Thanksliving

Living with Thanks

Romans 8:35-39

New Living Translation Chapter 8

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Exegesis:

Thanks: an expression of gratitude.

Thanksgiving: The practice of expressing thankfulness to another, often in speech or with celebration.

Are we living with thanks or are we living in separation?

We talk as if we dont live with thanks. We talk as if there are worldly forces that can destroy us. We talk as if worldly forces can protect us.

I almost allowed my “Thanks” to be separated from my Living.

1. The Love of Christ will be behind your actions.

Galatians 5:22-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

We cant just kick people

2. The words of Christ will be on your mind.

Colossians 3:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

When something happens, whats the first thing you think?

3. The power of Christ will help you control your flesh.

Romans 8:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

Lean on Jesus

Closing

Just imagine if we all acted…no, if we all knew this

If we knew, nothing could separate...

It wouldnt matter what things or who...

We all have things we struggle with, even Paul

2 Cor 12:7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1 John 4:4 the Spirit that is in me is greater than the Spirit that is in the world.