The Pastor's Corner
June 2025
Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39).
The Apostle Paul was convinced – he was absolutely certain – that nothing, not one thing, could separate us from God’s love. Why was he so certain? Paul personally experienced the steadfast, unconditional love of God. God’s love transformed Paul from a zealous enemy of the Church into a devoted evangelist.
God is closer to us than anything or anyone. Jesus explained the inseparable love of God this way: The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened (Matthew 13:33). If you know anything about baking, then you know when you add a leavening agent such as yeast to flour, it is impossible to remove it. Once you put it in, you cannot take it out. In time, that leavening agent will transform the flour mixture and it will rise. I asked my friend Danny Berley to help me with another analogy for this. He told me about mixing paint at the hardware store. Once you add the colors into the paint, you cannot take them out. The mixture in the can is now forever changed, transformed into another color. God’s love is like that. You cannot separate yourself from God’s love. God’s love can transform you, too. God’s love can give you peace and comfort in times of trouble. God’s love can give you courage to face life’s uncertainties.
The Apostle Paul wrote, In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37). More than conquerors...What does Paul mean by this? Because God loves us, we can overcome life’s troubles – illness, sorrow, fear, shame. More than that, because of God’s love, we can have peace, rest, encouragement, and strength. We have the assurance that we are never truly alone. God’s spirit washes over us like a fountain.
When you are sick, injured, or in pain, you may feel separated from God. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me (Psalm 139:7 – 10).
When you are anxious, afraid, or uncertain, it may feel like God has turned away from you. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
And remember these words of Jesus: Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6: 25-27) God is concerned about the birds. God loves you; God is certainly concerned for you, too!
Not even our sins can separate us from the love of God. But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
When we want to find God, we don’t need to look for Him; He is already with us.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13).
Peace and blessings to you!
Rev. Teresa Reed