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.