The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Twenty-Six

"Grateful for God's Grace"

Romans 12:3-8 (Message) I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
   In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.
   If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

We should all be grateful for what God has given us even in bad times as well as good times. I remember when my mother was very sick in the hospital. She had battled infection, pneumonia and a bowel that wouldn't heal. It took nine months for her body to finally fail and be escorted home by her Lord Jesus. She would always say she was in the hospital to tell others about Jesus. She did indeed do that. Many nurses would come visit her even if they were not her nurse that day. The cleaning crew would do the same. She showed them Jesus and who He was to her. She believed that she lived by God's grace and His kindness to her no matter how bad she felt.

I want to be like that too. It comes to this: God shows His grace to us and we in turn live our lives for Him no matter the circumstances. He is good all the time, in all situations, and we exist because of His goodness. Who we are is because He had allowed us to be. He has placed within all believers certain gifts that we are to use. Paul warns us that we should never let our pride get in the way and think its because of anything we have earned. Spiritual gifts are given as a direct result of God's grace.

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)  He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of 
love.

God makes it all fit. No matter what we think we contribute, its Him who fits the pieces together. It all extends from His grace and love to us. When we function in the gifts He gave us, then we feel the fit. Just like a good pair of shoes slide on and help us walk, so too our gifts fit us and help us live this life as we were meant to.

Here are my top three spiritual gifts:
1. Faith
2. Teaching
3. Prayer

Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? I've written on the subject of Spiritual Gifts many times and have a blog on it as well. If you would like to know what your spiritual gifts are go to this link and find out. http://www.flumc.org/ce/03_spiritual_gift_assessment.pdf

It really helps to know where you are strongest. Before you take the assessment, pray. Ask God to show you what He has placed within you. Once you find out what your gifts are, get plugged in. If there is no place for your gift at your church, don't stop until someone hears you and allows you to use your gift. If you are new at this gift, like I was with teaching, study and learn. Get a mentor and follow them. Help out with those in your church with the same gift. We don't all start out in leadership roles. Be humble and willing to serve wherever He leads you.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (NLT) Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

God in His wisdom, grace and kindness has seen fit to give us eternal life and with that He gives all of us gifts to build up the Church and bring others to Jesus. If every Christian knew their gifts and actively used them, the church would be so strong. Take time to find out what your gifts are and use them. By God's grace He will show you. Praise His Name!

The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Twenty-Five

"Out With The Old ~ In With The New"

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT) 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 and holy 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.
 
Do you understand what Paul means when he pleads with the reader "to give your bodies to God"? I've always known that we're supposed to give Him our heart, but I've never heard emphasis placed on giving this earthly body to Him as well. "Let them be a living and holy sacrifice ~ the kind He will find acceptable." 

The Greek word for "living" is "zao"which means, "to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)." This means to live the new life Jesus gives us when we submit to Him. Our old life is dead and our new life has begun. We are to give not only our souls and minds, but the bodies we are housed in on this earth as well.

Romans 6:10-12 (NLT) When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
   Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.

The Greek word for "sacrifice" is "thusia" and is part of worship. To worship God completely, sacrifice must be part of it. When you worship God in church or in your quiet time we must sacrifice all of who we are to Him. Did you know that sacrifice is part of worship?

In the Old Testament, there were blood and bloodless sacrifices given to reconcile man to God. It was an act of worship. If done as God commanded, the sacrifice was pleasing to God. It is often said like this, "an aroma pleasing to God." The same holds true when it comes to our giving our bodies to God as a "living sacrifice." Only giving part of ourselves is not sacrifice and therefore not true worship. We must lay our whole lives down on His altar, fully worshiping Him with our lives.

For our lives to be pleasing to God they must be holy. The Greek word for "holy" is "hagios" and means, "to be separated from the ordinary or common usage; set apart." To be a living sacrifice to God, our lives should be completely used for Him and His purposes. This is true worship; to set our lives in front of Him to use as He sees fit.

1 Peter 1:13-15 (Message) So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

Living sacrifices, holy to God, (set apart), are to be ones that are actively giving of themselves daily to the service of God. They are not lives lived idly. We are to be ready to serve Him in each and every second we live in these human bodies. This is life lived as "living sacrifices" to God. Our lives are worship when we give our hearts, minds AND bodies to Him.

When we live our lives as "set-apart" for God, we stop using the same pattern we used to live our lives by. I'm a knitter and I use a pattern to make something. If I were to knit a hat, I would use a hat pattern that would fit my head or the head of the person I was making it for. Suppose I found an old pattern that someone made for me as a child. I really liked that hat so I decide to make it again. When I am done, the hat doesn't fit like I remember it fitting. The reason is simply. The pattern fit me when I was smaller. Now, I am bigger and need a different pattern. The same holds true for me spiritually. Before I gave my life to Jesus, I lived my life a certain way, following a pattern that fit who I was. After I came to Jesus and called Him the Leader of my life, He gave me a new pattern to live by. My old life doesn't fit me anymore.

Romans 12:2 says this, "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." Life as a believer is different from life as a non-believer. We are transformed into something totally new, totally different. We remember our old way of doing things, but God calls us to leave that behind and by faith live this new life that is perfect and pleases Him. Our old lives cannot please God because they are inadequate and ill-fitting.

Do you want to truly worship God? I do. Let's stop using the pattern that fit our old lives and begin to live according to God's new pattern for us in Christ Jesus. It fits like a glove and we will know how to "test and approve" what God's will is. His will is "pleasing and perfect." We can't ask for better because God's gives us His best. We give true worship when we give our lives back to Him as living sacrifices. Our lives are not ours any longer. We belong to Him.

1 John 2:15-17 (NLT) Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Twenty-Four

"All Israel Will Be Saved"


Romans 11:25-36 (NLT) I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,
   “The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.
     And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.”
   Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy. For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.
   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.

"Israel will be saved when Jesus Christ, the deliverer, comes from Zion and (1) takes away the ungodliness—that is, the hardening—from Israel and replaces it with faith [recall verse 23, “if they do not continue in their unbelief , they will be grafted in”), and so (2) their sins will be forgiven, and (3) they will be grafted in to the tree of salvation and promise as one people with the Gentiles who believe in Jesus." ~ John Piper

Jesus has already come but promised to come a second time. I like the way John Piper explains Romans 11:25-27. 
     1) Jesus will take away the hardening of the hearts of the Israelites and replaces it with faith.
     2) Their sins will be forgiven.
     3) Though they have been cut off, they will be grafted back in.
This all takes place after the full number of Gentiles accept Jesus. I believe this to be after, those who believe in Jesus and place their lives in His hands, are taken up in the Rapture.

As Christians we must continue to pray for the Jewish people. We are to never put them down with crude jokes. They are precious to God. The Messiah, who is Jesus, is our bridge to God. He is also the bridge to reconciliation with God's Chosen people, Israel. Be careful how you speak of  them, treat them and believe about them. We are to love them and respect their position as the Chosen of God.

"Salvation comes to Israel and to Gentiles in the same way—through faith in the Deliverer, Jesus the Christ, or it doesn't come at all." ~ John Piper

Most churches have given up telling the Jewish people about Jesus as Messiah. Some even believe that they will be saved because of their historical connection as the Chosen. This is known as “two-covenant theology”. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There is only One way, one olive tree if you will, and that is Jesus. Those of the Jewish faith who don't believe in Jesus as Messiah have been cut of from this sacred root ~ Jesus. However, He will come again and remove the hardening from their hearts, replacing it with faith. They will have a chance to come to Him again.

'Not only is salvation for Israel only through the Deliverer Jesus Christ, but this salvation for Israel also is certainly coming. The salvation of Israel is not just a possibility but a certainty. God has given the promise, and God has called Israel for his own, and Paul says in verse 29, “The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."' ~ John Piper

This blows my mind. I had never realized this truth until I really studied Romans 11 in the past year or so. Usually, I skip past this chapter because I never got past Romans 8. The church has not done a good job of teaching this about Israel. We need to know this and understand God's plans for Israel.


Five Reasons Why I Believe Romans 11:26 Refers to the Nation of Israel as a Whole ~ John Piper

 (I take this on as my belief as well.)

So let me draw out several reasons again why I believe verse 26 (“And in this way all Israel will be saved”) means that someday the nation as a whole (not necessarily every individual; see 1 Kings 12:1; 2 Chronicles 12:1) will be converted to Christ and join the Christian church and be saved. And then we will conclude with some implications.


1. I think the term “Israel” in verse 25 and 26 most naturally refer to the same thing.


Verse 25: “Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel. . . .” That must refer to the nation as a whole from generation to generation. He continues, “. . . until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved.” I don't think the meaning of Israel changes between verse 25 and 26. The hardened Israel (the nation as a whole) will be the saved Israel (the nation as a whole).


2. The reference in verse 26 to banishing ungodliness from Jacob fits with the national view of “all Israel.”


Verse 26: “And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.'” This seems most naturally to be a picture of Christ's return at the second coming, and banishing ungodliness from Jacob refers most naturally to the removal of the hardening referred to in verse 25. “Jacob” is not a natural or typical reference to the elect remnant of Israel. The hardening lasts until the full number of the Gentiles comes in (the climax of world missions), and then Christ comes and lifts the veil and removes the hardening—he banishes ungodliness from Jacob, from “all Israel.”


3. The parallel between the two halves of verse 28 point to all Israel as the nation as a whole.


Verse 28: “As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake.” Now that half of the verse surely refers to the nation as a whole—they are enemies of God. So the second half of the verse surely refers to the nation as a whole as well: “But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.” The point of this verse is to show that even though Israel now is a covenant-breaking, unbelieving nation, that is going to change. The nation that are enemies now, will be converted later because of election and love.


4. The parallels in verse 12 point in the same direction.


Verse 12: “Now if their [the Jewish nation's] trespass means riches for the world [salvation for the Gentiles], and if their [the Jewish nation's] failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion!” Here “their full inclusion” most naturally refers to the same nation as “their trespass” and “their failure.” So “their full inclusion” refers to the salvation of “all Israel” and is national.


5. The same thing is true about the parallels in verse 15.


“For if their [Jewish nation's] rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their [Jewish nation's] acceptance mean but life from the dead?” The nation now rejected will be accepted. So the “acceptance” of the Jewish nation most naturally refers to the salvation of “all Israel”—the salvation of the nation as a whole some day.


Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” 

I'm not sure how all of this will play out, but I am certain of this, God will do it. While we are waiting our job is to bring others to a saving knowledge in Jesus the Messiah. Come soon Lord Jesus, come soon!

The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Twenty-Four

"Grafted In"

Romans 11:11-12 (NLT) Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.

Some Christians think the Jews are no longer God's chosen people. That is completely false. But, because some have not accepted that the Messiah has already come, God has opened the way for the Gentiles to come into relationship with Him. I praise God that He opened the way for us, but I continue to pray for the children of Israel.

Romans 11:13- 16 (NLT) I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! 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.

Salvation of the Gentiles was not an afterthought. God knew this would happen. He knew the hearts of His chosen. He still does. Many have come to salvation in Jesus, but many have not. The world would be richer for it. The world is rich because of the blessings that God has bestowed upon the Jews. Jesus came through the blood line of the Israelites, but there is more. Look at the stats below:

Actors/Performers
Alicia Silverstone -- Actress - Clueless, The Crush, The Babysitter, Batman
Barbara Streisand -- Singer and actress winner of two Oscars, four Emmys, nine Golden Globes, and other awards.
Mandy Patinkin -- Emmy & Tony award-winning actor, 'Dr Jeffrey Geiger' on TV's Chicago Hope
Harrison Ford -- Actor: 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', 'Star Wars', ' American Graffiti', 'Witness', 'The Fugitive'
Gwyneth Paltrow -- Oscar winner
William Shatner -- Captain James T. Kirk on the original 'Star Trek'
Natalie Portman -- Actress, Queen Amidala in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Al Jolson -- famous entertainer. Starred in the first talking movie
Winona Ryder -- Star of films like Heathers, Girl Interrupted, Little Women, Beetlejuice
Noah Wyle -- Actor, 'Dr John Carter' on TV's ER
Michael Landon -- Little Joe Cartwright on Bonanza
Mark Frankel -- Actor in 'Sisters' and 'Fortune Hunter'
Sarah Jessica Parker -- Acress in 'Sex and the City', 'LA Story'
Seth Green -- television actor, Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Family Guy.
Robert Downey, Jr. -- actor in 'Less Than Zero,' 'Chaplin,' 'Short Cuts.'
Paul Newman -- Academy Award winning actor and philanthropist

Musicians:
Itzhak Perlman -- Grammy-winning Violin soloist
Max Weinberg -- Drummer for Springstein and musical director for Conan O'Brien
Isaac Stern -- Violin virtuoso
George Gershwin -- American composer of many vocal and theatrical works written in collaboration with his older brother, lyricist Ira Gershwin.
Jascha Heifetz -- Violinist
Yehudi Menuhin -- Violinist
Herb Alpert -- Leader and trumpeter of Tijuana Brass
Stan Getz -- Jazz Tenor Sax player most famous for The Girl from Ipanema
Julio Iglesias -- Internationally famous Spanish singer. Holds Guinness world record for the most albums sold in the most languages.

Scientists:
Albert Einstein -- One of the most famous and influential scientists since Isaac Newton
Carl Sagan -- astronomer and popular science author; made book and TV series 'Cosmos'
Niels Bohr -- Nobel prize-winning Physicist: atomic structure
Roald Hoffmann -- Nobel prize winner in Chemistry: field of electronic structures
Fritz Haber -- winner of the Nobel Prize of Chemistry in 1918, for the synthesis of ammonia from its elements
Edward Teller -- Physicist, father of the hydrogen bomb
Leo Szilard -- Physicist, proved the possibility of a nuclear chain reaction in 1933.
Jonas Salk -- Developed the first polio vaccine.

Business Professionals:
Milton Hershey -- Hershey's Chocolate founder
Michael Dell -- Founder of Dell Computer
Larry Ellison -- Founder and CEO of Oracle
Alan Greenspan -- Federal Reserve Chairman under Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush
Steve Ballmer -- CEO of Microsoft and the richest Jew in the world
Sir James Goldsmith -- financier and banker who amongst others has taken over Goodyear.
George Soros -- millionaire philanthropist who has donated millions to aid Eastern Europe.
Bernard Madoff -- American financier convicted of operating a Ponzi scheme that resulted in the largest investor fraud ever committed by a single person.

Fashion designers:
Calvin Klein -- Famous Clothes Designer
Ralph Lauren -- (Ralph Lipshitz) world famous fashion designer
Levi Strauss -- Inventor of Blue Jeans
Kenneth Cole -- Fashion Designer who's married to Mario Cuomo's daughter

Comedians:
Jerry Lewis -- A comedian who teamed up with Dean Martin
Marcel Marceau -- The most famous mime in history
Jerry Seinfeld -- Stand up comedian, TV show Seinfeld, American Express commercials
Sarah Silverman -- American comedienne whose satirical comedy addresses social taboos and controversial topics.
The Marx Brothers -- An American family comedy act with Chico, Harpo, and Groucho.
Milton Berle -- Comedian who pioneered comedy/variety on television
Jack Benny -- Reknowned radio and TV comic

Directors and producers:
Steven Spielberg -- Director of films such as Saving Private Ryan & Schindler's List, Jurassic Park, E.T.,
Stanley Kubrick -- Director of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Clockwork Orange, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, Spartacus
Mel Brooks -- Film director, producer, actor: Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein
Woody Allen -- Film Maker/Actor: Annie Hall, Bullets Over Broadway, Mighty Aphrodite, Antz
Roman Polanski -- Director, screenwriter, actor: Rosemary's Baby, Macbeth, Chinatown, Tess
Ben Stiller -- Director/Actor: Seinfeld, SNL, Reality Bites, Something About Mary, The Cable Guy
Aaron Spelling -- Produced Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place...
Oliver Stone -- Popular Director: The Doors, J.F.K., Heaven And Earth, Natural Born Killers

Artists:
Frida Kahlo -- Mexican artist famous for vivid, surrealist self-portraits. Married to Diego Rivera.
Marc Chagall -- Painter, designer and graphic artist
Modigliani -- Artist whose elongated faces are reminiscent of African masks
Camille Pissarro -- Father of Impressionism

Politicians:
Golda Mabovitch (Golda Myerson, Golda Meir) - the fourth prime minister of the State of Israel

God has not withdrawn His blessing from the Israelites. Those who do not know Jesus as Messiah will have a chance to come to Him. That is why we need to share the Good News with them and pray for them. They have been and are a blessing to the world.

Genesis 12:2-3 (NLT)  "I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

Romans 11: 17- 21 (NLT) 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. But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
   “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.

This portion of Romans 11 really puts us in our place. We are grafted into the family of God. We are now among the chosen. We are only branches, the Root is Jesus. He alone deserves all the praise and honor. We should be humble and remember He alone has made it possible for mankind to come to Him.

Isaiah 26:12-13 (NLT) Lord, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you.
O Lord our God, others have ruled us, but you alone are the one we worship.


Romans 11: 22-24 (NLT) Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.

I love this part, "God is both kind and severe." In a simple equation it looks like this:

Disobedience to God = God's severity

Trust in God's = God's kindness

The Jewish people are not in obedience because they have rejected Jesus. The thing is God will welcome them back in if they give their heart to Jesus as Messiah. Gentiles are described as wild olive branches. He grafted in those who believe Jesus is Messiah and place their trust in Him. The Jews are the original branches currently cut off from the Root, which is Jesus. He is more than willing to graft them back in. We must understand our place and the grace in which we are part of God's family. We must always respect the Jews because God's original covenant was with them. This is all a part of God's plan and He knows how it will all end. Place your faith in Jesus.

The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Twenty-Three

"Hardened Hearts"

Romans 11:1-10 (NLT)  I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

   And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”

   It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

   So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see,  and closed their ears so they do not hear.” 

   Likewise, David said, “Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve. Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever.”

"The word of God has not fallen even though in his day-and ours-the great majority of Israel has rejected her Messiah and is accursed and cut off from Christ." ~ John Piper

This portion of Scripture deals with the notion that God has forsaken the Jews. This idea is not true. Though most Jews have rejected Jesus as Messiah, He has not rejected them. He will never forsake His Chosen.  God is not bound to save a person just because of ancestry or parents-Jewish or Gentile. ~ John Piper

The physical or ancestral heritage is not what causes a right relationship with God. It is the spiritual heritage that does this. When a person lives their lives by faith in Jesus, they are part of the spiritual chosen. God fulfills His promises in those who have faith in His Son Jesus.

Acts 20:20-21 (NLT) I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

God actions towards man is always just. He is kind and compassionate, extending His grace and mercy to us. We in turn, must repent from our sins and turn toward Him to receive His salvation and renewed relationship with Him.

I know this is crazy but I just watched an episode of "Beverly Hills Housewife." (I can be shallow sometimes) But, it broke my heart to see how much they needed to hear about Jesus. They had a psychic on who claimed to know what people think and how their lives would turn out. Interestingly, she has a TV show based on her life called "Medium." (I don't watch that show and never intend to because the Lord tells us to stay away from things like that.) The women at this cocktail party wanted her to "read" them. She was a foul-mouthed woman under deep spiritual bondage. The whole time I watched it I was thinking, "these women need Jesus." Their eyes were blinded by their wealth and insecurities. Would they have listened to someone telling them about Jesus? Yet, His grace extends to them as well.

The point I am trying to make is this, God has chosen to give eternal life to those who choose to believe in His Son Jesus. Things in life like wealth, drugs, pride, anger, wanting to know the future, etc. separate us from Him. They cause a hardening of the heart. God's Holy Spirit calls all to Himself but hard hearts keep Him at a distance. These poor women, though wealthy and privileged are spiritually starving. Their lives get in the way of eternity with God who loves them enough to give His Son's life to redeem them.

Matthew 13:14-16 (NLT) This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

Because of God's grace, ears can be opened, hearts can be softened and lives can be changed. He has chosen to give us all a chance to have a relationship with Him through belief in His Son and repentance of our sins. God is good. Hard hearts can be softened by the Holy Spirit. 

The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Twenty-Two

"Beautiful Feet"

Romans 10:1-21 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 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. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

   For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of 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. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

   But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

   But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have: “The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.”

   But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said:  “I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”

   And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, “I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”

   But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

God's arms are and have always been open to us. It's our choice to run into them or run away. Do you refuse to accept His offer and cling, as the religious Jews of the day, to religion? What about those who don't know Him...have never heard about Him? Here is a link to a song that brought tears to my eyes. Even if it isn't your type of music, would you please listen? This is where Christ would be if He were walking the streets today. Now He walks the streets preaching the Good News through His obedient ones. Lord, let that be me! youtube.com/Lecrae Rebel-Beautiful Feet

I want to pull this out of the passage and focus on it: As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

   But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (verses 13-15)

1. Trust in God = No Disgrace. No matter who you are or where you come from, God is willing to take you in and love you beyond all reason. Because of the sacrifice that Jesus made for your sins, you can be made right with God if you believe in Jesus.

1 John 5:3-5 (NLT) Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. (Jesus)

Being religious is NOT how to loveGod. To love God is to be obedient to what He calls you to do. Jesus teaches us to love God, love others and treat others as we would want to be treated. This is what believers must do. If we love Jesus, we love others as He did ~ extravagantly!

2. Call on God = Receiving from His Generous Hand. The generosity we receive from Him is not earthly wealth as some would like you to believe. It is receiving a reprieve from the death sentence deserved, for a relationship with God through Christ undeserved.

Ephesians 1:5-7 (NLT) God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

He gave His best to purchase our freedom from sin's death grip. It gives Him pleasure to be reunited with those He created and loves beyond all human reason. No one can love us that much or that well.

3. Believers Share = Beautiful Feet. If you were passed out on the ground and helpless wouldn't it be wonderful seeing the feet of the paramedics running to revive you and take you to the hospital were the doctor could restore your health? This is what the feet of those who share the Good News of Jesus are to those who are knocked down by sin. All of us have been on the floor without God and we heard the Good News from someone. It's our turn to share if we know Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLT) We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.

Do you love this much? If you are a believer in Jesus you should and must love this much to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. This takes giving our whole lives over to Him.

Have you received from God's generous hand the salvation found in Jesus? Then rejoice and share the wonderful promise of eternal life filled with delight and comfort. Give yourself fully to God's purpose of reconciliation with mankind to Himself through Christ Jesus. Be the Beautiful Feet that bring others to Jesus. If you don't know Him please receive what He has to offer. Just ask Him and He will send someone with Beautiful Feet to you. Hold on to the most Beautiful Feet ~ His nail-scarred ones ~ they will lift you up and into eternal life with Him.

The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Twenty-One

"A Tried Stone"

Romans 9:30-33 (NLT) What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. 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 by 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.”


The Jews were and are the chosen people of God. Even though they had the Law and wanted a relationship with God, they failed. They failed as you and I fail. We are all sinners. The Law was meant to draw men toward God but because man is failable they focused on the Law and not the reason behind the Law so when the Messiah did come their hearts and minds were not open to see Him. Some did recognize Jesus when He came to earth but many of them refused Him. Because of this when Jesus came they stumbled. They couldn't get over Him and accept Him as the Son of God.

What is this "stone" the Scriptures talk about? Paul quoted this verse from Isaiah 8:14. The Stone is the Messiah and the Messiah is Jesus. Throughout the Bible Jesus is called The Rock, The Stone, The Stumbling Block. Let's look at some of these verses:

1 Samuel 2:2 (NLT) No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.


Psalm 18:30-32 (NLT) God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.


Psalm 62:5-7 (NLT) Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.


Psalm 95:1-3 (NLT) Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.

I could go on and on. Jesus, who is God, is the Rock. The problem comes when those who don't believe that He is God or even exists stumble upon Him. Their spirits are searching for God, but their minds, the decision-making part of them, can't get over their unbelief. For those who do come to believe in Jesus, they don't rely on themselves, but by faith choose to believe that Jesus is God. They no longer stumble on Him, they stand upon Him. He becomes their Rock, their solid foundation that holds them up.

Where are you in this process of belief versus unbelief? Are you standing on the Rock or do you stumble on Him? Christ the Solid Rock wants you to believe in Him and trust Him because He loves you beyond all reason.

1 Peter 2:4-8 (NLT) You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
   And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” And,
 “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.”
   They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

What does "Cornerstone" mean? Why do the builders reject it? "In ancient times the cornerstone was the stone at the corner of two walls that united them. It was the visible corner of the foundation of the building and the starting point of all future building above the foundation. It was the most costly stone because of its beauty and strength. It was also the largest, most solid and carefully constructed stone.
To cast aside the cornerstone would be to resist any future building on that foundation." bible-history.com

Jesus is Who connects God and man. He rejoins us with God into a right relationship with Him. Those of the Jewish faith who come to Jesus, are joined from the Old Covenant (The Law) to the New Covenant (belief in Jesus). Those who are gentiles have been asked to join in this New Covenant through faith in Christ. Anyone who builds on Jesus as the foundation for their lives will not fall. Those who don't build on shifting sand.

Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT) “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Jesus is the only sure foundation. Who or what do place your faith in? We all place our faith in something. Will your foundation hold you up? Think about what your life is based on. Is it sure and solid? Does it see you safely into eternity? During this Christmas season take the time to think about the foundation of your life and eternity. Jesus is the only sure foundation.

"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."Isaiah 28:16 (KJV)

The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Twenty

"Perfect Potter"


Romans 9:10-29 (Message) And that's not the only time. To Rebecca, also, a promise was made that took priority over genetics. When she became pregnant by our one-of-a-kind ancestor, Isaac, and her babies were still innocent in the womb—incapable of good or bad—she received a special assurance from God. What God did in this case made it perfectly plain that his purpose is not a hit-or-miss thing dependent on what we do or don't do, but a sure thing determined by his decision, flowing steadily from his initiative. God told Rebecca, "The firstborn of your twins will take second place." Later that was turned into a stark epigram: "I loved Jacob; I hated Esau."
   Is that grounds for complaining that God is unfair? Not so fast, please. God told Moses, "I'm in charge of mercy. I'm in charge of compassion." Compassion doesn't originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God's mercy. The same point was made when God said to Pharaoh, "I picked you as a bit player in this drama of my salvation power." All we're saying is that God has the first word, initiating the action in which we play our part for good or ill.
   Are you going to object, "So how can God blame us for anything since he's in charge of everything? If the big decisions are already made, what say do we have in it?"
   Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn't talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, "Why did you shape me like this?" Isn't it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans? If God needs one style of pottery especially designed to show his angry displeasure and another style carefully crafted to show his glorious goodness, isn't that all right? Either or both happens to Jews, but it also happens to the other people. Hosea put it well: 


   I'll call nobodies and make them somebodies; 
      I'll call the unloved and make them beloved. 
   In the place where they yelled out, "You're nobody!" 
      they're calling you "God's living children."


   Isaiah maintained this same emphasis: 
   If each grain of sand on the seashore were numbered 
      and the sum labeled "chosen of God," 
   They'd be numbers still, not names; 
      salvation comes by personal selection. 
   God doesn't count us; he calls us by name. 
      Arithmetic is not his focus.
Isaiah had looked ahead and spoken the truth: 
   If our powerful God 
      had not provided us a legacy of living children, 
   We would have ended up like ghost towns, 
      like Sodom and Gomorrah.
How can we sum this up? All those people who didn't seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their "God projects" that they didn't notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling. Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together: 

   Careful! I've put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, 
      a stone you can't get around. 
   But the stone is me! If you're looking for me, 
      you'll find me on the way, not in the way.

"Romans 9 comes after Romans 8 for this utterly crucial reason: It shows that the word of God’s covenant with Israel has not failed, because it is grounded in God’s sovereign, electing mercy. Therefore the promises to the true Israel and the promises of Romans 8 will stand! That is the gospel of Romans 9. The promises purchased by the blood of Christ will be performed by the sovereign power of God."~ John Piper

This chapter is confusing when you look at it from human eyes. If God has "elected" certain people then why do we even need to worry about accepting Jesus? Good question. I think God has chosen to bring salvation to both Jews and Gentiles alike through the blood of Jesus. We have the choice to accept His election or not. God being God knows who will accept Him and who will not. Again, I can't fully wrap my mind around this thought because my mind is limited in this body. It is by faith I believe that what God says is true.

2 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT) But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 

The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for you and me is legitimate. It wasn't an afterthought by God, but a carefully planned gift meant for mankind to get back into a right relationship with Him. The Israelites were chosen to be the people He used to bring the Law, the Temple, the Prophets and the Messiah through. God in His great mercy, included those of us who weren't born into this chosen race when Christ made the way and we accept Him as Lord.

Isaiah 67:8 (NLT) And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.

We may not agree with how God does things but if we belong to Him, then we must submit to His ways. Isaiah says it best. We are clay... He is the Potter. He not only formed us He out of clay, He made the clay. Out of His hand and by His will all things are accomplished. Romans 9 is a hard nut to crack but don't worry, God is the Potter and knows how He will finish out His plan. All we need to do is trust Him for He loves His creations.

Psalm 62:7-8 (NLT) My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Nineteen

"Gentle Rain"

Romans 9:1-9 (NLT) With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them. They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
   Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people! Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too. This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children. For God had promised, “I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

You would think Paul would hate his fellow Jews after the way they treated him. They had him falsely accused, stoned, flogged, and thrown in jail. Yet Paul never stopped being a Jew and never stopped loving them. He said, "I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them." He knew that they were the chosen ones who received God's Law, saw and experienced His miracles, worshiped at His temple and whose line the Messiah would come through.

Just because the Jews, or some of them, rejected God's Son, doesn't mean that God's promises to the Israelites is rescinded. God's promises never fail and always hold true. Whatever God does is eternal, pure and true. He is holy. His ways are holy.

There are those who are from the lineage of Abraham that are not Israelites. Those of the line of Ishmael, Abraham's son from Sarah's slave girl, are not chosen even though they have the blood of Abraham. It is those who come from the line of Isaac that are chosen. These are "children of the promise." Even then, the promise only holds true to those who honor God.

Psalm 15 (NLT) Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.

Those of us who were not born of the line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have been given the opportunity to have a relationship with Jesus. Since the Jews have not all responded to Jesus as Messiah, the way has been open to the Gentiles. This does not mean, however, the Jews are forgotten by God. Remember, God's promises never fail. What He promised to them still holds true.

Like the Jews who have been given the promises of God and have rejected them, we too, even though we belong to a church, may not be a part of God's promise of eternal life through Christ. Church attendance doesn't achieve salvation for us. Only belief in Christ and total surrender to Him alone is the way to salvation.

Colossians 1:19-20 (CEV) God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son. And God was pleased
for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.

God made a way for all people to be brought back to Him. He chose this for all mankind. However, there are those who reject Him. I don't understand this, but God knows those who will reject Him. It's one of those things that my mind can't comprehend. I do know this: God has made a way to Him where there was seemingly no way to Him. It is through His Son that we all have the choice to come to Him through Jesus the Messiah. Jesus is the Way, the only way to God.

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (Message) Listen, Heavens, I have something to tell you. Attention, Earth, I've got a mouth full of words. My teaching, let it fall like a gentle rain,  my words arrive like morning dew, like a sprinkling rain on new grass, like spring showers on the garden. For it's God's Name I'm preaching— respond to the greatness of our God! The Rock: His works are perfect, and the way he works is fair and just; A God you can depend upon, no exceptions, a straight-arrow God. 


His words, like gentle rain, fall on us. If we are hardened like packed clay, then His words will run off of us and His life-giving nourishment fails to penetrate our souls. If we are seeking a relationship with God through His Son Jesus, then we drink in His promises and grow in our relationship with Him. It is my prayer that our hearts become softer and softer and drink in His truth. I pray for those whose hearts are hard that the Holy Spirit will soften them so they can accept His Rain.


God is victorious always. There is no use looking somewhere else for salvation. He presents it only through Jesus. During this Christmas season may our hearts receive the ultimate gift found only in His Son ~ Jesus.


Luke 1:23 (NLT) “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”


God is with us in the form of Jesus. He alone can make us right with God. Let this gentle, but powerful truth rain down on your heart, softening it to be open to His salvation.

The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Eighteen

"God Is For Us"

Romans 8:31-39 (NLT)  What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

   Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

   And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As I read this passage over again, I noticed Paul asked a lot of questions. So I decided to pull out each question and list them below:

* What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? (See Romans 8:28)

*  If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

*  Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 

* Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? 

* Who then will condemn us?

* Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?

* Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

These are tough questions for those who don't know the truth found in a relationship with God through Jesus. Paul gives us the answers to the questions he poses for us. Let's see what he says.

Romans 8:28 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

"What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?" The whole first part of Romans Eight, that  leads us up to this point, answers this question. Romans 8:28 sums it up ~ He works everything in our lives for good when we love Him and are obedient to Him. Hallelujah is the answer.

Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

"If God is for us who can be against us?" If we believe that God is who He says He is, and Jesus is His exact representation who came to earth to make a way for us to come to Him, then we have to believe this is true. In Isaiah 41:10 we learn not to be afraid or discouraged because His victorious righteous right hand holds us up.

Just an FYI: The right arm meant strength in Biblical times. Jesus sits at the right hand of God. He is God's victorious righteous right hand and He holds us up. When you belong to Jesus, placing your faith in Him, He is your strength.

"Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?" There is nothing greater for God to give us. His Son Jesus is the best. Jesus willingly went to His death for the forgiveness of our sins.

Philippians 2:6-11 (NLT) Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

"Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own?"There is no one to accuse those who have accept God's gift of eternal life through His Son. No one has the authority to accuse us other than God and He, by His mercy and grace has given us the ultimate chance through Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 50:8-9 (NLT) He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear. See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side! Who will declare me guilty? All my enemies will be destroyed like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!

"Who then will condemn us?" There is no one who has the authority to condemn us either. Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glory. (See Romans 3:23) Since that is true, then no one has the right to do so.

Hebrews 7:25 (NLT) Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?" The answer is no. We can refuse His love, but He doesn't stop loving us. His love is so great and so strong.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT) For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Nothing can separate us from Jesus and the eternal life He offers to those who choose to call Him Lord. Our lives have been spared an eternal living death. We are brought into His life and His life is eternal. Why would we want it any different? God has given us the ultimate gift. During this Christmas season let's remember just how much He loves us and has prepared a place for us. Accept His gift for He loves you beyond all reason.

The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Seventeen

"Perfect Plans ~ Ours or His?"

Romans 8:28-30 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

Romans 8:28 was my mother's life verse. She understood it and lived it. So many people quote this verse in situations and don't fully understand it full import. I was one of them until I heard John Piper speak on the it.


The question that we begin with in verse 28 is: Who are the beneficiaries of this massive promise? Who may be certain that all the pain in their life is really the wise and good therapy of a sovereign God to bring about their good? 


Two Descriptions:


Paul gives two answers. Or he describes the one answer from two sides. He defines the beneficiaries of this promise first by what they do toward God, and second by what God did toward them.


All things work together for good, in the first place, "to them that love God." The beneficiaries of this promise are people who love God. This is the first and great commandment, that you love the Lord your God. No eye has seen nor ear heard nor anyone imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.


Then, in the second place, Paul describes the beneficiaries of this promise as "those who are called according to his purpose." What does it mean to say that in addition to loving God, the beneficiaries of this promise are also "called according to God's purpose"? To answer this question let's look at two passages in Paul which refer to God's call and two which refer to his purpose. ~ John Piper (Go to this link for further insight by John Piper: desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/called-according-to-his-purpose)

I like to put things into an equations. I flipped the verse around to view it this way. Here is how I see the verse as John Piper has helped me see it:

Loving God (complete submission, adoration, obedience to Jesus) + Called by God (Accepting His Son) = God works all things (good or bad) for good (His perfect plan).

So often people translate the verse to mean this: if I am a Christian or proclaim to be, God will work it for good. I beg to differ because we left out the full equation. Ask yourself, "Am I truly loving God by coming under His authority by being obedient to Him? Do I truly love Him? Is He my Source of all things?" When we don't live obediently we aren't loving God. This doesn't negate our salvation. In order for God's good to be worked out in our lives, we must truly love Him  and this means to live obediently under His authority. He must be our Focus, our Light, our Life.

1 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NLT) He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God is faithful. He waits patiently for us to realize that we must turn to Him in order for Him to work in our lives. Our salvation is sure but until we allow Him to be our Leader everyday, we won't benefit from the work He wants to do in our lives. We must recognize His authority over ours. The truth is that our authority is limited to what we will choose. What we choose in every situation is critical. Do we choose God's authority and submit to it or do we choose our authority and turn from His will? When we choose God, He works things out for good. When we choose our way, He doesn't, until we turn again to Him.

I've been on an old hymn kick lately, but they seem to say things so well. We used to sing this old hymn when I was growing up and it has stuck with me all these years. Read the words or sing along if you know the tune. They really speak truth.

Trust and Obey

John H. Sammis, 1887 Trust and Obey [.xml]

Daniel B. Towner, 1887

Copyright: Public Domain

Scripture: Psalm 84:11-12

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,

But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey God. There is no other way for Romans 8:28 to apply to us. It's not a magical verse we say when we want things to go our way. We have to sit at His feet and abide by His will. There is no other way. God chose this way for those who choose Him. This was and is His plan all along. He didn't just make it up. It was in place when He created Man and placed them in the Garden.

What will you choose in your walk with Him? I pray that I will always choose Him. My actions tell me that I mess up. But, the good news is that I can turn back to Him at any time and He will work His good in my life. The same holds true for everyone who calls Jesus Lord. So as you go about your day remember this:

Loving God (complete submission, adoration, obedience to Jesus) + Called by God (Accepting His Son) = God works all things (good or bad) for good.


Psalm 84:11-12 (NLT) For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.

"...what joy for those who trust in you."

The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Sixteen

"Lean Yourself Upon Him"

Romans 8:18-27 (NIRV) What we are suffering now is nothing compared with the glory that will be shown in us. Everything God created looks forward to the time when his children will appear in their full and final glory. The created world was bound to fail. But that was not the result of its own choice. It was planned that way by the One who made it. God planned to set the created world free. He didn't want it to rot away completely. Instead, he wanted it to have the same glorious freedom that his children have.
   We know that all that God created has been groaning. It is in pain as if it were giving birth to a child. The created world continues to groan even now. And that's not all. We have the Holy Spirit as the promise of future blessing. But we also groan inside ourselves as we look forward to the time when God will adopt us as full members of his family. Then he will give us everything he has for us. He will raise our bodies and give glory to them.
   That's the hope we had when we were saved. But hope that can be seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? We hope for what we don't have yet. So we are patient as we wait for it.
   In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak. We don't know what we should pray for. But the Spirit himself prays for us. He prays with groans too deep for words. God, who looks into our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit. And the Spirit prays for God's people just as God wants him to pray.

Today is a hard day for my friend's family. Her dad passed away Sunday and left a big hole in their hearts. W.D. was a good man, funny and kind. According to my friend he was a very wise and discerning parent who knew how to raise children to be good people. He loved Jesus, his wife, his girls, his family, his friends, his community and they loved him back. He had been sick this past few months and I know my friend was concerned. Finally, on Sunday, Jesus escorted him into heaven.

That's grief. I know this grief as many of you know it. Death entered into this world when sin entered it  back in the Garden of Eden. When man was banished from the garden, grief escorted them out. The world had changed. But, because of God's love for His creation He promised a way out. He promised full renewal and a return to the Garden one day. Jesus will escort His family home one day.

Because of sin we groan in pain. The world groans in pain. My niece delivered a big strapping boy on Tuesday. She knew she was having a boy and a big one at that. 10 pounds 8 ounces. She was so uncomfortable waiting in these last few weeks, she groaned in labor and finally this little one came into the world bringing relief and tremendous joy. She experienced pain laced with hope and expectation as she labored before his birth. Now she cuddles and loves this tiny bundle of hope, filling her and her family with great joy.

The world, God's creation, waits with the pains of this fallen world, for the hope of delivery from sin. Those who know Jesus realize they have Hope. With this Hope comes anticipation, peppered with the pains we experience in this world. God promised delivery from this pain caused so long ago when mankind sinned against Him. He sent a Savior, Jesus, to make a way to Him and out of sin's painful chains. Those who accept Jesus are given the promise of a new life, a new body and eternity that will be the most enjoyable experience ever. With this Hope in our hearts and minds we wait patiently and trust that what He promised will come to pass.

2 Peter 3:13 (NIRV) We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth. Godliness will make its home there. All of this is in keeping with God's promise.

While we wait for the day of Christ's return, we often have trouble praying. You know sometimes when I pray, all I can do is cry. How about you? I know my friend is crying now as she mourns her father's death. God, in His great wisdom and mercy knows our limitation and because of this He gives those who call Him their God, His Holy Spirit to interpret the cries, the groans and moans for us. If we just lay our heads on His chest in obedience, He prays for us. What other "god" can do that? There is none.

Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Allowing the Holy Spirit to pray for you is always the best way to pray. Do you know how to pray? Do you depend on your own words? Maybe, like me, you feel your prayers hit the ceiling and fall flat to the ground in front of you. I am learning to sit at His feet and allow Him to pray for me. Imagine hearing Jesus pray for His disciples before He was crucified. Oh what an awesome experience these men and women had. Now, imagine Him praying specifically for you. His prayer covers every aspect of your life and every need. The joy would be tremendous. The relief would be sublime. We don't have to imagine it because we can experience it now. The Holy Spirit, dwelling fully within each believer, is ready to pray for us now when we allow Him to.

Psalm 37:7a (Amplified) Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him...

Oh what a relief when I "lean myself upon Him." Allowing His Holy Spirit to pray over us, in us and through us is the best prayer possible. It fills us with joy and releases the pain we feel as we go through tough times in this temporary state here on earth. Jesus is our Hope. His Holy Spirit resides in each believer fully. How about you, will you "lean yourself upon Him" with me? There is rest in that position. There is Hope eternal. Lay your head down on Him for He is capable far beyond your imagination.