"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 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."
-Romans 8: 38-39

Everywhere!

Is there anywhere you can go where God isn't present? The Christian rock group, Third Day, has a song titled, 'You're Everywhere.' Some of the lyrics go like this: 'My Lord, now I truly know, That I could never go from Your presence, My God, You are everywhere, From the lowest depths to the heavens, You are everywhere.' How true! We cannot get away from God's love. Nothing can separate us from God. Read Romans 8: 38-39 above. Those verses make it clear that, "...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: 39) Isn't that great news? What a powerful reminder of the vastness of God's love. He truly is everywhere!

And His vast love is there for us. No matter what you have done or even the struggle's you may be experiencing now can stop God's love. Let's look at two examples. "But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights." (Jonah 1: 17) Jonah 'found himself inside a fish' because he had tried to run away from God and the task that God had called him to do (which was to go to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrians, a very warlike and violent people, and warn them to repent...not an easy job. :) ). Jonah was thrown off of a ship in the middle of a fierce storm because of his disobedience and yet God was still there for him. Sometimes we know that there are things that God wants us to do and we resist Him. Even in these times He is there for us.

Or perhaps you can relate to the story of the 'Prodigal Son?' This son chose to live his life in a very selfish and irresponsible way. He ran away from home and squandered his wealth (his inheritance that he had asked to have early from his father) in 'wild living.' When the son had run out of money and all other options he decided to go home to his father and family. "So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (Luke 15: 20) The father's response to this 'selfish, irresponsible son' when the son 'decided to come home?' He had compassion and welcomed his son with open arms. That is what God's love will be for you, for me. He knows you, loves, and wants you to come to Him.

Personally, I can relate to both of these examples. Can you? Like Jonah, I know there are things in my life that God wants me to do but I resist. Like the Prodigal Son, there are times in my life where I 'run away' and do my own thing. We might get frustrated over our weaknesses and not even know how to express them to God...but God has us covered. Read Romans 8: 26-27 below. Even when we don't know what to ask, '...the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.' (Romans 8: 26) God truly is everywhere and His love for you is great! Be thankful for that!

Take a moment and encourage someone this week!

I pray that things are well with you. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."
-Romans 8: 26-27

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