26th, 2014

Read Psalm 34:18

View the May-June, 2014 Issue
Paul wrote, “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

- Romans 8:38-39 (NRSV)

Over a year later, we still can’t believe it. I remember the phone call from my wife’s middle sister when their older sister passed away. Another call, later in the evening, explained that their sister had taken her own life. My wife was devastated. None of us had seen her sister’s suicide coming, and all of us wondered why. While I can speculate and offer opinions, I probably will never understand why the tragedy occurred. The outpouring of love from family, friends, neighbors, and church members helped my wife through those challenging days. Friends had the courage to tell her their stories of losing loved ones in similar ways. Even though suicide creates a sad and unexplainable void in many lives, I am certain that as Romans 8:38-39 assures us, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2014-05-26
 
DID GOD LOSE CONTROL?
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:18-25
The creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it…
—Romans 8:20

In William Faulkner’s play Requiem for a Nun, one of the main characters says that after God created everything, he lost control. Things got out of hand, and there was nothing God could do about it.

Sometimes it seems like that is true. On a typical day, news headlines could report chaos in Cairo; civil war in Syria, with thousands killed and a million children in refugee camps; hunger, poverty, and persecution in many countries; flash floods in Europe; and typhoons in the South Pacific. The list is endless.

There is no doubt that God’s beautiful creation is groaning, and God’s creatures are groaning because of what is happening everywhere. It raises all kinds of questions: Has God lost control? Does God know and care? And if he does care, why does he allow bad things to happen?

There is no easy answer to these questions. God gives no explanation. The only way to make sense of what is happening all around us is to have an open Bible handy as we read, hear, or view the news. Make sure that when you check up on the news, you also read the last part of Romans 8 and Isaiah 40. There you will find that even today the Lord is in control of all that’s happening and will work out his purposes for us and the world he has made.

Prayer


Father in heaven, we often wonder about everything that is happening in our world today. Help us to trust that you are in complete control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.



Arthur J. Schoonveld
 
DID GOD LOSE CONTROL?
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:18-25
The creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it…
—Romans 8:20

In William Faulkner’s play Requiem for a Nun, one of the main characters says that after God created everything, he lost control. Things got out of hand, and there was nothing God could do about it.

Sometimes it seems like that is true. On a typical day, news headlines could report chaos in Cairo; civil war in Syria, with thousands killed and a million children in refugee camps; hunger, poverty, and persecution in many countries; flash floods in Europe; and typhoons in the South Pacific. The list is endless.

There is no doubt that God’s beautiful creation is groaning, and God’s creatures are groaning because of what is happening everywhere. It raises all kinds of questions: Has God lost control? Does God know and care? And if he does care, why does he allow bad things to happen?

There is no easy answer to these questions. God gives no explanation. The only way to make sense of what is happening all around us is to have an open Bible handy as we read, hear, or view the news. Make sure that when you check up on the news, you also read the last part of Romans 8 and Isaiah 40. There you will find that even today the Lord is in control of all that’s happening and will work out his purposes for us and the world he has made.

Prayer


Father in heaven, we often wonder about everything that is happening in our world today. Help us to trust that you are in complete control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.



Arthur J. Schoonveld

I liked your post because I read a lot of your posts believe it or not. Many of the things you say, and your views always puts me in mind of my mother. When she would talk to me, I always listened, in spite of my views, Because it was a show of respect, and her knowledge was greater than mind. She walked roads I hope I never have to walk. I just want to let you know this. I hope I'm not in the wrong forum again.

Peace!
 
I liked your post because I read a lot of your posts believe it or not. Many of the things you say, and your views always puts me in mind of my mother. When she would talk to me, I always listened, in spite of my views, Because it was a show of respect, and her knowledge was greater than mind. She walked roads I hope I never have to walk. I just want to let you know this. I hope I'm not in the wrong forum again.

Peace!
No problem. 'Sounds like we had similar mothers with like backgrounds. Like yours, mine is also gone on. She'd be 82 this year. My mother's faith and strength is what I aspire to match and exceed in my walk. My mother, also like yours, sang and hummed and prayed in her home. Her children were raised in church; but she also taught us, "You've got to know Him for yourself." And throughout my life, I've done that. My personal relationship with Jesus is from my own failures, disappoinments, joys and sorrows which God has brought me thru as well as provided joys and blessings.
 

Donate

Support destee.com, the oldest, most respectful, online black community in the world - PayPal or CashApp

Latest profile posts

HODEE wrote on Etophil's profile.
Welcome to Destee
@Etophil
Destee wrote on SleezyBigSlim's profile.
Hi @SleezyBigSlim ... Welcome Welcome Welcome ... :flowers: ... please make yourself at home ... :swings:
Back
Top