Romans7- Inner Struggle

22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,

23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

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This passage has always been both encouraging and discouraging to me. Encouraging because I can relate to the struggles Paul is describing, but discouraging because Paul was the cornerstone of the early Church and had maturity beyond what I will likely ever have, yet is still struggling.

Paul's last question "Who will set me free from the body of this death?" however brings be to the true joy, one day God will set us free and we will spend eternity with Him in perfection. No sin, only adoration for a Matchless God!

I am so ready to go home... Obviously, God is not ready for that yet, so I must do His will and fight the inner struggle against sin. Are you fighting hard enough?

Romans 6- Alive in Christ

9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.

10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

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As believers we have the undeniable privilege of considering ourselves free from sin. The moment we accept Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives, we have died to the sin. We have the new ability to choose to serve God with our actions instead of ourselves.

Paul uses the term "even so" as the beginning of vs 11... Christ was raised from the dead, never to die again. It is a death died once, not over and over. It is however a daily struggle to depend on the Spirit to supply the strength, power and will to serve Christ and not our sinful passions that will hold on until we are glorified with Christ.

Are you living like you are dead to sin? Are you a slave to Christ?

Romans 5- Growth

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

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This incredible passage is such an encouragement. It lays out the life of every believer; starting with salvation, goes on through growth and reminds us we have the Spirit to guide us through it all.

It is hard, really hard, to go through Trials. But God will not give us more tribulation than we are able to bear with His grace. It seems like it at times, but He has promised us deliverance.

One of the biggest trials I face while gaining perseverance is being Christ-like in every situation. What is difficult for you? Are you thankful for the trials? After all, you desire to grow right? Try to enjoy the process

Romans 4- Our Faith

16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,

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Paul was very clear in this passage to the Romans that we are justified by faith, not works. Works are the evidence of our love and adoration for the our Heavenly Father, because He saved us.

We as sinful human kind do not have the capacity to believe without the faith being provided by God. Eph 2:8-9 lays this out very clearly... For by Grace you have been saved, through faith, and that [faith] not of yourselves, but it is a gift of God so that no one can boast.

Romans 2- Hypocrisy?

21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?

22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?

24 For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written.

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In this passage Paul is trying to establish the sinfulness of sin. First he tackled the overt sins (adultery, murder, debauchery, etc) but in chapter 2 he is looking at the "religious". These people tend to be self righteous because they are not typically committing the overt, but more hidden sins. That is were I picked up this section of scripture...

VS 24 is striking to me: "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES [unbelievers] BECAUSE OF YOU". This is exactly the opposite of what we are called to do. We are in this world to share the Gospel with unbelievers and live our lives in such a way that people see the difference. God has changed you, if you believe!

Are you living like a changed person? Or do people see your actions, associate you with God and think poorly of Him? Even more damaging, do your actions allow unbelievers to downplay their own need for a Savior?

Romans 1- Power of Salvation

16(b) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...

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This incredible section of Scripture points out the fact that God did some serious work in saving our sin-sick souls. The Gospel show the immense power of God, by concurring death; not only for His Perfect Son, but each of us who believe. His plan was strong enough to break the "laws of nature" that were set up before the foundation of the world. We read all over in scripture that the consequences of sin (the failure to act perfectly according to God's standard) is death and separation from God.

Our salvation, the Gospel, is God's most powerful expression of love. AMAZING! I am so thankful for my salvation...

Are you awestruck by Gods gift? Do you take salvation for granted? Take a few moments to think of everything God has done for you... All that is because of salvation...

Acts 28- Only the Spirit can Cure the Dullness

27 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES;
OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'

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This was a direct quotation from Isiah 6:9-10. This was the description of the Jewish people, but it is just as accurate of any unbeliever. God is the only cure for this dullness. Only His Spirit can open our eyes, ears and hearts to the truth of the Gospel.

Thank God I am chosen!

Acts 27- Trust Gods Word

23 "For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,

24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.'

.....

44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.

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This section of Scripture is a reminder that God will keep His word even when it seems impossible. All the sailors on this ship thought might die...but God saved them because He said he would.

The Bible is filled with promises to us, as believers. In the midst of trial it may seem like an impossibility for even God to accomplish some of these, but He always holds to His Word! Thank God for His faithfulness!

Acts 26- Truth of Scripture

26 "For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.

27 "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do."

28 Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."

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In this passage Paul was speaking to an unbeliever (King Agrippa) who was familiar with Jewish history and customs. Paul was confident that King Agrippa, knew the Scriptures (Old Testament)well enough to understand that Jesus was the fulfillment of prophesy.

This is an excellent example of the Reliability of Scripture, within itself.

Thank God He has given us all that we need to trust in Him!

Acts 24 & 25- Depnd on God

24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

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Paul used the process of his imprisonment to spread the Gospel every time he could. Each time he was given an opportunity to defend himself he shared his believe in "the Way".

In chapter 25 Paul depends on his Roman citizenship (Gods provision for spreading the Gospel) and the laws of his land to fulfill God's will. He will go to Rome and have many chances to talk about the saving grace of Jesus.

What opportunities for sharing our faith do we miss?

Acts 23- Respecting our Elders

1 Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, "Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day."

2 The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth.

3 Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?"

4 But the bystanders said, "Do you revile God's high priest?"

5 And Paul said, "I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.'"

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Paul was being treated unfairly and unlawfully in this situation. He shot back true but disrespectful comment to the person who caused the beating. He was told that the person he just cursed was a leader. Paul apologizes, but was still in the wrong.

We need to focus our minds on respecting those in authority over us, whether they are teachers, government officials, our parents or our boss's. We must remember that REGARDLESS of their actions we must still treat them with utmost respect.

I am thankful that God will supply us with grace to overcome frustrations and mistreatment if that is what He calls us to endure!

Acts 22- Passion of the Unbelieving

21 "And He said to me, 'Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'"

22 They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!"

23 And as they were crying out and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air,

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In this passage Paul is giving his testimony to a group of Jewish people who don't believe that Jesus was the Christ. When they hear Paul's claim that God asked him to go share the Gospel of Jesus with non Jews, they were furious. In fact they wanted him dead.

We are blessed to live in a land that is mostly free from open or direct religious oppression, but those who oppose us are just as passionate. Science especially has spent especially the last 100 years finding ways to make believers afraid to publicly voice their opinions. Their hate for God forces them to believe wild tales that even by their calculations are near (if not completely) impossible.

Take courage, we know the end of the story! And we must use our time to tell as many others about Christ as we can. We need to share the Gospel to allow God to work in their lives, and graciously spare them from eternal punishment and separation from God!

Acts 21- Unapologetic in our Faith

19 After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law;

21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

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God had asked Paul to do things that were different from the customs of the Jewish people. Since Christ came first to the Jew's, then to the Gentile, this made the Jewish people angry that the Gentiles did not need to follow the same rules for life. As believers we were also called to live differently from most of those around us. This is something that we should do without pause.

God clearly states many things that we should busy our time with, and if we do those things there will not be time to waste on the things of this world. God called us to be separate in lifestyle, but be part of the world to share the Glorious Message of Christ's sacrifice.

What are you apologizing for? Is it something Christ called you to? Thank God for our salvation!

Acts 20- Protect Your Flock

28"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

29"I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;

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I am called to protect my family. As a father I am called to protect my wife and children just like the elders of the Church as Ehpesus. That means many things in this world with so much media influence, but I believe the biggest lasting impact I can have on my family is to pray for them and lead them in instruction from God's Word.

What are some things we need to protect our families from? What do we need to flee from ourselves?

Acts 19- Importance of Daily Scripture

9(b) ...he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
10 This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

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Paul was leading his disciples DAILY in discussions of the Word and what God had called them to. This is an excellent passage to support the new commitment I have made to God, to lead my family.

God, thank you for giving me this privilege of leading my family. I know You will give me everything required to do Your Will, I pray that I will consistantly submit my self to You.

What are you doing to share with your family?

Acts 18- Practice Your Gift

24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures.
...
27(b) ...he greatly helped those who had believed through grace,

28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

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Apollos had a gift of speaking eloquently with great wisdom and knowledge of Scriptures. God blessed him for applying that gift to furthering His Kingdom.

What is your gift? What can you do to spread the Gospel?

Acts 17- Finding Common Ground

23 "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD ' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

24 "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;

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Paul was a master evangelist. Everywhere he went, he spoke to people intriguing things about God and Christ. He knew his audience, and used his knowledge to provoke people into questioning him about Christ. In this case Paul found 'an unknown god' and used that as a door to share the Creator of Heaven and Earth. How he sent His Son to die for us...

You will notice, if you read on, that this conversation ended with most people rejecting what he had to say. But a few believed!

We need to know those around us and what they believe so that we can spur conversations that lead to sharing the Gospel.

Do you know anything incredible that God has done that others may be interested?

Acts 16- God's Plan is Not Always Ours

23 When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely;

24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and (AX)singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.

....

30 and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"


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Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison for preaching the Gospel. They had done nothing wrong, so it wasn't surprising that God caused an earthquake that opened the prison doors. But in this case it was not God's plan to release them, but to witness and share the Gospel with the prison guard. He and his family became believers, and then Paul and Silas were released legally.

God had a perfect plan that was more than letting them out of prison, it was to save many people and improve their testimony.

What is your testimony? Are you willing to wait for God's plan even if it is different than yours?