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Think about this! (Romans 5:1-11), May 24, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Romans 5:1-11
Set – 1 Kings 9; Romans 5
Go! – 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalms 136; Romans 5

Romans 5:1-11
1 Since we have been acquitted and made right through faith, we are able to experience true and lasting peace with God through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, the Liberating King. 2 Jesus leads us into a place of radical grace where we are able to celebrate the hope of experiencing God’s glory. 3 And that’s not all. We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance, 4 which shapes our characters. When our characters are refined, we learn what it means to hope and anticipate God’s goodness. 5 And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love.

6 When the time was right, the Anointed One died for all of us who were far from God, powerless, and weak. 7 Now it is rare to find someone willing to die for an upright person, although it’s possible that someone may give up his life for one who is truly good. 8 But think about this: while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display—the Anointed One died for us. 9 As a result, the blood of Jesus has made us right with God now, and certainly we will be rescued by Him from God’s wrath in the future. 10 If we were in the heat of combat with God when His Son reconciled us by laying down His life, then how much more will we be saved by Jesus’ resurrection life? 11 In fact, we stand now reconciled and at peace with God. That’s why we celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

How often do you do what Paul asks? Stop and think about this: while you were wasting your life in sin, I revealed My powerful love to you in a tangible display – I died for you. As a result, My blood has made you right with Me now, and certainly you will be rescued from My wrath in the future.

It’s good to stop and contemplate just what I’ve done for you every once in a while. What you could not do for yourself, I did for you. It was impossible for you to make yourself right with Me. Nothing you could do could cleanse you from the sin imbedded deep within your soul. You thought evil thoughts. You committed evil deeds. You bent toward evil all the time. Your selfish nature sprang out from everywhere. Nothing you could do could stop it because you inherited that trait from your parents from the time of Adam and Eve.

But I came into the world to save you from yourself. I came to free you from the cycle of sin in which you found yourself. I came to show you a new and better way to live. I came to introduce you to the way of love of God and mankind. I came to pay the penalty for your crimes against Me. I came to take your punishment and redeem you. I came to adopt you as My own.

Do you ever stop and just think about what I’ve done for you? And I did it not while you were behaving well, but while you were still a sinner, lost, separated from Me. I did it while you were hopeless and without any means of salvation. I did it because I love you and wanted you to be near Me. I did just for you. Do you ever stop and think about that?

Do you ever stop and think about what I gave up for you? I left the splendor of heaven for 33 years and became human for you. I left the perfection of heaven and lived among the squalor of the human race. Lived in the poverty of a single, widowed mother with My brothers and sisters just trying to eke out a meager existence until I could begin My mission to save you from your sins. I gave up My glory. I gave up My throne. I gave up the angels singing My praise and meeting My every desire. I gave it all up to become like you. I endured all the suffering of humanity. I became sin. I died to save you from dying. Do you ever stop and think about that?

Paul asked you to think about what I’ve done for you. Put it on your calendar. Make a sticky note and put it where you can see it. Put a bookmark in your Bible. Make yourself a reminder somewhere to just stop every once in a while and think about what I’ve done for you.

While you were wasting your life in sin, I revealed My powerful love to you in a tangible display – I died for you. As a result, My blood has made you right with Me now, and certainly you will be rescued from My wrath in the future. So what will you do now?

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Everyone is important to God (Romans 3:21-31), May 22, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Romans 3:21-31
Set – 1 Kings 8; Romans 3
Go! – 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalms 99; Romans 3

Romans 3:21-31
21 But now for the good news: God’s restorative justice has entered the world, independent of the law. Both the law and the prophets told us this day would come. 22 This redeeming justice comes through the faithfulness of Jesus, the Anointed One, the Liberating King, who makes salvation a reality for all who believe—without the slightest partiality. 23 You see, all have sinned, and all their futile attempts to reach God in His glory fail. 24 Yet they are now saved and set right by His free gift of grace through the redemption available only in Jesus the Anointed. 25 When God set Him up to be the sacrifice—the seat of mercy where sins are atoned through faith—His blood became the demonstration of God’s own restorative justice. All of this confirms His faithfulness to the promise, for over the course of human history God patiently held back as He dealt with the sins being committed. 26 This expression of God’s restorative justice displays in the present that He is just and righteous and that He makes right those who trust and commit themselves to Jesus.

27 So is there any place left for boasting? No. It’s been shut out completely. And how? By what sort of law? The law of works perhaps? No! By the law of faith. 28 We hold that people are justified, that is, made right with God through faith, which has nothing to do with the deeds the law prescribes.

29 Is God the God of the Jews only? If He created all things, then doesn’t that make Him the God of all people? Jews and non-Jews, insiders and outsiders alike? Yes, He is also the God of all the outsiders. 30 So since God is one, there is one way for Jews and outsiders, circumcised and uncircumcised, to be right with Him. That is the way of faith. 31 So are we trying to use faith to abolish the law? Absolutely not! In fact, we now are free to uphold the law as God intended.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Some of the Jews of Paul’s day had trouble thinking I could care about the outsiders, the Gentiles, anyone other than the twelve tribes of Israel. Down the line from the time of Abraham, they forgot the mission I originally gave Abraham. In My covenant with him, I told him I would bless the nations through him. I meant for his children and his children’s children to minister to those around them. Not shut them out.

The Israelites were My chosen people for that purpose, to bless those around them. But they became arrogant and blind to the task I set out for them to accomplish. Instead of blessing the other nations of the world and sharing My love and My design for humankind, they hoarded the treasure I gave them. So Paul tries to remind them in these verses that I am the God of all creation. I am the God of all nations. I came to save all humankind from the penalty sin brings.

Some among them didn’t want to hear Paul’s words and caused dissension in the churches. Paul had to set it right. But the same thing happens today in My church. I see segregation among congregations. Many think I’m the God of the white, Anglo congregations alone. Did anyone tell them I came to earth as a dark-haired, olive-skinned, Middle-Eastern Jew? How did they get their warped idea?

I created all humankind, though. I am the God of everyone and everything. Whether they want to believe it or not doesn’t matter, it’s still true. Christians and Jews will sometimes acknowledge they serve the same God, but too often exclude everyone else from their thought process and dismiss the rest of the world as unworthy of Me. But stop and look around. Who created them. Who will save them if not Me? And who will introduce them to Me if not you? I am their God. But for many of them, I need an introduction. They haven’t heard My story. They haven’t seen the evidence of My Spirit truly alive and at work in men and women sold out to Me.

Much of the world hears the rhetoric of “Christians” who talk about Me but don’t live for Me. Like the Jews of Paul’s day, they shut everyone out except those that look like them, talk like them, and think like them. I created a colorful world, full of variety, including a variety of people. Just because you were born in a country where you heard the gospel early doesn’t mean you are special. It means you, like Abraham, have a mission to tell others about Me.

You would be surprised, if you checked, at the number of people in your neighborhood who do not know Me. I dare you to walk around the block and ask how many attend church regularly. Ask how many read the Bible more than twice a week if at all. Ask how many pray every day. Ask how many can tell you just five of the Ten Commandments. You see, you have a lot of work to do in sharing My story.

My laws live in you if you accepted My gift of salvation. So does My grace, My mercy, and My Spirit helps My fruit grow in you. Go spread some seeds and tell others what I’m doing in you. That’s all I ask of you as a witness. Tell your story of My life in you. If I’m living in you, it will make a difference to those around you, whatever their race, color, gender, nationality, religion, political persuasion. None of those things matter to Me. I created everyone. All of them are important to Me. Go tell them My story!

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

God doesn’t want to be co-pilot (Romans 2:17-29), May 21, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Romans 2:17-29
Set – 1 Kings 7; Romans 2
Go! – 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalms 98; Romans 2

Romans 2:17-29
17 Listen, if you claim to be a Jew, count on the law, and boast in your relationship with God; 18 if you know His will and can determine what is essential (because you have been instructed in the law); and 19 if you stand convinced that you are chosen to be a guide to the blind, a light to those who live in darkness, 20 a teacher of foolish wanderers and children, and have in the law what is essentially the form of knowledge and truth— 21 then tell me, why don’t you practice what you preach? If you are going to sermonize against stealing, then stop stealing. 22 If you are going to teach others not to commit adultery, then be completely faithful to your spouse. If you hate idolatry, then stop robbing the temples! 23 If you pride yourself in having God’s law, then stop dishonoring God by failing to keep its teaching. 24 Here’s what it says: “Because of you, God’s reputation is slandered by those outside the covenant.”

25 You see, circumcision is of value only if you keep the law’s teachings. But if you keep breaking God’s rules, you are no different than those without the mark. 26 So if an uncircumcised man abides by God’s just precepts, doesn’t that make his standing before God the same as one who is circumcised? 27 The man who is physically uncircumcised but still keeps the law, he will stand in judgment over the person who is circumcised and yet continually breaks God’s law. 28 A mark that is evident doesn’t necessarily make one a Jew, and circumcision that is evident only in the flesh is not true. 29 But the true Jew is Jewish on the inside—in secret places no one but God can see—and true circumcision involves the heart; it comes from the Spirit, not from some written code. The praise and reputation of that kind of Jew come from God, not from man.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Pharisaical Jews and Christians still spout their rhetoric about keeping the law today. You’d think after all this time they would realize you can’t keep it. I gave it to you to help you understand the boundaries of holy living. The things I wanted you to keep far from in your daily living. Instead, humankind saw My commands as an opportunity to try to stretch My grace and mercy. You try to stretch to see just how close you can get to the edge of the boundary without crossing it. Except most of the time, your foot slips and over you go, not just your toes, but foot leg, body and soul.

I sometimes wonder why I gave you the laws in the first place. But then again, without the laws, your behavior would mimic that of the population before the flood. I destroyed them because of their wickedness. Unfortunately, it’s happening again even with My laws. I even changed the rules and gave you My Son to teach them to you and then sent My Spirit to live in you so you could know them without memorizing them or hearing them from a rabbi or a pulpit.

My Spirit convicts the world of sin. People generally know right from wrong. Otherwise they wouldn’t commit their vile acts in darkness away from authorities or trying to hide their actions from Me. People know what actions I disapprove of and sneak around behind closed doors to hide from Me. It doesn’t work, though. I know what you do each moment of every day and every night. I never sleep. I always know your very thoughts…before you act. I even give you opportunities to escape before you commit those things you know will displease Me.

Too many do not read the exit signs and continue to march down the world’s path, though. The temporary pleasure overruns their self-control and down the guilt spiral they go. But are you much different? I tell you not to steal, do you have anything from your office at home that shouldn’t be there? Pens, pencils, paper? Did you leave early from work and still get paid for the time? That’s stealing, you know. Have you participated in the gossip circle? That gets into the hating your brother realm I talked about when I said don’t call anyone “fool.” It starts the train wreck toward murder in your heart and murders character and reputation. How about the “having no other gods before Me”? Does anything come between us when I ask you to do something for Me? If you say, “No.” I’m not your Lord, you know. I can’t be if you don’t do what I ask you to do.

My laws are simple. They are not always easy to follow in the sin-scarred world you live in, now. But that’s why I left My Spirit with you. Everything is possible with Me at your side. Just let Me act as your pilot. I never liked that “God is my co-pilot” bumper sticker. It says you’re still in charge. You can’t win that way. I want to be you pilot! Just let go and let Me drive. You’ll be amazed at where I take your life if you’ll let Me. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Which path do you choose? (Romans 1:18-32), May 20, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Romans 1:18-32
Set – 2 Chronicles 3; Romans 1
Go! – 1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalms 97; Romans 1

Romans 1:18-32
18 For the wrath of God is breaking through from heaven, opposing all manifestations of ungodliness and wickedness by the people who do wrong to keep God’s truth in check. 19 These people are not ignorant about what can be known of God, because He has shown it to them with great clarity. 20 From the beginning, creation in its magnificence enlightens us to His nature. Creation itself makes His undying power and divine identity clear, even though they are invisible; and it voids the excuses and ignorant claims of these people 21 because, despite the fact that they knew the one true God, they have failed to show the love, honor, and appreciation due to the One who created them! Instead, their lives are consumed by vain thoughts that poison their foolish hearts. 22 They claim to be wise; but they have been exposed as fools, frauds, and con artists— 23 only a fool would trade the splendor and beauty of the immortal God to worship images of the common man or woman, bird or reptile, or the next beast that tromps along.

24 So God gave them just what their lustful hearts desired. As a result, they violated their bodies and invited shame into their lives. 25 How? By choosing a foolish lie over God’s truth. They gave their lives and devotion to the creature rather than to the Creator Himself, who is blessed forever and ever. Amen. 26-27 This is why God released them to their own vile pursuits, and this is what happened: they chose sexual counterfeits—women had sexual relations with other women and men committed unnatural, shameful acts because they burned with lust for other men. This sin was rife, and they suffered painful consequences.

28 Since they had no mind to recognize God, He turned them loose to follow the unseemly designs of their depraved minds and to do things that should not be done. 29 Their days are filled with all sorts of godless living, wicked schemes, greed, hatred, endless desire for more, murder, violence, deceit, and spitefulness. And, as if that were not enough, they are gossiping, 30 slanderous, God-hating, rude, egotistical, smug people who are always coming up with even more dreadful ways to treat one another. They don’t listen to their parents; 31 they lack understanding and character. They are simple-minded, covenant-breaking, heartless, and unmerciful; they are not to be trusted. 32 Despite the fact that they are fully aware that God’s law says this way of life deserves death, they fail to stop. And worse—they applaud others on this destructive path.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

There you have it. The description of humankind’s degradation. Paul saw it in the decadent conditions of the Roman empire and its influence on the rest of society. It’s happening again today. Despite America’s start based on religious freedom and faith in Me. In the nearly five hundred years since the first European settlers, the nation continues to turn further from Me and My principles of living.

Just as Paul observed in his day, you can see the escalation of humankind’s degradation today. And just as then, when men refuse to listen, I will let you make your choice and let you follow your own path. The description Paul gives shows the results of that path. Godless living, wicked schemes, greed, hatred, endless desire for more, murder, violence, deceit, and spitefulness. Any of that sound familiar today. If not, you haven’t paid attention to the headlines.

Paul goes on describing the people who continue to follow their own way and it isn’t a pretty picture. The problem is they don’t realize the penalty that comes with their actions. Just because they don’t believe in Me doesn’t mean I’m not real. Just because someone doesn’t believe there is no such thing as racism doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist today either. My word tells you there will be a day of reckoning for those who refuse to listen and obey My commands.

Unbelievers can say anything they like about My word and the events that will come to pass recorded there. One day they will know the truth, just like My followers already know the truth. Don’t let false prophets or unbelievers deceive you. Just because I have withheld My wrath for many years to pour our My mercy and grace to allow as many as possible to seek and find Me, there is still a day coming when all will face judgment for the deeds they have done.

I will come again and I will call all to account for their actions. All are guilty, but some are forgiven. Those who received the gift of forgiveness I freely offer will escape My wrath. But those who do not come to Me in repentance and receive My gift of forgiveness will feel the full force of My wrath. As Paul points out, I’ve given humankind every chance. You know the way. All you have to do is take it.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.