[Acts 20, Proverbs 23]

H – Acts 20:24, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

E – Purpose!

Paul, now on his third missionary journey, knew his life was coming to an end. He had been persecuted his whole gospel ministry. However, run off from place to place and physically attacked over and over again, he never once wavered in proclaiming the Gospel and raising up churches. He was hard working, humble, bold, compassionate, and caring. He set the example of a Christ follower to all he came into contact with. He looked for opportunities to position himself to be in contact with others who had authority and could make a difference, if only the Gospel would captivate them (ie. officials, governors, etc.). 

What an example. The question that comes to my mind is how could Paul in all the persecution he faced and knowing his life was coming to an end keep pressing with this type of passionate desire? The answer became clear, he knew his purpose. 

Paul’s purpose was the Gospel. It was not to make himself a better life. It was not to provide himself a quality of life. It was not to position himself for early retirement. Paul’s purpose was the Gospel. Where ever God would send him. In whatever situations. Paul’s purpose was the Gospel. When the Lord called Paul, He commissioned Paul, and Paul took his ministry seriously, as should we all. From beginning to end Paul’s life was to testify to the Gospel of the Grace of God.

A – Know my purpose. Fulfill my purpose (set the example). Testify of The ONE who has given me purpose. 

R – Lord God, thank you for calling me out of darkness an into a marvelous light. Lord, I know my calling. Help me to fulfill my calling by walking in the purpose you have given me. I need your help. Holy Spirit of God, fill my life anew each day. Help me to share, testify, preach, teach, disciple, and encourage those around me. Lord, I pray I lead well by setting a godly example before all people. Lord, today, use me for your glory, which is my purpose. 

In Jesus Name!

[Romans 15, Proverbs 21]

H – Romans 15:5–6, “[5] May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, [6] that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

E – May The God Of …….!

Paul had a great desire for Christians to live in harmony and unity. To accomplish this, more mature Christians were to bear with and build up younger immature Christians (15:1-2). This can be a hard road. It’s one that is easy to give up on, which is why discipleship is lacking in many Christian circles. It is hard. It is not easy. It is trying. Therefore, we need help. We need the God of endurance and encouragement to fill our lives that we would press forward in the messy to accomplish His commission and bring glory to His great name. 

Paul had a great desire to share the Gospel by serving the least of these, the Gentiles. The Gentiles were looked down upon by most of the Jews. Again, when your perception of a specific people group has been swayed by the way you were raised it can be difficult to even have a desire to try. However, when Paul was consumed with the Gospel he humbly took the calling of this ministry and boldly went in proclamation. Paul couldn’t do it in his own power. He needed help, as do we. We need the God of hope to fill our lives with joy and peace. We need the Holy Spirit of God to abound in our lives that others would see our only hope is Jesus. 

Paul had a desire to be with the brothers at Rome. He knew that being around them would refresh him spiritually and encourage him to keep pressing. They would be a help for his journey (15:24). The Lord has established the local church for this reason. We need each other. Together we are called to refresh and encourage one another in the Lord (15:30). Our prayer together is for God’s will to be done. Again, that is not always an easy prayer. Therefore, we need help. We need the God of peace to be with us. It is His peace that gives us comfort to keep pressing in hostile situations after we leave the fellowship headed into unknown territory. Which is why I need to gather together with His people as often as His people gather together. 

A – I need help. I need the God of endurance, encouragement, hope, and peace to fill my life, anew. Remain faithful, seek Him, and follow Him in all of life’s journey. 

R – Lord God, thank you for being the God of endurance, encouragement, hope, and peace for my life. Thank you for giving me your Spirit and never abandoning me. Lord, I pray for the church today. Just as Paul prayed for Rome, Lord I pray for Harmony. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant us to live in harmony and unity. May the God of hope fill us with the Holy Spirit to go and tell. May the God of peace be with us every time we gather to refresh and encourage one another to keep pressing. Lord God, we need you. We need help. 

In Jesus Name!

[Romans 14, Proverbs 20]

H – Romans 14:23b, “……For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”

E – Disputes!

Disputes are nothing new in the church. Most the time disputes get stirred up from pure pettiness. It was no different for this church. There must have been some disputes between established brethren and new brethren over what was being ate and drank (14:1).

Paul’s admonishment was for each person to live their life to the Lord (14:8). Regardless if they ate certain foods are didn’t eat certain food, give thanks to the Lord for it and keep moving on. 

There was no need to make others stumble or hinder their growth. There was no reason to squabble, if each person was walking in faith. They were called to keep the main thing the main thing and Jesus at the center of it all (14:17-19). 

For what ever they did or didn’t do they needed to do it from the seriousness of faith in Christ. For anything that did not proceed from faith, Paul reminded them it was sin. And, sin is serious. 

A – Whatever I do, do not do, say, or don’t say do it all proceeding from faith. (Hebrews 11:1).

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for your Word which leads and guides me. Thank you for using it this morning to set my heart on you and lead me in the way I should go. Lord, may I walk out my life that proceeds from faith in you, keeping you at the center of it all. 

In Jesus Name!

[Romans 12, Proverbs 16]

H – Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

E – A Holy Appeal!

As you read through Romans it doesn’t take long to sense Paul’s burden for the lost and his desire for the saved. For the lost, those without hope and without God, his desire and prayer is that they be saved (Romans 10:1). Even to the point that if he could wish himself accursed and cutoff from Christ in order that his brothers would be saved he would take it (Romans 9:3). For the saved Paul’s desire was that they would simply live like it. Live the evidence of mercy and grace, righteously pursing Him by faith (the whole book of Romans). 

Therefore, For the Christ follower who has been justified through grace, by faith in Christ, it is our first duty to surrender ourselves to God as a living sacrifice, which is no doubt a connection to Leviticus 1:6-9 and being “a pleasing aroma”. This is my worship! Coming in full surrender (sacrifice) and leaving transformed (12:2). This is what brings about a saving change in us that makes us serviceable in every way to our fellow man (12:9-18). 

A – Surrender, Sacrifice, Worship, Transform, Serve.

R – Lord God, thank you for becoming our living sacrifice and giving us the opportunity to be saved. Lord, help me to then practice what I preach; talk the talk, and walk the walk. Lord, I worship you today. I would be nothing without your mercy and grace. Help me to extend what you’ve given me to my fellow man, showing you in me to them. Let my love be genuine and convict me when it is not. Lord, use my life for your Glory.

In Jesus Name!

[Romans 8, Proverbs 10]

H – Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

E – His Spirit!

Romans 8:1 sets forth one of the most important truths of the Christian faith. There is no longer any condemnation, at all, for those who are “in Christ Jesus,” that is, who have been made ONE with Him by faith in His redemptive sacrifice. The just penalty (condemnation) incurred by the sins of the human race was paid by the death of Christ. The unfavorable verdict (guilty = death), that I deserve, has been removed. Now all those who are in Christ are the beneficiaries of His forgiveness and are now adopted children of God through His Spirit (8:14). 

Because of my faith in the atoning work and sacrifice of Christ Jesus I now live in His Spirit. John Stott, stated it this way, “The Christian life is essentially life in the Spirit, that is to say, a life that is animated, sustained, directed and enriched by the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit true Christian discipleship would be inconceivable, indeed impossible.” In other words the reason that I do not feel nor will experience condemnation is because His Spirit has set me free (8:2). 

The opposite of spiritual freedom is spiritual guilt and shame (condemnation). Yet, because of the work of Christ I don’t have to live that way any more. Robert Mounce described a great truth in his commentary on Romans, stating, “to insist on feeling guilty is but another way of insisting on helping God with our salvation.” Wow! What a powerful statement on how deeply imbedded the natural influences of our self righteous and works righteous nature are in our lives. But, isn’t that what I’m suppose to die too?

There are a few truths that stick out as I read through Romans 8 (so much goodness to wrap my head around) and read over and over the words “the Spirit” that should help me with the continual dying to self and living in light of His Spirit. 

1. His Spirit has set us free (8:2). His Spirit is life. It has set us free from the power of sin, the pain of death, and the pronouncement of hell. 
2. His Spirit gives us life, peace, and purpose (8:6, 28). When I continually set my mind on His Spirit and walk accordingly to His purpose (will) I experience His life and peace. Anything contrary to this is to live a life of flesh that can never please God (8:8).
3. His Spirit grants us acceptance and value (8:14-17). I can’t speak for everyone, but I can speak for myself. When I walked in my flesh I was attempting to fill voids and find value in something else that would satisfy my desires. Yet, when I surrendered my life to Jesus I found what my heart had been longing for, acceptance and value. It was Him, His family, and His Glory. 
4. His Spirit produces godliness (8:23). Because life is tough, sin is easy, and suffering is evident I need Him at work in my life. I live my life through His Spirit (godliness), patently enduring, and longing with great hope for future glory.
5. His Spirit helps me in my weakness (8:26). Anyone else need help? I at times can feel the weight of this verse. At times, I don’t even know what to pray. But, praise be to God for His Spirit who intercedes and helps us in our weakness. 
6. His Spirit gives me power and victory (8:31,37). Just read these questions (paraphrased): Who shall bring charge against us? Who is to condemn us? Who shall separate us from Christ love? No one, nor no thing can charge, condemn, or separate us. In reality, I am more than a conquerer, through HIM. He gives me power and victory. 
7. His Spirit reveals His unending love and forgiveness (8:37,39). In reality I have His Spirit because He loves me. His Spirit at work in my life continues to reveal His love for me. His love pursued me, valued me, rescued me, restored, me, purposed me, strengthens me, and continues to fight for me. 

A – Reading Romans 8 helps me understand more the words I’ve used and quoted, “I don’t live my life for Jesus. I live my life through Jesus.” I can’t do anything for. It has to be through. Therefore, live my life intentionally and purposefully through His Spirit. 

R – Lord God, thank you for your Spirit, freedom, life, peace, purpose, acceptance, value, help, power, victory. Lord, I know it’s all through your love for me. I don’t understand it. But, I humble accept it. Lord, be my help to persevere through this life and thank you for the hope of glory. I pray I would love my life through you and you would use me with great purpose. 

In Jesus Name!

[Romans 7, Proverbs 9]

H – Romans 7:24-25, “[24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

E – The Only Good Thing In Me!

I am a sinner. The law revealed to me my sin (7:7), ignites my sinful desires (7:8), and leads me to death (7:11). As a sinner I can not keep the law. Even if I tried with everything in me I can’t keep it. Paul stated in Romans 7:15, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Because sin dwells in me I do not have the ability to be “good enough” (7:18-20). Therefore, I’m captive by sin and it leads me to be a wretched man (7:24). 

But God! Although the law is good because it revealed to me my sin nature there is only One that can free me from the curse of the law, Jesus. I’m dead in my sin (Romans 6:23), but Jesus paved a way, by faith, in and through His death-burial-resurrection that delivered me from the curse of the law, death. That makes only One good thing in me; JESUS!

Thanks be to God for His mercy and grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Even though I sin and fall short of His Glory, He has paid my debt and and alone leads me in righteousness. 

A – Being Jesus is the only good thing in me, live the life of a Christ follower through Him. 

R – Lord God, Thank you for delivering me from this body of death. You are so good and the only good thing in me. Lord, help me to live my life through you and for your glory!

In Jesus Name!

[Romans 5, Proverbs 7]

H – Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

E – PEACE!

The world is searching for peace. The human quest for peace is never-ending. Ever since Cain lifted his hand against his brother Abel (Gen. 4), peaceful coexistence has been little more than a fleeting ideal. There is a reason for that, of course, and it is not that people do not want peace. It is just that they want it on their own terms—terms which, of course, conflict with other peoples’ terms. And here lies the problem. Peace can not be earned, won, purchased, proclaimed, policed, or policied. This, of course, is why the world will always be searching for peace. 

There can only be abundant and eternal peace from One and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. When a person surrenders their all to all of Jesus they are saved (justified). The word justified is a moving from the state of sin to a state of grace. It’s a redemptive action from One that leads another to a place of lasting freedom. It has been simply stated as leading one as if they’ve never sinned and pronounced and treated as righteousness.

The moment one puts genuine faith in God they experience the complete and lasting work of God (justified). This justification in one moment creates something inside of the person that they have been longing for the whole time; PEACE. I know the moment I trusted in Christ it was as if a 1,000 pounds of weight or 1,000’s of burdens were lifted in a moment. The current pressures on my life fleeted in an instant. It’s as if I finally felt like I belonged to something/someone. I tell people all the time, I can’t explain it, you just have to experience it. 

And yet, this peace leads us to go deeper in relationship with the One who has offered us this peace (sanctification). Why would I want to get over it? There are 4 responsive truths that follow Romans 5:1 because I have peace with God. 1) We stand in Grace (v.2). It is because of His grace that I’m at peace. I have obtained access to His grace and it is unending. I have the opportunity to experience it anew each moment of each day. 2) We rejoice in Hope (v.3). It is His glory that has changed my life and it is His glory I long to see. The hope that I have now is not in and of myself to pursue peace. The hope I have now is that by His glory He’s already given me peace, now and forevermore. 3) We Endure Suffering (v.3). This may cause confusion. Why would enduring suffering produce rejoicing? The simple answer, Peace. The reality is that our life experiences will not all be enjoyable. There will be moments of suffering. Yet, because of Jesus these life experiences do not define me. Peace arises out of a willingness to experience Jesus the more through perseverance (v.4), allowing His to change my character (v.4), and the hope of my future in Him being revealed all the more (v.4). 4) Lastly, We Continue to Change Through His Love (v.5). God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. As I allow the Holy Spirit to continue a good work in me and guide me in the way I should go I remain at peace. When I experience His presence (His Spirit), I experience His love and it leads me in peace. 

So, How can one have peace? It is to be declared justified by faith in Jesus Christ. The world need to hear that. 

A – Walk in peace, stand in grace, rejoice in hope, enduring suffering, be changed through His love. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for peace. I can’t praise you enough for your mercy and grace. You took what I deserved and gave me what I didn’t. Lord, I pray I would not take this peace for granted, but I would obediently pursue you all the more and remain in peace with you. Lord, use me today for your Glory and may others see your peace in me. 

In Jesus Name!

[Romans 1]

H – Romans 1:17, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

E – Faith!

A right standing before God (righteousness) can only come from believing and obedient faith in God and the work of His Son, Christ Jesus. His righteousness is not a one time imputed gift. It is a literal from start to finish gift. Therefore, my faith in Him should be from start (moment of belief) to finish (glorified before Him face to face). 

So, what does this kind of faith look like? Well, Paul gives us some great examples in Romans 1. 1) It is believing that God came in flesh being a descendent of David (v.3), victoriously declared the Messiah by HIs death – burial – and resurrection (v.4), gives grace (v.5), and calls to obedience (v.5). 2) It is being UnAshamed in what and whom you have believed (v.16) and proclaiming your faith to all the world (v.8). 3) It is being part of a community that encourages one another to keep growing in the faith (v.12). 4) It is daily clinging and being changed by and through His truth (v.18, 25). 5) It is honor to God with our obedience (v.21) and worshiping Him alone in spirit and truth (v.21). 6) It is allowing Him to be our passions (v.26). 

I could keep going, but I hope we get the point. Faith is not a one time decision. Faith is an every moment action that begins and ends with Jesus at the center of it all. Every moment of everyday should simple be Jesus. From Faith – For Faith. 

A – My walk should line up with my acknowledgement. If I claim to know God then I must acknowledge God with my life in worship and obedience (v.21, 28). Allow God to change me anew through His Word and the conviction of His Spirit. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for calling me, saving me, and purposing me for your Glory. Lord, thank you that I belong to you (v.6). Lord, give me opportunities today to acknowledge you before men. 

In Jesus Name!