Cast Aside
February 5, 2020 • Linda Ray Center • Romans 8:28–39
When I was thirteen, my parents divorced. My mom had to work two jobs to provide for us, so our time together was special, but limited. Eventually, we had to move so Mom could find a better job. Whenever I tried to give my opinions about moving, she cast them aside. And, over the years, we kept moving. . At each new school I attended, I struggled throughout the day. I felt cast aside by the other kids who passed me on their way to class. My heart hungered for friendship. . Each time we moved, Mom and I would search for a new church. I always felt special and loved in God’s house. . My junior year, the musical theater department at my newest school scheduled auditions. I tried out, and the music instructor gave me one of the solo parts. A few classmates made comments that they didn’t understand how I, the new kid, got a solo part. Then, on opening night, I found the sleeves of my costume ripped off and my shoes missing. A few students smirked, while I ran to the bathroom to sort out my feelings. . I remembered that Jesus felt abandoned at times—not only by His friends but by His Father too. Jesus cried out on the cross, “Why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46) . As I struggled in my pain, I talked with God about it. I saw that Jesus knew how I felt. God’s incredible promise to work all things for the good of those who love Him helped me to sing my solo that night. I know that no matter what I face, Jesus will never cast me aside. • Linda Ray Center . • When have you felt cast aside? . • Why is it important to go to God when we need help and comfort (1 Peter 5:7)? . • Who is a trusted person—such as a pastor, counselor, or friend—you can talk with if you are facing a hard time? . • In Christ, we are never alone, no matter what we face (Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 28:20). He promises to one day wipe away every tear from the eyes of His people (Revelation 21:1-5). How can these promises help you during difficult times? . And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
Failures Aren't Fatal
January 21, 2020 • Linda Ray Center • Romans 6
We all make wrong choices—we all sin. The struggle of a decision gone sour is real, but take heart. Mistakes don’t have to define us; they can refine us. Because of Jesus and what He did, God does not abandon those who make wrong decisions. . A wrong decision leads us to a new experience of God’s grace and an opportunity to learn something. We can treat mistakes as chances to grow. Remember, if we know Christ, God remembers our wrong choices no more (Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 43:25). . Even though we mess up daily, through God’s goodness, those unpleasant outcomes become something useful. Because of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, we are redeemed, despite our mistakes. Our failures aren’t the end of the road. They’re part of the growth process. . That means that, as we journey through life, we can go to Jesus and acknowledge our mess-ups (1 John 1:9–2:1). As God’s children in Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, correction, and reminders of who we are in Jesus, allowing us to grow spiritually. . Before knowing Christ, we all are stuck under sin’s power. Even the Apostle Paul once built his life on persecuting Christians, a terrible decision that hurt many. God saw His heart and changed it, and Paul became a powerful witness for Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, Paul was able to live in victory over his sin, and so can we. . Even when we mess up, we can remember Jesus has raised us up above our failures, giving us a new identity apart from the sins we commit or are tempted to commit. Instead, our identity is in who Jesus is. • Linda Ray Center . • How does knowing about identity in Christ affect the way you view yourself and the things you do or don’t do? . • Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and 1 John 1:9–2:1. When you sin, what good comes from talking to Jesus about it? . We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. Romans 6:6 (NLT)