“³⁸For I am sure that neither death nor life, or angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹nor 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 (ESV)

I have studied the above passage a couple of times before in the past few years. Each time, God reminds me or teaches me something slightly different, but always related. This morning I am reminded that no one or nothing is “able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

It seems like that is something that would be difficult to forget, especially as a Christian. Aren’t I supposed to be studying and following to do all things in the image of Christ and with that I am able to receive all the goodness that God has to offer? Well yes, but I also have to remember that I am man and prone to the influence of those things that are right there around me at all times. I am suspect to what I see and the rose colored glasses view of all that is presented to me by the world.

I have to remember that even though I may be distracted and influenced by the world and all that is in verse 38 and 39a from above, it is God’s love that He heaps on me that I am not able to escape. I have accepted the love and salvation provided by Him through the death of Jesus on the cross and because of that, I will never be plucked from His hand. I am His and He loves me unconditionally and demonstrates that as He allows me to experience life in the world. He knows that I am going to stray from Him and as I wrote in November of last year, His GPS keeps us connected to Him and we are able to activate it at any time.

We are going to stray off the path that God has in store for each of us. When we do, we have to remember that God’s love has not and will not leave us and that love cannot be taken from us by any other force. We are always able to connect to the love of God through our acceptance of salvation thanks to the death and resurrection of Jesus.

What force in life is driving a wedge between you and God? Are you able to identify it fully? Did you know that force is only separating you from your conversations with God and that His love is never separate from you?

God has a plan for each of us and those plans will find themselves completed. The path to the finality of the plan may play out differently than we might believe it to play out, but the final result will be that which God has put in place for each of us.

“‘³⁹but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!’ So they took his advice,” – Acts 5:39 (ESV)

Gamaliel was speaking to the high priest and all the council. He had laid out the reason that they should be careful in dealing with the apostles. His words ring true I believe to each of us in that when God’s plan is in action, we are powerless to think that we can overcome those plans. The finality of the plans of God will come out regardless of how we may be able to “slow” them down with our actions here as man. Man’s plans however will fizzle out eventually.

“’³⁶For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. ³⁷After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered.³⁸So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail;’” – Acts 5:36-38 (ESV)

How many other times have we read or heard in the bible of man rising up on their own and ultimately being overthrown by a small band of those that are following God. Man is of no power against God and as such, His plans will ultimately win out and come to finality with the result He had planned for.

I should learn from my failings of the past. I should know that my plans, whereas they may be thought of in/with good intentions, when they are not in line with the plans of God, they will fizzle and fail. It is my duty to align myself with the plans that God has in store for me and when I do, I will be sure to find victory in the end, as God’s plans are not able to be stopped.

What plans have “you” enacted that may not have reached finality? Were those plans in line with those that God had in store for you? What if you were to align with the plans that God has for you, would anyone be able to stop them?

It is certainly one thing to say we are committed to something or someone, and something else entirely to be committed. As someone that enjoys sports and have a son that at one time was considering playing college sports, I see and know of the “commitments” made by young athletes to play for a school and then “decommit” later for one reason or another, usually because that got a “better” offer from somewhere else. What is that saying about the commitment that was originally made?

In Matthew 20, the mother of James and John asked Jesus about them sitting at His right and left hand in heaven. Jesus’ response was one of checking on the commitment of the men.

“²²Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’” – Matthew 20:22 (ESV)

Jesus was asking the James and John to fully commit to Him and they did.

“²³He said to them, ‘You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’” – Matthew 20:23 (ESV)

And as Jesus was in tune with God the Father, He acknowledged that they were indeed committed fully to Him and to the task of spreading the gospel. And then He tells them that the choice of who sits where was not His decision to make. That God the Father was the decision maker and had already predetermined all and who would be where.

My take away here is that it is up to me to commit to Jesus and then just stay with it and do the work He asks of me. Once committed, I am committed and it is my duty to honor that commitment to the end. There is no “better” offer coming nor should I be looking for one. It will not be easy and certainly there may/will be times that I am frustrated with the timing and outcomes I can see, but God sees and knows way further into the upcoming than I and therefore I am to simply trust that what is happening is in His plan.

What commitments have you made to God? Where are you in relation to honoring those commitments? What if you stick with your commitment, what are your thoughts on how it might play out?

How often is it that we ask for something from God and then forget about His ability while we press forward to get it as if He were not even there. I know that I have gone out of my way to pursue things that may not have been in the plan of God for me and my life.

“²⁷And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David.’ ²⁸When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ ²⁹Then he touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith be it done to you.’” – Matthew 9:27-29 (ESV)

These men wanted something badly and no matter how much they pressed on themselves, there was nothing they could do to achieve it. Blindness is something that even with today’s technology and knowledge, is elusive except in rare instances. These men knew there was only one that could provide for them. Only one that could take care of their need. Only one that could do the impossible. Jesus. They were convinced of it and therefore did not give up. See how they “followed him” and “came to him” in the house that I am sure they were not a part of, but did not want to miss this opportunity.

I am encouraged by these men and the way they demonstrated reliance on Jesus. They were in a position of needing help and knew that only one could provide for that need and would not give up. They left it all for Jesus to do as they understood that they were powerless to achieve it on their own. What does that say about me and how I approach things. Am I totally reliant on God to provide for my needs. Am I taking things on my own that really only God can do for me. Am I blind and seeking help in the wrong areas and avoiding placing my reliance on God.

Where is your reliance for the things you need? Are you taking things on your own that maybe you should be giving to God? What if you relied on God because He is able to do all and provide for all?

Honoring God is easy when things move in the positive direction and all is right for everyone. But, when things are not as planned, and there is accountability and demonstration of responsibility, there is a tendency to turn away from or at least shun God.

“³⁶At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. ³⁷Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” – Daniel 4:36-37 (ESV)

When we look at the life and times of Nebuchadnezzar, he was, at first not the staunch follower of God as he is in these verses. Just a short time before this, he threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace for not worshiping his gods. Once they were delivered from the furnace, he suddenly realized the power of God and turned to Him.

What I am looking at in the verses quoted above is that Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the power of God that restored him to greatness in his kingdom. He is quick to indicate that it is/was God and His right and just ways that are to be praised for this to have taken place. And that is such an important item as relates to the story of Nebuchadnezzar.

Now, he is also able to show his understanding of God’s ability to hold us accountable with the last part of verse 37, “and those who walk in pride he is able to humble”. I can only think that Nebuchadnezzar may be speaking of himself in this instance. As he was brought to know and understand the power of God as God demonstrated His power to deliver Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the furnace, his pride was shaken and he himself was humbled.

I am glad that God demonstrates all that He is at all times to us. When there is the opportunity to heap blessing on us, He does and when we are in need of humbling, he takes the necessary course of action. I know that I need all the actions that God takes with me to keep me moving to Him and bringing Him with me wherever I tend to go. It is my responsibility to praise God for all the actions He takes with me to demonstrate His power and glory.

Has God demonstrated His power and glory in your life? Was it always the positive experience you hoped for? What if you honored God for all that He is able to do for and with you?

It is one thing to commit to certainty, but something quite another to commit when a positive outcome for you is not.

“¹⁶Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” – Daniel 3:16-18 (ESV)

These men were certainly men of God and trusted that God would indeed take care of them. They were confident that God would deliver them. They knew that they were doing the right thing by serving God and only God and would not compromise their service to Him even when death was being served up to them.

And here is where it really demonstrates their service to God. They were committed to Him regardless of the outcome. They were confident that God would deliver them from the furnace, however if not, they knew that their purpose in this world was to serve Him and if the time was now for them, then so be it. They committed to the able capability of God, not for delivery from the furnace (although for them I am sure that is what they were hoping for), but for God to deliver them to wherever He would have them be next, even if that was to be in heaven with Him.

I remember, and still think of what I would do if someone were to threaten my life for my service to God. I like to think that I would stand for God and trust in His able capability to deliver me from or to wherever He would have me next. Whether as a martyr or to tell the story as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God has a plan for me and my role in that plan is to follow the instructions given and know that while doing so, I am fulfilling my purpose in the plan that God has in store.

As you look out into the day, what is your trust level in the able capability of God? What will you commit to in service to Him? What if you were to commit to His able capability regardless of the outcome?

How much have we stored up for a rainy day? I know that in my house I am looking to make sure that we have something for those emergency, just in case scenarios that sneak up on you. I believe it is important to have a nest egg to fall back on in case of extreme circumstances. This is all part of being prepared. But there is a limit and I have to be careful not to rely on myself to save me in those time of need. I have to be sure that I am not storing up more than I need and am taking what I am able and giving back to God so that others can do His work as well.

We have no idea when God is coming back, but when He does, there is no amount of money or other monetary worth that will matter or that can save us.

“¹⁹They cast their silver into the streets, and their gold is like an unclean thing. Their silver and gold are not able to deliver them in the day of wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it. For it was the stumbling block of their iniquity.” – Ezekiel 7:19 (ESV)

Gold and silver are not the answer to salvation. Not matter how much of it we have. When the Lord comes again, we can give it or throw it away, and still there will be nothing it can do to save us from the wrath of the LORD. The damage has already been done and we are now living with the consequences of our actions and hoarding of monetary gain as opposed to doing the work of God and giving back all that we are able to Him.

How are you doing in the area of monetary gain? Where is your focus and how much do you need to deliver you from the wrath of God? What if you gave back all you were able and relied on God to deliver you?

God is bigger than you or me or anyone. If it is He that owns everything, then what can we give to Him that will be big enough for Him?

“⁶But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?” – 2 Chronicles 2:6 (ESV)

As I read this morning I see two things in the above verse. 1) How big does the place need to be? 2) Can I make it good enough?

1) Well, the place, we would think that it would have to be immense in size to contain God and all that He is. As noted in the verse, “heaven cannot contain him”. Would it have to be bigger than a city itself, or maybe bigger than the state of Texas? Not hardly. When building a place for God, I have to remember that it is what is coming from the heart that matters most. And God will accept and inhabit anything that is erected in His name and for Him. Remember that we should be giving willingly all that we are able to give.

“⁹Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.” – 1 Chronicles 29:9 (ESV)

2) What if it cannot be made “good enough” for God? David and Solomon were building a temple that was of the finest that they could find, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Precious Stones. And still, Solomon questioned as to whether if would be good enough for God. And in reality, God is just looking for us to devote to Him and for us to again give all that we are able. Lest we remember the woman that gave the last of her coins?

“⁴¹And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴²And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. ⁴³And he called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. ⁴⁴For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’” – Mark 12:41-44 (ESV)

God only wants us to give back to him out of our heart. Whether that is the biggest and best, or modest and conservative, when we are giving back to Him and building for Him out of our heart and devoting to Him and for His glory, then it is surely Big and Good Enough.

Where does your building for God fit? Are you looking to build grandly for all to see? What if you were simply to build for God and Him alone, what if it were Big and Good Enough?

What a concept for us to embrace. We are not giving to God, but giving “back” to Him what He has lent us while here.

“¹⁴But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. ¹⁵For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. ¹⁶O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.” – 1 Chronicles 29:14-16 (ESV)

David is praying to God after the people have made offerings for the building of the temple. Giving by which was done “willingly” and “with a whole heart” (1 Chronicles 29:9 (ESV)).

The people were following the lead of David who gave willingly himself. His prayer, demonstrates the understanding that we are only here for a while and all that we have has been provided by God for us to use while here.

God gives freely to us as we travel this world doing His work. It is our duty to give “back” to Him willingly. Our giving back allows for others to do work for Him that He has tasked them with. This is God providing for others just as He had provided for us from others.

I know, from what goes on in my own mind, that giving is something that should be natural and easy to do. But, as a man, I have the tendency to keep what I have and use it for me and my family. So being reminded that I am not giving, but giving “back” is important for me to embrace as I work through each day. I must remember that what I have is not mine, but God’s who is allowing me to use it while here.

What about your possessions, are they yours, really? Are you giving “back” to God and doing so freely? What if you approached your giving as giving “back”?

“¹³You shall keep the Feast of Booths seven days, when you have gathered in the produce from your threshing floor and your winepress. ¹⁷Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you.” – Deuteronomy 16:13 & 17 (ESV)

As I read this morning, I am reminded that we are blessed with what we have or are able to produce. The passage above is referencing, as you can see, the Feast of Booths. This is a yearly celebration in the fall after the harvest of the summer fruits. The men of the area were to come together to celebrate the harvest and anticipate the blessings of the next harvest.

During this feast and celebration, the men were to bring and give a portion of their harvest to God. And whereas all men did not harvest the same amount, they were all required to give. And give back, as you see, “as he is able”. There was no set amount that was due, only you were to give what you were able based on your harvest and needs.

How much is what you are able, and where are you to give it? That is what is missing in the discussions I see happening in the world with regard to taxation and responsibility to others. I know that there are those that have a great harvest year in and year out and are giving what they are required and then giving to other areas that are not required and all of it may add up to what they are able. That amount and if they are giving what they are able is between them and God and not for me to be concerned with.

For me and my relationship with God, I have to remember to give all that I am able. Sometimes that may not be financial or monetary giving, but the giving of my time and love for others and providing the help that they are in need of at the time. There are times when providing a helping hand with the lawn, carrying the groceries, or sitting and having a conversation are all the help that is needed and I know that we are all able to provide in those instances. Giving all that you are able is what is required and we should not feel guilty for not doing more.

When you look at your giving, what is it that you are giving? Can you divide it out and say that you are giving all that you are able? What if you are not, will you work to give a bit more to reach that threshold of giving all that you are able?