Today's verses are hard to accept because of my sense of fair play. I remind myself that this is from God. He is righteous and just. Also I read ahead and it is not arbitrary and without purpose. After today's reading, check out the rest of Romans 11.
Romans 11:1-10 NIV
1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? 4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8 as it is written:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that could not see
and ears that could not hear,
to this very day.”
9 And David says:
“May their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.”
Even when the nation of Israel rejected God he still kept a remnant that had not. It says here he "foreknew", that means ones he chose beforehand. God chose by his Grace these few. The others were so busy trying to please God through works that they eventually turned to other gods.
Vs 8 bothers me as it was God who blinded them to the truth. However do take note that these people had already rejected the truth in bowing the Baals.
If you are reading this, God is showing you His truth. You can accept His grace and forgiveness or you can reject it. His grace is available right now. Should you chose to reject Him, you may never get a second chance. God may harden you heart also.
God Bless.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Romans 10:14-21
Romans 10:14-21 NIV
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
As was said yesterday, one of the natural outpouring a the change in you heart should be the desire to tell others. No one will know if you don't tell them. You don't have to go far, start right at home with your family, neighbors and friends.
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”
19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”
20 And Isaiah boldly says,
“I was found by those who did not seek me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”
21 But concerning Israel he says,
“All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
Not everyone will accept what you share. Remember, it's not you they are rejecting, but God.
God Bless.
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
As was said yesterday, one of the natural outpouring a the change in you heart should be the desire to tell others. No one will know if you don't tell them. You don't have to go far, start right at home with your family, neighbors and friends.
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”
19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”
20 And Isaiah boldly says,
“I was found by those who did not seek me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”
21 But concerning Israel he says,
“All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
Not everyone will accept what you share. Remember, it's not you they are rejecting, but God.
God Bless.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Romans 10:1-13
Romans 10:1-13 NIV
1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
I have spoken with people who are very sincere about God. However they are sincerely wrong. They know there is a God and they try to be good to please Him. However they do so in ignorance of the Bible. They create their own moral standard and try to balance the "bad" they do with "good" hoping to earn God's favor. They assume when they get to the end of their life that God will their "good" and say it out weighs the bad. They are wrong and it will be the worst mistake they can ever make. Satan believes in God, but he rejected God's way and will suffer for eternity because of it. So will sincere people who reject God's way and go their own.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
The word of God says we are sinners. Romans 3:23 NIV The word of God says the payment of sin is death. Romans 6:23 NIV The only way to escape what we are owed is to have faith in what Christ has done for us.
Vs 9 declare with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Christ from the dead. You have to believe in your that Christ took your payment and tell people vs 10.
One might say this is a work, but I disagree. If you were dying of terminal cancer and a doctor cured you, you would automatically tell everyone you met out of gratitude. You would point everyone you heard of that had cancer to this doctor.
It's the same with faith in Christ. All humans have a terminal disease called sin. Christ is the cure. If you believe it and accept His cure, you will tell others. It will be a natural outpouring of the change in your heart. Matthew 7:16 NIV talks of false prophets, but it teaches us that you will recognize people by their fruit or the way they live their life.
If you have never put your faith in Christ, urge you to do so now. If you have been living by your own moral code, I urge you to believe what the scripture says here. You must have faith in Christ.
God Bless.
1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
I have spoken with people who are very sincere about God. However they are sincerely wrong. They know there is a God and they try to be good to please Him. However they do so in ignorance of the Bible. They create their own moral standard and try to balance the "bad" they do with "good" hoping to earn God's favor. They assume when they get to the end of their life that God will their "good" and say it out weighs the bad. They are wrong and it will be the worst mistake they can ever make. Satan believes in God, but he rejected God's way and will suffer for eternity because of it. So will sincere people who reject God's way and go their own.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
The word of God says we are sinners. Romans 3:23 NIV The word of God says the payment of sin is death. Romans 6:23 NIV The only way to escape what we are owed is to have faith in what Christ has done for us.
Vs 9 declare with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Christ from the dead. You have to believe in your that Christ took your payment and tell people vs 10.
One might say this is a work, but I disagree. If you were dying of terminal cancer and a doctor cured you, you would automatically tell everyone you met out of gratitude. You would point everyone you heard of that had cancer to this doctor.
It's the same with faith in Christ. All humans have a terminal disease called sin. Christ is the cure. If you believe it and accept His cure, you will tell others. It will be a natural outpouring of the change in your heart. Matthew 7:16 NIV talks of false prophets, but it teaches us that you will recognize people by their fruit or the way they live their life.
If you have never put your faith in Christ, urge you to do so now. If you have been living by your own moral code, I urge you to believe what the scripture says here. You must have faith in Christ.
God Bless.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Romans 9:30-33
Romans 9:30-33 NIV
30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
You cannot earn Salvation. There is no work that you can do that will please God. You will only stumble over Jesus. Put your faith in Him.
God Bless.
30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
You cannot earn Salvation. There is no work that you can do that will please God. You will only stumble over Jesus. Put your faith in Him.
God Bless.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Romans 9:6-29
Romans 9:6-29 NIV
6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”
Not physical birth but the children of the promise. Who's promise? God's.
10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Who made the choice? God. Did human tradition of the first born being the head matter? No.
14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
Everything revolves around God's mercy.
19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
We as humans want things "fair". Unless of course we are the ones benefiting from the unfairness. We also want to shift blame. When Adam first sinned he blame Eve and then blamed God because God gave him Eve. What we have to realize is that God is God. He does not answer to humanity. He answers only to His character which is righteous and just and sinless.
22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
25 As he says in Hosea:
“I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people;
and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,”
26 and,
“In the very place where it was said to them,
‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’”
27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:
“Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea,
only the remnant will be saved.
28 For the Lord will carry out
his sentence on earth with speed and finality.”
God used those chosen for destruction to make His glory known to us. And just as not all of Abraham's physical descendents were of the promise, we who are not physical descendents are because we believe.
29 It is just as Isaiah said previously:
“Unless the Lord Almighty
had left us descendants,
we would have become like Sodom,
we would have been like Gomorrah.”
Without examples for us to follow we would just fall away.
God Bless
6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”
Not physical birth but the children of the promise. Who's promise? God's.
10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Who made the choice? God. Did human tradition of the first born being the head matter? No.
14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
Everything revolves around God's mercy.
19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
We as humans want things "fair". Unless of course we are the ones benefiting from the unfairness. We also want to shift blame. When Adam first sinned he blame Eve and then blamed God because God gave him Eve. What we have to realize is that God is God. He does not answer to humanity. He answers only to His character which is righteous and just and sinless.
22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
25 As he says in Hosea:
“I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people;
and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,”
26 and,
“In the very place where it was said to them,
‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’”
27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:
“Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea,
only the remnant will be saved.
28 For the Lord will carry out
his sentence on earth with speed and finality.”
God used those chosen for destruction to make His glory known to us. And just as not all of Abraham's physical descendents were of the promise, we who are not physical descendents are because we believe.
29 It is just as Isaiah said previously:
“Unless the Lord Almighty
had left us descendants,
we would have become like Sodom,
we would have been like Gomorrah.”
Without examples for us to follow we would just fall away.
God Bless
Friday, February 17, 2012
Romans 9:1-5
Romans 9:1-5 NIV
1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel.
I read this knowing what awaits someone who does not have Christ and I know that Paul did not make this declaration in ignorance. That being, eternal separation from God in hell, burning fire and torment. Paul wished that he could go to hell so that the nation of Israel would not. Yet I am at times too embarrassed, too shy, have too great a fear of rejection, too busy or just don't care to share with those around me here in America.
Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
The Israelites had it all and yet most still rejected Christ. It makes me wonder how many people in my Church and my Christian friends are just playing church. It makes me sit here an examine my own heart.
I read ahead today. The next section is easy for me to understand and I accept its truth on faith. However trying to explain it is going to be hard for me. Also, I am not sure if I want to break it down to smaller sections or cover it all at once. The idea to work on the larger section as a whole and then publish once complete just came to mind. I just don't know.
God Bless.
1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel.
I read this knowing what awaits someone who does not have Christ and I know that Paul did not make this declaration in ignorance. That being, eternal separation from God in hell, burning fire and torment. Paul wished that he could go to hell so that the nation of Israel would not. Yet I am at times too embarrassed, too shy, have too great a fear of rejection, too busy or just don't care to share with those around me here in America.
Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
The Israelites had it all and yet most still rejected Christ. It makes me wonder how many people in my Church and my Christian friends are just playing church. It makes me sit here an examine my own heart.
I read ahead today. The next section is easy for me to understand and I accept its truth on faith. However trying to explain it is going to be hard for me. Also, I am not sure if I want to break it down to smaller sections or cover it all at once. The idea to work on the larger section as a whole and then publish once complete just came to mind. I just don't know.
God Bless.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Romans 8:31-39
Romans 8:31-39 NIV
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
I sit here and contemplate this very question. How absurd my concerns and fears are in light of this truth.
32 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?
I think of my children and how highly I value them. There is NOTHING on this earth that I would not give for them. Now put that logic to this question above. God gave His son up for me. That tells me that I am of high value to Him. That also tells me that He will move heaven and earth to get me what I need.
Notice I did NOT say what I "want". Parents to not give their children everything they want because they know it's not good for them. I would never have chosen divorce, loss of my home, separation from my children, 2 surgeries, loss of my job, death of my sister, a blown engine causing me to buy a new car only to then crash the new car because a young lady did not see me as things that were "good" for me. Yet God has used each of them to teach me how amazing He is. I know things about me that needed to change and with His grace they are changing.
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
It is God who justifies me. Yes there are people on earth can make this body miserable and even go so far as to kill me. But they cannot condemn me. Christ intercedes, or pleads my case and I will live on in heaven because of what Christ did for me.
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 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.
How are we conquerors? Through Him who loved us.
Look at the list in vs 38 and 39 the next time you feel down and unloved by God. NOTHING can separate you from that love and Jesus is our assurance of that.
God Bless.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
I sit here and contemplate this very question. How absurd my concerns and fears are in light of this truth.
32 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?
I think of my children and how highly I value them. There is NOTHING on this earth that I would not give for them. Now put that logic to this question above. God gave His son up for me. That tells me that I am of high value to Him. That also tells me that He will move heaven and earth to get me what I need.
Notice I did NOT say what I "want". Parents to not give their children everything they want because they know it's not good for them. I would never have chosen divorce, loss of my home, separation from my children, 2 surgeries, loss of my job, death of my sister, a blown engine causing me to buy a new car only to then crash the new car because a young lady did not see me as things that were "good" for me. Yet God has used each of them to teach me how amazing He is. I know things about me that needed to change and with His grace they are changing.
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
It is God who justifies me. Yes there are people on earth can make this body miserable and even go so far as to kill me. But they cannot condemn me. Christ intercedes, or pleads my case and I will live on in heaven because of what Christ did for me.
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 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.
How are we conquerors? Through Him who loved us.
Look at the list in vs 38 and 39 the next time you feel down and unloved by God. NOTHING can separate you from that love and Jesus is our assurance of that.
God Bless.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Romans 8:18-30
Romans 8:18-30 NIV
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
We live in a world that is in decay. Yet all we suffer through and endure today is nothing if we compare it to heaven.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
We have hope and faith in things to come. I am convinced that I will be redeemed and get a new body one day. However I don't have it yet so I wait patiently. If I had seen this or I could physically prove this it would not be faith.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Essentially we speak baby talk when be pray. We rarely know haw to articulate what we want. The Holy Spirit who lives in us an knows us better than we know ourselves, is also the Spirit of God and therefore knows God. He communicates out thoughts to God in ways words cannot express.
28 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. 29 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. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
"This is for your own good." We have all heard that phrase. The same can be said for believers. There are no accidents in your life. Everything that happens, does so for a purpose and God will work all those out in time. We may not even see what that purpose was this side of heaven.
Look at what God has done for us. He chose us, predestined us, called us, justified us and glorified us. Is there anything in this list that we did or do? One does not earn any of this. It's all about what God did.
God Bless.
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
We live in a world that is in decay. Yet all we suffer through and endure today is nothing if we compare it to heaven.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
We have hope and faith in things to come. I am convinced that I will be redeemed and get a new body one day. However I don't have it yet so I wait patiently. If I had seen this or I could physically prove this it would not be faith.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Essentially we speak baby talk when be pray. We rarely know haw to articulate what we want. The Holy Spirit who lives in us an knows us better than we know ourselves, is also the Spirit of God and therefore knows God. He communicates out thoughts to God in ways words cannot express.
28 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. 29 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. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
"This is for your own good." We have all heard that phrase. The same can be said for believers. There are no accidents in your life. Everything that happens, does so for a purpose and God will work all those out in time. We may not even see what that purpose was this side of heaven.
Look at what God has done for us. He chose us, predestined us, called us, justified us and glorified us. Is there anything in this list that we did or do? One does not earn any of this. It's all about what God did.
God Bless.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Romans 8:1-17
Romans 8:12-17 NIV
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Those of us in Christ have an obligation to follow the Holy Spirit.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
This how we know that we belong to God. We are led by the Spirit.
15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Notice the change from being a slave to sin. We do not just change masters and become slaves to God. We become sons. We can cry out to Him. "Abby" is the Hebrew equivalent of "Daddy".
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. .
There was a day last year when the Spirit made it clear that I was God's child. Yes there have been days since that I may have doubted because I chose to walk in my flesh and started doubting God's word.
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory
If we follow Christ we will be co-heirs in not just his Glory, but also his suffering. Following Christ is not easy. Jesus promised the world would hate us because of Him. But just as He suffered and was eventually glorified, we to will be glorified through him.
God Bless
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Those of us in Christ have an obligation to follow the Holy Spirit.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
This how we know that we belong to God. We are led by the Spirit.
15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Notice the change from being a slave to sin. We do not just change masters and become slaves to God. We become sons. We can cry out to Him. "Abby" is the Hebrew equivalent of "Daddy".
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. .
There was a day last year when the Spirit made it clear that I was God's child. Yes there have been days since that I may have doubted because I chose to walk in my flesh and started doubting God's word.
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory
If we follow Christ we will be co-heirs in not just his Glory, but also his suffering. Following Christ is not easy. Jesus promised the world would hate us because of Him. But just as He suffered and was eventually glorified, we to will be glorified through him.
God Bless
Friday, February 10, 2012
Romans 8:9-11
Romans 8:9-11 NIV
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
How does the Spirit come to live in us? When we truly accept Christ's payment for our sin. It is through the Spirit that we receive life. This same Spirit raised Christ from the dead and will raise us as well.
My question I ask anyone reading this. Is the Spirit living in you?
God Bless.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
How does the Spirit come to live in us? When we truly accept Christ's payment for our sin. It is through the Spirit that we receive life. This same Spirit raised Christ from the dead and will raise us as well.
My question I ask anyone reading this. Is the Spirit living in you?
God Bless.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Romans 8:5-8
Romans 8:5-8 NIV
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
What do you focus on? Is you day spent chasing after worldly pleasures with no thought for what the Holy Spirit has for you? Or are you so wrapped up in what the Lord has that you forget to chase after what the world tells you is so important?
6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
When we follow the spirit, we have peace. Only when we do whatever we want to we start to worry about the consequences of our actions. Rarely to we think it through ahead of time. Obeying the first time leads to peace.
7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Though our actions cannot earn salvation, our actions can please God. Just like child can please his/her parents. If we chose to live to please only ourselves we cannot please God.
God Bless.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
What do you focus on? Is you day spent chasing after worldly pleasures with no thought for what the Holy Spirit has for you? Or are you so wrapped up in what the Lord has that you forget to chase after what the world tells you is so important?
6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
When we follow the spirit, we have peace. Only when we do whatever we want to we start to worry about the consequences of our actions. Rarely to we think it through ahead of time. Obeying the first time leads to peace.
7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Though our actions cannot earn salvation, our actions can please God. Just like child can please his/her parents. If we chose to live to please only ourselves we cannot please God.
God Bless.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Romans 8:1-4
I really wanted to take do verses 1-17 of chapter 8, but decided I would break this down into smaller parts. You will get the entire thought over the next few days.
Romans 8:1-4 NIV
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
The therefore in verse 1 refers back to to verse 25 of chapter 7. "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Because of Jesus I am set free. God sent Him and His sacrifice condemned sin. Through Him the requirements of the law are fulfilled in us who walk in the spirit.
In other words folks. It's nothing that we did, could do, will do or can do. It's about Jesus and when he did.
God Bless
Romans 8:1-4 NIV
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
The therefore in verse 1 refers back to to verse 25 of chapter 7. "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Because of Jesus I am set free. God sent Him and His sacrifice condemned sin. Through Him the requirements of the law are fulfilled in us who walk in the spirit.
In other words folks. It's nothing that we did, could do, will do or can do. It's about Jesus and when he did.
God Bless
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Romans 7:13-25 NIV
Romans 7:13-25 NIV
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
There are days as a Christian that I feel unsaved. I just don't act or do the things that I know are right and I crave and do the things that I should not. Yet I gain encouragement from these words of Paul. He fought the exact same battle that I struggle with. Though we are dead to sin, our sin nature is still there and it desires to be fed.
Habits are learned behaviors and take time to break. The battle within in NORMAL. Don't be discouraged. Keep battling.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
It is God who delivers us. It is nothing that we do.
God Bless.
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
There are days as a Christian that I feel unsaved. I just don't act or do the things that I know are right and I crave and do the things that I should not. Yet I gain encouragement from these words of Paul. He fought the exact same battle that I struggle with. Though we are dead to sin, our sin nature is still there and it desires to be fed.
Habits are learned behaviors and take time to break. The battle within in NORMAL. Don't be discouraged. Keep battling.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
It is God who delivers us. It is nothing that we do.
God Bless.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Romans 7:7-13
Romans 7:7-13 NIV
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
I know that the law is good as the is clearly stated. It is my understanding that the Law made man aware of the sin that was already present in their lives.
Everyone of us sins in ignorance every day. We do what comes naturally to us and without instruction to tell us certain actions are wrong we just don't know it's wrong.
In verse 11 it is my conviction that "sin seizing every opportunity" is just our human nature to rebel. There was something just a few weeks back that I would never have thought of on my own. Yet when I read the article of how to avoid it, I became aware of the issue and now it's a battle.
The Law made man aware of the need of a Savior. We'll look into that next time. Feel free to read ahead.
God Bless.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Romans 7:1-6
Romans 7:1-6 NIV
1 Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. 3 So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.
A few days ago I used the analogy of a police officer. Here Paul used that analogy of marriage and the law. Once there is a death one is no longer bound to the vows under that law. Death is all that frees one from their vow under that law.
4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
Now we who believe are bound with Christ and through his death we are freed from the law. Today we live through conviction of the Holy Spirit and not through adherence to the written law.
God Bess.
1 Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. 3 So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.
A few days ago I used the analogy of a police officer. Here Paul used that analogy of marriage and the law. Once there is a death one is no longer bound to the vows under that law. Death is all that frees one from their vow under that law.
4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
Now we who believe are bound with Christ and through his death we are freed from the law. Today we live through conviction of the Holy Spirit and not through adherence to the written law.
God Bess.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Romans 6:15-23
Romans 6:15-23 NIV
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Have you ever really thought about this? When you offer you body to someone or something you become it's slave. The ironic part is that people claim that their sex, drugs, gluttony, violence, etc. is actually freedom.
19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Verse 21 is near and dear to me. I ask myself that question when I find myself tempted to go back to my old way of life.
Compare verse 22 and 23. What do you want out of life?
God Bless.
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Have you ever really thought about this? When you offer you body to someone or something you become it's slave. The ironic part is that people claim that their sex, drugs, gluttony, violence, etc. is actually freedom.
19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Verse 21 is near and dear to me. I ask myself that question when I find myself tempted to go back to my old way of life.
Compare verse 22 and 23. What do you want out of life?
God Bless.
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