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fresh air

Not only does the air outside have a wonderful crispness to it, but the air inside seems to after this morning's re-reading of Romans 8. Many times I can get bogged down, defeated, discouraged over the myriad of things in my life where I am failing. The wife-thing. The kids. The house. The budget. and the list could probably go on far enough to challenge the amount of free space Google provides for this blog! But such a refreshing reminder:

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:1

Yeah!! Praise the Lord!! Even with all the times I try and fail, ultimately I have Christ's perfect righteousness imputed to me. That's just plain crazy. Absolutely true - but so out-of-this-world! He doesn't just leave believers here and say "Well, make the best of it." He gives us a "spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!'" (8:15). The Spirit prays for us (8:26), Jesus Christ prays for us (8:27). And he reminds us that "God causes all things to work together for good." (8:28) He will "freely give us all things." (8:32) He "is the one who justifies" (8:33) and he promises NOTHING "will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Such an encouraging, uplifting, glorious reminder from God today!!

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