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The Gospel Changes Everything

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31
The Gospel Changes Everything Book Cover

There’s something majestic about watching the waves crash when staring at the ocean. The strength of the water and the rhythmic cadence working together with a purpose. As the water slides across the sand pulling back gracefully and rolling over rocks, it leaves them all smoother than before. It works together in a way that exemplifies power and peace all at the same time. The water changes what it touches.

Jesus changes what he touches too.

celebrate

We have every reason to celebrate a life with Jesus. It should make us want to get up and dance, run and tell someone what he’s done, crave more time with him, and anticipate the hope of our future.

But do our daily lives reflect this kind of freedom and joy? We tend to put our hope in other things: our jobs, our kids, our relationships. We are quick to let fear take over our thoughts, and soon we’re spending more time googling how to fix our stress than running to our God who knows how to handle it.

Romans 8:15 tells us, “You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”

We are his. Forever. Praise God!

trust over fear

How does a life with Jesus change the way you approach fear? We get to live differently. We get to respond to it differently.

Let’s go back to the water, but let’s look at Matthew 14 where we find Jesus walking on water to get to the disciples who are in a boat (vv. 22–33). Can you imagine what it would be like to see that? The disciples thought they were seeing a ghost and they freaked out.

After Jesus assured them he wasn’t a ghost, Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” So Jesus told him to come and Peter too walked on the water. It didn’t take long, however, for the winds to pick up and Peter’s fear to set in. Peter started to sink.

The rest of the world doesn’t go away when we start following Jesus. Temptation and fear will creep in and we will face challenges. The difference between a life with Jesus and a life without him is in the way we live. Do we choose to give into the ways of the world or do we choose the life and peace Jesus has given us?

As Peter sank, he yelled out to Jesus to save him. Reaching out his hand to Peter he said, “‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God’” (vv. 31–33).

take this day, lord

The freedom and peace offered to us in Jesus changes our days and our life for eternity. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Think about these things. How does a life with Jesus change:

  • Your worth?
  • Your relationships?
  • Your calling?

When you sit and watch the waves build and roll over and over again, you begin to feel the same rhythm in your spirit. As they grow, reaching their highest point, it’s as if their trust is building to the point where it’s ready to live. They reach the moment where they fall as if moving with a freedom they were always meant for. The cadence of the build and the freefall crashes in a way that you can almost hear, “I trust you.”

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Daily Question

What is holding you back from fully trusting God?

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Comments (10)

Sometimes I forget that Jesus is always there…patiently waiting for us to come to Him! But I get so wrapped up in life that I forget. I need to believe more in my faith and know that our Jesus is there and we need to put all of our trust in Him!

I feel like I have been trusting God over the past 2 months. It’s been the only way to move forward through my new normal but I do find myself slipping into the routines of daily life a little bit more each day and forgetting to focus on God with my every breath. To use Gods lenses to see His people. Fear of rejection or not being good enough still creeps into my mind. I find myself being tested by Satan and the feeling he is trying to build a wedge between myself and God but I choose God. I run to God in those moments and just say “help me”. The closer I get Tobago’s I feel the battles become more intense. I worry if I will have the stamina to continue to fight. But then I remember that God will fight these battles for me and with me.

I pray that God will give me wisdom that is big enough to overcome my fear! I want to let God be in the drivers seat!

Thinking I’m in control of my schedule and allowing it to fill up without deliberately focusing on how God wants my days to be filled.

I’m not really sure. I feel like I really do trust him. I have so many blessings and things to be thankful for. And all of it has come from God, the good and the not so good in my life. All that happens works together for good for those you trust the Lord. I believe that.

The daily routine of life. Centering in on God helps because it gives me the awareness of His support when I get in contact with Him. Doing this question helps to focus me on God and His promises. Thank you

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