ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (JUNE 14, 2012)

Far-reaching Love

Romans 8:28-39

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life... nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(ROMANS 8:38-39)

Several years ago Sgt. Freeman, known as grumpy and hard to get along with, was the only officer in the police department I hadn't yet met. So through a common interest, I sought his help with a project, and we connected. In turn, I invited him to join me at my church's Easter breakfast. He confessed the last time he was in a church some 35 years earlier was after returning from his 3rd tour to Vietnam with the USN, and the pastor was critical of servicemen. He walked out and hadn't been to church since.

That Easter Sunday, he showed up with his wife and mother-in-law. We all stood together in line for breakfast and attended the worship service. Over the next years our families became close and we saw great spiritual growth in him and his wife. Eventually, they became leaders in our church... all because the "nor anything else" could not separate them from the love of God.

You can be as certain of that as Paul was. The love of God that we know through Jesus Christ reaches deeper than we can imagine.

INSIGHT
HOW WONDERFUL TO KNOW OF GOD'S INTIMATE LOVE AND GRIP ON US, EVEN WHEN WE ARE NOT READY FOR HIM.

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Ezra 1-2
Psalm 26
Mark 5

Romans 8:28-39
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
More Than Conquerors
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died —more than that, who was raised to life —is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[c]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[d] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Footnotes:
a. Romans 8:28 Some manuscripts And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God
b. Romans 8:28 Or works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who
c. Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:22
d. Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers

THE GAMES BEGIN

with Craig Borlase

With security tight and traffic snarled, the 2012 Olympic Games in London official begin. As our eyes turn to those who are running their race have you stopped to consider the race you are running? 

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (JUNE 13, 2012)

Brothers in the Bread Truck

Acts 2:36-47



"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
(ACTS 2:42)

The "breaking of bread" phrase in this verse reminds me of a time the Lord knit together diverse lives, making unity in Christ. It was that radical era of the 60s when another young couple, my wife and I were in Laguna Beach on a Saturday. While the girls popped into a gift shop, Gordy and I waited outside and were soon approached by three classic-looking hippies. We figured this would be a perfect time to share Jesus with some wayward fellows. Instead, they took us by the arms, ushered us into their nearby psychedelic-painted bread truck, and seated us on two benches inside. We saw a small cross, bread and wine on the table in their truck and realized we were with brothers in faith! As God had done with us, He had done with them...saved them!

The girls sure were surprised when we told them where we'd been. I still carry that joy with me today when I think of how Jesus came to seek and save the lost, people like you and me, unified by the only thing that could bring a world of people together: Jesus Christ.

INSIGHT
JUST LOOK AT THE EFFECTIVENESS AND POWER OF JESUS' RESURRECTION IN DRAWING ALL PEOPLE - NO MATTER WHAT THEIR BACKGROUND - TO HIMSELF!

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Chronicles 35-36
Psalm 25
Mark 4

Acts 2:36-47
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

LEADING WITH A LIMP [PART 3]

Godly leadership looks nothing like the leadership you read about in business books. It starts in a place of weakness and requires walking with a limp. The story of Jacob gives us insight.