Hello and welcome to Simply Church today.
Here in the south of France we have had some warmer days this week
and we have appreciated wearing jackets rather than coats!
As well as getting out on hikes in this beautiful area.
Although, this weekend rain is forecast so no hiking and probably spending more time indoors again. It’s funny the things we take for granted and how our mood changes with the weather or little things in our life that we have no control over.
But nothing ever stops God’s love for us.
Remember that as we worship together today.
Today’s bible reading comes from Romans 8:31-39 (NLT):
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own?
No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
(As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Roman 8:31-39 (NLT)
Blessing for the week
Loving God, we thank you for hearing our prayers, feeding us with your word, and encouraging us in our meeting together. Take us and use us to love and serve you, and all people, in the power of your Spirit and in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Verse of the Year
Simply Church, Herault, France 