Romans 12 - 2.21.23

SCRIPTURE:  Romans 12:1 - 2  "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

OBSERVATION:  In the first eleven chapters of Romans Paul wrote hymns of praise to God.  He exhorted the believers to humbly acknowledge God's sovereign grace and worship Him by offering all parts of their bodies as a living sacrifice.

UNDERSTANDING: BY THE MERCIES OF GOD:  We've been justified from the penalty of sin.  We've been adopted into God's forever family.  We've been placed under God's grace.  The Holy Spirit lives in us.  God promises to help us, and that we will never be separated from Him.  He promises to be faithful.  So... IN LIGHT OF GOD'S MERCY we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice.  That means that OUR WILL must bring OUR BODY as a living sacrifice to God.  "The body is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master." (Enduringword.com).

In the Old Testament every sacrifice had to be holy and acceptable to God.  There had to be NO defect!  The animal couldn't be lame, blind, or have any defects at all!.  Jesus took ALL our sins and impurities upon Himself when He hung on the cross and died, and now, to those who have made Jesus their Lord and Savior, God sees us holy and righteous through the lens of Jesus' holiness and perfection! 

LIFE APPLICATION:  I live in this world, but I am not of it!  I am transformed by the renewing of my mind, not according to my feelings or on anything that I do. My feelings and what I do are insufficient foundations for the Christian life.  I am transformed, and my mind is renewed as I spend time in God's presence.  The transformation happens on the inside, and the proof of my transformation is evidenced on the outside as I live my life according to God's will.  I am only able to know what the good and acceptable and perfect will of God is as my mind is renewed by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.  

I pray, in view of God's mercy and grace, that I will discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God is by surrendering in obedience to His will, and by allowing myself to be changed through the ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. 

- Robin Orefice  

Romans 11 - 2.20.23

Scripture

“And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.” -Romans 11:23 NIV

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” -Romans 11:33-36 NIV

Observation-What does it say?

"The Apostle Paul trusts that God won’t give up on His covenant people, the nation of Israel. God is not done with Israel and He has used their rejection of Him for His own purposes. God’s covenant family is described as a big olive tree and the rejectors of Jesus have been cut off. But, one day, Jesus will be acknowledged by His people (Romans 5-16, the Bible Project)."

Understanding-What does it mean?

God is patient and merciful. He keeps His promises and His mercy extends to the depths of sin.

The rebellion of the nation of Israel can be read in the book of Ezekiel (in the Old Testament); however, we also read about the hope for the nation, hope for God’s chosen people, through a Savior, Jesus Christ, who would be the atonement for their rebellion and sin. His redeeming power had and has no limitations.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NIV

Life Application

No matter what a person has done in their past, no one is too far gone for Jesus to save.

There is no such thing as a person who cannot be saved by God. That’s why we must keep pressing forward in faith to share the Gospel with the unsaved, the unchurched and the rebellious. It is a FREE gift that cannot be earned, but given solely because God loved the murderer, fornicator, adulterer, idolator, liar, cheater, drunkard, worrier, basically me and you so much. If He loved me and you so much to forgive and save us, we must also love sinners enough to forgive them and share the gift that Christ has so freely given to us.

Thank You Lord for the hope we have through Jesus Christ. I pray that we would never stop to be on mission to share Your Good News with those who need to hear it and receive it. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Romans 10 - 2.17.23

Scripture - What stood out?

ROMANS 10:11-13

For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Observation - What does it say?

The apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans shares where and what God’s righteousness leads towards - submission and acceptance of the life and work of Jesus Christ.

Understanding - What does it mean?

I recently had a dream Lord. Deborah and I were moved from couple to couple and we were unable to share Jesus with them. I was filled with such sorrow at being denied. They were so close to being saved. They were so close to knowing the gospel of Jesus, if only we were allowed to speak! But we weren’t. It was so devastating to not be able to share about You and Your Son! 

I can’t imagine how the Apostle Paul felt. These were brothers and sisters he was speaking to. Descendants by blood. They believed in the Father. And not the Son. They refused to believe in Jesus! But despite what I believe what must have been a deep, unimaginable sadness and frustration your good and faithful servant Paul, carried on. He urged all to believe in Jesus and to call on his name.

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

I can’t stop thinking about that dream Lord. I was filled with so much sorrow, anguish, and mental agony not being able to share about Jesus to people who needed to be saved. I don’t remember why I wasn’t able to share, whether it was my own cowardice, or because the authorities forbade it. If I have the chance to share about you today, Lord. Help me to speak. Please, don’t let me stay muted. For my heart desires…My heart cries out - I wish none of you to die, rather repent! Come to know Jesus and be saved! I love you! But Jesus loves you more! And Jesus is God!!!

Please, grant me Your words and Your facility today Lord, to share about You Jesus.

In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.

-kenneth lee