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?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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?
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.
Read More
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?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
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
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.
Read More
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
Monday, February 22, 2010
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.
Read More
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.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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?
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.
Read More
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?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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...
Read More
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...
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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."'
Read More
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!
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."'
Read More
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!
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