Notice on a slight format change:

Except for July 2012, these are mostly a collection of current devotional notes.

July 2012 is a re-write of old quiet times. My second child was born Nov 11, 1987 with multiple birth defects. I've been re-reading my QT notes from that time in my life, and have included them here. They cover the time before the birth and the few years immediately after the birth. They are tagged "historical." I added new insights and labeled them: ((TODAY, dd mmm yy)).

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

QT 1/1/2025 Rom 14:7-8, Who do we truly live and die to?

Romans 14:7–12 (ESV) —

7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

 

NOTE: The passage starts out with a true goal of a believer, we don't live or die to ourself meaning that "life is not about me." Last summer, I saw a saying etched on a car "my life, my rules." That is wrong. That philosophy of life is of the devil. I can't be any stronger in my statement. Life is to be lived for Jesus, and is under the rules of God. My life is NOT my own, I was bought and paid for by Jesus' death on the cross. Having said all that, it is very hard to live in that manner. We are all very selfish and we live in a narcissistic society. The world culture promotes and applauds narcissism, that we ought to be able to do and be whatever we want. The world tells us that there are no rules (and in political circles, it seems there are no laws either). The Holy Spirit can change us, and it starts with regular time in the word, and repentance and prayer. A relationship with Jesus is life-changing. You will not be the same person. If you have not found that to be true, I wonder if you have truly repented, confessed your rebellion to God, and asked him to be your Lord and savior. You can say the words, but if you mean it from deep within your heart, you will see God begin an amazing work in your life.

 

PONDER:

  1. Who do you live for, yourself or God?
  2. Have you seen a miraculous change in your life caused by your faith? Are you truly saved?

 

PRAYER: My assurance of faith is confirmed by the word of God and by the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. I am a new creature. I've seen it and I know it. I still struggle with selfishness, but I know you are changing me in that area. Continue your work in my heart.

Posted by at
Labels:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)