Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Romans 5

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! v9

I have recently learned and understand that Christ came to save us on many counts, including to save us from God's wrath.  Until Christ, we continued to sin and there was nothing we could do to be reconciled in God's eyes. He HAD to send His son to die for us so that we could be reconciled to Him - the Old Testament is full of God's wrath and we are all deserving of such wrath for the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

My Prayer: God You are great...You have saved me from being slave to sin and also from God's wrath...I am deeply humbled and thankful that You know everything about me...sin and all...yet chose me, then suffered and died for me so that I could be saved and of course have eternity in heaven with You.  How great You are!  I am not worth such love and blessing...not by a long shot!  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient, selfish, prideful, arrogant, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from these sins and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  I love You.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. v3-4

Jesus is always available to us through the Holy Spirit:


....because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. v5

James speaks of this as well:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

My Prayer: Indeed Lord, You are able to redeem all for Your glory and our good.  You know everything that we need and what is good for us.  You love us and look out for us as the perfect Father You are.  What a great God You are!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, impatient, prideful, arrogant, and harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions...just to name a few of my sins.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus...and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.

Romans 2

No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. v29

Closeness to Christ is developed through the heart and by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).  Close to Christ is the same as renewing of the mind through the spiritual disciplines of bible study, reflection, prayer, worship, acts of service, etc.:

Do not conform 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 is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are pure, perfect and holy and You are all of the fruits of the spirit.  I greatly desire to be more like You.  Yet my mind and body continue to sin.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help understand Your message for me today, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day. I love You. 

God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Romans 2

God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. v6-7

I have often read and heard that we are to live with the end in mind...that God's timing for our life is not known to us and we must be prepared....for we will meet our maker  - Jesus Christ - and He will judge us.

I am mindful of the following scripture:

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut."  Matthew 25:10

...

“Show me, LORD, my life’s end
   and the number of my days;
   let me know how fleeting my life is." Psalm 39:4

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You ARE ever powerful, all knowing, pure, perfect, and blameless.  That You came to earth to endure all that I endure and then to willingly die on the cross...choosing to save me...is AMAZING!  I am not worth such love and blessing Jesus.  I am selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Romans 1

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. v20

I have often thought to myself that there is no excuse to follow and obey God for all things...none.  Here is scriptural backing for my claim. 

As the same time, that we have any faith whatsoever is a miracle. 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so full of love, patience, joy, etc. (fruits of Spirit)...and You make these fruits available to me through faith...as a gift.  How amazing You are - thank You for choosing me Jesus!  What an amazing gift.  I am not deserving of such love and blessing Jesus.  I am impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus from such sin and help me turn from these sins and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Romans 1

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. v25

Lord You are indeed a great God and worthy of praise every moment of every day...however, I know there are many moments when I worship created things vs You...I know I am instead to focus and fix my eyes on You...the author and perfecter of my faith, and to:

....to offer [my]bod[y] as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:1-2

Help me Jesus...focus and fix my eyes on You vs the created.  Help me offer my body and life as a living sacrifice to You.

My Prayer:  Lord, You came to earth, and willingly laid down Your life...specifically for me.  This is a gift for which I am not deserving...I know.  I am selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, etc....my sin is so much more!  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Romans 1

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. v16

Paul is not ashamed in any way about his faith or about any aspect of the faith, Jesus Christ, the gospel, the Holy Spirit, etc.  He is living in a way that is fearlessly faithful...see also my post yesterday.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...Ephesians 3:20

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God through Him all things are possible and You are able do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...how great You are!  I am not worth the love that You have for me Jesus.  I can't fully appreciate Your love for me.  I am not worth it...I sin...I am impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, selfish, prideful, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today and every day...help me be obedient to and apply Your message.

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

Acts 28

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! v31

Paul served as God intended Him to serve - as I have often said he "left nothing on the table" in terms of giving his life away to Jesus and working on earth keeping in mind He had a heavenly master.

I am mindful of other verses:

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

 ...

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Ephesians 6:5

 ...

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Colossians 3:22

We all have gifts given to us by God to use for His glory and we are to use them to the best of our ability in conjunction with others in the church to glorify Him.

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16

My Prayer: What a great God You are that You design and created a perfect world where You provide gifts and abilities that all work together for Your glory!  Your creation - in all of its forms - is and always will be a miracle...how great You are!  I am not worthy of such love and blessing to be part of Your design and glory...I am selfish, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, etc. ...the list is too long to list.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and instead towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. I love You Lord.

 

After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

Acts 27

After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. v35-36

As Paul's ship sailed to Rome, it encountered stormy seas which endangered all on board.  God came to Paul in a vision and told Him that he and the others would be OK.  God's message to Paul is no different from the gospels or any other good news we are to deliver from God.  Use any and all opportunities to proclaim the greatness and goodness of Jesus Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed both great and good.  And these words of course do not do justice to how great and good You are!  Your word is great - it is all I need because it is You and it is always available to me.  I am not worth such love and blessing as You provide.  I am selfish, lazy, greedy, quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today and help me be obedient and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

"Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Acts 26

"Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”  v29

Paul is under the custody of the Roman government and accused of crimes by many of the Jewish leaders...yet he continues to pray that his jailers and his accusers hear and accept Jesus as their savior.  Nothing should stop our testimony to others...not fear for our own life nor other fears or worries.  I desire to have such courage...

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

My Prayer: Lord what a great God You are...You have unlimited strength and power and I have seen and read about Your power personally in my life and in the lives of others.  I know that You have provided this same power to me through the Holy Spirit.  I am not deserving of such power...I sin...daily.  I am impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions...and I worry...far too much.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’

Acts 23

'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’ v5

I am often guilty of speaking harshly of those I disagree with - particularly politics.  This is wrong and sinful.  Words should be used to build people up not tear people down.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.  James 3:9-13

We are also commanded not to gossip or provide "false witness" (Exodus 20).

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God and You are full of power and certainly in a position to be critical of others but You are Just and You use words for Your glory and our good.  Your motives are pure and perfect.  What a great God You are.  I am not deserving of such a God.  I am selfish, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, apply, and be obedient to Your message today and every day.

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Acts 20

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. v24

Jesus stresses that humility is key for us to gain the power of Christ.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

We must admit that we need saving before we can even be saved. We must deny ourselves.


“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24
....

But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. Matthew 19:30

My Prayer:  Lord You are indeed great - You love me and bless me.  You protect me, heal me, teach me, and You provide - every day....all my needs.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry...I am impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions...and my sin is so much more!  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me to today...help me be obedient to this message and apply this message.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Acts 18

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. v26

God desires us to grow in our faith.  He places people in our lives to encourage and disciple us.  He expects us to grow and mature in our faith to more significant roles of service and mission for His glory.  

In verse 27-28 we see the fruits of discipling Apollos:

When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah

Additional scriptural references that reinforce God's desire for us to disciple others and to grow in our faith:

And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Genesis 9:5

...

As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

...

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...1 Thessalonians 5:11 

...

 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity...Hebrews 6:1

My Prayer:  Lord, You are a great God...You have provided many examples of Christians who discipled to me and built me up in my maturity and I am deeply thankful for these people and the blessings they have been to me.  I am not deserving of such love and blessing Jesus for I am sinful...I am lazy, disobedient, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, selfish, impatient, quick to anger and slow to listen, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do and help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today and help me be obedient to and apply Your message.

 

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Acts 16

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. v25

We are to "give thanks in all circumstances":

[G]ive thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This means of course in good times and in bad times and even in those times where you feel "so-so" or are in a rut in your life, whether that is in your workplace, in your marriage, in your family life, spiritual life, etc.  Give thanks.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, there is MUCH to be thankful for - for You created the heavens and the earth and everything in between.  You created me and bless me beyond what I deserve.  You give me second chances all the time - far too often.  You are full of grace, mercy, kindness, etc.  I am certainly not worth such love and blessing.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me today - help me be obedient and faithfully apply this message.