Can anything separate you from Jesus? Can Sin? Defeat? The enemy? Let’s see what today’s passage says. In answer to the question, “Can anything separate you from Jesus?” the apostle Paul says…
Daily Devotion
Engage
ENGAGE: Be Alert
The enemy is out to get you. Discredit you. Sit you on the sidelines. Destroy you. One of the things we need to talk to our Father about is spiritual protection. We have a dangerous adversary.
ENGAGE: More About Temptation
Where does temptation come from? The world? The flesh? The devil? Well, one thing we know for sure is that it doesn’t come from God.
ENGAGE: When Temptation Comes
Have you ever been tempted? Struggling with temptation? In our passage today, Paul gives us important instructions in this area.
ENGAGE: Staying Engaged
Do you ever feel like retreating? Escaping from it all? Holing up in a safe place? Christians in every generation have the same temptation—the allure to retreat from the world. From business to education to recreation, there is a desire to only be involved with other believers. One problem … that was not the intention of Jesus.
ENGAGE: Forgiving One Another
It was going to be a tough meeting. Those sitting around the table had some serious issues with each other. You could feel the tension—so thick you could cut it with a knife, as the saying goes. I knew this time together could blow up in my face. If it ended with me having to make a judgment, someone would leave the church. I also knew no one in the room was squeaky clean on this one. So, I began by reading Ephesians 4:32.
ENGAGE: Talking to God About My Enemies
How many of you have a favorite passage of Scripture? How many of you have a passage of Scripture you really don’t like that much? Today’s passage is about loving your enemies, and I’ll admit that these verses are in my least favorite, “I really don’t want to do this” category.
ENGAGE: Talking to God About Forgiveness
“Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.” That’s what C. S. Lewis wrote in his compelling book, Mere Christianity. Forgiveness is a great concept until we must put it into practice. Do you have someone you need to forgive?
PRAYER: Conflicts With Others
Do you have any issues with other people? Does anyone rub you the wrong way? Say things behind your back? Hurt you? Living our daily lives means inevitable conflicts with others. When those matters arise, and they will, Jesus gives us specific instructions.
ENGAGE: Forgiving Others
Forgiveness is a tremendous spiritual truth! What could be better? When we genuinely go to the Father with repentance, he is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He “blots out” our transgressions from the record and chooses to forget our sins (Isaiah 43:25). David writes that God removes our sins from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).
ENGAGE: He Strengthens Me
If there was ever a verse torn apart by being ripped out of context so often, today’s passage is it. “Christian” pop-psychology tells us to memorize these words and write them on our bathroom mirror. This verse shows up on the wide receiver’s shoes. Look closely through the quarterback’s facemask; you can make it out on black strips under his eyes. The conclusion most make is this: Whatever I want to do, God will give me the strength to do it. But, always remember this key principle of understanding Scripture: Context ultimately determines the meaning.
ENGAGE: Supplying our Needs
The three-and-a-half-hour church service in the Mathare slum had come to an end, and our last speaking responsibility was over! I gathered with my traveling partners in a room where our host brought us Cokes. As much as I enjoy the stretching experiences of mission trips, I love getting back home. I looked forward to packing up and heading to the airport to begin the long journey back to Pittsburgh. But then, something caught my attention.