QT 10/31/2024 Matt 2:21-31, God's otherness

Romans 3:21–31 (ESV) —

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

 

NOTE: Our boasting is not based on works but a different type of law, the law of faith. The circumcised are justified by faith and the uncircumcised are through faith. It is all by faith apart from works of the law. There is no work other than choosing Jesus and believing that his death satisfied God's anger for my sin (that is what the word propitiation in verse 25 means).  But for some reason, people still believe they earn their salvation. No one has earned their salvation. And if anyone thinks differently, they do not understand the Holiness of God. He is not like us, he is 'other.' That is the best word to describe God's holiness. It is not like anything we know or could understand humanly. It is beyond our ability to comprehend, but not so much that we cannot realize how far we fall when compared to the holy one.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I believe in my own un-holiness?
2. Am I fooled by my feeble goodness?

 

PRAYER: Father, this is a theme lately, how far short I am of anything that would count toward salvation. My only response is humble thanksgiving.

QT 10/30/2024 Rom 3:15-20, The danger of ignoring God's protective features (law, guilt, and shame)

Romans 3:15–20 (ESV) —

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 in their paths are ruin and misery,

17 and the way of peace they have not known.”

18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

 

NOTE: The purpose of the law, at least in regards to salvation, is to make you aware of sin. It defines sin very clearly. It has a long list, almost 613 commands, and some of those laws are not even moral ones, but rather ceremonial or dietary commands. God wanted his people to realize that they were sinners, and that is evidence of God's grace and mercy. If we did not know we had failed or that we were sinners, we might not realize we need a savior -- which is the whole problem with the "PRIDE" movement. Technically, Jesus never forced behavior, and I believe that people have a choice in their actions, BUT, homosexuality is still a sin, it is not something to be proud about. When we do that, when we make sin okay or take pride in evil, we remove another protective feature (like the law) that God has given us, and that is guilt and shame. Those protective features are the way are conscience communicates sin to us.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I in the process of searing my conscience by call sin, good?
2. Do I take pride in disobeying God's moral laws (that too will sear a conscience)?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray for tender hearts that would be quick to repentance. Protect us from hardening of hearts or searing of our hearts that makes us less receptive to you.

QT 10/29/2024 Rom3:9-14, There is no such thing as "good persons"

Romans 3:9–14 (ESV) —

9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;

11 no one understands;

no one seeks for God.

12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

no one does good,

not even one.”

13 “Their throat is an open grave;

they use their tongues to deceive.”

“The venom of asps is under their lips.”

14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

 

NOTE: Apparently, Paul quotes from four different Psalms (14; 53; 5; 10) in these verses, and more passages in the next four verses. The verses don't completely match the Hebrew verses, partly because he may have been quoting the Greek Septuagint (which matches better), and partly because Paul in the power of the Holy Spirit wanted to emphasize key points.

 

The key point is that whether you are a Gentile or a Jew, you have a sin problem. Without the law, the Gentiles pursued an idolatrous and degrading lifestyle, and the Jews failed to put the law into practice despite their privilege position (Mounce). Sin affects us, our goals, our words, and our actions. There is NO ONE who does good. There is no such thing as a good person. God does not use a good versus evil measurement system as Islamists falsely believe. There is only one standard, God himself. Everyone fails, and everyone needs a perfect savior, which is only Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God.

 

John 14:6 (ESV) — 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

PONDER:

1. Are you trusting in the fact that you are a mostly good person? -- God calls you a fool.
2. Do you even understand that you have a sin problem?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know I am a sinner in need of your grace, and I have put my faith in Jesus and have a guarantee of eternal life with you. People may see me as a good person, but my salvation is based upon Jesus alone.

QT 10/28/2024 Rom 3:5-8, God will judge; there is no argument to change that fact

Romans 3:5–8 (ESV) — 5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

 

NOTE: The argument that Paul repeats is a human argument, as Mounce argues, it would deny a basic truth that Jews held as inviolable, that "God will judge the earth." Mounce interprets the conclusion using a modern idiom, "you cannot have it both ways." I would add another idiom, "you can't have your cake and eat it too." The fact that sin makes God's righteousness more clear is mercy to us. We should realize that sin will never provide what we desire and hope for. Sin reveals to us what we lost in the garden. It is ugly, and defeating. I heard a radio commercial lamenting the fact that humans don't come with a user manual, and therefore need "therapy." Well, I disagree, we do come with a user manual, "God's Word." It solves the biggest problem of being human and that is sin. It reveals to us the long promised savior who takes away the penalty of sin, and someday will replace our bodies with a sin-free body.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I routinely consult the user manual God provided to humanity?
2. Do I expect life to get better by doing the same failed strategy over and over again?

 

PRAYER: Father, we use stupid arguments to justify our desires to live outside of your laws and in doing so, we only hurt ourselves. Bring us to repentance and to new life in Jesus.

QT 10/25/2024 Rom 3:1-4, Our always faithful God

Romans 3:1–4 (ESV) —

1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,

“That you may be justified in your words,

and prevail when you are judged.”

 

NOTE: There are some important insights and truths in this passage. The obvious one toward today's believer is that we cannot nullify God's faithfulness. If he has made an unconditional promise, our actions cannot nullify his character or explain his character. God will be himself despite our choices. If he pursues us, he will not stop pursuing us. If he loves us because of what Jesus the Son did on the cross, he will not stop. We can fail in any and every way, but he will not.

 

A second important truth is that the Jew was entrusted with the oracles of God, the bible. I believe that means all scripture was written by Jews. Importantly, Luke was probably Jewish since he wrote a large section of the New Testament, the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. I can't think of any questionable books at this point where the author may not be Jewish. We don't know the author of Hebrews, but his understanding of Judaism is exceedingly great, clearly suggesting he was Jewish. It is a great honor to be entrusted with the word of God.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I remember God's faithfulness?
2. Or do I tie God's faithfulness somehow to my faithfulness?

 

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord that in any way I would tie your responses to myself. You do not respond to me but you are not defined by me. You are God, creator of all that exists and can be. You are beyond (transcendent) and yet near, close, and a friend to me. Thank you.

QT 10/24/2024 Rom 2:23-29, Pleasing God, not impressing men

Romans 2:23–29 (ESV) —

23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

 

NOTE: God's name is still be blasphemed by those who boast of their obedience to him. It was true for the Jews as it is for Christians today. Rabbis divorced their wives for the smallest infraction thinking they were justified by God's word. Other Rabbis were too important to be bothered by the poor. As Jesus said, they love to dress in fine robes and take the best seats as social events. Today is not much different, but it occurs in the church. I believe it happens less, because true believers have the Holy Spirit within them and they are convicted of their sin. But sin is deadly and corrupting, and even those with the Spirit have fallen into this shame.

 

We need to seek our praise from God, not from men. Mounce's (1995) comments are useful"

 

The circumcision that counted was a circumcision of the heart (cf. Deut 30:6).142 Real circumcision was the work of the Spirit.143 It did not come through the mechanical observance of the written code.144 Authentic Jewishness was inward and spiritual. Authentic circumcision was the cutting away145 of the old sinful nature. It could be accomplished only by the sanctifying Spirit of God. Those who had experienced it received their praise from God, not from others.146

 

142 The concept of a circumcised heart was well established in Jewish thought (Lev 26:41; Deut 10:16; Jer 4:4; Ezek 44:9; 1QS 5:5; Jub. 1:23).

 

143 This understands ἐν πνεύματι as a reference to the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Cor 3:6) rather than one part of a contrast between the spiritual and the literal (as in the RSV). In Col 2:11 Paul compared circumcision by the hands of men and circumcision by Christ. Rom 7:6 contrasts the Spirit and the written code as two ways of serving.

 

144 Older writers often took γράμμα to indicate the literal sense of Scripture and took πνεῦμα as its spiritual sense. In this context γράμμα refers to the law and πνεῦμα to the Spirit.

 

145 περιτομὴ is from περί and τέμνω, “to cut around.”

 

Mounce, R. H. (1995). Romans (Vol. 27, p. 102). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I trying to please people or am I trying to please God?
2. Do I even think about what is more important, pleasing others or pleasing God?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to see where I am trying to please others or impress others rather than seeking to please you. Show me where my pride has blinded me. Show me where I have fallen. Forgive me and rescue me from the pride of life.

QT 10/23/2024 Rom 2:17-22, A true believer understands his wretchedness

Romans 2:17–22 (ESV) —

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

 

NOTE: Even though this is specifically focused on a Jew, I think in this case, it is perfectly correct to start out the paragraph: "But if you call yourself a Christian …." You could also substitute "a believer in God." Of course, the key difference is that a Jew believed they could obey the Law and receive salvation because of their special significance as God's people. The problem is that they don't obey the law in its entirety. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes that if you fail on one point, you have failed completely.

 

The issue is an attitude of self-righteousness and a moral superiority. That is why I feel you could change the term "Jew" to "Christian" because many Christians (or at least church-goers and the religious) feel morally superior to those who do not do what they do. The focus here is on works. When we begin to see our self-importance because of our Christian works, we lose part of our witness -- that God can save the sinner by mercy and grace.

 

I see many who have fallen into this trap. I too, fall into the trap, when I begin to see my ministries making me different or better than another. What a foolish trap that is! May I never glory in works but in the cross alone!

 

PONDER:

1. Do I see myself better than others because of my service or ministry?
2. Have I forgotten my salvation? Have I forgotten what God did? Do I not understand his grace and mercy?

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for thinking of myself more highly than others. I am a wretched sinner that you have made clean. You did it all. Everything I am today and into the future is because of your work in my life. I did not deserve any of your mercy or grace. Thank you so much!

QT 10/22/2024 Rom 2:12-16, Everyone is under some law

Romans 2:12–16 (ESV) —

12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

 

NOTE: We are all judged by a type of law, either the law that God has given or the law that God has placed in our heart, our conscience. Paul is not teaching salvation by works, since later he will tell us that no one has fulfilled the law (either the OT law or their conscience's law) but all have fallen short. So we are all guilty of breaking the law, either the external law or the internal law within our hearts. There will be a day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, and no one will pass that test, … unless you have traded your sinful acts for Jesus' righteousness. 2 Cor 5:21 (ESV) — For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Therefore our only hope is Jesus and faith in Jesus. I believe Paul wrote the passage in Romans in a technical or scientific way, that is, if it was possible to obey the law (internal or external) perfectly, you could save yourself. That would be a true statement, but because we all have a sin nature, passed down from Adam, we all fail, and we all are in need of a savior.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I truly understand my need for a savior?
2. Do I secretly believe I am good enough (even if I have publicly declared Jesus as my savior)? It is a subtle thing to forget what Jesus has done for us.

 

PRAYER: Father, I am a sinner. I know and believe that Jesus paid my sins. And I know and I believe I have no other hope. Every day should be a reminder of how I fail to live for you. Thank you for my salvation. Thank you so much. I feel so unworthy.

QT 10/21/2024 Rom 2:1-5, We are all without excuse (moral and immoral persons)

Romans 2:1–5 (ESV) —

1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

 

NOTE: In the preceding chapter, God says that all men are without excuse (on the basis of creation alone). Additionally as Paul continues, one only has to look at the descent of man to realize that something is wrong. Men do not get better morally over time, but only become more evil. Chapter 2 continues the theme but points out that even those who think they are righteous and not evil (possibly Jews looking at Gentiles) are just as bad, because they also sin in many of the same ways. As 2:1 says, the "moral" are also without excuse. Today, we might think of the "moral" as the do-gooders, the church-goers, the philanthropists, the non-profit volunteers -- the people who deep down somehow think their good works overshadow anything they have done wrong. Yet these people are gossipers; they pass judgment on the "sinners;" they are no better than those who sin outright and in the open. We have a problem. We are storing up wrath against ourselves. In Chapter 3, Paul will argue that we are all sinners and conclude that "no one does good, not even one."

 

We can say we have put our faith in Jesus, but I think if we are see ourselves as "good" people we really have missed the point. We are STILL sinners and the only difference is that we are saved by grace (meaning we did not deserve it). I think some of us believe that we deserved our salvation. We believe that Jesus saved us, but we also believe we deserved it. We need to repent of that message, and repeatedly admit to God that we are undeserving of salvation.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I think I was deserving of salvation?
2. Do I see myself as better than "sinners?"

 

PRAYER: Father, I … am … undeserving … of … your … love … and … salvation. Forgive me for thinking anything better of myself. You have certainly changed me and created in me a new creature, but I don't deserve it. I repent of my pride and confess my wrong thinking. I am so glad that you poured mercy and grace upon my life. And I don't know why. Other than you chose to love me.

QT 10/18/2024 Rom 1:29-32, Getting your own way is not a good thing

Romans 1:29–32 (ESV) —

29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

 

NOTE: Paul writes (Rom 1:32) that even though they know that God commands different behavior and that those who practice behavior contrary to God's law will spiritually die, they (us) do two things. One, they ignore God's command and do it anyway, and two, they give approval to those who also disobey and ignore God's command.

 

In today's environment, this is seen in multiple ways (all relating back to the first few chapters of the book of Genesis.

 

1. God commands marriage to be between a man and woman. The world in its PRIDE celebrates those who disobey God's command by same-sex marriages, and marriage, as a whole, is becoming a dying custom.
2. God created sex for the marriage bed. Society has more non-marriage sexual relationships than ever before.
3. God says there are two sexes. Society applauds those who claim a different sex or change their God-given sex.
4. God commanded roles after Adam and Eve's sin. Society has eliminated any idea that the God-ordained roles could have any good. Masculinity, which is related to roles, is attacked at every opportunity.

 

And what has all this 'progress' brought about in society? We are angry, suicidal, disconnected, drug-addicted, and unhappy with no purpose in life but to try to feed our appetites.

 

Someone commented to me, that Romans chapter 1 could be summarized: We wanted our own way and think we got it, but God says "no, that is the punishment."

 

PONDER:

Who do we listen to for advice on how to live life, society experts or the word of God?

 

PRAYER: Father, wake us up from our deep sleep. Thwart the evil one's plans. Let people see through it and seek truth. May we have the opportunity and boldness to show them Jesus.

QT 10/17/2024 Rom 1:24-28, The descent of man

Romans 1:23–28 (ESV) —

23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

 

NOTE: God "gave them up" is stated three times in the descent of man. We have not evolved, we have devolved morally. The preceding actions state why, starting in verse 23:

 

1. They exchanged the glory … of God for images. Essentially, we have made God small.
2. We exchanged truth for lies. We have disregarded the truth of scriptures preferring our own destructive "truths."
3. We did not acknowledge God. We chose to be our own gods and have chosen to disobey his commands.

 

This is the state of man. It will only get worse. There might be repentance but each time the descent is even greater. Will there be revival in the world or are we at the end of times? It is hard to imagine that things can get worse. So, what should we be doing? We need to be telling people about Jesus and the healing that he offers. We may not be able to change society any more, but we can offer individuals hope.

 

PONDER:

1. Where do I stand -- with the culture or with God?
2. What am I doing to tell others of the only hope they have, Jesus?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to have conversation seasoned with salt, the good news of Jesus Christ.

QT 10/16/2024 Rom 1:18-20, The truth is out there

Romans 1:18–20 (ESV) —

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

 

NOTE: The gospel is God's response to our unrighteousness -- it is revealed by faith. Our problem is unrighteousness and a hatred of God (ungodliness). We suppress the truth, why? Because we hate God and we love our sin. My society has scoffed at every aspect of the early chapters of the book of Genesis: creation; Adam and Eve; sin as rebellion from God; an enemy named Satan; man and woman define marriage; two sexes only; work as good; value of gender roles; idea of shame; etc. Why? Because we suppress the truth that could change our lives and give us the hope we lack in today's day and age. We have no excuse. The truth is out there but it is found in a book called the Bible.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I bought the lies of the world whose main mission is to suppress the truth of God?
2. Do I seek truth in God's word?
3. When a question comes up between what I have learned in the world and read from God, who do I believe?

 

PRAYER: Father, the church has bought much of what the world teaches. I pray we would repent of this denial of truth, and turn back to you and your word for real truth. Our only hope for revival is if the church believes and lives according to your word.

QT 10/15/2024 Rom 1:16-17, The gospel changes us!

Romans 1:16–17 (ESV) —

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

 

NOTE: This the theme of the book, the incredible power of the gospel. It is the gospel which reveals God's righteousness and which gives us righteousness. Before the millennial kingdom can begin, Israel will acknowledge Jesus as their savior, and weep for their long rejection of his saving power.

 

Zechariah 12:10 (ESV) — “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.

 

Can I say as strongly as Paul, "I am not ashamed of the gospel?" It has changed my life. I have experienced the power-- the explosive power -- in my life. I am radically different because I put my faith in Jesus decades ago. It is still changing me from one degree of glory to another. I will never be the person I want to be in this life, but I am much better than the person I was because of Jesus. I look forward to that day when my body will be resurrected into a glorified body that can stand in the presence of awesome righteousness, but for now, I need to boldly proclaim to all that question my faith, that the gospel has the power to save and change us.

 

PONDER:

1. When was the last time I stood up for the gospel?
2. Am I more interested in the world's praise or God's "well done?"

 

PRAYER: Father, I am so grateful for my salvation. I know the gospel has started a process of transformation in my life that will continue until you come again. Thank you so much!

QT 10/14/2024 Rom 1:9-13, God's will and prayer

Romans 1:9–13 (ESV) —

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.

 

NOTE: Paul had intended to visit the Romans on many occasions, but it didn't work out. He longed for the opportunity, but it did not happen. A longing in one's heart does not indicated God's will. It is good to have desires and longings, but to interpret those as the will of God is false. God may, in His time, fulfill that desire, but one must take care to not "make it happen" outside of the will of God. God would send Paul to Rome in another 4-5 years, but in chains (but also free passage). He would minister in Rome for two years (free room and board too), writing at least four letters (continuing the ministry through epistles). What is my point? Be careful of interpreting a longing as an indication of God's will right now.

 

As I started writing down my thoughts, the thing that hit me was that Paul wanted to visit (to preach, to share, to fellowship), but instead he was praying. And probably, that was a better ministry than his visiting. We don't always see praying as an important ministry. Speaking, seems so much more important, at least in our eyes. But prayer, secret prayer, is very powerful, and is probably a better ministry than one person standing up and speaking for an hour or two. We don't have to go to a place, but we certainly ought to be praying regularly for places, people, and churches.

 

PONDER:

1. What is my prayer life like?
2. Do I really consider prayer important? Would someone looking at my lifestyle and seeing me in secret say that prayer is important to me?

 

PRAYER: Father, during these last forty days, the practice of writing down my prayers has challenged me greatly to be more serious about my prayer life. As an application, I am going to create a prayer sheet template in my OneNote application to help me to pray daily.

QT 10/11/2024 Rom 1:2-4, Salvation requires believing in Jesus

Romans 1:2–4 (ESV) —

2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

 

NOTE: Three things stand out at the beginning of Paul's dissertation. One, Jesus is a fulfillment of prophecy. He fulfilled many distinct prophecies that would be impossible for one man to fulfill. That knowledge gives us confidence in who he is. Second, he is declared a descendant of David, and a rightful heir to the throne of David, King over Israel. Lastly, he declared to be the Son of God. The initial declaration is at the baptism by John, where John gives his testimony, the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove, and God the Father speaks, calling him his son and declaring his authority. The resurrection is the final declaration where the Spirit raises him from the dead. This was witnessed by as many as 500. Many of whom went to their death rather than recant their testimony.

 

Why is this important? Because this letter will in detail explain man's problem and the salvation that God brought forth in the person of his son, Jesus Christ. The evidence is clear and overwhelming. Men choose to disobey this glorious truth.

 

Romans 1:5 (ESV) — 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

 

Jesus paid the price for the world's sin, but there is one sin that remains -- obedience by faith or rejection -- that decides our eternal destiny.

 

PONDER:

Do believe by faith or have I rejected God's gracious gift?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to share this message to those I meet. Give me boldness to take advantage of the opportunities to talk about Jesus

QT 10/10/2024 Rev 3:1, What is your reputation based upon?

Revelation 3:1 (ESV) — “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

“ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

 

NOTE: How can one have a reputation for being alive, but be dead? First of all, this is in reference to spirituality. The person has a reputation for being spiritually alive but is in fact spiritually dead. How does that happen? What might a person look like in this case?

1. He would know (intellectually) truth, but it would not affect him in the inner man.
2. He would be active in the church, but not active in his relationship with God.
3. He would be passionate about external spiritual things, but not passionate about knowing God.
4. He would have works, but no effect on other people. People can see through facades.
5. He would talk a lot about certain spiritual things, but not about how God is personally changing him.

There is a verse in James 1:22 which means a lot to me and is what I think trips up many.

James 1:22 (ESV) — 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

I think people deceive themselves with knowledge of the bible, activity in church, and a reputation through those things. But inside, there is no love, no kindness, no compassion, and no real passion to know God. And all because they hear and do not do.

 

PONDER:

1. How am DOING?
2. Do I apply what God shows me or do I just apply it to others?
3. I have knowledge but does it make me more loving, kind, compassionate, and hungry to know God?

 

PRAYER: Father, open my eyes to myself. Help me to see where I am developing a reputation but not a changed life. I want to honor you with my life, I don't want to be honored by the life you have given, that is backwards.

QT 10/9/2024 Rev 3:1-6, We are a dying church body

Revelation 3:1–6 (ESV) —

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

“ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

 

NOTE: In terms of history, this church most closely resembles the church of the reformation. Ultimately, the separation from the Catholic church only resulted in state churches in England, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and Scotland. It also did not solve the problem of laity versus clergy either. It was a dead church spiritually. Some were trying to fix it, but most did not understand the gospel message and were not spiritually reborn. It would have been hard to live in those days. There are still many of those religious churches today. Fortunately the church and state have separated in most places. One is not born a citizen of a state by church baptism. This spiritually dead time will ultimately lead to a revival and a great outreach by the church into the world during the 1800s and 1900s.

 

The church today is mostly dead. There are a great many "alive" churches filled with born-again believers, but too many are wed to the culture and have destroyed their witness. Holiness is our greatest weakness. We have bought the lies of the culture and subjugated the truth of God's word. Will there be another revival? Maybe, … but it will probably be in the midst of the great tribulation, the promised apocalypse which is near.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I playing religion? Or am I sold out on the truth of God's word?
2. Do I override the bible and fit in cultural wisdom?
3. Am I embarrassed by the bible? [As a scientist myself, I am fully convinced of the truth of Gods' word. I find no contradictions.]

 

PRAYER: Father, give us boldness and learning to stand up to the lies of the world. Your word is truth and it holds the key to true human joy and happiness.

 

QT 10/8/2024 Rev 3:15-18, Our churches stink of dead bodies

Revelation 3:15–18 (ESV) —

15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

 

NOTE: I have always felt that this last church was mostly composed on non-believers who were merely religious. Jesus says 4 things about them:

1. The church members are wretched (how can a person who knows Jesus be wretched?)
2. The church members are poor (we have a treasure in heaven; we have a glorious inheritance; those who know Christ are rich)
3. The church members are blind (Jesus removes the salve over our eyes when we come to him)
4. The church members are naked (Jesus clothes us in white clothes of righteousness; where are their clothes?)

Years ago, people argued that Rev 3:20 was written to a church of believers and so it could not be used in evangelism. Whoever came up with that dumb idea didn't read the verse in context. This is a church in name only, mainly made up with people who don't know the savior. Therefore Jesus calls out to these religious unbelievers:

Revelation 3:20 (ESV) — 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

The church of Laodicea is the church of today, neither hot nor cold, who THINK they are rich, have prospered, and need nothing. And yet, they have nothing spiritually.

 

PONDER:

Am I like one of the members of the church of Laodicea, do I really know the savior or do I just go through the motions?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray for the church, open our eyes. Too many are dead, spiritually DEAD. We are a church of corpses. It stinks and smells in most of our churches today because it is filled with spiritually dead bodies.

QT 10/7/2024 Matt 28:16-20, We have orders

Matthew 28:16–20 (ESV) —

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

 

NOTE: In Luke 4, Jesus is tempted by Satan to forgo the cross, to worship the evil one, and to receive the kingdoms of the world. Jesus rebuked Satan and quoted scripture that only God is to be worshipped. Jesus completed his mission and what Satan had tempted with his temporary authority on earth, Jesus won by fulfilling God the Father's command.

 

Daniel 7:13–14 (ESV) —

13 “I saw in the night visions,

and behold, with the clouds of heaven

there came one like a son of man,

and he came to the Ancient of Days

and was presented before him.

14 And to him was given dominion

and glory and a kingdom,

that all peoples, nations, and languages

should serve him;

his dominion is an everlasting dominion,

which shall not pass away,

and his kingdom one

that shall not be destroyed.

 

Jesus did it the right way and gained the kingdom and the authority. But he has not taken that rule yet, despite Jesus having the authority. Satan still rules on earth, even though death has been defeated. Jesus will come soon to claim the thrones.

 

Mark 14:61–62 (ESV) —

61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

 

Making disciples is not a gift, but a command. The whole church it commanded to make disciples. They can use their gifts, but that is not required to make disciples. It is rather simple. One, share the gospel. Two, for those who respond or have responded in faith, meet with them regularly and spend time in the word of God -- over coffee, over a meal, while walking, etc. Anyone can make disciples, but few churches do it. Too many churches see education and classes as discipleship, but it is not.

 

We have been ordered to make disciples by him who has the authority, what are we doing?

 

PONDER:

1. Am I making disciples? Why or why not?
2. What steps do I need to take this year to become a disciplemaker?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray our church would continue to grow in this area of discipleship. Use me to help the church. Use me in the right places.

QT 10/6/2024 1 Cor 14:24-25, It is our job to share the gospel, not the pastor's job

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 (ESV) —

24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

 

NOTE: Prophecy, or God's word is what changes people, either bringing them to repentance or helping them to know God better. Tongues, without interpretation, may do something for the person, I don't know, but has very little spiritual value. Everyone, believer and unbeliever, needs to hear God's word. And we, the church -- not the pastor -- have the responsibility to share God's words with our neighbors, co-workers, friends, family, and community -- everyone. Some churches think this is the Pastor's job -- it is NOT! Yes, he like us in the body, must share within his relationships, but his job is to equip us to share the gospel. How are we doing?

 

PONDER:

1. How are we, the body, doing sharing the gospel?
2. Do we accept that it is our responsibility? Or do we shirk that responsibility?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the role I have. Continue to show me ways to minister to the outside world. Give me opportunities and boldness.

QT 10/5/2024 Acts 6:2-4, The importance of using your gift

Acts 6:2–4 (ESV) —

2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

 

NOTE: "It is not right" is not an indication that one thing is more important than another thing, that is, the twelve are not saying that preaching is more important than serving. I think the Apostles are not able to use their spiritual gifts because others in the body were not using their spiritual gifts as they should. They chose seven men to take over this ministry, these men are our first examples of deacons. They serve in a way that relieves the pastor/elders to serve as God has gifted them.

 

Our church currently does not have a lay-elder role, or at least not officially. We only have deacons and then paid full-time pastors. But, God is not limited by structure or scheme. If a person is a pastor-teacher (elder) then he needs to exercise that gift, even if he does not receive or have that title. My gifts are teaching, studying, discipling, and giving. I can serve, all people should serve, but it does not excite me like teaching does. Still, I can perform the role of an elder even if there is no position or title in the church. The body has parts, not titles or name plates. The most important thing is that we discover our gift and then utilize it, whether or not there seems to be a place for it. There is always a place for a gift, we might have to create it by doing it.

 

PONDER:

1. What is/are my gifts and how am I using it/them?
2. Am is using an excuse of no places to serve for the reason I am not exercising my gift?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the body I serve in. I pray for wisdom for the new pastor as he brings in new practices. I pray you would protect him. I pray that our church would be unified and accept his leadership.