Hebrews 3:12-13
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
It's hard to keep an open heart and mind that's always pointed to God. With all the distractions in this world, our attention is easily turned away to something else other than God in a split second by our sinful, worldly desires, but with the accountability of other fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, this obligation... actually, not even obligation... this desire to keep God as number one in all aspects of your life will be made much easier.
With the support of my best friends and also with my family at the fellowship back at the university, I've never felt so compelled to keep God at the centre of my life. At first, I just never cared. Yes, I knew Jesus was my saviour and that He saved me from my sins but my heart was still cold. I could be described as a lukewarm Christian back then. We know what happens to these people.
Revelations 3:16
So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
That sounds terrible. Now, things have changed. I do have a growing desire to learn more about God, to know more about Jesus. I've been called to serve in different ministries and I hope that this fire in my heart will not die. Through my own experiences, I understand how important it is to have that circle of friends who can keep you on track in your spiritual walk with God. Again, it's so easy to fall away but that's what the others are there for. To help you get back up and walk on the right path again.
Hebrews 3:18-19
And to whom did God swear that they would never enter the rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
Unbelief doesn't only account for those who haven't experienced God's love. It also includes those individuals who don't care, who don't trust, who don't follow. One who claims that they are a Christ follower may still be an unbeliever as they do not act the way a Christian should or still doesn't trust that He is in control of all things. I was one of them... but now I have matured and grown into one who's firm in belief when I say that God is the sovereign Lord. Jesus is my saviour and I live my life for him. Don't be one of those people. You have been warned because these people will not get to be with God in his heavenly and peaceful presence when we die and are reborn.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Jesus Greater Than Moses: Hebrews 3:1-6
As mentioned in this passage, Moses was a faithful servant in God's house. He did what the Lord asked him to do.
You and I are part of God's house. We should follow Moses' example and testifying for the Lord's mercy and grace upon us.
Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus was greater than Moses. Jesus was faithful as the son over God's house. He watches over me. He cares for me. He loves me. He gave His life for me. I love Him because He first loved me.
Hebrews 3:6
...but Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
You and I are part of God's house. We should follow Moses' example and testifying for the Lord's mercy and grace upon us.
Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus was greater than Moses. Jesus was faithful as the son over God's house. He watches over me. He cares for me. He loves me. He gave His life for me. I love Him because He first loved me.
Hebrews 3:6
...but Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Jesus Made Like His Brothers: Hebrews 2:5-18
Yesterday was Christmas. Christmas is the day when we celebrate the birth of our saviour Jesus. He was born into this world as a baby in a manger. It definitely wasn't the arrival we would expect our Lord and King to have. He lived as a humble man among us, living His life to serve His Father and teach us how to live a life glorifying to Him.
Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
All praise and honour be brought back to Jesus! Through his atonement for the sin of mankind He died a painful death on the cross. Through Him we are saved. Through his death we are now seen as righteous in the eyes of God.
Jesus was just like our brother. He shared the same humanity as us so that he can free us from Satan's grasp on us with our fear of death. We have no fear in that anymore as Jesus has blessed us with eternal life in Heaven with Him and the Heavenly Father.
Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
All praise and honour be brought back to Jesus! Through his atonement for the sin of mankind He died a painful death on the cross. Through Him we are saved. Through his death we are now seen as righteous in the eyes of God.
Jesus was just like our brother. He shared the same humanity as us so that he can free us from Satan's grasp on us with our fear of death. We have no fear in that anymore as Jesus has blessed us with eternal life in Heaven with Him and the Heavenly Father.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Warning to Pay Attention: Hebrews 2:1-4
Hebrews 2:1-3
We must pay more carefull attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?
We can get so caught up with all the business in our life that we put God on the backburner. At times He comes second on the list of things we should be paying attention to... but that's not how it should be. Jesus should be number one in all aspects of our life. He granted us this life that we live now, one where we are free from the law of sin and redeemed to live a life to glorify Him. Let's not forget that all we do now is thanks to Him. Honestly, we would probably be punished very often for each time we disobey the Lord or for each time we do things that are sinful and not Godly. This personal salvation that has been granted to us should be at the forefront of our minds so that we can always reminisce the sacrifice that He has made and how all things we do should be for Him alone. Not for ourselves, for Jesus. :)
We must pay more carefull attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?
We can get so caught up with all the business in our life that we put God on the backburner. At times He comes second on the list of things we should be paying attention to... but that's not how it should be. Jesus should be number one in all aspects of our life. He granted us this life that we live now, one where we are free from the law of sin and redeemed to live a life to glorify Him. Let's not forget that all we do now is thanks to Him. Honestly, we would probably be punished very often for each time we disobey the Lord or for each time we do things that are sinful and not Godly. This personal salvation that has been granted to us should be at the forefront of our minds so that we can always reminisce the sacrifice that He has made and how all things we do should be for Him alone. Not for ourselves, for Jesus. :)
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Son Superior to Angels: Hebrews 1:1-14
Jesus is higher than all on this earth. Jesus is higher than the angels. Jesus is the son of God. Jesus is God. He sits at the right hand of the Lord's throne.
Jesus took on my sins and died on the cross for me. I've been purchased by his blood so that I may be forgiven. I've been granted eternal life with the Lord through Jesus. He took on the wrath of His father when I should have been the one being punished for the wrongdoings I've committed in this life.
Jesus Christ was perfect. I aim to live my life like Him.
Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
I do all things for Your glory. Without you, nothing on this earth would exist in the first place. I do all things so that I can help you achieve your perfect will for me. You're sovereign and let everything that has breath praise you to the heavens. :)
Jesus took on my sins and died on the cross for me. I've been purchased by his blood so that I may be forgiven. I've been granted eternal life with the Lord through Jesus. He took on the wrath of His father when I should have been the one being punished for the wrongdoings I've committed in this life.
Jesus Christ was perfect. I aim to live my life like Him.
Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
I do all things for Your glory. Without you, nothing on this earth would exist in the first place. I do all things so that I can help you achieve your perfect will for me. You're sovereign and let everything that has breath praise you to the heavens. :)
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Personal Greetings: Romans 16:1-27
Romans 16:17-18
I urge you, brothers, to watch out those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
May we stand our for our faith. Not be afraid of what others think. May we stand firm when everyone else tries to bring us down. May we not be tempted by the desires our flesh and of wordly possesions. All of this is achieved when we believe in Jesus, how He set us free by taking our sins away. May our lives glorify Him in all we do. :)
I am finished the book of Romans! :D The very first book that I've finished from front to back! I've learned so much, and I hope to learn even more as I start the book of Hebrews.
I urge you, brothers, to watch out those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
May we stand our for our faith. Not be afraid of what others think. May we stand firm when everyone else tries to bring us down. May we not be tempted by the desires our flesh and of wordly possesions. All of this is achieved when we believe in Jesus, how He set us free by taking our sins away. May our lives glorify Him in all we do. :)
I am finished the book of Romans! :D The very first book that I've finished from front to back! I've learned so much, and I hope to learn even more as I start the book of Hebrews.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Paul's Plan to Visit Rome: Romans 15:23-33
Prayer is so powerful. Prayer is our quiet time with God. Prayer is the time we confess and repent from our sins. Prayer is the time when we get to praise You and praise Your son Jesus for taking my sins away and granting me eternal salvation. Prayer is our way to talk to You, to converse with You.
Paul asks for prayers as he travels to Judea to spread the Gospel. I thought that verses 30-33 is a good example of what we should be doing for our peers: joining together in prayer for a cause. It is truly by the love of the Spirit that can change and encourage one another. It is through prayer that we can call on the Holy Spirit to watch over a friend who's encountering obstacles, to heal a friend who's been sick, to show a population of people of Your mercy and love, to thank You for everything You've blessed us with.
For me, I pray that I will not doubt what You have in store for me. May I trust in You that You have Your ways with me and that I will be a pawn so that I can help fulfill your perfect will. I pray for all aspects of my life: academic, social, spiritual, relationships.... that You may reveal to me what You want and what I can do for You to achieve it. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles: Romans 15:14-22
Paul, by the grace of God, wrote almost half of the entire Bible through his letters and epistles to different people. They're filled with encouragement, lessons to live life by, warnings, and anything that we should hear about.
Paul himself is a true model of how to live a Godly life.
Romans 15:16
...to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Paul states with certainty of his mission: to evangelize, to proclaim the Gospel. to spread the Good News to all people. Man, I wish I could be as bold as him. Although I won't be like Paul, speaking to an entire population, I'll be working on the Great Commission and hoping to bring my non-Christian friends to my loving God. May our goal be to live like Jesus, with the stepping stone of becoming like Paul first. :)
Paul himself is a true model of how to live a Godly life.
Romans 15:16
...to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Paul states with certainty of his mission: to evangelize, to proclaim the Gospel. to spread the Good News to all people. Man, I wish I could be as bold as him. Although I won't be like Paul, speaking to an entire population, I'll be working on the Great Commission and hoping to bring my non-Christian friends to my loving God. May our goal be to live like Jesus, with the stepping stone of becoming like Paul first. :)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The Weak and the Strong: Romans 14:1-15:13
Romans 14:2
One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
God always provides for your needs. All you have to do is ask with a humble heart. The analogy in the above verse basically explains this fact. When you have faith that God is the provider of life, you will get the things you need, in this case, meat. When you doubt that God can do such a thing, he won't be revealed to the wonders that God can do and thus would end up eating only vegetables and have no meat.
God does provide. Especially during this time of exams, He has been giving me hours of concentration and focus in my studies which I wouldn't have been able to do without His assistance. The constant reminder that I should be glorifying God in my studies is already enough.
At the same time, do not boast or show off the blessings that God has put in your life. The blessings are not meant to be used in such a way. Use your blessings to build your peers up. Use your blessings to show to non-believers of the love our God has for us. Think wisely.
Romans 14:8
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
We were purchased by Christ's blood on the cross. Through Jesus, who took my sins and was punished on the cross by His very own father, redeemed me and I have received my personal salvation from Him. As I live my life here on Earth, everything I do is for You. Jesus deserves all the glory and honour and praise. Nothing I do now is simply by me, but from the guidance and provision of the Lord. I'm alive and well because the Spirit is within me.
Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
I have no right to judge someone else. The first reason being that I would be a hypocrite. I'm sure that some of the things that I judge on others I actually do myself. Second reason being I am not God. God being so sovereign and almighty is the only one who can judge someone with the most perfect mindset and purest reasoning.
Also, as a Christian, it's important that you help others in their own spiritual walk with God. Putting temptations, distractions, or other things that makes them stray away from the Lord is not what a brother/sister in Christ should do. Help your brothers and sisters to stay on the straight, one-way path to God while preventing them from getting attacked by Satan... not the other way around.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
God's kingdom doesn't consist of worldly pleasures such as partying, hanging out with friends, going on vacation, etc. It's being righteous in God's eyes and rejoicing in the Holy Spirit dwelling in our life. The lesson from this verse: don't get caught up in these activities that are only temporary. Always remember that it's the Lord Jesus Christ who gives us the most joy above all things.
Romans 15:2-6
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ.
God really spoke to me with these verses. Very straightforward, full of lessons and encouragement. Paul was so blessed to be able to write down what God had to say in such beautiful writing.
Wow. This devo passage was much longer than other passages but God has spoken and I pray now that I can apply this to my own life, and be a bright light that shines Your name.
I'll end off with the last verse. So encouraging! :)
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
God always provides for your needs. All you have to do is ask with a humble heart. The analogy in the above verse basically explains this fact. When you have faith that God is the provider of life, you will get the things you need, in this case, meat. When you doubt that God can do such a thing, he won't be revealed to the wonders that God can do and thus would end up eating only vegetables and have no meat.
God does provide. Especially during this time of exams, He has been giving me hours of concentration and focus in my studies which I wouldn't have been able to do without His assistance. The constant reminder that I should be glorifying God in my studies is already enough.
At the same time, do not boast or show off the blessings that God has put in your life. The blessings are not meant to be used in such a way. Use your blessings to build your peers up. Use your blessings to show to non-believers of the love our God has for us. Think wisely.
Romans 14:8
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
We were purchased by Christ's blood on the cross. Through Jesus, who took my sins and was punished on the cross by His very own father, redeemed me and I have received my personal salvation from Him. As I live my life here on Earth, everything I do is for You. Jesus deserves all the glory and honour and praise. Nothing I do now is simply by me, but from the guidance and provision of the Lord. I'm alive and well because the Spirit is within me.
Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
I have no right to judge someone else. The first reason being that I would be a hypocrite. I'm sure that some of the things that I judge on others I actually do myself. Second reason being I am not God. God being so sovereign and almighty is the only one who can judge someone with the most perfect mindset and purest reasoning.
Also, as a Christian, it's important that you help others in their own spiritual walk with God. Putting temptations, distractions, or other things that makes them stray away from the Lord is not what a brother/sister in Christ should do. Help your brothers and sisters to stay on the straight, one-way path to God while preventing them from getting attacked by Satan... not the other way around.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
God's kingdom doesn't consist of worldly pleasures such as partying, hanging out with friends, going on vacation, etc. It's being righteous in God's eyes and rejoicing in the Holy Spirit dwelling in our life. The lesson from this verse: don't get caught up in these activities that are only temporary. Always remember that it's the Lord Jesus Christ who gives us the most joy above all things.
Romans 15:2-6
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ.
God really spoke to me with these verses. Very straightforward, full of lessons and encouragement. Paul was so blessed to be able to write down what God had to say in such beautiful writing.
Wow. This devo passage was much longer than other passages but God has spoken and I pray now that I can apply this to my own life, and be a bright light that shines Your name.
I'll end off with the last verse. So encouraging! :)
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Love, For the Day is Near: Romans 13:8-14
We are told to not to steal, gossip, covet, murder and do many other things. The consequences of these are almost the same: it ends up hurting someone. God commanded us to "love your neighbour as yourself". We would never want this to happen to ourselves so why do you do it?
Romans 13:10
Love does no harm to its neighbour. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.
A life where no physical, mental, verbal, emotional harm is put on your peers or other people around you is a life you ought to be living. As a Christ follower, you should be an example to others about this.
In addition, the returning of Christ draws nearer and nearer. We still don't know when He'll be back but when the day comes, you want to be ready for Him. You want to be shameless, you want to show Jesus how He has impacted your life... and this would be a good way to achieve that. Drop all intentions of hurting someone because you have feelings of revenge, sadness, or anger. Love them as you love yourself. God will be pleased and He will deal with the situation Himself. No need for you to worry and be sinful from it.
God, I want to pray that we continue to rely on the strength of Jesus Christ so that we do not succumb to our sinful desires from our body. May we anticipate the joy from obtaining a new, holy body as we enter Your heavenly realm and forget about our worldly materials and intentions. Amen.
Romans 13:10
Love does no harm to its neighbour. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.
A life where no physical, mental, verbal, emotional harm is put on your peers or other people around you is a life you ought to be living. As a Christ follower, you should be an example to others about this.
In addition, the returning of Christ draws nearer and nearer. We still don't know when He'll be back but when the day comes, you want to be ready for Him. You want to be shameless, you want to show Jesus how He has impacted your life... and this would be a good way to achieve that. Drop all intentions of hurting someone because you have feelings of revenge, sadness, or anger. Love them as you love yourself. God will be pleased and He will deal with the situation Himself. No need for you to worry and be sinful from it.
God, I want to pray that we continue to rely on the strength of Jesus Christ so that we do not succumb to our sinful desires from our body. May we anticipate the joy from obtaining a new, holy body as we enter Your heavenly realm and forget about our worldly materials and intentions. Amen.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Submission to the Authorities: Romans 13:1-6
Romans 13:1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
It's hard to believe what the above verse says. In today's society we see news and hear stories about governments in other parts of the world that are corrupt, that persecute their people... and so many other horrible reasons. However, it's important to realize that God appointed these people in hopes that they will reign and govern the people with dignity and for our good. Obviously if that is not the case (when authority takes their power for granted), God will have justice. There's no need for us to worry about that except to live our Godly lives to the best of our abilities.
I am so thankful to live in Canada, a country where I can freely worship and proclaim my faith. I will be praying for those who live in countries who are under persecution. May God deal with the government in these countries accordingly so that the people there can continue to be a light for others there.
Romans 13:4
For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
It's simple. Follow the rules. Obey the law. Then you won't get punished, won't go to jail.
It's simple. Follow God's rules. Obey God's law. Then you won't get punished and you'll get to be in heaven with Him.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
It's hard to believe what the above verse says. In today's society we see news and hear stories about governments in other parts of the world that are corrupt, that persecute their people... and so many other horrible reasons. However, it's important to realize that God appointed these people in hopes that they will reign and govern the people with dignity and for our good. Obviously if that is not the case (when authority takes their power for granted), God will have justice. There's no need for us to worry about that except to live our Godly lives to the best of our abilities.
I am so thankful to live in Canada, a country where I can freely worship and proclaim my faith. I will be praying for those who live in countries who are under persecution. May God deal with the government in these countries accordingly so that the people there can continue to be a light for others there.
Romans 13:4
For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
It's simple. Follow the rules. Obey the law. Then you won't get punished, won't go to jail.
It's simple. Follow God's rules. Obey God's law. Then you won't get punished and you'll get to be in heaven with Him.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Living Sacrifices: Romans 12:1-8
Yay! I now call this my third favourite passage in the book of Romans.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spritiual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is00 his good, pleasing and perfect will.
These two verses were so encouraging and were a good reminder of what I should be doing. I remember around this time last year, I wouldn't be doing my devos, or conversing with God, or doing much at all with Him. I saw it as an obligation and just never ended up doing it. I didn't find joy reading the Word.
It was in the summer, and especially the start of this school year when He really spoke to me. He gave renewed me and through it I gained a thirst to learn more of Him. I had a passion to actually do my devos, not because I need to but I want to. I became more involved with my fellowship, serving as worship leader and soon to be bedside leader for the retreat.
I ask myself why God all of a sudden placed this on me? I mean, it's not bad or anything but why specifically this year? After reading, I realized why.
I never realized the magnitude of God's love and His mercy when He sent his son, so glorious and holy, to this world as a humble man, later on the be crucified on the cross for the sins of mankind. He took it all, became the sin of this world, and died. He took away our sin. Through Jesus we were forgiven.
God already made the ultimate sacrifice for me and nothing can compare to that. His conviction for me to serve and to be interested and in love with the Word is just comparably a small sacrifice for Him. "Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory." That's all of me that I give to You now, for You to do as is pleasing and is glorifying. God would You use me for your perfect will, and in time may I be revealed to Your plan for me. May I study hard and live a Godly life so that each step I take it will take me closer to You.
May I not be so consumed with materials of this world and rejoice in what's to come. May I not conform to those around me from peer pressure or from the cultural paradigms of this world but rather live a life so that when people see me, they'll know that I love You.
To paraphrase, our body has many members, all with different functions. As a body of Christ we all have our different gifts that is to be used for Him. My gifts by the grace of God: musical worship and encouragement. May everyone be thankful and be blessed by these gifts that God has generously given and use it to please Him.
I have a friend whom I met in September. He's been a blessing to my life. It's been a tough time for Him in this past while but God, just thank-You for his honesty. He shared his personal blog with me and personally, I felt so happy and appreciated because he trusted me. I pray that he will continue searching for answers through You and that this obstacle in his life will soon be overcome by Your grace and healing hand. This is the perfect time for me to use my gifts as well haha. Serving together for worship has been a blast and I hope it doesn't end anytime soon, but through it all may I just be a constant encouragement, a helping hand, a shoulder for support for you. You're awesome. You know it. I know it. God knows it. :)
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spritiual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is00 his good, pleasing and perfect will.
These two verses were so encouraging and were a good reminder of what I should be doing. I remember around this time last year, I wouldn't be doing my devos, or conversing with God, or doing much at all with Him. I saw it as an obligation and just never ended up doing it. I didn't find joy reading the Word.
It was in the summer, and especially the start of this school year when He really spoke to me. He gave renewed me and through it I gained a thirst to learn more of Him. I had a passion to actually do my devos, not because I need to but I want to. I became more involved with my fellowship, serving as worship leader and soon to be bedside leader for the retreat.
I ask myself why God all of a sudden placed this on me? I mean, it's not bad or anything but why specifically this year? After reading, I realized why.
I never realized the magnitude of God's love and His mercy when He sent his son, so glorious and holy, to this world as a humble man, later on the be crucified on the cross for the sins of mankind. He took it all, became the sin of this world, and died. He took away our sin. Through Jesus we were forgiven.
God already made the ultimate sacrifice for me and nothing can compare to that. His conviction for me to serve and to be interested and in love with the Word is just comparably a small sacrifice for Him. "Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory." That's all of me that I give to You now, for You to do as is pleasing and is glorifying. God would You use me for your perfect will, and in time may I be revealed to Your plan for me. May I study hard and live a Godly life so that each step I take it will take me closer to You.
May I not be so consumed with materials of this world and rejoice in what's to come. May I not conform to those around me from peer pressure or from the cultural paradigms of this world but rather live a life so that when people see me, they'll know that I love You.
To paraphrase, our body has many members, all with different functions. As a body of Christ we all have our different gifts that is to be used for Him. My gifts by the grace of God: musical worship and encouragement. May everyone be thankful and be blessed by these gifts that God has generously given and use it to please Him.
I have a friend whom I met in September. He's been a blessing to my life. It's been a tough time for Him in this past while but God, just thank-You for his honesty. He shared his personal blog with me and personally, I felt so happy and appreciated because he trusted me. I pray that he will continue searching for answers through You and that this obstacle in his life will soon be overcome by Your grace and healing hand. This is the perfect time for me to use my gifts as well haha. Serving together for worship has been a blast and I hope it doesn't end anytime soon, but through it all may I just be a constant encouragement, a helping hand, a shoulder for support for you. You're awesome. You know it. I know it. God knows it. :)
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Doxology: Romans 11:33-36
Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
God, You're awesome and I love you. Let everything that has breath praise You and You alone. May you use me for your perfect will and may I live out this life you've blessed me so that it is pleasing to You. Help us remember to keep You at the forefront of our minds because to You be all the glory, honour, and praise. Through your son Jesus Christ we are saved and our role now is to spread the good news and soften the hearts of others so that You can draw near to them. Thank You for the blessings You've placed in my life. :)
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
God, You're awesome and I love you. Let everything that has breath praise You and You alone. May you use me for your perfect will and may I live out this life you've blessed me so that it is pleasing to You. Help us remember to keep You at the forefront of our minds because to You be all the glory, honour, and praise. Through your son Jesus Christ we are saved and our role now is to spread the good news and soften the hearts of others so that You can draw near to them. Thank You for the blessings You've placed in my life. :)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
All Israel Will Be Saved: Romans 11:25-32
Romans 11:32
For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Our God is so loving, full of grace, powerful, merciful. Even though we continue to fall into sin almost all the time, God still accepts us and has mercy on us. Personally, I find it so encouraging that with all the mistakes I make in my life, the temptations that I fall to... God still forgives me for everything. In addition, if it wasn't for Jesus Christ taking God's wrath on himself for the world, then God would have probably punished all of us already. What a scary thought.
Delight in the love that God has for us. He's the one who gives us a new day on earth.
For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Our God is so loving, full of grace, powerful, merciful. Even though we continue to fall into sin almost all the time, God still accepts us and has mercy on us. Personally, I find it so encouraging that with all the mistakes I make in my life, the temptations that I fall to... God still forgives me for everything. In addition, if it wasn't for Jesus Christ taking God's wrath on himself for the world, then God would have probably punished all of us already. What a scary thought.
Delight in the love that God has for us. He's the one who gives us a new day on earth.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Ingrafted Branches: Romans 11:11-24
There's a very important lesson that comes with this passage today.
Never boast about your faith in a way that brings others down or puts you in authority over others. Yes, God wants you to let other nonbelievers know of His love for them by through amiable discussion but not actually bragging about it. Just imagine whether Jesus would act like that if He was telling someone of His faith in His Father. Don't be arrogant about your faith. As verse 17 explains this through an analogy, we also should not boast because we personally don't give back much in this relationship with Jesus. We continue to sin and we constantly ask God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. All we do is to try and live out a life that's as sinless as possible and pleasing to the Father. Not much else. Therefore, be humble in your words and actions and spread the Good News in a humble manner.
Romans 11:17
If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in."
Never boast about your faith in a way that brings others down or puts you in authority over others. Yes, God wants you to let other nonbelievers know of His love for them by through amiable discussion but not actually bragging about it. Just imagine whether Jesus would act like that if He was telling someone of His faith in His Father. Don't be arrogant about your faith. As verse 17 explains this through an analogy, we also should not boast because we personally don't give back much in this relationship with Jesus. We continue to sin and we constantly ask God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. All we do is to try and live out a life that's as sinless as possible and pleasing to the Father. Not much else. Therefore, be humble in your words and actions and spread the Good News in a humble manner.
Romans 11:17
If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in."
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Remnant of Israel: Romans 11:1-10
There are basically two groups of people in the world. The Christ followers and the nonbelievers. When I say "nonbelievers", it definitely doesn't mean that all people in under this category are just cold and not open to God. This group includes people who just haven't heard of our glorious God... people who haven't felt or been exposed to the love that Christ has for us.
Romans 11:4-6
And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
God chose us to be a lover of God and of Jesus Christ even before we were born. From the start we don't deserve anything from our God because of all the sins that we commit but through His son's sacrifice for humankind on the cross, He has opened his arms for us... welcomes us into his family so that we can all strive to be like His precious son. It's out of love for God that we reflect Him in us to others like the nonbelievers.
It saddens me to know that I will not see some of my friends on this earth up in heaven when I go to be with my God. However, this encourages me to share my faith with them in hopes that they too will realize how awesome God is and the extreme significance of what Jesus did for them and me.
At the same time, for those who are just cold-hearted and reject God without any considerations, they will not experience the comfort and peaceful life with Him but rather their days on earth will be difficult, frightening, and scary. (verse 8-10). For those of you who are like this at the moment, it's ok. Stop now and let God change your life. Open up your heart to Him and He will do great things through you too :)
Romans 11:4-6
And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
God chose us to be a lover of God and of Jesus Christ even before we were born. From the start we don't deserve anything from our God because of all the sins that we commit but through His son's sacrifice for humankind on the cross, He has opened his arms for us... welcomes us into his family so that we can all strive to be like His precious son. It's out of love for God that we reflect Him in us to others like the nonbelievers.
It saddens me to know that I will not see some of my friends on this earth up in heaven when I go to be with my God. However, this encourages me to share my faith with them in hopes that they too will realize how awesome God is and the extreme significance of what Jesus did for them and me.
At the same time, for those who are just cold-hearted and reject God without any considerations, they will not experience the comfort and peaceful life with Him but rather their days on earth will be difficult, frightening, and scary. (verse 8-10). For those of you who are like this at the moment, it's ok. Stop now and let God change your life. Open up your heart to Him and He will do great things through you too :)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Israel's Unbelief: Romans 9:30-10:21
Paul tells us of the difference between the Israelites and the Gentiles.
The Gentiles were deemed righteous because they believed and had faith.
The Israelites are explained by verse 31.
Romans 9:31
but Israel, who purseued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.
We can never receive our salvation and be justified by works. That's not how it goes. God credits us righteousness when we believe and proclaim that His son Jesus was the one who took our sins away. By calling Jesus your saviour, you are guaranteed a spot in God's family and are adopted as a son or daughter of God. As an example of Jesus Christ to others, we should always be doing good works but relying on simply that to be saved will not do.
Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Believe with your heart and speak of the Gospel. Remember it is by faith! Through that God will open the gates of heaven for you. :)
The Gentiles were deemed righteous because they believed and had faith.
The Israelites are explained by verse 31.
Romans 9:31
but Israel, who purseued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.
We can never receive our salvation and be justified by works. That's not how it goes. God credits us righteousness when we believe and proclaim that His son Jesus was the one who took our sins away. By calling Jesus your saviour, you are guaranteed a spot in God's family and are adopted as a son or daughter of God. As an example of Jesus Christ to others, we should always be doing good works but relying on simply that to be saved will not do.
Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Believe with your heart and speak of the Gospel. Remember it is by faith! Through that God will open the gates of heaven for you. :)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
God's Sovereign Choice: Romans 9:1-29
This passage was packed with so much insight from God. So much that I needed to search up bible studies done by others on this passage so that I can understand more of it.
Here is what I got out of it.
Romans 9:8
In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.
- You are not adopted into God's family until you believe in and say so yourself. God being almighty and all knowing as He is, knows whether you will be a Christ-follower even when you're still in your mother's womb but He expects that you to make that personal, voluntary choice to call Jesus your saviour and acknowledge God as Lord and Creator of all things.
Romans 9:16
It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
- Sometimes we see someone getting something they don't deserve... or someone not getting something that they deserve. Whenever I see that happening, I wonder "why does God allow that? It's not fair." But who am I to question God? He is sovereign and has perfect knowledge and reasoning for everything he decides and chooses. There must be a reason/explanation to why someone is getting something they don't deserve or why someone is not getting something that they deserve. It may not be clear to us why but God knows why. That's all we need to know. As a bible study that I read online said, all we can do is to "get with God's program".
*note to self: sovereign- possesing supreme and ultimate power
Romans 9:20-21
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" Does not the potter have the right to make out the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
-God has a plan for each of us. It's a divine plan that's all laid out and we have to live out a life that is pleasing and glorifying to God in order to gradually complete His perfect will for us. We may not see our current life as extravagant, entertaining, or as good as others around you but it does not matter. God set up your life so that it can you can be a light for Him.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
More Than Conquerors: Romans 8:28-39
This is the second passage that I really love so far in the book of Romans (the first one was Romans 6:1-14).
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Another school term is about to end. It will be studying everyday for the next two weeks until all exams have finished. My reflection of this term:
Academically- not much particular improvement... actually it's the opposite. I did so much better last year. This year from all the procrastination, laziness, no motivation to work has costed my marks.
Spiritually- significant growth these past couple of months! The passion to pick up my Bible and read the Word each day to see what God has in store for me has been a pleasant surprise for myself. I really do hope that this isn't just a phase, rather that this may become part of my daily routine because I want to do devos rather than have it as an obligation. In addition, just being called and convicted to be a worship leader this year at my fellowship. Feeling the Holy Spirit move in me and to use my (previously unknown haha) gift of singing to help open the hearts of the fellowship so that God can work in them is the highlight of this term.
I know that although academically I've been struggling, I know that God will provide for me. Ask and He will give. One thing to remember is to bring it all back to God. Everything you do should be glorifying to His name.
Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Don't be ashamed in the Gospel. Don't be afraid to proclaim your faith. I still haven't gotten the chance to go out and do some random evangelizing. I hope that next term I will have an opportunity to do just that. In the meantime, I'm trying to sing praises to my God out in public. Earphones in and when I'm walking down the street, may God just give me the courage and boldness to cry out to Him. Who knows, maybe someone walking by will hear of what I sing and possibly plant a seed in their heart for God.
Paul really encourages me with these verses:
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seaparate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen to that! :)
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Another school term is about to end. It will be studying everyday for the next two weeks until all exams have finished. My reflection of this term:
Academically- not much particular improvement... actually it's the opposite. I did so much better last year. This year from all the procrastination, laziness, no motivation to work has costed my marks.
Spiritually- significant growth these past couple of months! The passion to pick up my Bible and read the Word each day to see what God has in store for me has been a pleasant surprise for myself. I really do hope that this isn't just a phase, rather that this may become part of my daily routine because I want to do devos rather than have it as an obligation. In addition, just being called and convicted to be a worship leader this year at my fellowship. Feeling the Holy Spirit move in me and to use my (previously unknown haha) gift of singing to help open the hearts of the fellowship so that God can work in them is the highlight of this term.
I know that although academically I've been struggling, I know that God will provide for me. Ask and He will give. One thing to remember is to bring it all back to God. Everything you do should be glorifying to His name.
Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Don't be ashamed in the Gospel. Don't be afraid to proclaim your faith. I still haven't gotten the chance to go out and do some random evangelizing. I hope that next term I will have an opportunity to do just that. In the meantime, I'm trying to sing praises to my God out in public. Earphones in and when I'm walking down the street, may God just give me the courage and boldness to cry out to Him. Who knows, maybe someone walking by will hear of what I sing and possibly plant a seed in their heart for God.
Paul really encourages me with these verses:
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seaparate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen to that! :)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Future Glory: Romans 8:18-27
Lesson of the day: be patient while waiting for the day God takes us up into His kingdom and redeems our bodies so that we may truly become sons and daughters of God in Heaven.
Romans 8:23-25
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, grow inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
At the same time, God is able to help develop this Fruit of the Spirit called patience. Patience is such an important character trait, especially in this world where we have to tolerate or wait for different things. If we do have this trait, how can we call ourselves to be like Jesus... the one who established this beautiful quality? We wouldn't deserve to enter God's kingdom.
Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
The Holy Spirit will always be there for us in our times of weakness. It will convict each of us for something that we should be praying for. The Spirit will even help us be patient if needed. Always ask the Holy Spirit to fill you each day so that we can patiently wait for the future glory we will receive when the time comes. :)
Romans 8:23-25
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, grow inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
At the same time, God is able to help develop this Fruit of the Spirit called patience. Patience is such an important character trait, especially in this world where we have to tolerate or wait for different things. If we do have this trait, how can we call ourselves to be like Jesus... the one who established this beautiful quality? We wouldn't deserve to enter God's kingdom.
Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
The Holy Spirit will always be there for us in our times of weakness. It will convict each of us for something that we should be praying for. The Spirit will even help us be patient if needed. Always ask the Holy Spirit to fill you each day so that we can patiently wait for the future glory we will receive when the time comes. :)
Monday, November 28, 2011
Life Through The Spirit: Romans 8:1-17
Romans 8:5
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Our physical, weak bodu is easily tempted. Satan always tries to lure us into the darkness... and it's unfortunate to say that yes, we often follow his lead; but I am glad to have the Holy Spirit just be renewed in me each day. It is by the Holy Spirit that I have the ability to say NO to Satan, NO to temptations, NO to sin. It's difficult, believe me, but when we are able to free ourselves from it, there is an overwhelming joy in your heart. Never doubt and always believe because although our body will eventually die from this world, our spirit will be carried on and we will be brought into God's glorious kingdom for eternity. That sounds so amazing.
Never forget Jesus. He came down as a humble, human man...not with trumpets and fanfare for the arrival of a king. He was the sin offering. God had his wrath for us sinners be put on His own son on the cross in order for us to be free from the law of sin so that we can be righteous. I love you Jesus. Thank you for your sacrifice. All I can do now is to do everything for You, for the Lord Heavenly Father. May all glory, honour, and praise go back to You. :)
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Our physical, weak bodu is easily tempted. Satan always tries to lure us into the darkness... and it's unfortunate to say that yes, we often follow his lead; but I am glad to have the Holy Spirit just be renewed in me each day. It is by the Holy Spirit that I have the ability to say NO to Satan, NO to temptations, NO to sin. It's difficult, believe me, but when we are able to free ourselves from it, there is an overwhelming joy in your heart. Never doubt and always believe because although our body will eventually die from this world, our spirit will be carried on and we will be brought into God's glorious kingdom for eternity. That sounds so amazing.
Never forget Jesus. He came down as a humble, human man...not with trumpets and fanfare for the arrival of a king. He was the sin offering. God had his wrath for us sinners be put on His own son on the cross in order for us to be free from the law of sin so that we can be righteous. I love you Jesus. Thank you for your sacrifice. All I can do now is to do everything for You, for the Lord Heavenly Father. May all glory, honour, and praise go back to You. :)
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Struggling With Sin: Romans 7:7-25
Paul explains for himself how the law was another way how he was exposed to and acted on sin. If the law did not say "do not steal", we probably wouldn't know what stealing was... and there's that possibility that it wouldn't have existed. Sin is able to grab a hold on our curiosity and by learning of what stealing meant, we may have evil intentions and do exactly just that, opposite of what the law tells us not to do.
Romans 7:13
Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
It's tough trying to overcome all these feelings, emotions and temptations that sin puts right in front of us so that we can easily take it and be lured into doing things we actually don't want to do. Paul describes this relationship in a way that can be applied to all of us: in our minds and our hearts we are under God's law yet our physical body is ruled by sin. It's through Jesus that we'll be able to first, find a balance between the two so that sin doesn't have power over the majority of our life... and gradually through Jesus, through His Word, through prayer, we'll be able to take sin out of our life and become the Godly man/woman that we ought to be. :)
Romans 7:13
Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
It's tough trying to overcome all these feelings, emotions and temptations that sin puts right in front of us so that we can easily take it and be lured into doing things we actually don't want to do. Paul describes this relationship in a way that can be applied to all of us: in our minds and our hearts we are under God's law yet our physical body is ruled by sin. It's through Jesus that we'll be able to first, find a balance between the two so that sin doesn't have power over the majority of our life... and gradually through Jesus, through His Word, through prayer, we'll be able to take sin out of our life and become the Godly man/woman that we ought to be. :)
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
An Illustration From Marriage: Romans 7:1-6
This is such a beautiful analogy of what Jesus has done for humankind.
Romans 7:4
So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.
You can say that we were once "married" to the wickedness of the world. We wouldn't stop sinning because of the evil temptations and worldly, materialistic values that leads us farther and farther away from God. We loved doing these things that God doesn't want us to do. However, it was through Jesus Christ that we were freed from our evil "partner". By dying on the cross, we too died a death due to the weight of our sins...but was reborn when Jesus himself resurrected and overcame death. As a new, purified individual we can find our real "partner of life".... and that is God. Use your new life to please Him. Bear your spiritual fruit to God as what Romans 7:4 says. :)
Romans 7:6
But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
Romans 7:4
So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.
You can say that we were once "married" to the wickedness of the world. We wouldn't stop sinning because of the evil temptations and worldly, materialistic values that leads us farther and farther away from God. We loved doing these things that God doesn't want us to do. However, it was through Jesus Christ that we were freed from our evil "partner". By dying on the cross, we too died a death due to the weight of our sins...but was reborn when Jesus himself resurrected and overcame death. As a new, purified individual we can find our real "partner of life".... and that is God. Use your new life to please Him. Bear your spiritual fruit to God as what Romans 7:4 says. :)
Romans 7:6
But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Slaves to Righteousness: Romans 6:15-23
Slave: A person who is excessively dependent upon or controlled by something.
We were slaves to sin... driven to commit things we would be ashamed of, things that are evil and wrong.
Through Jesus Christ we are now slaves to righteousness and to our God. Following the definition, we should be excessively dependent on God. He gives us all the wisdom, strength, grace, love that we would ever need and want. We should be controlled by God. He has a perfect will for each of His children.
It made me remember this classic bible verse of encouragement.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
There's nothing for us to worry about because by God's steady hand to guide us through our life, He will make sure that we fulfill His plan for us. It's great to know that He has total control over me. Everything I do now can be thought of as another step in completing His mighty plan for me.
Of course sin tries to mess everything up...but there's always hope. As long as we remain Christ-centered in every moment, sin will not reign over us. Yes, there will be times where we will break down and cannot resist the temptations and evil desires of sin but God and our resistance will help us break free from it very quickly.
Being a slave to God is what everyone should yearn to be. Offering up our lives to Him will lead to righteousness, then eternal life with our Father. Doesn't that sound so amazing? :)
We were slaves to sin... driven to commit things we would be ashamed of, things that are evil and wrong.
Through Jesus Christ we are now slaves to righteousness and to our God. Following the definition, we should be excessively dependent on God. He gives us all the wisdom, strength, grace, love that we would ever need and want. We should be controlled by God. He has a perfect will for each of His children.
It made me remember this classic bible verse of encouragement.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
There's nothing for us to worry about because by God's steady hand to guide us through our life, He will make sure that we fulfill His plan for us. It's great to know that He has total control over me. Everything I do now can be thought of as another step in completing His mighty plan for me.
Of course sin tries to mess everything up...but there's always hope. As long as we remain Christ-centered in every moment, sin will not reign over us. Yes, there will be times where we will break down and cannot resist the temptations and evil desires of sin but God and our resistance will help us break free from it very quickly.
Being a slave to God is what everyone should yearn to be. Offering up our lives to Him will lead to righteousness, then eternal life with our Father. Doesn't that sound so amazing? :)
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ: Romans 6:1-14
This is by far one of my most favourite passages I have read so far! So straightforward.... Gospel-centred.... gets right to the point of why we call Jesus our Saviour in the first place. :)
Romans 6:3-4
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
This verse is beautiful. It describes how we are linked to Jesus, it describes our loving relationship with Him. Through Him we get to live a new life to glorify our Lord, to do everything in His name. Christ took our hand and protected us from God's judgement for the wickedness in the world. When I first accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, I didn't truly understand the importance and the depth of what He did for me so many thousand years ago. Now as I continue to grow into a stronger, more spiritually mature woman of God, I give my fullest gratitude to God for sending His one and only Son to help cleanse the world from all evil and sin.
The passage continues on by emphasizing how we are united with Jesus. We are united and related in such a way that when Jesus died on the cross, our body which was full of sin, temptations, distractions was done away with as well.... and when Jesus rose again through the resurrection, we too rose with Him, renewed and purified. Jesus was able to overcome death and sin once and for all, now to live an eternal life with God. I am alive and well and so happy and willing to live this temporary life to worship, praise, glorify... to do whatever is pleasing to God until my eternal life in Heaven will I will still continue to rejoice in His grace for me.
The instructions are clear:
Romans 6: 12-14
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Don not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been nrought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Everything in this world is temporary, I can be easily so caught up by materialistic things, worldly desires, temptations of the flesh... but what can be more expensive and cherished than what awaits us in God's kingdom? :)
Romans 6:3-4
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
This verse is beautiful. It describes how we are linked to Jesus, it describes our loving relationship with Him. Through Him we get to live a new life to glorify our Lord, to do everything in His name. Christ took our hand and protected us from God's judgement for the wickedness in the world. When I first accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, I didn't truly understand the importance and the depth of what He did for me so many thousand years ago. Now as I continue to grow into a stronger, more spiritually mature woman of God, I give my fullest gratitude to God for sending His one and only Son to help cleanse the world from all evil and sin.
The passage continues on by emphasizing how we are united with Jesus. We are united and related in such a way that when Jesus died on the cross, our body which was full of sin, temptations, distractions was done away with as well.... and when Jesus rose again through the resurrection, we too rose with Him, renewed and purified. Jesus was able to overcome death and sin once and for all, now to live an eternal life with God. I am alive and well and so happy and willing to live this temporary life to worship, praise, glorify... to do whatever is pleasing to God until my eternal life in Heaven will I will still continue to rejoice in His grace for me.
The instructions are clear:
Romans 6: 12-14
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Don not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been nrought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Everything in this world is temporary, I can be easily so caught up by materialistic things, worldly desires, temptations of the flesh... but what can be more expensive and cherished than what awaits us in God's kingdom? :)
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ: Romans 5:12-21
We are all born with sin. Even when you were still in your mother's womb.
It all started with Adam and Eve. If they had not disobeyed God and ate the apple from the forbidden tree, they wouldn't have known or gained such knowledge of what evil was...sin wouldn't have existed...
It's so hard to imagine a world without sin, a world where evil did not exist.
Sadly that's not the case and we all have to live with such temptations and distractions that continuously tries to pull us away from the Lord. There's always hope. Jesus Christ. The one man who died a death so horrible as He took the sins of man and received judgement for those from His very father. The very man who was able to conquer death. The very man who through Him I receive the grace and mercy of my God. The man, who through his obedience to his Father, that made me righteous.
Romans 5:18-19
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Through Jesus I obtained salvation. Through Jesus I obtained an eternal life with the Lord. I feel so warm and happy as I'm writing this because there's nothing to be afraid of. All good things are waiting in the heavenly kingdom of God. Can't wait to see what's in store for me. :)
It all started with Adam and Eve. If they had not disobeyed God and ate the apple from the forbidden tree, they wouldn't have known or gained such knowledge of what evil was...sin wouldn't have existed...
It's so hard to imagine a world without sin, a world where evil did not exist.
Sadly that's not the case and we all have to live with such temptations and distractions that continuously tries to pull us away from the Lord. There's always hope. Jesus Christ. The one man who died a death so horrible as He took the sins of man and received judgement for those from His very father. The very man who was able to conquer death. The very man who through Him I receive the grace and mercy of my God. The man, who through his obedience to his Father, that made me righteous.
Romans 5:18-19
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Through Jesus I obtained salvation. Through Jesus I obtained an eternal life with the Lord. I feel so warm and happy as I'm writing this because there's nothing to be afraid of. All good things are waiting in the heavenly kingdom of God. Can't wait to see what's in store for me. :)
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Peace and Joy: Romans 5:1-11
The perfect example of love stems from Jesus. He sacrifices His life for the ungodly, the sinners... the people who don't deserve such kindness and forgiveness from the Father. It is through Him that we receive grace from the Lord and mercy for the wrath that God should have placed us under.
Now I find hope in whatever I do. The Bible says that we should delight in our sufferings. Sufferings brings perseverance. It helps us to remain strong in our faith. It builds our trust in the Lord and in all He can and will do.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Clearly this concept is reverberated in multiple books in the Holy Word. Our enduring faith in God will help us spiritually grow and become more of a godly man or woman. The cycle basically repeats itself... you become more mature, your faith and hope in the Lord strengthens, your character builds... and it brings us back to the starting point where we become even more mature and the cycle goes on. Hope would never disappoint us because God has already shown each and every person what He can do to save us...to bring us back onto the right path...all from the work of His Son Jesus.
Verse 7 stuck out to me.
Romans 5:7
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
My point of view: For one to be righteous is when God has considered him to be forgiven and is in God's favour. A good man can become a righteous man if they believed and experience the influential work of the Holy Spirit in him. Christ died for the good people. Christ died for the people who He believed will one day be righteous in God's eyes...and by dying He reinforced this notion that God loves us so and has forsaken His son in order for us to be forgiven from the many transgressions we commit.
We have received reconciliation from God through Jesus Christ. We are spared from the judgement that God would have fired at us if it wasn't for Jesus Christ. I can freely acknowledge that I am protected by Jesus from God's punishment for sinners and it is because of this freedom that I always give back the praises and glory to Him. I love you Jesus and thank you for sacrificing yourself for me on the cross so that I can live my life now.
Now I find hope in whatever I do. The Bible says that we should delight in our sufferings. Sufferings brings perseverance. It helps us to remain strong in our faith. It builds our trust in the Lord and in all He can and will do.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Clearly this concept is reverberated in multiple books in the Holy Word. Our enduring faith in God will help us spiritually grow and become more of a godly man or woman. The cycle basically repeats itself... you become more mature, your faith and hope in the Lord strengthens, your character builds... and it brings us back to the starting point where we become even more mature and the cycle goes on. Hope would never disappoint us because God has already shown each and every person what He can do to save us...to bring us back onto the right path...all from the work of His Son Jesus.
Verse 7 stuck out to me.
Romans 5:7
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
My point of view: For one to be righteous is when God has considered him to be forgiven and is in God's favour. A good man can become a righteous man if they believed and experience the influential work of the Holy Spirit in him. Christ died for the good people. Christ died for the people who He believed will one day be righteous in God's eyes...and by dying He reinforced this notion that God loves us so and has forsaken His son in order for us to be forgiven from the many transgressions we commit.
We have received reconciliation from God through Jesus Christ. We are spared from the judgement that God would have fired at us if it wasn't for Jesus Christ. I can freely acknowledge that I am protected by Jesus from God's punishment for sinners and it is because of this freedom that I always give back the praises and glory to Him. I love you Jesus and thank you for sacrificing yourself for me on the cross so that I can live my life now.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Abraham Justified by Faith: Romans 4:1-25
Paul uses Abraham as a great example of how we become righteous through our faith in Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul starts off by reinforcing the idea that it is not by works that we are granted to the glory of God's kingdom. Doing good works demonstrate how you glorify God in your everyday life but relying on simply "good works" will not suffice in proving that you are a Godly individual and do not sin. You also need to have that trust in Him, to have dependance on Him, and to know that our Lord Heavenly Father will have guidance for you in whatever trouble you may be in.
But this reliance on God should not be an obligation. It should be a decision made by yourself out of love for God, knowing that He is almighty and by grace will deem you righteous.
The passage also states that Abraham was not worried about his coming death due to old age because He knew that by faith he will receive the best treasures in the next life from the Lord. Clearly he understands that it is thanks to Jesus Christ that we are still here today. We've been forgiven of our sins when Jesus took it all on himself on the cross. Our steadfast belief that God raised His son Jesus from the dead is the display of our faith in God and how through Him we've been justified.
It all relates back to the center of the Gospel. The underlying moral that is through Jesus that we've been saved. Our way to bring the glory back to Jesus is to stand up for our faith. There's nothing to be ashamed of. We are always in a continuous state of sanctification so it is of great importance to keep the Lord at the forefront of our minds and be aware of what we can do to reflect His image in us. Abraham is someone that I myself should become more of in terms of the qualities and the character that He was... to be Godly, Christ-centered, and an individual who is not afraid to show the world that I love my awesome God.
Paul starts off by reinforcing the idea that it is not by works that we are granted to the glory of God's kingdom. Doing good works demonstrate how you glorify God in your everyday life but relying on simply "good works" will not suffice in proving that you are a Godly individual and do not sin. You also need to have that trust in Him, to have dependance on Him, and to know that our Lord Heavenly Father will have guidance for you in whatever trouble you may be in.
But this reliance on God should not be an obligation. It should be a decision made by yourself out of love for God, knowing that He is almighty and by grace will deem you righteous.
The passage also states that Abraham was not worried about his coming death due to old age because He knew that by faith he will receive the best treasures in the next life from the Lord. Clearly he understands that it is thanks to Jesus Christ that we are still here today. We've been forgiven of our sins when Jesus took it all on himself on the cross. Our steadfast belief that God raised His son Jesus from the dead is the display of our faith in God and how through Him we've been justified.
It all relates back to the center of the Gospel. The underlying moral that is through Jesus that we've been saved. Our way to bring the glory back to Jesus is to stand up for our faith. There's nothing to be ashamed of. We are always in a continuous state of sanctification so it is of great importance to keep the Lord at the forefront of our minds and be aware of what we can do to reflect His image in us. Abraham is someone that I myself should become more of in terms of the qualities and the character that He was... to be Godly, Christ-centered, and an individual who is not afraid to show the world that I love my awesome God.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Righteousness Through Faith: Romans 3:21-31
*Note to self:
righteousness-An attribute that implies that a person's actions are justified, and can have the connotation that the person has been "judged" or "reckoned" as leading a life that is pleasing to God.
Romans 3:22
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
My family of brothers and sisters in Christ have been atoned for our sins from the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross for us. He took the punishment that we deserved and suffered under God's wrath for us sinners. However, it is with joy to realize that thanks to Jesus, God is also the justifier for our actions. We are on terms that are pleasing to God as long as we continue to believe through faith in Jesus. :)
righteousness-An attribute that implies that a person's actions are justified, and can have the connotation that the person has been "judged" or "reckoned" as leading a life that is pleasing to God.
Romans 3:22
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
My family of brothers and sisters in Christ have been atoned for our sins from the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross for us. He took the punishment that we deserved and suffered under God's wrath for us sinners. However, it is with joy to realize that thanks to Jesus, God is also the justifier for our actions. We are on terms that are pleasing to God as long as we continue to believe through faith in Jesus. :)
Sunday, October 9, 2011
No One is Righteous: Romans 3:9-20
No one is righteous. Only God Almighty is. Paul is able to find so much evidence of our wicked deeds from the Old Testament to support this claim.
Verse 11-12 comes from Psalm 14:1-3.
Psalm 14:1
The fool says in his heart, "There is no one God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Verse 13 combines Psalm 5:9, and Psalm 140:3.
Psalm 5:9
Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.
Psalm 140:3
They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips.
Verse 15-17 are taken from Isaiah 59:7-8
Isaiah 59:7-8
Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace.
The way we worship other idols besides the one God, speak and curse as though we do not know of God, act and think with evil in our minds... this basically describes each one of us. Although we may not always act this way, it is still proven that we are not righteous. We are not at all like Jesus who did not do any one these things and lived a life of no sin. Acknowledge the fact that you are a sinner and ask for forgiveness. God will hear your prayers and will give what you ask. This is a way for us to show God that we have not forgotten Him and continue to strive towards Him. :)
Verse 11-12 comes from Psalm 14:1-3.
Psalm 14:1
The fool says in his heart, "There is no one God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Verse 13 combines Psalm 5:9, and Psalm 140:3.
Psalm 5:9
Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.
Psalm 140:3
They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips.
Verse 15-17 are taken from Isaiah 59:7-8
Isaiah 59:7-8
Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace.
The way we worship other idols besides the one God, speak and curse as though we do not know of God, act and think with evil in our minds... this basically describes each one of us. Although we may not always act this way, it is still proven that we are not righteous. We are not at all like Jesus who did not do any one these things and lived a life of no sin. Acknowledge the fact that you are a sinner and ask for forgiveness. God will hear your prayers and will give what you ask. This is a way for us to show God that we have not forgotten Him and continue to strive towards Him. :)
Saturday, October 8, 2011
God's Faithfulness: Romans 3:1-8
I had a hard time undertanding this section. Had to do a bit of research in order for me to grasp what the lesson is.
Romans 3:1-2
What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
- What advantages do we get from being Christian? Paul tells us that we would be given the words of God. We can access all of it directly through the Bible, the Holy Word...what God wants or doesn't want us to do, the life lessons that He teaches us, the story of his Son, the warnings of what is to come. It's all from His mouth written on paper.
Romans 3:3-4
What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."
- God is faithful and true no matter what. From my readings of other studies on this passage, one point that caught my attention was the ironic contrast seen in the passage describing a Jewish unbeliever. In the verse 2 it states that Christians (aka Jews back then) would be blessed with the very words of God. In contrast, seen in verse 3, some Jews don't have faith and we can extend that thought to them not believing in the words of God. Why do they consider themselves as a Jew in the first place then (it can relate to the hypocrite concept as well)?
*Note to self:
Context of Psalm 51:4 is that King David is asking for forgiveness for his sin of adultery with Bathsheba.
Psalm 51:4
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
- The quote in verse 4 comes from Psalm 51:4. Since we are all sinners here on earth, when God speaks or judges, it is always right and true. God will never be nullified, even for those who lack in faith and continue to go deeper into their sin. God is always there and when He speaks or judges upon us earthly beings, His words and judgment will always be correct and true.
Romans 3:7-8
Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" Why not say-- as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say-- "Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.
- Why would anyone consider doing evil to bring good? Why not just do good to bring more good? This is an excuse for sinning and those who think this way do deserve God's punishment. From other studiess--which I agree with-- there are are other ways of showing or enhancing God's truthfulness. Lying (don't know how) may possibly help in showing God's glory but this act itself is still a sin and in no way it shouldn't be considered a sin.
Wow. So much stuff learned within these 8 verses. God is amazing. :)
Friday, October 7, 2011
The Jews and the Law: Romans 2:17-29
Paul teaches us about hypocrisy in our faith through this passage.
Romans 2:19-23
If you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
The verses are nice and straightforward. Don't be a hypocrite of faith. If you declare yourself to be a devoted Christian, never do things that goes against what you say and is disrepectful to God. I struggle with this myself. I am a hypocrite too at times but I will change for the better. :)
Thursday, October 6, 2011
God's Righteous Judgement: Romans 2:1-16
Romans 2:1
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Lesson of the day coming right from the first verse of Chapter 2. Paul makes it very clear. Why do we judge other people's actions and thoughts in the first place. Off the top of my head, it's probably because we see the things they say or do different and unusual from ourselves. We think of ourselves as perfect and when others act or behave differently and unusually from us, we judge them.
However, we don't have that right to judge others. What standards are we basing our judgment? We are not perfect, we will never be. Only God, the pure and holy one, can pass judgment on anyone. With no sin, his standards of what is right, wrong, funny, weird, crazy, annoying is fact.
God knows us. He knows whether we've been consistently trying to live out a life of a Christ-follower or if we have strayed off the path and have begun idolizing worldly things in life. For those who live a good life, God will pass judgment on them and award us with eternal life with Him. For those who don't live to bring praise and glory to Him and worship things of the earth... they will perish and under God's judgment they will feel His wrath and anger. Sounds harsh but that is what will happen when Jesus comes back to us at the end of the world.
It doesn't have to end this way. Repent of your sins, ask for forgiveness, and God will gladly offer it to you. Live with your faith yet be humble in your thoughts and actions. :)
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Lesson of the day coming right from the first verse of Chapter 2. Paul makes it very clear. Why do we judge other people's actions and thoughts in the first place. Off the top of my head, it's probably because we see the things they say or do different and unusual from ourselves. We think of ourselves as perfect and when others act or behave differently and unusually from us, we judge them.
However, we don't have that right to judge others. What standards are we basing our judgment? We are not perfect, we will never be. Only God, the pure and holy one, can pass judgment on anyone. With no sin, his standards of what is right, wrong, funny, weird, crazy, annoying is fact.
God knows us. He knows whether we've been consistently trying to live out a life of a Christ-follower or if we have strayed off the path and have begun idolizing worldly things in life. For those who live a good life, God will pass judgment on them and award us with eternal life with Him. For those who don't live to bring praise and glory to Him and worship things of the earth... they will perish and under God's judgment they will feel His wrath and anger. Sounds harsh but that is what will happen when Jesus comes back to us at the end of the world.
It doesn't have to end this way. Repent of your sins, ask for forgiveness, and God will gladly offer it to you. Live with your faith yet be humble in your thoughts and actions. :)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
God's Wrath Against Mankind: Romans 1:18-32
Today's passage was both morbid and intense... but is also a kick to the butt to wake up!
It basically talks about all the evil, darkness, and wickedness in our hearts and minds that takes us away from glorifying and praising God.
Romans 1: 29-31
They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
For sure I have committed a sin that was listed from those 3 verses. I feel so ashamed for gossiping about people behind their back, for rebelling against the parentals... the list can go on and on. I always pray for the forgiveness of my sins each day and for guidance by the Holy Spirit because of how easily Satan can trick me with temptations and to take up bad qualities such as procrastination and lust. God sees and knows everything we say and do and as it says in the passage, God will punish those who don't repent and continue committing such sinful acts. Look at the world today. Satan has took control of the lives of the nonbelievers and those who are weak in faith. I don't want to happen to me. I want to be a light to these people by reflecting a life and personality where I always attempt to keep the image of Jesus in my mind and think about what he would do in every situation. :)
It basically talks about all the evil, darkness, and wickedness in our hearts and minds that takes us away from glorifying and praising God.
Romans 1: 29-31
They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
For sure I have committed a sin that was listed from those 3 verses. I feel so ashamed for gossiping about people behind their back, for rebelling against the parentals... the list can go on and on. I always pray for the forgiveness of my sins each day and for guidance by the Holy Spirit because of how easily Satan can trick me with temptations and to take up bad qualities such as procrastination and lust. God sees and knows everything we say and do and as it says in the passage, God will punish those who don't repent and continue committing such sinful acts. Look at the world today. Satan has took control of the lives of the nonbelievers and those who are weak in faith. I don't want to happen to me. I want to be a light to these people by reflecting a life and personality where I always attempt to keep the image of Jesus in my mind and think about what he would do in every situation. :)
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Paul's Longing to Visit Rome: Romans 1:8-17
In this passage, Paul explains to us indirectly of why he has such a yearning to tell others of the Gospel. Here, he tells the Romans that he has always wanted to come to Rome to bring more people towards Jesus Christ. Back then, whether the individual was a Jew or Gentile, wise or foolish, whatever the people are like, Paul steps up to the plate and with a joyful heart he longs to tell them of the stories and teachings of Jesus.
Verse 16 definitely caught my attention.
Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
I have always been nervous about evangelism. What happens if a non-Christian friend sees me doing this? Will I look weird? What happens if I don't know the answer to a questions regarding my faith? What should I say? All these questions swim around in my head and it makes me consider whether I am ready for it or not. However as it says in verse 16, it is through God's power and mercy on us that we get to be a part of His family and eventually we will get to see Him in heaven. It's scary to think of how I won't see all my non-Christian friends who don't know about Jesus yet in the next life. As Paul said, this is my obligation as a Christ follower. God will provide the courage and knowledge when I get the opportunity to go out and be an apostle of the Gospel. This thought alone makes the whole idea of it less scary already. :)
Verse 16 definitely caught my attention.
Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
I have always been nervous about evangelism. What happens if a non-Christian friend sees me doing this? Will I look weird? What happens if I don't know the answer to a questions regarding my faith? What should I say? All these questions swim around in my head and it makes me consider whether I am ready for it or not. However as it says in verse 16, it is through God's power and mercy on us that we get to be a part of His family and eventually we will get to see Him in heaven. It's scary to think of how I won't see all my non-Christian friends who don't know about Jesus yet in the next life. As Paul said, this is my obligation as a Christ follower. God will provide the courage and knowledge when I get the opportunity to go out and be an apostle of the Gospel. This thought alone makes the whole idea of it less scary already. :)
Monday, October 3, 2011
Romans 1:1-7
Today is the day I begin to do my daily devos on the the book of Romans. I am so excited to reflect and think about what God has to tell me through this journey for the next couple months.
The book of Romans was written by Paul, an apostle of the Gospel.
*note to self:
disciple- a learner/student of Jesus Christ
apostle- a messenger
What is the Gospel? It's about Jesus, Son of God, the one who died on the cross to redeem us from the sins we've committed. It is by Him that we've received grace to live out our lives and to reflect to others of how God's love and Jesus' mighty sacrifice has changed our lives for the better. It is our duty to fulfill the Great Commission and I hope that as I go through this book, I will become more prepared to go out myself and spread the good news to nonbelievers with the knowledge I obtain from this book. :)
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
The book of Romans was written by Paul, an apostle of the Gospel.
*note to self:
disciple- a learner/student of Jesus Christ
apostle- a messenger
What is the Gospel? It's about Jesus, Son of God, the one who died on the cross to redeem us from the sins we've committed. It is by Him that we've received grace to live out our lives and to reflect to others of how God's love and Jesus' mighty sacrifice has changed our lives for the better. It is our duty to fulfill the Great Commission and I hope that as I go through this book, I will become more prepared to go out myself and spread the good news to nonbelievers with the knowledge I obtain from this book. :)
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
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