13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.
14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
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Paul's reminder here is so important as we evaluate the activities in which we participate. There are sinful activities which we need to avoid, even run from! But there are also areas which are scripturally permissible, but socially considered sin. It is my believe that in most cases we need to live to the highest standard to avoid causing confusion to unbelievers. After all, the unsaved are the only reason we are still on this earth...
When we prominently proclaim our "Christian Liberties" we will cause confusion among unbelievers as well as new believers or even just less mature believers. Jesus states in Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:2 that it would be better for anyone who causes fellow believers to stumble to be "thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck"! He would be better DEAD!
Definitely something to consider the next time we are considering participating in a "Christian liberty"... Are you living above reproach?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Romans 13- Put on Christ
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
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In previous verses Paul was reminding the Believers that our salvation was near. Christ could return any moment. What a glorious thought!
To be continued after work...I had to clean up the milk from the floor. (Connie just spent all evening last night cleaning it!)
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In previous verses Paul was reminding the Believers that our salvation was near. Christ could return any moment. What a glorious thought!
To be continued after work...I had to clean up the milk from the floor. (Connie just spent all evening last night cleaning it!)
Monday, March 8, 2010
Romans 12- Be Transformed
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
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What an incredible, humbling, perfect statement! Paul was speaking to the Romans encouraging them to see themselves as Christ see them... to view their actions through the eyes of God. Because of Christ's work on the cross, God sees us (believers) as perfect! However our actions are viewed for what they are, one of two things: Pleasing God or SIN.
Paul reminds us "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed" into the image of Christ! How do we do that every day? Be in the Word! Pray, asking God to reveal the hidden sin in our lives. Then, depend on the power of God to change you. We cannot do it on our own... We will always fail.
If we do not think about our sin through God's eyes, if we do not compare ourselves to God's perfect will, if we think about our sin in terms of our culture, we will miss our calling! "[P]resent your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." God only accepts perfection, and so should we.
Perfection is impossible on our own, but through the work of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit we can be transformed into an acceptable sacrifice. Thank God for my salvation!
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
Read More
What an incredible, humbling, perfect statement! Paul was speaking to the Romans encouraging them to see themselves as Christ see them... to view their actions through the eyes of God. Because of Christ's work on the cross, God sees us (believers) as perfect! However our actions are viewed for what they are, one of two things: Pleasing God or SIN.
Paul reminds us "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed" into the image of Christ! How do we do that every day? Be in the Word! Pray, asking God to reveal the hidden sin in our lives. Then, depend on the power of God to change you. We cannot do it on our own... We will always fail.
If we do not think about our sin through God's eyes, if we do not compare ourselves to God's perfect will, if we think about our sin in terms of our culture, we will miss our calling! "[P]resent your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." God only accepts perfection, and so should we.
Perfection is impossible on our own, but through the work of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit we can be transformed into an acceptable sacrifice. Thank God for my salvation!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Romans 11- God's Unsearchable Ways
32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?
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Romans has been a wonderful reminder of the incredible Grace and Mercy of our God. Salvation is mind-blowing in itself, but in this section Paul speaks of God's plan to allow us (outsiders, not His chosen race, the Jews) to take their place in part. Because of the Israelite's rejection of the Messiah God uses us to draw them in.
How amazing are God's plans? How incredible are his mercies? I am thankful that God has control in our World! Though I often do not understand his plans, or the reasoning behind what is happening, I take joy from this passage knowing that God is Soverign, and has perfect wisdom.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?
Read More
Romans has been a wonderful reminder of the incredible Grace and Mercy of our God. Salvation is mind-blowing in itself, but in this section Paul speaks of God's plan to allow us (outsiders, not His chosen race, the Jews) to take their place in part. Because of the Israelite's rejection of the Messiah God uses us to draw them in.
How amazing are God's plans? How incredible are his mercies? I am thankful that God has control in our World! Though I often do not understand his plans, or the reasoning behind what is happening, I take joy from this passage knowing that God is Soverign, and has perfect wisdom.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Romans 10- God's Mercy
21 But as for Israel He says, "ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE."
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Although this verse is talking about Israel it is amazing how true it is even of us believers. He is continually reaching out to help us... Yet we continue to be disobedient, stubborn and unruly people.
God help me to be obedient! And thank You for Your mercies...
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Although this verse is talking about Israel it is amazing how true it is even of us believers. He is continually reaching out to help us... Yet we continue to be disobedient, stubborn and unruly people.
God help me to be obedient! And thank You for Your mercies...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Romans 9- Called
21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?
22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?
23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,
24 even us, whom He also called,...
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Although I do not fully understand the workings of our Holy God, I am so thankful to be one of His chosen children. The entirety of Romans 9 talks about the will of God to bring salvation to His people and how incredible it is that He will accept us (outsiders, non-jews). In fact, God is clear here in his writings through Paul that God has chosen us before the foundation of the world to be saved and to enjoy Him forever.
I encourage you to read more of this Chapter it is amazing how clearly God spells out the predestination of Believers, which in turn gives us eternal security.
If God chooses whom to save, can he make a mistake? Can we be saved one minute and loose it the next? NO. We can destroy our testimony. We can destroy our witness. We can destroy our relationship with the Father. We can fight against God, but we will not win... However, we will not want to do any of these things if God has hold of our hearts!
22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?
23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,
24 even us, whom He also called,...
Read More
Although I do not fully understand the workings of our Holy God, I am so thankful to be one of His chosen children. The entirety of Romans 9 talks about the will of God to bring salvation to His people and how incredible it is that He will accept us (outsiders, non-jews). In fact, God is clear here in his writings through Paul that God has chosen us before the foundation of the world to be saved and to enjoy Him forever.
I encourage you to read more of this Chapter it is amazing how clearly God spells out the predestination of Believers, which in turn gives us eternal security.
If God chooses whom to save, can he make a mistake? Can we be saved one minute and loose it the next? NO. We can destroy our testimony. We can destroy our witness. We can destroy our relationship with the Father. We can fight against God, but we will not win... However, we will not want to do any of these things if God has hold of our hearts!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Romans 8- Live by the Spirit
5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
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This is a great reminder on Monday morning of what we should be focused on in this life. Our lives and the things that occupy us are important in the moment, but they only take our attention off of our mission: to Share Christ.
My pastor made a great comment about God's intentions for our lives: If God wanted us to have perfect lives as believers, He would have immediately pulled us into heaven when we believed. If God wanted us to just learn all that we can about Him as believers, He would have immediately pulled us into heaven when we believed. When we get there we will have perfect knowledge and perfect lives, but we cannot Share Christ in Heaven.
So while we are living our lives in this hectic world, we must live by the Spirit. Paul tells us if we do we will have "life and peace". Isn't that really what this world is searching for?
6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
Read More
This is a great reminder on Monday morning of what we should be focused on in this life. Our lives and the things that occupy us are important in the moment, but they only take our attention off of our mission: to Share Christ.
My pastor made a great comment about God's intentions for our lives: If God wanted us to have perfect lives as believers, He would have immediately pulled us into heaven when we believed. If God wanted us to just learn all that we can about Him as believers, He would have immediately pulled us into heaven when we believed. When we get there we will have perfect knowledge and perfect lives, but we cannot Share Christ in Heaven.
So while we are living our lives in this hectic world, we must live by the Spirit. Paul tells us if we do we will have "life and peace". Isn't that really what this world is searching for?
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