Romans 8 - 9.2.26
Scripture
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1)
Observation
In the first 7 chapters of Romans, Paul explains sin and its consequences, and how we cannot help ourselves. It is only because of Jesus Christ that we can overcome sin (Rom 7:25).
Therefore there is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1). Paul continues to explain what he means by “those who are in Christ Jesus”. We do not live according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Rom 8:4).
The CEV translation makes it very understandable in everyday English what it means to be “in Christ Jesus” in the verses 5-8 - People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace. Our desires fight against God, because they do not and cannot obey God's laws. If we follow our desires, we cannot please God. (Rom 8:5-8, CEV).
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Rom 8:1, NKJV).
Application
We who have accepted the Lord Jesus as our Savior, and who do not walk according to the world, but according to God’s Spirit, are not under condemnation anymore. We were sinners, but we were washed, we were sanctified, we were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor 6:11).
Now that we are made free, it is not the freedom to sin more, but the freedom to live right. We who have died to sin, cannot live in it any longer (Rom 6:2). We have to stand in the liberty that Christ made us free, and not get entangled in the yolk of bondage, by willfully engaging in a sinful lifestyle (Gal 5:1).
Prayer
Dear Father, Thank you for loving me. Thank you for opening my eyes and revealing yourself to me. I know that I did not choose you, but you chose me (John 15:16). Thank you for washing my sins away with your precious blood. Please help me to walk in the freedom that Christ has made me free and not get entangled in the bondage of sin (Gal 5:1). Thank you because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Make my life a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to you (Rom 12:1). In Jesus’s name. Amen
Asha Chacko George
Proverbs 22 - 9.1.26
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
OBSERVATION: Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote the Book of Proverbs under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, which gives us practical insight and guidelines for life. Young people mattered very much to Solomon, and his special instructions to them are found in Proverbs 1:1-9,18.
The word “youth” is used in the Old Testament to apply to children from pre-birth through the first 20 years of life. “The way he should go” relates to the way God has created every normal human being. “Even Jesus in His human nature progressed through these natural phases. Jesus, as a young boy increased in wisdom (mentally) and stature (physically), and in favor with God (spiritually), and with people (socially)”. (Quoted from Gene Getz Life Essential Study Bible).
APPLICATION: “When parents ignore this growth process, they can create frustration, anxiety, discouragement, insecurity, and even anger, which can lead to rebellion. When this kind of resentment becomes persistent, children often make decisions to reject and “depart from” the will of God”.
As a parent of 2 grown sons now, I can look back and remember crying out to God countless times, especially in their teens, because of the mistakes I made misunderstanding their growth process, which in turn created negative reactions on their part. We once went to a family seminar and I heard something I will never forget from the speaker, “Rules without relationship lead to rebellion”. Well… I was what you would call a drill sergeant kind of mom, and was very strict with our 2 boys; a “mother hen”, and rules were VERY important, and THEY WERE ENFORCED! I was also known to raise my voice LOUDLY! This mother made ALOT of mistakes while trying to learn and understand the unique way God created our 2 boys, and how to nurture them accordingly. Even though I was young, immature and insecure when I became a mother, God showed up when I needed Him most, and lovingly forgave me, taught me how to correct my ways, and gave me a brand new start! God has used His Word to teach and train me to be a better mother to our sons, and to their children, and to their children. (Yes, we are now GREAT grand-parents!)
PRAYER: Thank You Lord for my children and for our grand-children. I pray You will help me to be a model of faith, hope, and love to them all. Thank You that You have heard my prayers, and that they will all come to know You and serve You well. May our entire family be part of the Church - the family of God, who walk worthy of You, and who have been called into Your kingdom and glory. Amen
- Robin Orefice
Proverbs 21 - 8.31.26
Scripture
Proverbs 21:25 NIV
“The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.”
Observation
In this particular proverb written by King Solomon, he writes that a lazy person’s desires and dreams destroy them because they refuse to do the actual work to achieve their goals. Instead of taking action, they sit idle and expect everything to be handed to them on a silver platter.
Application
Are you willing to put the work in to achieve your goals in life? Or do you expect things to just be handed to you?
If there is one thing that I really hate in youth sports today is the whole idea that everyone gets a trophy. You know, the “Participation Award”. I hate it because it gives our youth this sense of entitlement. It makes them feel that all they have to do is show up and they’re a “winner”. If society keeps this up, we are just setting these kids up for failure. You see, these kids will soon grow up, become young adults and head out into the real world, competing for scholarships to get into their desired colleges and competing for those highly desired jobs. But, then reality will soon set in when they find out that all their dreams and goals in life aren’t just going to be handed to them just because they showed up for an interview. They are going to have to had put some serious work in their lives to achieve these dreams and goals of theirs.
I believe that is the point that King Solomon is trying to get across to the reader here. That point is, if you want to achieve your dreams and desires in life, you can’t be lazy about it. It’s going to take hard work and dedication.
This proverb doesn’t only apply to us in our physical lives, but it also applies to us in our spiritual lives. You see, a lot of us have this desire to have this amazing relationship with God. We want God to be by our side through thick and thin. We want to experience His many blessings and miracles the way others in the Bible have experienced them. But God isn’t just going to hand it to us on that silver platter. God desires relationship. He desires a partnership with us. We have that relationship with Him by believing in Jesus. We have that relationship with Him by reading our Bible and by praying regularly. We have that partnership with Him as we fellowship with other believers, serve in ministry together and love others the way Jesus first loved us. We are God’s servants and we gladly work for Him to have others know Him. When we do these things, then we get to achieve those goals and desires of having this amazing relationship and experiences in life with our God. 😊
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I know Your desire for us is to never sit idle in life. You don’t want us to be content in just being saved by You. Your desire for us is to know You more each day and to have You known by others who may not know You yet. I know this is a daily process and it’s going to take some work. I ask that You give me the strength, endurance, and boldness to do that work and accomplish that mission. I pray that You may also provide more workers to send with me into these mission fields. May we work together in unity to bring fame to Your name. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi