Bonnie J Martin

love

No Separation

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For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)

This passage does not stand alone. No single passage from the Bible stands alone. Many passages before and many passages after. Passages leading to salvation. Passages paving The Way to eternal fellowship with God. Passages displaying the desire of the Father to provide The Way, which is His love.

To separate this passage alone would deny the very words contained therein. And so it is with those who believe. No separation for those who believe. The whole story reveals the need for a Savior and our tendency to try our own path of destruction.

Move back up the page in chapter 8.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. Romans 8:9 (NASB)

To receive the Spirit of God is to receive God as Creator, Christ as Savior, Holy Spirit as Teacher. Receive love. If you receive it, it can’t be taken away. If you genuinely, sincerely receive it and it is sealed in you, nothing can separate it from you. Nothing.

Sit here for a minute. Consider this. Recognizing the need for Christ. Recognizing sin in your life and the need to turn away from it. Recognizing the sin removed not by your actions but by the actions of Christ. Accepting the gift of forgiveness. 

Have you been there? Have you accepted the gift of salvation?

If you have, there is no separation for you from the love of God.

If you haven’t, will you accept the love of God? Will you drop to your knees and give yourself to Him? He created you. He knows you. He just wants you to know Him. And the only way to know Him is through the gift Christ offers to redeem you from sin. 

So there is separation. There is separation called sin. Sin separates you from the love of God. But giving it to Christ removes that separation. Accepting His redemption separates you from sin.

May I encourage you to recognize His love for you today? Will you freely accept His gift of forgiveness? Will you invite Him into your life and live wholly for Him?

If you have, share it.

God’s Perfect Gifts

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You need to know something. It isn’t anything about me. It isn’t anything about you. It isn’t about your neighbor or friend or family member. It is about your Savior.

Some may not believe in the Savior of the world. Some may reject Him without even knowing Him. Some may dismiss Him as unimportant. Some may ignore the tug they feel toward Him.

All need Him. No one is exempt from the desperate need of the mercy and grace that only He can give. The thing you need to know is that His love for you cannot be replaced or duplicated. His love has only One source. Just Him.

In His love you find peace.

In His love you find contentment.

In His love you find rest.

He delights in giving you good and perfect gifts.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17

His gifts look like…

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Celebrate the Resurrection

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Friday evening before the sun set, Joseph took the body of Jesus and placed that body in a tomb. He placed a large stone in front of it.

Guards stood by that sealed tomb to make sure no one stole that body. Futile job!

Then the Sabbath rest.

On the third day, Mary and Mary went early to the grave. They found that large stone rolled away and a frightening angel telling them to not be afraid. The guards were way beyond frightened.

That angel gave them news to share. Then and there those women became the very first missionaries of the gospel message. Good news was shared that the grave had been conquered and death was no more for the risen Savior.

Today we celebrate the risen Savior. Celebrations confined in social distancing shouldn’t be hidden and hoarded but shared. Celebrating our risen Savior should be shouted aloud. HE IS RISEN! He defeated the grave and is alive for me!

We may share this amazing, grace-filled, merciful moment in many ways.

I remember my grandmother coming to visit. Her visits always brought loads of candy. This is one thing I remember about childhood celebrations!

I remember sharing egg-hunts. As a young mother, I enjoyed sharing the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus with children as they waited for the eggs to be hidden.

I remember my children coming to show me how many eggs they had found.

I remember dressing up in clothes I really didn’t want to wear!

I remember food and fun and gatherings.

This year looks a little different. This year, let’s celebrate the risen Savior with fewer things that may take our eyes off Him.

This year, let’s celebrate the risen Savior because HE IS RISEN!

Who, on Friday, defeated sin. Who, on Friday, told that thief on another cross that he would be with Him in paradise that very day. Who, on Friday, stayed on that cross until it was finished. Who, on Friday, completed a job that only He could do. Who, on Friday, provided my redemption from sin.

Joyous, glorious Resurrection Day to you!