More Than Just a Roundabout
Read The Daily:
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
We played a game about road signs, and one of them was a roundabout. Alisha mentioned how, at first, she thought roundabouts were disastrous, but they actually keep traffic flowing smoothly. However, she also pointed out that when people don’t use them correctly, or just keep driving in circles, they get stuck. This really resonated with me, especially when she connected it to how many of us live our lives stuck in an endless loop.
We get stuck thinking, ‘I’m not good enough,’ ‘I’ll never change,’ or ‘God could never forgive me.’ It’s like being in a roundabout, going over the same thoughts, the same regrets, the same self-condemnation, without ever finding the exit. We believe the wrong things about ourselves, and it keeps us trapped. We might be moving, but we’re not progressing. We’re just… circling.
But the good news is that God never intended for us to stay stuck. He offers an exit. Romans 8:1 is crystal clear: ‘So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.’ This means that even if you feel like you’re stuck in a roundabout of past mistakes or self-doubt, you don’t have to stay there. You can choose the exit. You can choose to believe the truth that you are forgiven, loved, and free from condemnation. You can start moving forward.
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Prayer for the Day
God what are you showing me? What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
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Read The New Testament In A Year
Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother. They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful–and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country. John’s disciples reported back to him the news of all these events taking place. He sent two of them to the Master to ask the question, “Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?” The men showed up before Jesus and said, “John the Baptizer sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?'” In the next two or three hours Jesus healed many from diseases, distress, and evil spirits. To many of the blind he gave the gift of sight. Then he gave his answer: “Go back and tell John what you have just seen and heard: The blind see, The lame walk, Lepers are cleansed, The deaf hear, The dead are raised, The wretched of the earth have God’s salvation hospitality extended to them. “Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves fortunate!” After John’s messengers left to make their report, Jesus said more about John to the crowd of people. “What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild? A weekend camper? Hardly. What then? A sheik in silk pajamas? Not in the wilderness, not by a long shot. What then? A messenger from God? That’s right, a messenger! Probably the greatest messenger you’ll ever hear. Luke 7:14-26
I want you to know how delighted I am to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus here with me. They partially make up for your absence! They’ve refreshed me by keeping me in touch with you. Be proud that you have people like this among you. The churches here in western Asia send greetings. Aquila, Priscilla, and the church that meets in their house say hello. All the friends here say hello. Pass the greetings around with holy embraces! And I, Paul–in my own handwriting!–send you my regards. If anyone won’t love the Master, throw him out. Make room for the Master! Our Master Jesus has his arms wide open for you. And I love all of you in the Messiah, in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 16:17-24