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December 10th

The bible reading today is in Romans 11-13.

It was Paul’s pattern to start his communication with the churches with solid doctrinal content. Then he usually ended his teaching with exhortations about how to live the Christian life.

Dr. Leon Morris, professor, and writer of New Testament commentaries at Oxford University in London believed Paul was showing his readers that living the Christian life well was dependent upon good

sound doctrine. I agree.

Now to Chapter 12...“I appeal to you, therefore, brothers..."

God used Paul to appeal to the will and the spirit of the disciples in Rome. He wanted his chilidren to make a choice in the way that they would live for him.

"I appeal to you brothers...by the mercies of God,"

Such as...Mercifully Justified before God through Jesus Christ. Mercifully Adopted into the family of God. Mercifully Placed under grace and not under the law. Mercifully Indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Mercifully Helped in and through our afflictions. Mercifully Assured of our election by God.

So...In light of these mercies...Paul begs the church members...to present their bodies as a “living sacrifice”, holy and acceptable to God.

Paul beseeches the church members: “present your whole life”...upon the altar of God...saying to Him...”I'm all in...do with me as you will for your honor and your glory.” With the desire to be always dedicated to the Lord... which is your reasonable service of worship.” Romans 12:1

And we thought worship started with a song and a prayer at church.

Our Reasonable Service of Worship of God starts with humbly yielding our lives to him as completely as we know how.

From there, something else happens...in verse 2...“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭

That “something else” that happens in that “true heart” worship is that the Spirit of God begins to change “our heart’s desires”...from desiring self-centered stuff to desiring God, and his stuff that is good, acceptable, and perfect for us and others...first and foremost.

Then from heart worship and changed desires for the Lord, Paul exhorts the members of Rome’s church community to “use the gifts” that the Spirit of God has given you to serve your church and stir up mission action to those outside of Christ.” Romans 12:6

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, “let us use them:”

For instance...if “prophecy”, use it in proportion to your faith;”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:6‬

The “prophesy gift” sees where the church must restore fellowship with God, with each other, and then how to maintain it.

The “serving gift” demonstrates love by meeting practical needs in the lives of others.

Let us use them...the gifts God has given us.

The “teaching gift” discovers and confirms truth so that the church maintains a harmony with God’s Word.

The “exhorting gift” encourages Christians to grow spiritually by discipling, teaching, and counseling others.

The “giving gift” conserves and shares resources in order to meet needs.

The “organizing gift” carries out projects by recruiting workers, organizing tasks, and delegating responsibilities.

And the “mercy gift” demonstrates God’s love and compassion by responding to those who have been hurt.

Lord help us do life together with you...from Heart worship, to changed desires, to serving our church by using the tools that you have given to us.

Have a great day.

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December 9th

The bible reading today is in Romans 8-10.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:1‬

What a blessed assurance for those in Christ...absolutely no condemnation by the Righteous Judge at the Great White Throne Judgment to come.

When one is in Christ by faith and Christ is in that person by the Holy Spirit, that oneness means no condemnation. The only way for a person in Christ to be condemned would be for Jesus to be condemned.

And that’s not going to happen...again. He has already been judged on the cross when he took our sin upon himself and then bore God’s full wrath for it...for us.

Thus....no condemnation for those in Christ...what great news! O and there is more explanation to that good news story.

“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. The Spirit of life in Christ sets a person free...free from the law of sin and death. The law of the partnership of sin and death is worth trembling over.

Why? Because the wages of sin is death. The payday for sin is death...which means separation from God...no heaven...just hell!

However...“God has done what his law was not designed to do. Where the law convicts and condemns sinners God was going to save them.

So he sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh for sin.

Did you catch that? God sent his son “for sin”...God was going to do something concerning sin with his son.

So God condemned sin (our sin fellow believer) in the flesh of his son Jesus...”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:2-3‬ ‭

So there would be no condemnation for the sinners whom God chose and who believed Jesus.

Great news for sure...But there is more to the great salvation for those in Christ.

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

What does the Holy Spirit do for the sons and daughters of God? The indwelling Holy Spirit leads us, brothers and sisters. That’s part of his ministry...to lead and guide us in the way and ways of God. May we trust him, friends, every day.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear...The Holy Spirit does not treat us like slaves...but rather as adopted sons snd daughters, like...on purpose, chosen... for love and for life...who cry, “Abba! Father!”

Children who have a close relationship with God...close enough to run to him and call him, Daddy.

And....the Holy Spirit bears testimony to our heart that we are the children of God,”

Romans‬ ‭8:14-16‬

How wonderful a salvation is ours in Christ. Thank you, Jesus

Have a great day

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December 8th

The bible reading today is in Romans 4-7.

“What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭4:1-2‬ ‭

Like everyone else, according to the book of Revelations, one day Abraham will stand before God to be judged. And like the rest of us, he will have absolutely nothing to boast about.

Because there is not one person, except Jesus, who could be justified before God by his own works. Because Jesus’ life and works were perfect. Abraham and us, ours are so imperfect!

There is only one thing that we will be able to boast about...the same as Abraham...our names are written in the book of life.

God has used today’s reading in my life for 50 years.

To begin with...I was raised in a church denomination that taught that a person was saved by a combination of things: his faith in Jesus, his immersion baptism in that denomination, and his number of good works that would outweigh his bad.

As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a good kid and make my parents proud. But I failed over and over...in private and in not so private venues.

Frankly, I thought I was as good as most and better than many. Therefore, I was still pretty sure that I would make it to heaven...Until...I met and began dating Beverly in High School. We both went to church. We both came from good families.

And there was just something about her...pretty, yes...good grades...better than mine

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December 7th

The bible reading today is in Romans 1-3 and Acts 20:1-3.

Some noteworthy facts about the book of Romans...

1. The writer of the book of Romans was Paul...he wrote it from Corinth during his third missionary journey.

2.The church in Rome was experiencing a season of peace since it would be several years before Ceasar Nero would burn Rome to the ground and blame the followers of Jesus for the crime...which led to murderous persecution of the church in Rome. Obviously, God would use the letter to strengthen the church for what lay ahead.

3. The church in Rome was probably started by some of Paul’s converts during his three missionary journeys.

4. By the date of Paul’s writing, the church in Rome was made up of Jews and Gentiles...primarily Gentiles.

5. Some have said that Romans was a survey of Paul’s theology. And if it was, it was not complete. Nowhere in Romans does Paul teach on Communion, the Resurrection, or the Last Days and Second Coming of Christ. However, Paul’s teaching on the doctrines of sin and judgment and salvation in Christ is unequaled in detail and thorough explanation.

6. The impact of Romans on spiritual leaders of the past is also notable...

In May of 1738, a failed missionary to the American Colonies reluctantly went to a small bible study where someone read aloud Martin Luther’s commentary on Romans.

The failed missionary was John Wesley...and the Roman’s reading particularly dealt with the change that God wrought in the heart of a man who placed his faith in Christ. John Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed”.

That night, in London, John Wesley trusted “in Jesus alone” for his salvation, and an assurance was given to him that his sins had been taken away. “

Martin Luther’s spiritual life was greatly impacted by the book of Romans too. The monk, Luther, taught biblical studies at the seminary in Wittenburg Germany. One day he meditated in Ps 31:1...”In thy righteousness deliver me.” This puzzled him. How could a righteous God deliver sinners? Sinners deserve condemnation at the hands of a righteous God.

Then Luther kept thinking on Romans 1:17 ”...he who through faith is righteous shall live.”

That passage from Paul became the gate to heaven itself for Luther. The monk Martin was saved that night and the reformation was begun in his heart...by way of the message of Paul to the Romans.

Continuing in the reading...“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:1‬

When Paul introduced himself to the church members in Rome, he used three descriptive terms...servant...apostle...and separated.

He used “servant” because he was “one under”...one under the loving authority of Jesus Christ...Paul was “all in”...“whatever” Jesus desired of him.

Paul used “apostle” because he was “one sent”...sent to the Gentile world with the gospel message of Jesus.

And Paul used “separate”...Once a Pharisee, Paul’s title meant “separatist”...separated from common man.

Now that he was saved by Jesus, he was now separated unto God and His glorious gospel “for” common sinners man.

Looking forward to this reading in Romans with you friends,

Have a great day

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December 6th

The bible reading today is in 2 Corinthians 10-13.

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7-10‬ ‭

14 years ago, the apostle Paul was stoned by an angry mob in Lystra of Asia.

I agree with some early commentators who believed that Paul was knocked unconscious for a period of time during the stoning. Scripture says that Paul seemed dead.

Perhaps Paul was given his visions of heaven during his unconsciousness...glorious visions. And perhaps Paul was tempted to be high-minded, arrogant, and conceited because of his new knowledge.

So God, to protect His spiritual leader from losing his spiritual power to prideful boasting, sent messengers of Satan to buffet him...a thorn in his flesh.

What an insight into the leader of the beginning of the church’s missionary endeavors. God blessed Paul with visions that no one else had ever seen. That does not surprise me.

What surprises me is that Paul would fall to the temptation of self-elevation...thinking more highly of himself than he should have.

And God immediately stepped in...He gifted Paul with a preventative...a buffeting...the picture of...the cuffing of a slave...wrists and feet shackled...humiliating to say the least.

God would bring prideful Paul down...bring him low with any number of measures...physical or spiritual...to keep him humble...the place where God gives grace and power to his ambassador.

By the way, let us not miss the part where Paul confessed that he prayed many times for God to remove the thorn in his side...to remove that trial or trouble that harassed him...because they made him weak.

God said no to Paul’s prayer request. He did say, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness.”

So Paul quit praying that prayer. Instead, Paul confessed to his own heart and God’s that he would glory in his weakness so that God’s power could rest on him.

Wow...thanks for sharing Paul...God, help me too.

Have a great day

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December 5th

The bible reading for today is in 2 Corinthians 5-9.

“For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:4‬

What is the tent that Paul refers to? Our earthly bodies.

And as long as we humans live in our earthly bodies, we will suffer, even we who are in Christ...we will be burdened with physical afflictions...we will groan under sicknesses, disease, disasters, pain, and discomfort. It’s just part of doing life in these bodies.

And what does God say through Paul to the afflicted believer? “walk by faith, not by sight.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:7‬

Trust God to use the affliction for his purposes and his glory. Trust God that the measure of our affliction has been measured out perfectly by Him. Trust God to get you through the affliction in his timing.

Walk by faith in God...not by what you can see and understand...but rather by what God has promised... "to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Let’s listen to another part of Paul’s personal journey testimony...“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:8-9‬

Paul has been away from his family and friends and church home in Antioch Syria for eight to ten years by this time. He has ministered in Asia, Macedonia, Greece, and back to Ephesus for a long stay. He has seen God at work and many saved.

But He has also experienced opposition many times. He has been threatened, harrassed, stoned, put in stocks, and imprisoned for his gospel missionary ministry.

It should not surprise us to hear Paul speak of courage...Jesus on mission courage. Lord, give us your courage so that we will be ready to confess you as Lord even when we face death for our faith.

Paul said that he and his missionary band would much rather be in heaven. To them, heaven was always better. But these missionaries shared another desire. They wanted to be a pleasure to Jesus, whether they were at home with the Lord or on the mission trail spreading the gospel and planting churches. Lord, may their desire be our ambition too.

Have a great day

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December 4th

The bible reading today is in 2 Corinthians 1-4.

By the time Paul wrote this second letter to the disciples in Corinth, most of the issues that had divided the young church had been resolved.

However, the years of selfish behavior and false judgments against one another had left deep wounds. So deep that some members of the family probably said that relationships would never be the same. How sad.

So Paul gave the following admonition... “Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you.

For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭2:5-8‬ ‭

Paul admitted the pain he felt when some brothers accused him falsely. They gave bad reports about him that were not true. Paul knew that other disciples in Corinth had been hurt very badly by hateful words and selfish actions.

And the temptation? Don't forgive...try to get even...and let the root of bitterness continue to grow.

Paul said...” let’s turn to forgive our hateful brothers and sisters...let us reaffirm our love to them...Paul was calling on the offended parties to be Jesus toward those who hurt them deeply. That’s the kind of action that stir up revival in any church.

Nowhere in the 13 letters of Paul do we see and hear more personal insights of the apostle than in 2 Corinthians.

Such as...“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:3-4‬

Paul spoke truth to the brethren in Corinth. God does comfort us in all of our trials and troubles. Did Paul have personal experience of that?

Let’s listen to his confession...“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:8‬

Wow...Paul just admitted to the church that he planted and nurtured, that he and Barnabas, during their first mission to Asia, experienced severe depression.

How severe?....Severe enough to cause them to entertain thoughts of wanting to die. Wow.

Sometimes I forget that Paul was just as susceptible to mental, emotional, and spiritual stress as any of the rest of us. But what puts Paul head and shoulders above most was the fact that he admitted it along with the fact that God comforted and guided him in and through the despair...to the place of renewed faith in Christ and the fresh oil of God’s strengthening.

Thanks, Paul and Barnabas and all the foreign missionaries that spread the gospel and planted churches around the world to this day. Lord, Continue to stir up such devotion and personal sacrifice to reach the world for Christ’s sake.

Have a great day

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December 3rd

Today's Bible reading is in 1 Corinthians 15 & 16.

The Apostle Paul finished up his first letter to the young church at Corinth by emphasizing the seriousness and weightiness of the gospel message. There is no other message given under heaven whereby one may be saved from their sins. Therefore, we might struggle with the meanings of the spiritual gifts. We may even debate the best forms of church worship. We can even get sideways with each other over the different views and applications of Biblical church leadership. But we must all agree on the gospel message that saves. That was true in Paul’s mind and it must be true in ours today.

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you..."

Paul preached the good news of God’s forgiveness and adoption and redemption in and through God the Son, Jesus Christ. It wasn't Paul’s gospel. It was God’s...the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

"which you received," Which many in Corinth received and believed...“in which you stand,”

I'm reminded of a time in my childhood...when my little sister and I stood in mama’s clean kitchen. We were soaking wet. We had been playing in the rain. “Look at you”, mama said with a shy grin and sparkle in her eye. “You're making a puddle on my clean kitchen floor.”

Yes, we were and we were stomping our feet in it and splashing each other with it. We were completely drenched with the water of the rain.

And in Christ, we are completely drenched with the gracious water of the word of God’s gospel of salvation...” in which we stand”....playfully and joyfully and gratefully.

“and by which you are being saved”...from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light in Christ...unless...you believed in vain.”

Sadly, there are so many, even in church, who have changed their minds about religion, but who have never truly desired Jesus from their hearts...

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:1-2‬

Paul said...“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:3-4‬

I preached the “gospel” to you when Silas and I came over to Macedonia and Acaiah in my second missionary journey.

That message of the life and work of Jesus Christ on our eternal behalf was of first and of foremost importance. Jesus was God in the flesh...the Messiah sent from heaven...to save his people from their sins.

And how did he do that? Through his sacrificial death on the cross for our sins...paying the sin debt we owed with his own bloody death on the cross...followed by the triumphant resurrection from the dead...from the tomb.

“Tetelestai”...it is finished he cried...it is paid and a home in heaven is purchased for those who believe him...Jesus. Jesus did what he came to do...at the cross....and its glory was highlighted by His rising from the dead...awesome

I can't help but remember one of my favorite hymns....” Blessed Redeemer” by Avis Christiansen, 1920, a member of Moody Church Chicago, in 1920...2nd verse...

Father forgive them, thus did he pray...en’ while His lifeblood flowed fast away...praying for sinners while in such wow...no one but Jesus ever loved so.

Blessed Redeemer, precious redeemer seems now I see him on calvary’s tree...wounded and bleeding for sinners pleading...blind and unheeding, dying for me.

The gospel....awesome...thanks Jesus...for everything!

Have a great day

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December 2nd

The bible reading today is in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14.

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:13‬

Paul used the pronoun “we.” “Church, we were all baptized into one body...”

What does that mean? Friends, you and I are apart of that “we”. When “we” got saved...when we began to believe and follow Jesus...“we were baptized into the body of Christ”...“we were divinely placed into the universal body of Christ...“we were divinely placed into the Church of God, the church of Jesus Christ...“by the Holy Spirit!”

Paul continues to teach...“For the body does not consist of one member but of many.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:14‬

There were many believers in the church there in Corinth...not just one...And God was going to grow all of them unto maturity in Christ. And the Lord was going to use them to fulfill his purposes throughout eternity.

“As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:20‬

Paul explained the many members in the one body as many different “parts”.

I'm a part and you're a part. Maybe I'm a foot and you are a hand. God has a purpose for both of us in His church.

That’s exciting!

May the Lord, by the Spirit’s gifting, enable us to bless one another and build up the church in the faith for his honor and glory and the salvation of many more.

Have a great day