Romans 15 - 2.24.23

Scripture

Romans 15:30b

…join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

Observation – What does it say?

The Apostle Paul had his own unique struggles he was facing, but he asked the Roman Christians for their help. They were miles away though. How could they put hands under the weight Paul was carrying to lighten his load? Through prayer.

Understanding – What does it mean?

We have the ability to help people with any struggle their facing.

It doesn’t matter if you’re too weak physically to help, if you’re on the other side of the country, or if you have no money to send. If you can pray, you can help. One of the many reasons for our value, “Prayer is our priority,” is because our prayers have the ability to release God’s love and power and provision to help people!

We also read Psalm 6 today where the psalmist is praying from a dark and desperate place:

Psalm 6:3

My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?

I have gone through my share of challenges, but that Psalm didn’t resonate with me today. I’m typing from my parent’s house in Colorado, sipping coffee and looking out the window at trees freshly covered in snow, feeling so blessed to be here with my mom and dad. So what should I do? Just skim over the Psalm and dismiss it?

Speaking of my mom, she once encouraged me when reading the Psalms to read them from a corporate mindset. Rather than disregarding the ones that don’t align with our personal experience, we can join in the struggle of all our brothers and sisters around the world who are experiencing deep anguish by praying these verses over them.

Life Application

• Join in the struggles of others by praying for them.

• Pray through Psalm 6, lifting up all those who may be looking to God from that place of anguish.

God, thank you for the incredible privilege of being able to join in the struggles of others and truly help them through prayer. Please bring to mind anyone in particular who you want me to pray for today. And we also pray for any of our brothers and sisters around the world who are experiencing deep anguish and wondering how long until you answer them. Please draw near to them, let your kingdom come in their lives, bless them with an awareness of your presence with them, and let your light come crashing into their darkness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

- Levi Thompson

Romans 14 - 02.23.23

SCRIPTURE: Romans 14:19 AMP

“So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth ].”

OBSERVATION:

Paul opens his letter to the Roman believers by sharing that “their faith is being proclaimed ALL over the world (1:8)—and that he Longs to visit them that they might be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith (1:12). What an amazing reassurance for the Roman believers to hear—their Faith is being talked about ALL over the world!

But…there are a few points of correction for the Roman church—and it is here in his letter that Paul turns his attention to one such area.

UNDERSTANDING:

The strong [more mature] believers and the weak [less mature] believers were judging each other—arguing over what foods were permissible and what holidays to observe. Since there was a blending of Jewish and Gentile believers this also played a role.

Paul reminded them that their focus should be on—Pursuing with Enthusiasm—those things which unify us and make for Peace AND—that which BUILDS each other Up. Paul was desiring that they lay down their “rights” in Pursuit of Love.

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6 NIV)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Build Up and Encourage each other in our Relationship with Christ.

We all need the encouragement in our relationship with Christ that we each supply! Christ created us FOR relationship! Relationship with Him AND with each other.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25 NIV)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV)

Christians Influence Each Other…May it be influence Towards Living a Life of Goodness, Peace, and JOY—IN the Holy Spirit.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of goodness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Rom 14:17 NLT)

LORD Jesus,

Thank You for the gift of salvation. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. A very present help in time of need AND a reminder that You have given us a guarantee of what IS to Come of our Inheritance (Eph 1:14). May we Live IN the Holy Spirit and experience the Fruit in abundance—may our Love for You burn like an uncontrollable Fire. May we genuinely Love one another and May there be such an outpouring of Your Love that it draws others TO you because they desire what they SEE in us—Peace in the storms And Joy not dependent on any circumstances. My Heart is Yours-LORD. Here I am, send me.

Tina L Kudelka

Isaiah 9 - 2.22.23

Scripture

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Observation-What does it say?

This chapter reveals another Old Testament prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ. “There are over 300 Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament.” (gotquestions.org)

Understanding-What does it mean?

Old Testament Messianic Prophecies revealed Who Jesus was and what a society would look like where Jesus reigned.

If we rewind back to another Messianic Prophecy in Isaiah 4:5-6, it described the new society where Jesus reigned as: Beautiful, Glorious, Fruitful, Holy, Cleansed, a Shelter,

Shade (from the heat of day) and Refuge and Hiding Place (from the storm and rain.)

In this chapter, it describes Who Jesus was/is. He is a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.

Imagine the hope that the Messianic prophecies gave to Old Testament Jews. It is the same hope we should have today, not just because we are eagerly awaiting Christ’s return again, but because He has left us His Holy Spirit.

Life Application

Read God’s Word daily and rely on the Holy Spirit. It is not just His power that lives inside of us. He lives inside of us.

The Holy Spirit is our deposit guaranteeing that Christ will come back for us, His church. (See 2 Corinthians 1:22 and 2 Corinthians 5:5).

In addition, the purpose of God’s Word is to point us and others to Christ! With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can lead people to Christ using ALL of Scripture, including the Old Testament.

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,” -John‬ ‭5‬:‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Dear Lord, thank You that Your whole Word is inspired and points directly to You. Thank You for leaving us Your Holy Spirit to continue to stir up the hope of our faith in You. I confess that apart from You, my strength is very limited. When given an opportunity to lead others to You and talk about Your Word, I pray that it would always be about Your power in me and not by my own strength. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi