Romans on Freedom

illustration

The Fuel of our Identities

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 22:1–14, Isaiah 43:1–2 , Exodus 14:13–14, Romans 8:15–17, Luke 15:11–32 , Psalm 46:1–2

If you think of your identity and heart as an engine, you could say there is a kind of fuel that powers it cleanly and efficiently—and a kind of fuel that is not only polluting but also destroys the e...

liturgy

Good and Gracious Lord, You hold us in

Author

Richard Herman

Scripture

Isaiah 41:10, Romans 8:28, Psalm 46:1-2, Micah 6:8, Psalm 34:18, Genesis 50:20, Mark 4:35-41

Good and Gracious Lord, You hold us in the palm of Your strong hand, working all things for our good and to Your glory. There’s no place we can go that escapes Your notice and is hidden from Your lovi...

Quote

Author

Corrie Ten Boom

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 46:10, Hebrews 13:8, Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 8:28, Psalm 37:5

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

Quote

Author

V. Raymond Edman

Keywords

Faith

Scripture

Romans 8:28, Psalm 46:1-2, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Matthew 17:20, James 1:6

Faith is dead to doubts— dumb to discouragements, blind to impossibilities, knows nothing but success. Faith lifts its hand up through the threatening clouds, lays hold of Him who has all power in hea...

Quote

Author

Nancy Ortberg

Keywords

Faith

Scripture

Isaiah 43:2, Hebrews 12:11, Psalm 46:1, 2 Timothy 1:7-8, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Romans 5:3-5, 1 Peter 1:6-7

Someone once said that faith is not a personal possession until you have suffered. That person understood that the very nature of faith requires the grit and courage to be in the dark so you can event...

Quote

Author

Richard Cecil

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 46:1, Philippians 4:13, Psalm 23:4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, James 1:2-3, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 8:28

Faith makes all evil good to us, and all good better; unbelief makes all good evil, and all evil worse. Faith laughs at the shaking of the spear; unbelief trembles at the shaking of a leaf, unbelief s...

illustration

Great God Almighty Done Parted the Red Sea One Mo’ Time

Author

Andrew Young

Keywords

Scripture

James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-2, Romans 8:31, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Matthew 5:10-12, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 46:1

Easter Sunday dawned with Martin [Luther King] in jail. . . . We planned a march from New Pilgrim Baptist Church to the city jail for the afternoon of Easter Sunday. . . . By the time church ended som...

liturgy

Father–nothing escapes your notice, is

Author

Richard Herman

Scripture

Philippians 4:19, Revelation 21:4, Romans 8:26, Acts 1:8, Psalm 46:1, Matthew 5:9

Father–nothing escapes your notice, is beyond your care or too hard for you to take on, whether it concerns nations or individuals. You have a heart for all the world–not just our little piece of it. ...

liturgy

Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth. You are amazing

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 8:26, Philippians 4:6-7, Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 41:13, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 40:28-29

Pastor: Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth. You are amazing and powerful, yet You love each of us dearly. We give You thanks for sustaining all of creation and remembering Your covenant faithfulnes...

liturgy

We beseech You, Master, to be our helper and protector

Author

Irenaeus of Lyons

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 41:10, Exodus 14:13–14, Jeremiah 29:11, John 14:27, Romans 8:38–39, Psalm 46:10

We beseech You, Master, to be our helper and protector. Save the afflicted among us; have mercy on the lowly; Raise up the fallen; appear to the needy; heal the ungodly; Restore the wanderers of...

liturgy

Take refuge in our God who knows we are

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 103:14, Nahum 1:7, Psalm 46:1, Micah 7:18-19, Romans 8:1, 1 John 1:9, Hebrews 8:12

Take refuge in our God who knows we are mere mortals. He forgives us for our sins, even though they were aimed at his loving heart. Rejoice that the Lord, out of his grace, will not remember our sins ...

illustration

The Bible a Great Comfort

Author

Andy Cook

Keywords

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 15:4, Isaiah 55:11, Hebrews 4:12-13, 2 Peter 1:19-21, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 24:35, Isaiah 41:8-10, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 46:, Genesis 37:12-36, 1 Samuel 19:, 1 Samuel 20:, 2 Corinthians 11:23-30, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Acts 21:27-36

For seven years, Terry Anderson was held as a hostage of Shiite Muslim fundamentalists. The former reporter for the Associated Press had been taken captive and held as a political prisoner, and for se...

illustration

Thoughts on “Let Go and Let God”

Author

Frederick Buechner

Keywords

Control

Scripture

1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 6:27, Psalm 46:10, Romans 15:13, Song of Solomon 2:11-13

If we want to turn in the direction of what is life giving, we are going to have to let go of Winter. “’Let go’ of the dark, which you wrap yourself in like a straitjacket, and let in the light. Stop ...

illustration

Preventing Vengeance

Author

Mia Levetan

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 4:8–15, Exodus 21:23–25, Micah 6:6–8 , Matthew 5:38–45, Romans 12:17–21, Psalm 46:9–10

I did some of my Clinical Pastoral Education Units in Gastonia. One of the units that I served was the Emergency Department. If there was an incident that was suspected to be gang related, they would ...

illustration

It is Well

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 5:4, Psalm 147:null, Psalm 34:18, Revelation 21:1-8, 2 Corinthians 1:3-12, Romans 8:18-28, John 11:null, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, John 14:27, 1 Peter 5:7, Daniel 6:, Psalm 46:, Psalm 23:, Job 1:, Job 2:, 2 Samuel 11:, 2 Samuel 12:

If you ever travel to Jerusalem and are looking for sites to see, beyond all the ‘must-see’ sites related to Ancient Israel, the Temple Mount, and the sites associated with Jesus, you might venture to...

liturgy

Let us pray for the whole Church

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 52:7, Ezekiel 36:26-27, 2 Chronicles 20:12, Mark 1:14-15, Romans 8:29, Psalm 46:1-2

Pastor: Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Almighty God, You have enriched Your Church with the proclamation of the Gospel [...

Quote

Author

Source Unknown

Keywords

Scripture

Hebrews 11:1, Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 40:31, Romans 8:24-25, Psalm 27:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:7

I believe in the sun though it is late in rising. I believe in love though it is absent. I believe in God though He is silent.

liturgy

Prayer for Holy Saturday

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 46:10, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Romans 8:24-25, Hebrews 11:1, Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 40:31

There are so many things we do not understand⁠ So many ways we long for change and closure⁠ Help us to trust you⁠ even when the situation is desperate and out of control⁠ Help us to follow you⁠ even...

illustration

Consolation Defined

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords

Scripture

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Romans 12:15, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 34:18, Matthew 5:4, Psalm 46:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ruth 1:16-18, John 11:32-35, John 14:1-4

The etymology of certain words can profoundly enrich our understanding and experience of life. Consider the word “consolation.” Its roots lie in the Latin words “con-” meaning “ “to be ” and “solus,...

illustration

Knowing the Result in Advance

Author

Max Lucado

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 16:20 , Exodus 14:13-14 , Daniel 6:22-23, Romans 16:20, John 16:33, Psalm 46:10-11

On several occasions I have known the name of the victor before the end of the contest. Being a pastor, I’m often unable to watch the Sunday football games. While I am preaching, the teams are playing...

liturgy

Inviting God's Voice into Life

Author

Laura B. Murray

Keywords

Scripture

1 Kings 19:11-13, Mark 4:18-20, Psalm 46:10, Luke 10:38-42, Romans 10:17, Isaiah 55:2-3 , James 1:19-21

Gracious God, the noise of this world drowns out the beauty of your voice. You invite us to listen, but we deny you time and space. Forgive us for ignoring you. Create in us the desire to listen to yo...

Quote

Author

Studdert Kennedy

Keywords

Scripture

James 1:2-4, 1 Corinthians 15:57, Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 40:29-31, Romans 8:37, Psalm 73:26

It is not finished, Lord, There is not one thing done, There is no battle of my life That I have really won. And now I come to tell thee How I fought to fail, My human, all too human, tale Of weakness...

illustration

There is an Ebb and a Flow

Author

Chuck Swindoll

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 8:38-39, James 2:13, Psalm 46:1-2, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Isaiah 54:10, Psalm 103:8-10, Lamentations 3:22-23

Dear Lord, Today I thought of the words of Vincent Van Gogh. It is true that there is an ebb and flow but the sea remains the sea. You, oh God, are the sea. Although I experience many ups and downs i...

liturgy

Almighty God, we have failed to trust

Author

Laura B. Murray

Keywords

Scripture

Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 41:10, Lamentations 3:22-23, Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 8:28

Almighty God, we have failed to trust you. Overwhelmed by the pains of life, we have taken charge and pushed you aside. O God, be gracious to us. Remind us of your daily mercies and redemptive power t...

illustration

Technology's impact on our Minds

Author

Ruth Haley Barton

Keywords

Scripture

Exodus 20:8-11, 1 Kings 19:11-13, Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 , Luke 10:38-42 , Romans 12:2 , Psalm 46:10

As we become more intentional about living according to our deepest desires, it becomes increasingly important to notice the effects of technology on our mind, our soul and our relationships. The ...

illustration

The Ministry of Absence

Author

Ruth Haley Barton

Keywords

Control

Scripture

Isaiah 30:15, Psalm 46:10, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Romans 8:26, John 14:26, 1 John 16:7

The other thing that helps me deal with my compulsion to control things through my direct involvement and my fear of missing out is what Henri Nouwen has called “the ministry of absence.” Jesus modele...

Quote

Author

F.B. Meyer

Keywords

Scripture

Ephesians 6:18, Romans 12:12, Luke 22:41-42, Psalm 37:7, Philippians 4:6-7, Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 46:10

Fall on your knees and grow there. There is no burden of the spirit but is lighter by kneeling under it. Prayer means not always talking to Him, but waiting before Him till the dust settles and the st...

Quote

Author

Thomas Merton

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 22:1-14, Exodus 3:1-12 , Isaiah 6:1-8, John 12:24-26, Romans 6:3-11, Psalm 46:10

To enter into the realm of contemplation one must in a certain sense die: but this death is in fact the entrance into a higher life. It is a death for the sake of life, which leaves behind all that we...

illustration

Crisis Intensifies our Search for Wisdom

Author

Andy Cook

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 8:28, Ecclesiastes 7:12, Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 30:21, Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:5

A life-threatening crisis came to my home when I was only 25. My wife suffered a near-fatal stroke and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors scrambled to keep her alive. Within hours, we were maki...

liturgy

Holy Lord, in this time of Advent, we

Author

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 10:41-42, Isaiah 55:2-3, Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 25:44-45, Psalm 46:10, Luke 2:7, Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 5:9, Luke 10:1-12, Romans 8:24-25, Luke 2:25-32, Luke 2:25-38, Philippians 2:10-11, Colossians 3:17, Luke 2:13-14

Holy Lord, in this time of Advent, we confess we often are distracted by the season’s busyness, by the stress of commitment, and even by putting our own traditions ahead of the true meaning of Christm...

illustration

liturgy

illustration

liturgy

liturgy

liturgy

liturgy

illustration

illustration

illustration

illustration

liturgy

liturgy

illustration

illustration

liturgy

illustration

liturgy

illustration

illustration

illustration

liturgy

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

W

Genesis

Exodus

1 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Chronicles

Job

Psalm

Proverbs

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Daniel

Micah

Zephaniah

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

2 Corinthians

Philippians

Colossians

Hebrews

James

1 Peter

1 John

Revelation