Today’s Reading: Acts 23:12 – 26:32

Yesterday, we looked at two very difficult days that Paul experienced; today we will look at two difficult years. Paul had arrived back in Jerusalem from his third missionary journey. As was the custom in those days, he headed to the Temple for the purification ritual. When the seven day ritual was almost complete, Paul was confronted by some Jews from the province of Asia. They started a riot and drug him out of the Temple. The crowd became so violent that the Roman soldiers stepped in and rescued Paul, lifting him high above their shoulders to protect him (Acts 21:26-35).

With the Roman commander’s permission, the crowd was hushed and Paul stood on the steps to speak to the people. He had every right to be hurt and angry, but instead he used this opportunity to SHARE HIS TESTIMONY — to TELL HIS STORY. They listened quietly until he told them how the Lord had called him to minister to the Gentiles. In anger, they began yelling, throwing off their coats and tossing handfuls of dust into the air (Acts 21:37-22:23).

The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess to whatever crime he had committed, for surely he had done something to cause this kind of anger against him. When the commander realized Paul was a Roman citizen, he changed his approach and the next day took Paul to defend himself before the Jewish high council, which did not go well. When the commander learned of a plot to kill Paul, he put together an army of 470 soldiers to safely transport Paul to Caesarea where he could explain his situation to the governor (Acts 22:24-23:35).

Paul sat in prison for five more days, waiting for his accusers to arrive. Finally he stood before Felix and listened to the lawyer Tertullus present a false case against him. Now it was time for Paul to speak for himself, so he stood before the courtroom and SHARED HIS TESTIMONY — he TOLD HIS STORY. Not ready to declare Paul guilty of anything, the governor dismissed the courtroom and sent Paul back into custody. Thankfully God gave Paul favor with Felix, and Paul’s friends were allowed to visit him and take care of his needs (Acts 24:1-23).

A few days later, Felix sent for Paul to come and SHARE HIS TESTIMONY — to TELL HIS STORY — to Felix’s wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Felix was frightened by all Paul had to say about righteousness and self-control and the coming Day of Judgment. He sent for Paul often so that they could continue their conversations. Two years of this confinement went by as Felix kept Paul in prison in order to appease the Jewish leaders, and maybe even because he liked having Paul to talk to (Acts 24:24-27).

Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus and Paul soon stood before the new governor. With his accusers from Jerusalem making serious accusations against him, Paul stood strong in his faith and SHARED HIS TESTIMONY, he TOLD HIS STORY. It was obvious that the new governor wanted to please the Jews for political reasons, so Paul appealed to Caesar so that Festus could not send him back to Jerusalem to stand trial. Before going to Rome, Paul was given one more opportunity to SHARE HIS TESTIMONY — to TELL HIS STORY — before King Agrippa and the king’s sister, Bernice, as well as Governor Porcius Festus.

“…I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our ancestors. In fact, that is why the 12 tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, Your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope! Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?

“I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene. Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.

“One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’

“Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.

“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. You are to tell the world what you have seen and what I will show you in the future. And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’” – Acts 26:6-18

Agrippa interrupted him, “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”

Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” – Acts 26:28-29

Lord, give me a heart like Paul’s that would still be thinking of the salvation of others, even after spending two difficult years in prison. Give me a mouth that would speak boldly for you. Give me the courage to SHARE MY TESTIMONY; give me the boldness to TELL MY STORY.

Heavenly Father, protect your people from false accusations and unfair treatment. Provide a way out for us when difficulties and hardships come our way. Give us favor with government officials and preserve our religious freedom and rights of conscience, while preparing us for moments in which our faith is on trial. We love you so much, Father God. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Acts 22:22 – 23:11; Psalm 54

Paul, the man who had persecuted Christians and pursued them like prey, is now the victim of the same kind of persecution. His incredible encounter on the road to Damascus became a life-changing experience. He repented of his sins, was baptized and responded to God’s call on his life. And he lived happily ever after…or not.

Paul experienced fruitful seasons where the message of Jesus Christ was accepted, people were healed, and new believers were baptized. But there were also very difficult times for Paul. More than once he was mobbed, arrested, beaten and imprisoned. The crowd even followed behind him shouting, “Kill him, kill him!” (Acts 21:36)

But God had given Paul a spirit of sound judgment. He could assess the situation, considering even the worst of his circumstances, and yet find hope in the wisdom of his God — the God who sometimes spares His people from difficulties and sometimes holds them through the tragedies of life.

So here is the age-old question: Why do bad things happen to good people? Paul is an excellent example. If Paul had submitted to the Lordship of Christ and was daily giving his life to preaching the gospel of Jesus, why was he experiencing such horrible persecution?

I have friends fighting cancer right now and some who are struggling to keep their marriage intact. I have friends suffering from chronic illnesses. It seems like there is more bad news every time I look at my newsfeed on Facebook – infidelity, divorce, disease, heartbreak, persecution, unemployment, financial hardships, suicide, loss and grief. The reality is that we live in an imperfect world. We may serve a perfect God but there is no guarantee that we will experience a life void of difficulties or struggles. But I am encouraged by how Paul’s story ends in this passage.

Paul had experienced two very difficult days. What started out as a morning trip to the Temple to start the purification ritual, ended up with false accusations and a mobbing, which turned into a full-blown riot. Paul was grabbed and dragged out of the Temple. As the Jews were trying to kill Paul, Roman officers arrived and arrested him, placing him in chains. The crowd was so violent they had to lift Paul over their shoulders to protect him. Paul tried to defend himself against their false accusations but the crowd interrupted him (Acts 21:26-22:23).

That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.” – Acts 23:11

In the midst of the persecution, God made His presence known to Paul.
In the midst of the difficulties, God spoke words of encouragement to him.
Knowing the desire of his heart, God revealed to Paul that he would survive this experience and have the opportunity to preach the Good News in Rome.
Paul was never alone. In his darkest moments, God showed up for Paul because God never left.

Isn’t God wonderful? No, He doesn’t always shelter us from hard times but He never leaves us alone. He brings comfort in the midst of struggles and encouragement to strengthen us for tomorrow. Praise God for the spirit of power, love and sound judgment that He gives us in place of our fears.

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment. – 2 Timothy 1:7

The truth in this verse we have looked at for the last four days can be found in the words of Pastor Edward Heck as he faced his battle with cancer:

“I am determined to hold tenaciously onto my faith in God at all costs! I’m learning that He is not threatened by our anguished cries or our troubled thoughts. Even in those weak moments when our minds are racing out of control and anxiety fills every single fold of the brain and the heart, He is not going to abandon us! In fact, not only do I believe He hears us and mourns with us, but I believe He is also anxious to heal us with a new, greater faith which will give us the hope we so desperately need to traverse a season of suffering in our lives. This is the glimmer of hope I seek in the harbor of the raging sea! This is the light that beckons me to the tranquil, peaceful place of residing right in the heart of God!” – https://shardsofgraceblog.wordpress.com

Lord, thank you for the reminder this morning that I can trust in your wisdom during the most difficult seasons of my life. Thank you for being a safe place to voice my anguish and process my troubled thoughts. You are shaping my understanding and strengthening my faith on my darkest days, and I thank you for the glimmer of hope to cling to. Once more, I give you the desire of my heart and ask you to bring it into alignment with yours. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Acts 16:16-40, 21:37 – 22:21

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, LOVE and sound judgment. – 2 Timothy 1:7

As we continue to review the book of Acts, we see that things got really rough for Paul. They drug him from the Temple and beat him; he was arrested and bound in chains. Paul asked for the opportunity to speak to the crowd, boldly sharing his story of how Jesus had appeared to him on the road to Damascus. This was not his first time to be in chains. Paul had experienced how God could use his chains to bring others to a knowledge of His saving grace, and he was willing to let God redeem his suffering again.

Let’s consider again the story of the demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller, earning a great deal of money for her masters. She followed Paul around shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”

This went on day after day until Paul was so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her. Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. – Acts 16:17-19

My first thought while reading this passage is for this servant girl. She was possessed by a demon and made to behave in a way that was out of her control. Jesus Christ set her free by His POWER and I wonder where the celebration is. Those around her are angry and they are dragging her rescuers to the marketplace to be punished, but who is celebrating her new freedom? I long to believe that someone wrapped their arms around this wounded young woman and celebrated the healing that had just taken place. I long to believe she began a new journey of faith that day.

My thoughts go next to Paul. How many people had just accepted this young woman’s fate and were so used to her plight that they no longer thought much of it? But Paul was “exasperated” with the situation. Other translations describe Paul as annoyed or fed up with her yelling. How often are we so fed up with a situation we see daily that we seek to do something to change the situation? Just like Paul, God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, LOVE and sound judgment. Do we love those around us enough to reach out in love? Do we truly understand the power of Jesus’ name and how He desires to make a difference in the lives of others through us?

A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! – Acts 16:22-26

Doing something good for this young woman did not gain Paul and Silas popularity or praise, just like God moving us to someone else’s rescue does not always gain us points with others. Instead we are sometimes faced with criticism, negative remarks, misunderstandings and consequences. When you stand up to someone else’s bully, you often find yourself the next target of that bully.

Paul and Silas could have felt sorry for themselves. They could have become angry with God for not rescuing them from the physical beating and imprisonment that followed their act of obedience. Instead, they chose to pray and to sing praises to God. The result of their response — other prisoners were listening, the earth moved at God’s command, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The young woman was not the only person who received freedom that day. Lives were changed and chains fell off because Paul and Silas chose to trust God and worship Him, even in the most difficult of situations.

The story goes on — more captives are freed! The jailer woke up and assumed all the prisoners had escaped. In his horror and knowing what his fate would be once the authorities showed up, the jailer drew his sword to kill himself. Paul again spoke boldly and the course of a man’s life was changed, as were the lives of everyone in his house.

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God. – Acts 16:30-34

The slave girl was set free from the demon tormenting her, chains fell off of those in captivity, and the jailer and his family found faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. None of that would have happened if Paul and Silas had given in to fear. But instead they recognized the power of speaking the name of Jesus Christ, they saw the earth move when they chose prayer and praise over pity and panic, and they forever changed the lives of those around them because of their faith in God.

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment. – 2 Timothy 1:7

Lord, thank you for the reminder that wonderful things can happen through my circumstances when I resist fear and embrace hope. I choose prayer and praise over the emotional pull of self-pity and claims of injustice. I choose to find joy in my suffering, displaying confidence in the heart of the God I serve. No matter what, I choose you, Lord. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Acts 21:15-36

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of POWER, love and sound judgment. – 2 Timothy 1:7

After Saul received his sight back, he was baptized — not just by water but by the Spirit. He began to preach about Jesus. This boldness shows us again that Paul was not consumed by a spirit of fear because he had been filled with the POWER of the Holy Spirit. And he lived his life in response to that infilling.

LIVING IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT

First he went to the Jewish synagogues saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” It was like this big “aha” moment he wanted everyone to know about. He had persecuted the Christians because he really did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. But now that he had experienced Jesus first-hand, he wanted everyone to know that he was wrong — that Jesus is indeed the Son of God.

Of course, the people recognized him. They didn’t see him for who he had become but could only see him for who he used to be. His reputation of persecuting the believers was well known and they were resistant to accept that these changes were real. Oh how guilty we can be of this in the church! How often we continue to define new believers by where they have been instead of looking to see where God is taking them. Oh, how guilty we can be of doing this to ourselves! We continue to define ourselves by our past mistakes and sins, holding on to guilt instead of letting the Spirit completely fill us and make us into a new creation.

Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful. No matter how hard the Jews in the synagogues tried to prove that Jesus was not the Messiah, they could not argue with the proof that Saul had. They had a choice — join him or kill him. They chose the latter. When they heard the Jews were plotting to kill Saul, watching for him day and night so they could murder him, the believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall so he could escape (Acts 9:20-25).

LIVING IN FAITH AND NOT FEAR

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he faced the same kind of opposition. This new life of faith was not coming easily for Saul. The believers were afraid of him and the Greek-speaking Jews tried to kill him. But Barnabas (the nickname the apostles had given him because he was a man of encouragement – Acts 4:36) stood in the gap for Saul. He told the believers how Saul had changed and how boldly he had been preaching in Damascus. The believers helped Saul escape to Caesarea and then to his hometown of Tarsus. Maybe God is calling us to be a “Barnabas” for someone today; perhaps He will ask us to stand in the gap in order to be a source of encouragement or a means of escape.

Does this escape plan mean that Saul was scared? Did he run away from God’s call the first time things got difficult? Did he say, “Sorry, God, I tried. I guess you’ll have to find someone else. Maybe this preaching thing was just for a season of my life and it is time to move on.” Not at all. Paul’s testimony of this difficult time in his life gives us a little more information:

“After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’” – Acts 22:17-18

LIVING IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS

Saul was not running in a spirit of fearfulness; he was doing exactly what Jesus told him to do. God had given him a spirit of power, love and of sound judgment. This decision to leave Jerusalem demonstrates sound judgment. God used this persecution and the need to move from town to town to spread the gospel of Jesus across the region. What could easily be defined as extreme persecution was used for God’s purposes and for God’s glory, just as He uses the difficult times in our lives.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Father God, I thank you this morning that I do not have to live in fear of any situation I am facing or any unknown in my future. Thank you for the gift of your Spirit living within me, filling me with a spirit of POWER that allows me to overcome a spirit of fear. Lord, help me to respond in obedience as Paul did, regardless of the intensity of the problems I face, knowing that your grace is all I need. I ask for a fresh infilling of your Spirit this morning and I place the circumstances of my day in your hands. I am willing to have any conversation, walk through any door you open, and go wherever you lead. Amen.

The Lord’s promises are pure,
like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.
Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed,
preserving them forever from this lying generation,
even though the wicked strut about,
and evil is praised throughout the land. — Psalm 12:6-8

Today’s Reading: Acts 21:1-14; Psalm 119:145-160

As we read on in Acts, we find all of Paul’s new Gentile friends begging him not to go to Jerusalem. They are afraid something is going to happen to him, but Paul responds bravely, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart. I am ready not only to be jailed in Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).

Remember the fear Paul experienced on the road to Damascus? Now we are seeing a new Paul — a man with the same kind of courage that Peter and John had. Let’s go back and look at Paul’s journey in the context of a powerful statement he made in his letter to Timothy — his challenge to overcome fear.

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment. – 2 Timothy 1:7

Perhaps Paul’s brave response was influenced by the courage of Peter and John after healing a crippled beggar outside the temple. An audience formed when the people saw the crippled man walking and heard him praising God. Peter took this opportunity to preach, and was arrested, kept overnight and then commanded to never again speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO FACE YOUR FEARS?

It seems safe to believe that the followers of Jesus were experiencing some fear while waiting for Peter and John to be released. When faced with fear and the threats that were being made against them, the believers chose to gather together and pray — not for the threats to end but for boldness in the midst of the persecution:

“…And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give your servants great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant, Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. – Acts 4:29-31

WHEN FACED WITH FEAR, THE BELIEVERS CHOSE TO PRAY.

They knew who could take their fear and turn it into boldness. They did not just pray for survival, they prayed for power. They were unsure of the kind of persecution that was ahead of them but willing to be used by God if He wanted. He took their fear of what was ahead, answered their prayer and gave them great boldness through the Holy Spirit.

One of the reasons the believers were experiencing fear was because of Paul, who was formerly known as Saul. Out of his eagerness to kill the followers of Jesus, he requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus asking for their cooperation in helping him arrest believers. His hope was to bring them back to Jerusalem in chains (Acts 9:1-2). But the man causing great fear experienced great fear when a light shone from heaven and a voice said, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” The voice instructed him to go into Damascus until he was told what to do next. When he opened his eyes, he was blind. For three days he could see nothing. He did not eat or drink for these three days.

We can easily assume that Paul was scared. He knew how vicious he had been towards those who believed in Jesus and now Jesus had come to him on the road to Damascus and said, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (9:5-6). In response, he spent three days praying to God (9:11). Just like the believers, Saul chose to pray when faced with a traumatic situation.

Now imagine the fear of another man – Ananias. The Lord also came and spoke to him, telling him to go to this man who had been pursuing the death and arrest of the believers. The short version of the story:
Ananias – “But Lord…”
God – “Go…”
So Ananias went…

“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” – Acts 9:17-20

WHEN FACED WITH FEAR, WE SHOULD PRAY.

A simple statement but one we seem to forget so easily. Paul was blind and scared, so he spent three days praying to God. Ananias was scared to go to Paul, so he talked to God about his fear. God is waiting to fill us with His Spirit and give us strength for what we are facing. All we have to do is ask.

Fear • Prayer • Spirit • Strength.

That seems to be the pattern here. When faced with fear, these believers fell on their knees in prayer to the SOURCE of their strength. God filled them with His Spirit and they overcame their fear and became bold in their faith. God gave them strength in the midst of their troubles. What a great reminder for us today. No matter what is causing fear in our hearts, God is willing to fill us with the power of His Spirit if only we will ask.

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment. – 2 Timothy 1:7

Today’s Reading: Romans 15-16

GOD — OUR SOURCE OF HELP

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. – Romans 15:5

Not a list of rules. Not a standard to live by. Not a measurement of our righteousness. God calls us to holy living by helping us to live a holy life. This is not of our strength, but of His; not to be done on our own but through the Holy Spirit living within us. Then we give into the urgings of the Spirit instead of the urgings of the sinful nature.

In chapter 15, Paul is instructing the Romans to live in complete harmony with each other, to accept one another. If we do this out of our human ability and despite our own opinions and perceptions of other people, we get the glory and most likely fail in the end. When we allow God to help us live this kind of life Paul is describing, God is glorified (5:7) and the body of Christ lives in harmony with each other.

GOD — OUR SOURCE OF HOPE

I pray that God, the SOURCE of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope THROUGH the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

You hear the word “hope” thrown around a lot these days. It is one of my favorite words or concepts. We use the word “hope” throughout the ministry of Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center — hope for those facing an unplanned pregnancy, hope for the future of the mother and hope for the future of her unborn baby. We even named our parenting education program H.O.P.E. – Helping Others Parent through Education.

We use this word as much as we use the word LIFE because we know that God is the only source of hope in her situation. If we can be there to help her trust in God for her future and the future of her unborn baby, He will fill her completely with joy and peace until she is overflowing with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. We see it happen every week — not of our strength or the result of our human effort but because of God’s help. To God be the glory!

GOD — OUR SOURCE OF HOLINESS

I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. So I have reason to be enthusiastic about ALL CHRIST JESUS HAS DONE THROUGH ME in my service to God. Yet I dare not boast about anything except WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE THROUGH ME… – Romans 15:16b-18a

Paul goes on to show many examples of things God can do through us when we devote our lives to Him:

For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. – Romans 15:26-27

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many and especially to me. – Romans 16:1-2

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila…they once risked their lives for me…also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. – Romans 16:3-5

Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. – Romans 16:6

Greet Ampliatus, my DEAR FRIEND in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. – Romans 16:8-9

…to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me. – Romans 16:12-13

Father God, we empty ourselves of our own attempts and our own abilities, and we ask that you fill us with your Spirit and work through us today. Help us to be open to however you want to use us, whether that’s working hard or giving generously to those in need or being helpful to many or simply helpful to one who really needs a friend or a co-worker in Christ today. Show us those who need us to be there for them today. May our life be defined today by ALL THAT CHRIST JESUS HAS DONE THROUGH US. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Romans 13 & 14; Psalm 131

Paul continues to give great life applications of the gospel in the next chapters. As we proceed, let’s remember that this is not a set of behaviors and customs to copy but rather a transformation of ourselves by God into a new person, changing the way we think and the way we live. So, as God daily transforms us and we grow in our faith, what will our lives begin to look like? They will begin to look like INTEGRITY. They will begin to look like LOVE.

OUT OF LOVE FOR GOD…
We worship and serve Him only, but we submit and show respect to governing authorities (Romans 13:1). We do so not out of fear of punishment but because it is the right thing to do.

OUT OF LOVE FOR GOD…
We give to everyone what we owe them (including love) and owe nothing to anyone (13:7-8). This includes paying any taxes we owe to the government, and it refers to showing those in authority the respect and honor we owe them.

Owe nothing to anyone — except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of the law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These – and other such commandments — are summed up in this one commandment. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. – Romans 13:8-10

OUT OF LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, ROOTED IN OUR LOVE FOR GOD…
We remove the dirty clothing of indulging in evil desires and put on the shining armor of right living (Romans 13:12,14b). Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy (Romans 13:13).

The first part of that list seems pretty easy to avoid — I have no desire for those things. But notice how Paul lumps quarreling and jealousy in with wild parties, drunkenness, promiscuity and immoral living. We can have victory over all of these things if we “clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ” (13:14a).

Paul goes on with this idea of refraining from quarreling, putting it in the perspective of not judging or condemning one another. When we are clothed in the presence of Jesus, we accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong (Romans 14:1). Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval (Romans 14:4). So God will do the judging and He will help us to do what we are obligated to do — love one another.

OUT OF LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, ROOTED IN OUR LOVE FOR GOD…
We stop condemning each other and decide instead to live in such a way that we do not cause another believer to stumble or fall (Romans 14:13). Paul goes into the example of what we eat and drink, how followers of Christ have different opinions of what is right to put into our bodies.

I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. – Romans 14:14-23

OUT OF LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, ROOTED IN OUR LOVE FOR GOD…
We avoid doing anything we have doubts about or that might cause someone else to stumble, serving Christ with a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. So I may have to give up something I have no personal convictions about simply because the Holy Spirit is asking me to put the needs of others before myself. It’s a missional decision. Or, going back to our first point today, out of submission to the authorities of the Church in which I worship, I may choose to give up something or avoid doing something.

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself…May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. – Romans 15:1-3,5-7

OUT OF LOVE FOR GOD, LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Today’s Reading: Romans 12:9-21; Psalm 101

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living sacrifice — the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world…

That can be defined two different ways. We first think of it as the sinful and selfish ways of the world. We are given the Spirit so that we no longer have to be slaves to sin and give in to the urges of the world. But let’s look at it another way. Don’t copy what the world says is socially acceptable and good. That’s self-righteousness. If we try to be a good person to avoid being a bad person, we are just that — a good person who is still a slave to sin.

…but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

God’s gift of the Spirit living within us changes us into the person He created us to be. It’s not a list of rules to obey but a God to follow, not a set of socially acceptable norms but a life-altering sacrifice. Our body is not our own. Our life is in His hands as we submit to His will — which is good and pleasing and perfect.

So instead of listing all the great life applications Paul gives us in Romans chapter 12, let’s pray this Scripture together. Let’s agree on these things for you and for me. I need this prayer this week because there are some situations in which the enemy is trying hard to conquer what God intends for good. I don’t know what you are facing this week, but I pray this prayer for you.

Heavenly Father, we offer our lives to you again. We ask that you continue to transform us into new people. Open up our hearts and minds and make us new by changing the way we think. Show us your will for our lives — your good, pleasing and perfect plan.

Give us a humble spirit so that we do not think too highly of ourselves but instead honestly evaluate and measure ourselves by the faith you have given us. Help us to see ourselves as part of the body of Christ with a unique gift to share. Use us and our gifts for your purposes this week.

Lord, show us when we are simply pretending to be something we are not. Help us to go beyond our human efforts to be a loving person and, instead, display a genuine love that reflects your love. Break our hearts at what breaks your heart and give us a hate for the things you hate, holding tightly to what is good. May we love each other this week with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other, rather than judging or speaking poorly of each other. Help us not be lazy or focus on ourselves instead of on you. Help us to work hard and serve you enthusiastically. When things get rough, may we rejoice in our confident hope, be patient in trouble and keep on praying. When we see that God’s people are in need, may we be ready to help them and eager to practice hospitality.

Lord, you call us to live in harmony with one another; we know that this requires a transformation by you into a new person. Do a work within us that causes us to pray blessings on those who persecute us instead of curses. May we be happy with those who are happy and sincerely weep with those who weep. Take away any pride or thoughts that cause us to think more highly of ourselves than others or to think that we know it all.

May we not pay back evil for evil but instead do things in such a way that everyone can see that YOU are honorable. May we do all that we can to live in peace with everyone — no, much more than that! May we do all that YOU can do to live in peace with everyone, knowing that you are our strength. Help us to give our righteous anger to you rather than taking our own revenge.

If our enemies are hungry, give us a heart that desires to feed them.
If our enemies are thirsty, may our first response be to give them something to quench their thirst.

We are your servants, your children. Fill us with your Spirit and do a transforming work in us in which evil cannot conquer but that evil is conquered by good. Together we ask for all of these things in your precious holy name, Amen

Today’s Reading: Romans 11 – 12:8; Psalm 8

Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have the right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? – Romans 9:20-21

Our God is so magnificent! Our Creator is so marvelous and His creation displays His glory and His power! It speaks of how BIG He is and how STRONG He is and how BEAUTIFUL He is! Who am I to question His plan? Who am I to argue with Him? I am a mere human being. I am the clay and He is the Potter.

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. – Romans 11:33-36

There are two ways of thinking. There is the thought that I invite God to be a part of my life when I believe and confess (Romans 10:9) and then there is the thought that I give myself to God and now I am a part of His life. I either include God into my life or I step into His. God either becomes a part of my story or I become a part of His story.

And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy – just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too. But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree – some of the people of Israel – have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. – Romans 11:16-17

Again, two ways of thinking. I am a root with many branches — my family, my job, my hobbies, my friends and now I have a God branch and a church branch. Or I recognize that God is the root and I am now one of His branches. I am not who I used to be with a little God mixed in. I am a new creation – transformed into a new person. I am now a branch of His. I don’t fit God into my schedule by setting time aside for Him, I give Him my schedule and let Him have all of my time.

Not only am I now a branch of His tree, I am also a member of the body of Christ. Other Christians don’t suddenly become a part of my life, existing for my benefit, but I become one of many who mutually work together for the cause of Christ. Side by side, hand in hand, we do what God has called us to do. We are one body, not competing for position but sincerely serving one another as we serve Christ.

Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. – Romans 12:3-8

God does not become a part of my life to make my life better, He calls me to be a part of His life for His glory and for the benefit of His plan. It’s not about me and my life story; it’s about the Giver of Life and how I fit into His story.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2

Lord, who am I to question your plan? Who am I to argue with you? I am the clay and you are the Potter. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your hands — the moon and the stars you put into place — who am I that you should even think of me? Who am I that you should care, and yet you call me to be a part of your beautiful story. Let my life be a living sacrifice; let my story be used for your glory. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Romans 9 & 10

Whether we grow up in the church or experience salvation later in life, Paul’s letter to the Romans helps us understand our salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ. He warns us not to fall into the mindset of earning our salvation by our church attendance or the following of a set of rules. Following Christ is more than simply being a good person.

The Israelites were born with the privilege of being a child of God (Romans 9:4). They had been taught the law and the importance of following the law their whole lives. They grew up learning the prophecies of Isaiah and others who told of the coming of the Messiah. Yet, they missed it. They were so determined to keep things the way they had always been that they missed their opportunity to worship the Christ Child. They missed the chance to follow Jesus, to be healed, to grieve his death and to celebrate his resurrection.

AM I TRYING TO EARN MY SALVATION OR TRUSTING IN GOD?

But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, “I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” – Romans 9:31-33

They missed it. The promised Messiah was right there in front of their eyes and they missed it. Christ had come to accomplish the purpose for which the law was given so that those who believe in Christ can be made right with God and they chose the law instead (10:4).

I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. – Romans 10:2-3

Can you relate? Have you been the one resisting God’s way because it is hard to let go of your own way?

AM I CLINGING TO MY OWN WAY OR CHASING AFTER GOD’S PLAN?

Lord, show me if that is where I am at right now — clinging to my own way instead of chasing after yours. Reveal the ways in which I am trying to control my circumstances rather than trusting in your provision and protection. Open my eyes to my habit of saying, “I wish God would answer my prayer” or “I wish God would talk to me” or “I wish God would take care of this situation.” I want to daily recognize that you are here in my presence doing all you have promised to do. Amen.

For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all its commands. But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.”

And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. – Romans 10:5-10

Lord, give us a fresh faith. Show us the ways in which our walk with you has become simply going through the motions of what we have always been taught. Give us a fresh understanding of what it means to believe in our heart. Reveal to us our insistence that we are doing everything we are supposed to do and open our eyes to what you want us to do. Make us a people of influence in the lives of those around us, as we praise you for those who have had an influence on us. Amen.