Check out all the previous Grab a Fork readings here.
Grab a Fork Reading Plan | Week 1 | Day 4
Prayer
Take a moment to physically open your hands up before God, like you are about to receive something. Now, ask God to fill you today…to give you what you need for this day.
Bible Reading: Romans 8:28-39
Today’s scripture meditation method is called ‘Personalize It.” This is taking a Scripture and substituting your name in for the pronouns. We will read it first as it is written:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called;those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Now read the passage again using the prompt below, and wherever there is a blank, insert your name. Read this through at least two times:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of ___________ who loves him; ___________ has been called according to his purpose. For __________ God foreknew he also predestined _________ to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called, and those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall ________ say in response to these things? If God is for __________, who can be against _____? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for ________ —how will he not also, along with him, graciously give _______ all things? Who will bring any charge against _______ whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for _________. Who shall separate __________ from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things _____________ is more than a conqueror through him who loved _____________. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate ____________ from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reflection & Questions
- As you inserted your name into this text, what stuck out to you? Were there words or phrases you didn’t notice before?
- Were there any words that were particularly encouraging? Why?
- Were there any words which were harder to believe with your name in it? Why do you think?
- What’s God’s invitation to you in response to today’s reading?
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
