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. :)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
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.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)