“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38,39, KJV

More than anything else, I was drawn to Christ because of His love for me. The Bible says that Christ proved His supernatural love for us by coming “to die for us while we were still sinners.”

Because of that great love, which draws me to Him and causes me to want to please Him and to love Him in return, I learned how to love supernaturally. In more than 30 years of counseling thousands of people about interpersonal conflicts, I do not know of a single problem that could not have been resolved if those involved had been willing to accept and respond to God’s love for them, and to love others as an act of the will by faith, as God commands.

Such a statement may sound simplistic and exaggerated, yet I make it after carefully reviewing in my mind all kinds of conflicts between husbands and wives, parents and children, neighbors, friends and enemies.

Think of it! Christ’s forgiveness is so great and compassionate that He will not allow anything or anyone to condemn us or separate us from His supernatural love. Even though He is “holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens,” He still loves and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He gives us absolute assurance that nothing can ever “separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Bible Reading: Romans 8:32-37

Today’s Action Point: I determine to express my gratitude to God for His great love for me by loving Him in return and by loving by faith everyone with whom I have contact today. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will demonstrate that love by gracious acts of the will.

About the Author: Dr. Bill Bright

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” John 8:31-32

You may know when sin has a stranglehold on your life, but it is more difficult to discern subtle traps of inferiority, inadequacy, and insecurity that the enemy may use to enslave you.

Jesus said the truth will make you free. What is the truth? It can be found in His Word.

The truth is related to your position, person, and possessions in Christ. You will be made free when you stop living by perceptions and feelings and start living by fact. For believers, these are the facts:

Position: As a child of God, you have been forgiven your sins because of your acceptance of Christ. God has applied the righteousness of Christ to your account and sent His Spirit to live inside of you. Why should anyone feel inferior when God loved them enough to do all of that?

Person: You have been redeemed and justified because of Christ’s work. You are a child of God, the son or daughter of the King of the Universe, a saint on the way to glory. You are worthy, no matter what anyone else says or thinks! God says so!

Possessions: Paul summed it up in Philippians 4:13 when he said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” You should have a great sense of confidence to know that you have the Spirit of the Living God inside of you, equipping you for whatever God requires of you.

Question: Which of the three “P”s spoke the most into your life today? How can you take hold of this promise (another “P”) to make it effective in your life?

About the Author:  Charles Stanley

Do you struggle with the deep darkness of depression? We want to talk about that with you.

I awoke at two in the morning and was instantly aware that a strange feeling of anxiety gripped me. I couldn’t understand it.  I had never felt this way before without knowing why I was anxious.

“Lord, what is the matter?” I asked.  “Why am I anxious?”

I thought about things that had happened or thoughts I had had during the past week.  “Is it because I celebrated another birthday and I’m getting older?” I wondered.  I thought about that, and then discarded the thought.  I had lived a good and full life.  I knew that when I died I would go to be with the Lord.

What then?  Was I fearful for my elderly mother, or my two daughters?  Well, I had put all three into the Lord’s hands.  My mother trusted the Lord and I knew He would take good care of her.  My daughters had some problems, and I taken them to the Lord. But still the feeling of dread persisted.

This feeling lay on me like a heavy weight. “Lord, help me!” I cried silently.

Just then a Bible verse I had memorized flashed through my mind; and I said it aloud:  “I sought the Lord and he heard me, and he delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4, KJV).  As soon as I said that, I felt God’s sweet peace come over me.  The anxiety was gone.

I have had that experience happen several times since then, but as soon as I reminded myself of that verse, I was delivered from anxiety.  Using that verse is just one of the many ways in which I have learned the power of the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17)

The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive part of the armor of God listed in Ephesians 6.  If I had not memorized Psalm 34:4, I’m not sure I would have been equipped to banish that heavy burden of anxiety.  Perhaps I would have laid there for hours with that burden.  But I had memorized God’s Word for all kinds of occasions, and in this instance that verse had paid off.

The Bible has many scriptures that can fortify or help us or others. Here are some particular ones: Guilt: 1 John 1:9; Temptation: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Worry, Fear, Anxiety: Philippians 4:4-8; Need: Philippians 4:19; Depression: Matthew 11:28-29; Suffering: Romans 8:18; Calamity, Confusion, or Disappointment: 3:5-6; Sorrow: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Loss of Faith: Hebrews 11:6; Witnessing for Christ: John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, 13; Ephesians 2:8-9.

Fortification verses can be memorized when we walk or drive to work, when we are waiting in line or a dentist’s office, whenever a particular scripture helps or impresses us.  Memorizing scriptures has not only helped me, but enabled me to help other people, too.

The psalmist said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (119:9, NIV).

Questions: Do you struggles with depression? http://lessons.powertochange.com/study/suicide.html?section=suicide

About the Author Muriel Larson

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“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12)

This past week my husband met with a life insurance agent because in just five years our life insurance policy runs out. Life insurance is like car insurance – you buy it to provide financially for your family should you meet an early death. But if you don’t meet that early death, none of the money is returned. As a younger person you don’t think about the fact that life insurance policies don’t go beyond the age of 60 or 70. You feel you will always be young – only others get old.

Because a person’s life span (the number of our days) is increasing, we should be planning our lives beyond the age of 65 – not only for financial reasons, but personal and ministry as well. My husband was told that the average man (if he is healthy at 65) will live to be 85. Twenty more years equals 7,300 days. That is long time.

January is a really good time of year to evaluate what we have done this past year – the past 365 days! Did our life and work reap eternal results? It is the time of year when we should assess the results of our work for the Lord and consider whether we have made the most of our time, talent, experience and treasure. It is a good time to think through and make changes in our goals and plans for the upcoming year.

For Marvin and me, it is the also the time when we appraise our giving to the Lord. He has blessed us with time, experiences, resources, talents, spiritual gifts and a network of people. Have we used them to help to evangelize and disciple and feed people around the world?

How much time did I spend in the Word and in prayer? How many people did I pray for? How many people have I been instrumental in bringing from the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light? How many people have been discipled through the ministry I’m involved with? How many people have been trained?

As I look through my last years papers and invoices, I become keenly aware of how I have spent my time and money. Then I take time to pray and plan for the coming year. How can I best use my God-given time, talent and treasure during the next 365 days?

“Even in old age (the godly) will still produce fruit and be vital and green” (Psalm 92:14 TLB)

“No matter what your age or health, your loving heavenly Father still has work for you to do! He wants to use and bless you.” – Dr. William R. Bright

Lord, God, You have allotted to each of us a number of days to love and serve you. Grant us the wisdom to follow Your direction so we can please You. Amen.

Questions for the comments: Am I willing to evaluate how I spend my time and money? What can I do to increase my awareness of being fruitful and not just busy?