Romans 8 - 10.15.24

SCRIPTURE:  Romans 8:14-16  "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father."  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

OBSERVATION:  If you have been born-again, meaning if you have declared with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you are saved!  (Romans 10:9).

When we are saved, God's Spirit comes to live in us.  His Spirit gives life because of righteousness.  We receive that righteousness from Jesus!  He took ALL of our sin on the cross, and exchanged for righteousness, which makes us be able to have right standing with God!  The Spirit helps us in our weakness.  He intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.  We are justified, not condemned!  Jesus, Who died, and was raised to life is now at the right hand of God interceding for us. When Jesus prays, let me tell you, His prayers are answered the way He prays!

APPLICATION:  We were once dominated by our sinful desires, but now the Holy Spirit is helping us to be over-comers and victorious over sinful temptations WHEN we tap into His power!  We know the Holy Spirit lives in us because He is the One who gives us the desire to be more like Jesus, and please the Father. It's the Holy Spirit who empowers us to do the things that God has called us to.

PRAYER:  Thank You Abba Father that Your Spirit lives in me.  Thank You Holy Spirit for guiding me, teaching me, helping me, enabling me, and equipping me to serve and honor Jesus, and thank You Heavenly Father that as I do, You cause me to reap joy and everlasting life!

- Robin Orefice

Joshua 4 - 10.14.24

Scripture

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT

“We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”

Observation

The Lord had just helped the people of Israel cross the Jordan River by stopping the river from flowing. God had given the Israelites a dry path to walk through so they could get to the Promised Land. God then instructs Joshua to assign 12 men, (one from each tribe), to carry 12 stones out of the Jordan, and use them to build a memorial where they would be setting up camp. These stones, this memorial, would be used to remind the future generations to come, just how great and mighty their God was/is. It will remind them just how faithful God was to His people.

Application

What “stones/memorials” do we have in our personal life that we can share with our family so they can know of God’s awesome power, love, and faithfulness for generations to come? 🤔

Well it has to start with Jesus.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”-John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬

Jesus is my rock that I lean on. Jesus is my salvation. Jesus is my comforter and healer. Jesus is my provider. Jesus is my Heavenly Father, and friend. Without Him in my life, I am lost. I am nothing. Just like Joshua’s job from God was to build that memorial made of stones; to help remind the people of Israel, and the future generations of God’s power and faithfulness, my job is to share with my friends and family about Jesus; to let them know what Jesus has done for me; to make sure that Jesus’ story carries on for generations to come. All glory and honor belong to Him! 🙌🏽

Prayer

Thank You Jesus for being part of my life and blessing me with the family that I have. Thank You for blessing me with a wife and two daughters who also believe in You. May we all have these “rocks and memorials” in our lives to share with others about Your great might and love for us. May we often be reminded of it each and every day. May it carry on for generations to come. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

Joshua 1 - 10.11.2024

Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.

Joshua 1:5-6
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?

The entire nation of Israel was in the midst of a huge transition. There had been a recent change in leadership (Moses passing away led to Joshua taking the helm). The nation was on the precipice of claiming the promised land. Men were about to go to war. Land was already being claimed and divided. I think about those circumstances Lord, and I think about Joshua, and I have a hard time imagining how anyone could do this without You.

Application - How will you apply this to your life?

Oftentimes, I have felt like a leaf in the wind, controlled by forces completely outside of me. I used to abhor the thought of being compelled like that. It meant my life wasn’t mine to live. It meant that I was boxed in. And living in a box was the ultimate hell on earth.

I am so grateful that I found You, Lord. I am so grateful that living with You has never made me feel boxed in.

As I hear Your words spoken to Joshua this morning I desire the same blessing over my family’s life, over my own. 

Prayer - Write out a prayer.

May your will be done in my life and my family’s lives, oh Lord my God. Just as you blessed Joshua and the nation of Israel as they prepared to inherit the land you promised unto them, I pray that you will not leave or forsake me or my family, even the ones who figuratively choose not to cross over the Jordan river. I pray this over my extended family of Christ followers, Lord. I pray that no one will be able to stand against us those who chose Christ, for the rest of the days of our lives. I pray that you will be with us. I pray that we are all strong and courageous, as we continue to live our lives in the promise, in the promise that is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee