Text: Romans 1:13-15 (ESV)

13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

THAT I MAY REAP SOME HARVEST AMONG YOU

Undoubtedly, Paul was desirous to visit the Christians in Rome but has been prevented up to this point. These preventions are coming from God who exercises either His direct or permissible will to keep Paul from going to Rome. Satan may hinder God’s work as allowed by God. But, God’s timing is always right.

Another reason for his desire to visit is to reap a harvest among them. This is a figure of speech that Paul describes leading people to know Christ. That, more people will put their faith in Christ in order to be forgiven for their sins and ushered into the family of God. Did not Jesus assure us that the harvest is plenteous? [Matt 9:37-39]

The apostle recognizes that proclaiming the gospel is not only a privilege but an obligation also.[v.14] This balance should be considered in order not to swing to the extremes of pride and performance in proclaiming the gospel. Focusing on our privilege should make us humble. Who are we to be chosen as His instruments? [John 15:16] Focusing on our obligation should make us compassionate to the least and lost. The love of Christ burning in our hearts towards the perishing souls should constrain us. [2 Cor 5:14]

Such a condition in the heart of Paul has brought eagerness in him to go to Rome. May we develop such outlook, compassion, and attitudes as well.

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Text: Romans 1:8-12 ESV

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you

10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—

12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

-Rom 1:8-12 ESV

I THANK MY GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST FOR ALL OF YOU

Like here, Paul’s letters to Christians and churches in various cities often begin with a declaration of his gratitude for those to whom he is writing.

His thankfulness for the Romans is that their faith is proclaimed in all the world. In other words, the Christians in Rome have become famous far and wide for believing in Jesus. This is exactly what Paul's mission is all about, that is, to see faith in Christ as the Savior spread to all the nations of the world (v.5).

There is nothing frivolous when Paul says that God is his witness. In a very serious manner, he serves God with his spirit in proclaiming the gospel. In short, serving God by preaching Christ is his whole life’s foremost commitment and nothing else.

His devotion to the gospel work is the basis that he prayed for them ‘without ceasing.’ In this case, we should take "without ceasing" to mean "regularly and continually." It implies that Paul does not take days off from praying for them, for they are important to him.

He always wanted to see them in person. The Christians at Rome should understand that. He has submitted this desire to God in regular, ongoing prayer, waiting to see if it is God's will (v. 8–10).

Why?

Definitely, he cares about them. He wants to bring to them a spiritual gift of some kind that will strengthen them. Perhaps, this means Paul wants to come and exercise his spiritual gifts of evangelism and teaching to help them to be stronger in Christ. Or maybe, he means to impart unto them some kind of supernatural blessing. In either case, his desire is to help them become stronger.

Moreover, Paul recognizes that he knows it would be mutual. Both they and he would end up encouraging each other's faith. The very reason why the writer of Hebrews exhorts "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Heb 10:24–25).

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Text: Romans 1:1-7 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,

3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh

4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

-Rom 1:1-7 ESV

A SERVANT AND AN APOSTLE

Paul begins by identifying himself first, as a servant of Jesus Christ. He claims as a ‘doulos’, a bondservant, someone who had sold himself into slavery to another person either for a specific amount of time or indefinitely. Thus, he is owned by Christ. He referred to himself as an apostle which means a person who is sent by another to represent him and his authority. Thus, he would speak with the authority of Christ Himself. Notedly, the 12 disciples of Jesus became known also as His apostles.

Paul is a messenger of the gospel which is not a new thing that begins with Jesus' death and resurrection. It has been promised by God long ago through what his prophets wrote in the holy Scriptures. [see Gal 37-9] The gospel is about Jesus, a descendant of David in the flesh, who would sit on the throne of Israel forever (2 Sam 712–16). But, Jesus was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, who is the Lord. [v.4] Jesus’ resurrection from death to life proves that He was more than just a man. That event, predicted by Jesus Himself has established that He was in fact the Son of God. (Mat 286)

Paul has received grace [an unearned favor] as well as his apostleship, which is his authority to speak on Christ's behalf. Paul has been sent by Christ, for His name and honor, unto the obedience of faith. Clearly, he has not been sent by Christ to get people to obey the law of Moses.

And he is commissioned to bring this about among all the nations. Paul's unique mission, given to him directly by Jesus, was to carry the good news about salvation through faith in Christ to all the non-Jewish peoples of the world, including the Romans.[see Acts 915] The gospel is for everyone, not just for the select few.

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

God’s Word for Today

2 Nov 2023

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

2     Serve the LORD with gladness!

    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the LORD, he is God!

    It is he who made us, and we are his;

    we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

    and his courts with praise!

    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the LORD is good;

    his steadfast love endures forever,

    and his faithfulness to all generations.

-Psa 100:1-5 ESV

SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS!

This is the climax of this group of six psalms. 

All the people of the world have to worship God gladly.[v.1,2]

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

2     Serve the LORD with gladness!

    Come into his presence with singing!

They have to acknowledge Him as their God, their maker, and their shepherd (v.3). 

3 Know that the LORD, he is God!

    It is he who made us, and we are his;

    we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

They are invited to come into his temple. It is there where they could unite in thanking and praising Him for his lovingkindness and faithfulness unto them (v.4-5).

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

    and his courts with praise!

    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the LORD is good;

    his steadfast love endures forever,

    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast 

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify 

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast 

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

#bookofPsalms 

God’s Word for Today

1 Nov 2023

The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!

    He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

2 The LORD is great in Zion;

    he is exalted over all the peoples.

3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!

    Holy is he!

4 The King in his might loves justice.

    You have established equity;

you have executed justice

    and righteousness in Jacob.

5 Exalt the LORD our God;

    worship at his footstool!

    Holy is he!

6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,

    Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.

    They called to the LORD, and he answered them.

7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;

    they kept his testimonies

    and the statute that he gave them.

8 O LORD our God, you answered them;

    you were a forgiving God to them,

    but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

9 Exalt the LORD our God,

    and worship at his holy mountain;

    for the LORD our God is holy!

-Psa 99:1-9 ESV

HOLY IS HE

From his throne in Zion, the city of God, God rules over the earth in holiness and justice (v.1-4) 

The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!

    He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

2 The LORD is great in Zion;

    he is exalted over all the peoples.

3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!

    Holy is he!

4 The King in his might loves justice.

    You have established equity;

you have executed justice

    and righteousness in Jacob.

Consequently, the people respond with worship (v.5). 

5 Exalt the LORD our God;

    worship at his footstool!

    Holy is he!

The psalmist refers the lives of Moses, Aaron and Samuel.  As priests, God answered their prayers for they submitted to His rule and obeyed His law (v.6-7). 

6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,

    Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.

    They called to the LORD, and he answered them.

7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;

    they kept his testimonies.

However, when people disobeyed, they were punished. And, when they repented God forgave them (v.8). 

8 O LORD our God, you answered them;

    you were a forgiving God to them,

    but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

He exhorts them to exalt and worship Him at Mt. Zion. Why? The God who rules in Zion is holy.(v.9).

9 Exalt the LORD our God,

    and worship at his holy mountain;

    for the LORD our God is holy!

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast 

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify 

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast 

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

#bookofPsalms 

Text: Psalm 98:1-9 (ESV)

1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done marvelous things!

His right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

2 The LORD has made known his salvation;

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

to the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,

with the lyre and the sound of melody!

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn

make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

the world and those who dwell in it!

8 Let the rivers clap their hands;

let the hills sing for joy together

9 before the LORD, for he comes

to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with equity.

THE STEADFAST LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

This psalm is an invitation to welcome the divine universal king. By his power, He has conquered evil and established his kingdom in righteousness and love (v.1-3).

Oh sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done marvelous things!

His right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

2 The LORD has made known his salvation;

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

to the house of Israel.

All the earth is to praise God with music and singing because of his great victory (v.4-6).

4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,

with the lyre and the sound of melody!

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn

make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!

The personification of His creation having been invited to join in the praise and rejoicing for He rules the earth with justice (v.7-9).

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

the world and those who dwell in it!

8 Let the rivers clap their hands;

let the hills sing for joy together

9 before the LORD, for he comes

to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with equity.

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

#bookofPsalms

Text: Psalm 97:1-12 (ESV)

REJOICE IN THE LORD

This psalm corresponds with the previous psalm,  concluding that God is king over the earth. God’s holiness, righteousness, and justice are the basis of His kingdom.

Based on God’s attributes, the psalmist expresses God’s judgment upon the world. It will be as universal as a flash of lightning and as powerful as an all-consuming fire (v.1-5).

1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;

    let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;

    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him

    and burns up his adversaries all around.

4 His lightnings light up the world;

    the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

    before the Lord of all the earth.

His power is too apparent for people to ignore. Thus, everything will worship before his rule (v.6-7).

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,

    and all the peoples see his glory.

7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,

    who make their boast in worthless idols;

    worship him, all you gods!

His own people already recognize Him as Lord and worship in joy befitting Him(v.8-9).

8 Zion hears and is glad,

    and the daughters of Judah rejoice,

    because of your judgments, O LORD.

9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;

    you are exalted far above all gods.

They can experience the light and joy of his salvation in their everyday lives. In what way?  It is when they reject what is evil and choose what is good (v.10-12).

10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil!

    He preserves the lives of his saints;

    he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous,

    and joy for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,

    and give thanks to his holy name!

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

#bookofPsalms

Text: Psalm 96:1-13 ESV

SING UNTO THE LORD A NEW SONG

After the worshippers have heeded the warning of the previous psalm and prepared their hearts in the right attitude of worship, they are urged to praise God with further singing.

Besides praising him for his great works, they are to proclaim His wonders to others (v.1-3).

1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!

2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

Pagan gods or idols couldn’t be known, could they? The reason is because they have no life. In contrast, the living and true God can be known. In what ways? It is through the created universe and the worship of the sanctuary (v.4-6).

4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Thus, people everywhere should offer unto him worship, praise, and sacrificial offerings (v.7-9).

7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!

9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!

For He is the Lord of the universe, all creation joins in bringing him praise. He is also the Lord of also of mankind. Thus, He will establish his righteous kingdom on the earth (v.10-13).

10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

12 let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

13 before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Text: Psalm 95:1-11 ESV

1 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.

5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!

7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice,

8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

9 when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.

10 For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.”

11 Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.”

-Psa 95:1-11 ESV

O COME, LET US WORSHIP THE LORD

Psalms 95 to 100 are grouped so as to form a series of psalms designated for special use in temple worship.

This first psalm, Psa 95 particularly, opens by calling people to worship God. Why? Firstly, it is because He is the savior (v.1-2),

1 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Secondly, it is because God is the great God (v.3)

3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Thirdly, the psalmist also reasons that God is the creator and controller of the universe (v.4-5),

4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.

5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

Fourthly, God is the maker of the human race (v.6)

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!

And, fifthly and above all, He is the covenant Lord and shepherd of his people (v.7).

7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Worship, on the other hand, must be accompanied or evidenced by obedience. Israel’s example and experiences in the wilderness show their lack of true worship. Why? They claimed to belong to God but were complaining, disobedient, and stubborn. Thus, God said that it is impossible for them to enjoy the inheritance God promised (v.8-11)

Today, if you hear his voice,

8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

9 when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.

10 For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.”

11 Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.”

These accounts could be read in Ex 17:1-7; Num 11:1-23; 20:2-13; and Heb 3:7-10.

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

God’s Word for Today

26 Oct 2023

-Psa 94:1-23 ESV

THE GOD OF VENGEANCE 

The psalmist, tired of the oppression caused by the wicked is asking God to take vengeance. God is the God of vengeance. Thus, he pleads for a fitting divine punishment from God upon on all those who oppose Him and his ways (v.1-3). 

O LORD, God of vengeance,

    O God of vengeance, shine forth!

2 Rise up, O judge of the earth;

    repay to the proud what they deserve!

3 O LORD, how long shall the wicked,

    how long shall the wicked exult?

They brutally oppress the weak and helpless, even believing that God does not see them (v.4-7). 

4 They pour out their arrogant words;

    all the evildoers boast.

5 They crush your people, O LORD,

    and afflict your heritage.

6 They kill the widow and the sojourner,

    and murder the fatherless;

7 and they say, “The LORD does not see;

    the God of Jacob does not perceive.”

How foolish are they, are they not? They forget and reject that God is the one who made them. He knows what they are and what they do. He controls their destinies and will punish them for their wrongdoing (v.8-11).

8 Understand, O dullest of the people!

    Fools, when will you be wise?

9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear?

He who formed the eye, does he not see?

10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke?

He who teaches man knowledge—

11     the LORD—knows the thoughts of man,

    that they are but a breath.

Does God abandon the godly in their troubles? Definitely not! He may use their troubles to teach them lessons of patience and love. [v.12] 

12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD,

    and whom you teach out of your law,

Then, when at God’s opportune time, he punishes the oppressors and gives relief to their victims (v.13-15).

13 to give him rest from days of trouble,

    until a pit is dug for the wicked.

14 For the LORD will not forsake his people;

    he will not abandon his heritage;

15 for justice will return to the righteous,

    and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Take notice that the suffering believer has no defense against the wicked. He has no source of comfort except in God alone. In his desperate condition, God is his consolation. (v.16-19). 

16 Who rises up for me against the wicked?

    Who stands up for me against evildoers?

17 If the LORD had not been my help,

    my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.

18 When I thought, “My foot slips,”

    your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.

19 When the cares of my heart are many,

    your consolations cheer my soul.

These wicked oppressors are rulers in places of authority. They oppose God whose law they should be administering. [v.20-21]

20 Can wicked rulers be allied with you,

    those who frame injustice by statute?

21 They band together against the life of the righteous

    and condemn the innocent to death.

However, the righteous’ only hope is to trust in the overruling government of God (v.22-23).

22 But the LORD has become my stronghold,

    and my God the rock of my refuge.

23 He will bring back on them their iniquity

    and wipe them out for their wickedness;

    the LORD our God will wipe them out.

Obviously,  this psalm is out of a psalmist’s troubled heart because of the oppression of the wicked. But, he acknowledgment that God is the God of vengeance. God will avenge, and uphold the righteous. But those that have been guilty of wickedness shall be brought in judgment one day. 

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast 

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify 

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast 

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

#bookofPsalms