NAC Family!

Using an enormous understatement, we are living in amazing and extraordinary days. A week ago, only our Lord knew how the following week would unfold and the unprecedented trials and opportunities that would go with it.  

Let me throw out three reminders from Romans as we consider our God-given roles in this ever-changing world. Romans 1:14-16 stresses the urgency of the Gospel. It says, “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” 

In light of the  perilous days we live in, let’s remember our obligation and be eager and unashamed to share the Gospel continually with our family and those we have the chance to influence.

Secondly, Romans 5:3-5 reminds us of the tremendous benefits of trials. It says, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” We all want and need more endurance, character and hope. Suffering puts us on the fast track to receive those attributes. Many of you can give countless example of how our Lord has used trials to sanctify you.

Finally, nothing beats the unshakeable promises of Romans 8 when walking through times of uncertainty. Consider these verses as you think of the current circumstances which have been perfectly ordained by our Lord for His glory.

Romans 8:17-18 

“and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Romans 8:26-28

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:31-32

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

Romans 8:37-39

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor 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.”

Use these and your other favorite promises as an arsenal against the sins of fear, worry and complaining!

Thanks again for bringing our Lord glory through the ministries to your family and others he has entrusted to you!

Think Eternally!

Jerry