We continue our journey through the book of ROMANS.
We’re at Romans 16:17ff!
Let’s go!
Tag: Online (Page 14 of 48)
Jesus, the greatest One of all, tells us in today’s Scripture that He is present as “One who serves” and later as the One “numbered with the transgressors.”
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.
Genesis 50:20ab
This at His last supper with His disciples.
Disciples whom He has taught, shared with, suffered with, laughed with, repeatedly banged His head against the wall with.
And what do these disciples, these ones whom Jesus has assigned kingdoms to and who will judge the tribes of Israel; what do they do in this last supper with their Lord and friend?
They argue – again – about whom among them is the greatest.
We are at the beginning of the end of Jesus suffering. The battle of evil in this world and the spiritual realm against God and good is climaxing.
And the disciples are going to be a part of the evil.
They will choose it. They will take part in it. They, the closest to Jesus, who have “stayed with Jesus in His trials” will fall away and deny.
All will seem lost.
And if it were left to the disciples – if it were left to us – that would be the end.
But it wasn’t left to them or us. It was left for the Suffering Servant; the One who took became sin for us; the One who took on all evil and won! Forever!
He is the Victor! He is our Victor! Through faith in Him our place in heaven is secured!
How much greater news is there than that?
“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for dealing with evil and our part in it and conquering it for us!”
Scriptures
- Luke 22:14
- Luke 22:24-38
Transfiguration Sunday is an interesting celebration. We harken back to Moses on Mt. Sinai, speaking face to face with God and Jesus being transfigured before Peter, James, and John, with Moses and Elijah on a mountain top.
[Jesus] was transfigured before them, and His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.
Mark 9:2b-3
When Moses was in God’s presence, he radiated God’s glory. People couldn’t help but notice the difference that enveloped him. – And they didn’t like it! They didn’t want to hear from Moses – at least not directly. They feared the change. They tried to put off the messenger.
Peter, James, and John didn’t have that same reaction. Rathen than be put-off, they were confounded and confused. They didn’t know how to react to this transformation and or understand what it really meant.
So here’s a question: with whom do we identify? Are we like the Israelites, who fear the glory of God and only somewhat reluctantly follow Him out of fear? Are we like the three apostles who are happy to do something but really no idea what or why? Or are we like Moses, who went to commune with God, listen to Him, and carry His message, His radiance, His glory to those around – regardless of how they may take it?
The fact is, through faith in Jesus we are joined to Him; the One who was transfigured; the One who transfigures us! We are changed, forever! We have His Message of Salvation! We have His glory! We shine with His radiance!
Others should see that! It should have an impact on all those we encounter! We have been saved by the Light of the world, and we are to shine like starts with Him; always!
May we be bold in that calling, and always point to Jesus through it all, so that His saving glory may show the Way to a people still in darkness!
Shine on and through us, O Lord!
Scriptures
- Exodus 34:29-35
- Mark 9:2-0
I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
1 Corinthians 9:22b
Starting Sunday, February 10, 2024, we will begin a Bible study on the book of 1 Corinthians.
Join us!
The scale of creation is truly beyond understanding. It boggles the mind. From the smallest to largest and everything in between. From the intricacies of our being to the faculties of understanding. It is astounding and surpasses all understanding.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.
Psalm 147:5
The One who breathes out stars and knits life together in the smallest detail. Who sets the heavens in motion and lays out the seasons in their time. Who creates cells more complicated than rockets and lays out galaxies in their beauty.
This is the God we serve! Beyond astronomical!
And yet the most amazing things we consider is not that He determines and names the stars, but that He gathers outcasts, heals the brokenhearted, and bind up our wounds. It is not in the incomprehension of His power, but in that of His pleasure in those who love and fear Him! It is that the same God who created and sustains everything sent His Son, incarnate, to save us so that we could dwell with Him forever!
Amazing! Utterly and unfathomably amazing!
Scriptures
- Psalm 147:1-11
“The land of the free and the home of the brave!”
What a great way to describe our great nation! We value the great freedoms our Constitution provides, which have been protected and secured by the blood and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have and continue to serve!
Take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9
What a blessing God has given us in this great country!
Of course, our country isn’t perfect. We have more laws on the books that restrict freedom than most countries. We have more people incarcerated than most countries. To say we have some serious issues is an understatement.
For American Christians, we have a peculiar shortcoming: we value the freedoms in our country and the ultimate freedoms we have in Jesus, but we are not very conscientious about how we use them. That is to say, we love exercising our freedoms without much concern for how they may negatively affect others.
That may be acceptable secularly, but it is altogether wrong and inappropriate as Christians!
We are called to make sure that in the exercising of our freedoms in Jesus, we are not a stumbling block to others and their faith!
That means always putting the needs others before our own desires. It means being no obstacle to others seeing and following Jesus. We want to be the reason people see Jesus clearly. We want to be a help to those who may be struggling in their faith, not the reason they question it more.
And if that means we don’t get to exercise all our freedoms all the time as we want, so be it!
It’s not about us. It’s about Jesus.
Let’s keep that in mind – always!
Scriptures
- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
I’ve heard many people say, “patience is a virtue, and I don’t have it!”
I certainly felt that way sometimes as well.
But the truth is we all have patience we just don’t like to use it or exercise it very much. Patience is a part of the fruit of the Spirit, which we all have.
On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Psalm 62:7
The questions is, what are we patient for? Why are we patient? Maybe it’s something that we’ve wanted for a long time; maybe prepared or saved up for.
But what about being patient for the Lord? For His Plan? For His timing? Are we patient, waiting on Him?
I would venture to say we are not altogether good for that, either. We are an immediate, impatient people. We want what we want when we want.
But our timing is not God’s timing. Our ways are not His ways. Our plan is not His Plan.
And we are called to wait on Him.
Wherever He takes us. Whenever He deigns. However He wants.
That means knowing that His way, His Plan, and His time will always be the best for us. Trusting in Him regardless of what is happening in our lives. Relying on Him through everything. Knowing that His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His salvation is sufficient for all our needs for all time.
“We wait on You, Lord, and out hope is always and every in You alone!”
Scriptures
- Jonah 3:1-5, 10
- Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8
