Romans 13 - 9.7.26
Scripture
Romans 13:12-14 NIV
“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Observation
In Romans 13:12-14, the Apostle Paul urges believers to:
wake up spiritually,
abandon sinful habits, and
live in a holy manner
Why is the Apostle Paul encouraging us to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and not with darkness? Because Christ's return is drawing near!
(References: Google, Journeywithhope.com and Biblestudytools.com)
Application
Live our lives clothed with the light of Jesus Christ, knowing and believing that Christ is coming back for us soon!
I’m going to be honest and admit one of my guilty pleasures. Some of my favorite types of fiction books to read are psychological thrillers. I’ve always loved mystery books since I was a little girl, but psychological thrillers have more depth and always have some type of twist and turn that I never expected. They are fast paced reads and very entertaining to me! However, sometimes these books can get really dark and trigger past events in my life that I would rather forget. It causes me to live in the dark instead of the light, which means I have to put up boundaries around how often I consume these books.
I also have to ask myself what I want to feed my spirit with. Do I want it to be filled with the darkness of the world or the light of Jesus Christ?
I think this is the same way with sin. The Bible says that with every temptation, the Lord offers a way out. Are we looking for these outs or are we continuing to feed our sinful man with what it wants and desires?
Reading dark psychological thrillers is a gray area of sin because some people do not get affected at all by them (just like with moderately drinking alcohol), but if I’m personally feeling convicted about these gray areas because it causes me to go down a dark spiral, I need to listen to the Holy Spirit and put up boundaries.
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” -James 4:17 NIV
Prayer
Dear Lord,
I’m reminded of the verse that says that “All things are permissible, but not all things are helpful.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)
Please forgive me when I start to gravitate more towards the darkness than Your light. I want to desire You more above anything or anyone else. I truly am prone to wander and need Your help to clothe myself with You everyday. Thank You for being so patient with me and always convicting my heart whenever I start to stray from Your light Jesus. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Romans 10 - 9.4.26
Scripture: Romans 10:9-15
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Observation:
What we speak with our mouths has great power. As Christ-followers we are to share our beliefs.
I love Paul’s reminder that when we do, we will never be put to shame. I believe this refers to God’s view of us and our mindset. People may not accept what we say and ridicule us. The word shame is a feeling. It can be because we feel bad about a mistake. Obeying God’s Word to preach the Gospel and what He has done for us is never a mistake Therefore there is no shame in it.
I love how Paul shares that God views all people the same. He will “richly” bless ALL who call upon Him. He repeats “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Then, points out that the in order for people to believe and call on God someone has to preach to them. Next, Paul points out people need to be sent out to preach. He them quotes Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” BTW the good news is the Gospel message.
Paul is frequently quoting Scripture throughout this message to the Romans. Such an important thing to remember as we go about to teach others.
Application:
I need to remember how important it is to be bold to share God’s Word and my personal testimony. It is important to remember our calling and that Jesus commissioned his followers to go into all the world and make disciples. Matthew 28:19. That includes you and me.
God will answer all that call on him and save them and he has no favorites. Jesus died for all. I can not pre-judge.
I need to trust the Holy Spirit’s leading. There is never a reason to be ashamed of the incredible message we have to share. God wants my obedience.
Prayer:
Father God, Thank you for your amazing plan. I love how what was true in Moses’s time, was still relevant in Paul’s time and still is today. Thank you for your Word and how effective it is to reach others. Please help me stay rooted in your truth and not be discouraged if it appears what is spoken falls on deaf ears or I get ridiculed. May I always be about sharing and being a light to point others to you. Amen
- Cindy Howard
Romans 9 - 09.03.26
SCRIPTURE
“…and the one—who believes in Him—will never be put to shame.””
Romans 9:33b NIV
OBSERVATION
We know from (Acts 18:1-2) that the church in Rome had existed for some time and was made up of both Jewish and non-Jewish followers. The crisis for this church began when the Roman emperor Claudius expelled all of the Jewish people from Rome. About five years later, (Upon the death of Claudius) all those Jews were allowed to return. When they did, they found a church that had become largely gentile in its customs and practice. This created a culture clash, and by Paul’s day, the Roman church was deeply divided.
Paul desperately wanted this divided community to become unified once again. Paul’s answer was to write this very thorough letter containing the most detailed explanation of the Gospel in the Bible. It reads like a trial brief in a court of law as Paul debates himself, asking and answering every question conceivable.
Paul’s ultimate point—Only the Gospel can “Unify the Church”
“Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises HE made to their ancestors. LChrist also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for HIS mercies to them.“ (Romans 15:8-9 NLT)
APPLICATION
Believe in Him—Follow Him—Be a Faithful Steward
“And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them—and they Follow Me” (John 10:27)
Whoever Believes in Christ—will Not be Put to Shame.
At seventy years old I have learned that my life can take many twists and unexpected turns. But One thing will always remain certain—Whoever Believes in Jesus—because of the Gospel—will not be put to Shame.
The Holy Spirit will Guide us into all Truth as we Follow Jesus.
I will always take his Hand and—Follow Him. In the wilderness, In the storms, In the Valleys, On the Mountain Tops. When I am uncertain and the way seems dark or hidden—I will not worry or fret. Jesus is WITH Me.
Jesus IS The Way. The Lord is My Shepherd. My Sheep Know My Voice.
Just Follow Jesus.
God continues to speak to me on the theme of setting my sights on the Reality of Heaven. (Colossians 3:1). We have one life here on earth. This One life has a very specific purpose. It is not to give us our own desires or our own achievements. It is preparation for the REAL Life that will begin in Eternity with Jesus. IF we belong to Christ who is our Master then our life is no longer our own. Our life belongs to Christ.
(1 Corinthians 6:19)
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3 NIV)
How do we use our time here to prepare for our eternal life?
Jesus explained this in the Parable of the Talents.
The Parable of The Talents
One of Jesus’ most significant parables regarding work is set in the context of investments (Matt. 25:14-30). A rich man delegates the management of his wealth to his servants. He gives five talents (a large unit of money) to the first servant, two talents to the second, and one talent to the third. Two of the servants earn 100 percent returns by trading with the funds, but the third servant hides the money in the ground and earns nothing. The rich man returns, rewards the two who made money, but severely punishes the servant who did nothing.
Christ is the rich man in this parable. And Christ has entrusted us each with our own set of Talents—a wide variety of gifts, that HE expects us to employ in His service. It is not acceptable to hide these gifts, ignore them, or use them unwisely.
The gifts we receive include finances, skills, abilities, family connections, social positions, education, experiences, and more. The point of the parable is that we are to use whatever we have been given for God’s purposes. Jesus issues a clear warning that there are severe consequences for the unproductive servant. A reminder that we are to steward our resources wisely, not waste them.
It's important to observe that both faithful servants who invest for the benefit of their master—return to him not only his original investment—but also what they additionally make on HIS behalf. In the end, the master praises these two trustworthy servants with the words, “Well done, good and trustworthy Servant” (Matthew 25:23). In these words, we see that Jesus cares about the results (“well done”), the methods ("good”), and the motivation (“trustworthy”).
It is a privilege to be entrusted with talents, resources, finances, and opportunities to work toward God's purposes in the world. The implication of the parable is that IF we Steward God’s given Resources Faithfully—we will take our place in the future among all the faithful, trustworthy servants of God, no matter how big or small our accomplishments may seem.
Jesus calls us to Faith by His merciful grace. We Learn to Follow Him in all our Ways. God bestows gifts to us that we use for His glory. These resources demonstrate our ability to be faithful and will result in our future eternal calling.
Believe in Jesus…Follow Jesus…Be a Faithful Steward.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
Thank You that You are a Faithful Father. Thank You for Your Love and goodness. Even with the unwise servant You didn’t judge unfairly. You asked why he would not have simply deposited the money in the bank to earn interest instead of burying it. You are gracious, generous, forgiving, and merciful. Slow to anger. Open my heart to hear more clearly and forgive me for any times I have not quickly responded to Your voice.
Help me to be a good steward of the resources you have provided to me. Help me to not be fearful, or hide, ignore, or use anything unwisely. May I always Follow You in everything You call me to. Fill me. Empty me of my own agenda. Guide me by Your Holy Spirit Love and wisdom. Use me for Your glory to accomplish Your Perfect purposes. Have Your way in me. In Jesus Name. Amen
Tina L Kudelka