Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.

 Romans 16

Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.”  So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands. 1 Chronicles 12:18

This afternoon, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved to chapter twenty Christian Friendship, which covers Romans 16.  My focus today is once again v16:1-16, which my commentary covers from another perspective and refers to these verses under the heading How Christian Friendship Is Established. My commentary from today echoes my post from yesterday where I shared how a shared passion for Christ is the strongest bond one can have one another - it is how Christian friendship is established. The commentary states: "[b]ecause Spirit-filled Christians share a common salvation and a shared passion for Christ and his kingdom, people who may have otherwise never spent time together can become great friends.  They can share life together on mission, even though they may come from radically different backgrounds....Jesus, the friend of sinners, creates remarkable spiritual friendships.  The gospel not only changes one's personal identity; it also establishes a new community."

For men, I am reminded how David had his mighty men (see post here) during a time of trial when he was on the run from Saul, who was seeking to kill him.  

Our brothers in Christ serve many roles as I posted yesterday, but today I highlight how they come to our side during a time of need. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided me with amazing brothers and sisters in Christ, and in particular, might men, who come to my side during times of need.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I am often selfish and too often think of myself. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And all who believed were together and had all things in common....Greet one another with a holy kiss.

 Romans 16

And all who believed were together and had all things in common....Greet one another with a holy kiss. Acts 2:44, Romans 16:16

This afternoon, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved to chapter twenty Christian Friendship, which covers Romans 16.  My focus today is v16:1-16, 21-23, which my commentary refers to under the heading How Christian Friendship Is Emphasized. More so than anywhere else I can recall in scripture, in Romans 16, I see a very personal connection that Paul has to so many people that he names them individually/specifically.  We see a gratefulness from Paul for all that these people mean to him as he recalls specific acts or characteristics such as: 

• being a patron (providing for material needs) (Phoebe/v16:2)
• risking lives for believers (Priscilla/Aquila/v16:3)
• being first of converts in Asia (Epaenetus/v16:5)
• kinsmen and fellow prisoners (v16:6/Andronicus and Junia)
• my beloved (v16:8/Ampliatus)
• fellow worker (Urbanus/v16:9)
• my beloved (Stachys/v16:9)
• approved in Christ (Apelles/v16:10)
• kinsman (Herodion/v16:11)
• fellow workers (Tryphaena and Tryphosa/v16:12)
• worked hard in the Lord (Persis/v16:12)
• chosen in the Lord (Rufus/v16:13)
• Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them (v16:14)
• Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them (v16:14) 
• fellow worker (Timothy/v16:21)
• kinsmen (Lucius and Jason and Sosipater/v16:21)
• scribe of letter (Tertius/v16:22)
• Paul's host (Gaius/v16:23)
• city treasurer (Erastus/v16:23)   

I am drawn to Acts 2:42-47 where the Fellowship of the Believers of the early church is described. In Acts 2:44 it is said that these early believers "had all things in common." The most important bond of all - one that transcends race, gender, culture, age, education, income, etc. - is a shared belief and passion for Jesus Christ.  This is the basis for Christian friendship.  We are called to attend church corporately, to study Bible together, to sharpen our understanding of God and scripture, to pray and encourage one another, to serve with one another, to support one another, to confess our sins to one another, to hold each other accountable, etc.  We are to acknowledge our need for one another and the power of togetherness. 

My commentary highlights how this chapter was a personal thanks to believers all of which we know little or nothing about - it shows how ordinary people through togetherness demonstrate the power of Christ - as the church is intended. Friendships, community and relationships are key - our faith is weak without them. I am urged to look back at Genesis 2:18 where God Himself says "[i]t is not good that the man should be alone."  We must encourage and spur one another one on (Proverbs 27:17), and help one another avoid sin.  We are also urged to see in today's text the diversity and how despite the diversity there is oneness in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:28). 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided so many fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who have blessed and sharpened me, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am grateful...yet undeserving.  My sin of worry and other sins continue.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints[.]

Romans 15

I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints[.] Romans 15:30-31

This afternoon, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter nineteen Great Commission Christians, which covers Romans 15:14-15:33.  My focus today is v15:30-33, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Pray for Those on the Front Lines." Paul is indeed on the front lines, and as he aspires to preach the gospel throughout the region to Spain (v15:28) and elsewhere as part of his "holy ambition," he faces resistance, persecution, loneliness, financial strain, etc.  John tells that our journey with Christ will not be without troubles (John 16:33).  Paul asks, indeed "appeal[s]" (v15:30), for prayer - to join him in prayer.  I strive to be generous with my prayer - even as I know I fall short on this.  I pray to be generous in my prayer.  James encourages us to pray as we should understand it is powerful:

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

From today's verses, my commentary seeks to have believers understand six aspects of prayer:  

• it is a privilege
• we love others through our prayers
• we should pray passionately and persistently
• we should pray for those on the front lines and for their work to bear fruit
• we should pray with awareness that God may not answer our prayers as we envision
• we should pray not just for immediate needs but for long term desires (and heart change) 

In particular, I know if I more clearly recognize the first two aspects I will move closer to delivering on the last four. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God and I know that You have placed others in my life who have prayer for me.  I have felt these prayers and I know as a result You responded with power and movement in my life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how others have prayed for me as I have sinned greatly and it weighs heavy.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

...[S]o that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.

Romans 15

...[S]o that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. Romans 15:32

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter nineteen Great Commission Christians, which covers Romans 15:14-15:33.  My focus today is v15:28-29, 32, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Refresh Those on the Front Lines." As I continue to unpack what my commentary refers to as Paul's missionary letter (Romans 15), I come back to a theme I addressed a couple of days ago - how believers can support those in the mission field, even those in local ministries who might not be many miles away from home.  Although I have never been in the role, my sense is that being a missionary in a far off place or even starting a local ministry can be a lonely and challenging place as people are called by what I posted about a few days ago - holy ambition.  While we can provide financial and material support, we can also pray, encourage, and support in other ways - Paul refers to this in v15:32 as being "refreshed."

My commentary refers to this as "relational refreshment" and refers to John Piper's message how "God loves to refresh people through people." We are encouraged to "refresh one another...leadership...those overseas...[and to] make the ministry of refreshment part of our regular Christian lives, through personal visits, by communicating through available means, and by practicing hospitality, all with gospel-saturated words of encouragement."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are amazing and You have placed others in my life that refresh me - thank Your Jesus.  However, I have often fallen down in being a refreshment to others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

Romans 15

For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. Romans 15:27

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter nineteen Great Commission Christians, which covers Romans 15:14-15:33.  My focus today is v15:25-27, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Support the Work of Mercy Ministry." Building on my post yesterday, Paul now specifically calls out financial or material support to missionaries and to church planting.  Paul's words imply an obligation or responsibility - as you share in the spiritual blessings (which we all do), we "ought" to share in the material blessings. For me, this underscores the command to "tithe" and to be a "cheerful giver". 

My commentary emphasizes how in these verses Paul went to great lengths go from Corinth to Jerusalem, then to Rome and on to Spain - a total of three thousand miles - to support church plants and missionaries. According to the commentary, he had collected aid from churches in Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia (1 Corinthians 16:1-5, 2 Corinthians 8:1-24) and it is speculated that he was describing this aid to the Romans to "spur" their generosity.  The sense of family among believers is also emphasized as Gentiles are spurred to give to Jews (and vice-versa), it should be because of the bond among believers as brothers and sisters in Christ and how both are children of God - cutting across geographic, cultural, and ethnic lines. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided me with brothers and sisters in Christ who support and encourage me - thank You Jesus!  I feel sharpened by You through them!  Thank You!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin weighs heavy and I know You hate sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.

Romans 15

I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. Romans 15:24

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter nineteen Great Commission Christians, which covers Romans 15:14-15:33.  My focus today is v15:19-24, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Support the Work of Church Planting." Building on my post yesterday, where I described Paul's holy ambition, today I describe how Paul receives encouragement and support from the church in Rome. I have made major moves several times in my life and I know how challenging it can be when you go to a new place - and this is the life of a missionary in Paul's case.  For those supporting those who plant churches in far away (and close) places, there are many things you can do - you can provide financially, you can provide hospitality, you can provide encouragement, prayer, etc. - this is what is described by Paul here in these verses. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of love, grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love and grace as my sin is great and it continues - I know You hate sin but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from my sin towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[T]hus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written,'those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.'

Romans 15

[T]hus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written,'those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.' Romans 15:20-21

This evening, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter nineteen Great Commission Christians, which covers Romans 15:14-15:33.  My focus today is v15:20-21, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Have a Passion for the Gospel and a Heart for People." Coming back to when I started this chapter in my commentary, Paul's focus is on spreading the gospel, and today, this is front and center. Paul wants to preach the gospel - that all are to hear God's word and understand. There are so many lost in the world, and we are to reach as many as we can. My commentary seeks for us to have the same ambition as Paul (v15:20) - and it refers to this ambition as "holy" ambition.  We must all, regardless of our gifts - as not everyone can do as Paul did - reach the lost. My commentary uses Paul's words to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6), to "fan into flame the gift of God." We are also encouraged to see Paul's reference to Isaiah 52:15 in v15:21 and how Paul sees his holy ambition to fulfill Biblical expectations how God's word spreads throughout the world.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and Your message is a matter of life or death for everyone and it is my wish that You use me to spread Your Word - as I have seen first hand how You work and I desire this for everyone.  Thank You Jesus for how You have blessed me.  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive for my sins and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.