Category Archives: Romans

Romans 8:14-17 NIV[14] For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Dear God, I make jokes about “free will” and wanting to ask you one day if you regret that little aspect of our humanity, but I know the alternative is worse. I know that without it we would be the slaves Paul mentions here. Instead, we are your children. 

So what would it be like to be slaves of yours? I can’t even fathom it. I guess it would mean serving a God who controls us through fear. In fact, I think it plays into the theology that a lot of people have about you rewarding Christians for good behavior and punishing for bad behavior. This theory was debunked by Job and so many others thousands of years ago, but I suppose it is hard for humans to separate love and relationships from setting conditions on both. 

Father, I’m not here praying right now for any kind of reward other than relationship. I know that knowing you and loving you is good for me. I know that you are the only rest my soul can find. So I submit to you willingly and freely. Thank you for loving me. 

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen 

Romans 8:31-32 What, then, shall we say in response 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, along with him, graciously give us all things? 

Dear God, in my journal yesterday, I talked about a check in my spirit. I had some theories about why I was so unsettled, but I just couldn’t tell. Well, I think I figured it out. 

Much to my relief, it wasn’t a lack of faith. It was simply that I was carrying some news that I needed to share with someone. I wasn’t keeping it a secret. I just hadn’t had a chance to share a concern with a board member, but when I had the chance to just share the burden at a meeting yesterday, the churning went away. 

Father, you said it is not good for people to be alone. Sure, you were referring to a man at the time, but it goes for women too. We were built to share our burdens and get input from others. I know someone right now who needs some outside help from family, but so far is refusing it. I’m so frustrated by this. So please help this friend. Help me. Help us all to allow others to be the iron that sharpens us. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

Romans 14:8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 
Dear God, I read a piece this morning when I woke up about the underlying cause of divorce. It wasn’t affairs, cheating, lying, stealing, etc. It was, according to the author, living for yourself with an unrepentant heart. I’ll buy that. 

I think it would be hard for two people who are married to live for you, remember that your first calling in our lives is to our spouse, and then end up divorced. Yes, there will be ups and downs. Yes, there will be times of stress when intimacy ebbs and sadness or even fear grows. But that is part of the journey. 

Father, help me to REALLY live for you. Help me to remember the priorities you have for me. Help me to reject self-pity (one of my favorites) and selfishness. Help me to find the line where taking care of myself becomes missing the need you want me to meet around me, and not to cross it. Help me to be such an example of you that it draws others into your light. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen