Archive for the ‘Romans’ Category

Spiritual Training 15 April 2013

Posted: April 15, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Hardening of the Heart

Hardening is like a callus or like the tough bone fibers that bridge a fracture, Spiritual hardening begins with self-sufficiency, security in one’s self, and self-satisfaction.  The real danger is that at some point, repeated resistance to God will yield and actual inability to respond, which the Bible describes as a hardened heart. Insensitivity indicates advance hardening.  Here are some of the warning signs: 

Disobeying-Pharaoh’s willful disobedience led to his hardened heart.
Reference: Exodus 4:21

Having wealth and prosperity-Taking God’s blessings for granted can cause us to feel as if they were owed to us.
Reference: Deuteronomy 8:6-14


Rebelling and being discontented-Suffering or discomfort can create an attitude that blames an attitude that blames God
Reference: Psalm 95:8

Rejecting a deserved rebuke-Refusing to listen leads to a loss of spiritual hearing.
Reference: Proverbs 29:1

Failing to respond Listening to God with no intention of obeying produces an inability to obey.
Matthew 13:11-15

 

Romans 09:15-19 For he says to Moses, “ I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “ I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he want to harden.

19: One of you will say to me. “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, why did you make me like this?” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purpose and some for common use?

With this Illustration, Paul is not saying that some of us are worth more than others, but simply that the Creator has control over the created object. The created object, therefore, has no right to demand anything from its Creator-its very existence depends on him. Keeping this perceptive removes any temptation to have pride in personal achievement.

Spiritual Training 12 April 2013

Posted: April 12, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Romans 09:15-19 For he says to Moses, “ I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “ I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he want to harden.

19: One of you will say to me. “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, why did you make me like this?” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purpose and some for common use?

Paul quotes from Exodus 9:16, where God foretold how Pharaoh would be used to declare God’s power. Paul uses this argument to show that salvation was God’s proper work, not man’s. God’s judgment on Pharaoh’s choice to resist God was to confirm that sin harden his heart. The consequences of Pharaoh’s rebellion would be his own punishment.

With this illustration, Paul is not saying that some of us are worth more than others, but simply that the Creator has control over the created object. The created object, therefore, has no right to demand anything from its Creator-its very existence depends on him. Keeping this perspective removes any temptation to have pride in personal achievement.

Lets Bring it Home: What lump of clay did you come from? Are we being use for God purpose, or are we just doing our thing, picking and choosing when we should allow God to use us, not knowing that God uses us anyway, even in our sinful state.

Spiritual Training 11 April 2013

Posted: April 11, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Romans 09:15-16 For he says to Moses, “ I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

The fallacy of gaining salvation by human effort remains as strong as ever-people still think good intentions are the key to unlock the door to eternal life. By the time they get to try the lock, they will find that their key does not fit. Others imagine that their efforts are building an invisible ladder to heaven made up of service, family, position, reputation, good work, and desire, although none of these rungs will support a feather. People are so busy trying to reach God that they completely miss the truth that God has already reached down to them. We cannot earn God’s mercy-if we could, it would not be mercy.

Lets Bring it Home: Are we as Christians living a lie? Are some Churches trying to reach God by the things mention above? When it is all said and done, the physical Church can’t save you, no matter how hard you work there or the things you do for the Church. You can be at Church all week and think your doing the right thing, but your family is being neglected due to you being there. What is more important? You can bless God my spending time with the family and the ones you love. Salivation is up to you my brother and sisters. If God has already reached down, back up and find his hand and grab on to it and learn to have a relationship with God’s son Jesus. By Faith!

Spiritual Training 10 April 2013

Posted: April 10, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Romans 09:11-14 Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad – in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls-she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “ I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Was it right for God to choose Jacob, the younger to be over Esau? In Malachi 1:2,3. The statement “Jacob I love, but Esau I hated” refers to the nations of Israel and Edom rather then to the individual brothers. God chose Jacob to continue the family line of the faithful because he knew his heart was for God. But he did not exclude Esau from knowing and loving him.

Lets Bring it Home: Keep in mind the kind of God we worship: he is sovereign; he is not arbitrary; in all things he works for our good; he is trustworthy; he will save all who believe in him. When we understand these qualities of God, we know that his choices are good even if we don’t understand all the reasons.

 

Spiritual Training 09 April 2013

Posted: April 9, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Romans 09:06-11 It is not though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned” In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated. “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad – in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:

The Jews were proud of the fact that their lineage came from Isaac, whose mother was Sarah (Abraham’s legitimate wife) rather than Ishmael, whose mother was Hagar (Sarah’s maid servant). Paul asserts that no one can claim to be chosen by God because of his or her heritage or good deeds. God freely chooses to save whomever he wills. The doctrine of election teaches that it is God’s sovereign choice to save us by his goodness and mercy, and not by our own merit.

Lets Bring it Home: How many people think that God has saved them by their own merit, or by their good deeds? How many times do we hear people say he is a good guy, or I don’t cheat on my wife, I don’t curse or drink, don’t use drugs, and I visit the poor and the sick. You can do all these things, but if you don’t confess that Jesus is Lord, you still have a one-way ticket to hell. Not by deeds!

Spiritual Training 01April 2013

Posted: April 1, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Romans 09:10-14 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad-in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls-she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What than shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses.

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

The Jews were proud of the fact that their linage came from Isaac, whose mother was Sarah (Abraham’s legitimate wife), rather than Ishmael, whose mother was Hagar (Sarah’s maidservant). Paul asserts that no one can claim to be chosen by God because of his or her heritage or good deeds. God freely chooses to save whomever he wills. The doctrine of election teaches that it is God’s sovereign choice to save us by his goodness and mercy, and not by our own merit.

Was it right for God to choose Jacob, the younger, to be over Esau? In Malachi 1:2,3, the statement “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” refers to the nations of Israel and Edom rather than to the individual brothers. God chose Jacob to continue the family line of the faithful because he knew his heart was for God. But he did not exclude Esau from knowing and loving him. Keep in mind the kind of God we worship: he is sovereign; he is not arbitrary; in all things he works for our good; he is trustworthy; he will save all who believe in him.

Lets Bring it Home: When we understand these qualities of God, we know that his choices are good even if we don’t understand all his reasons.

Spiritual Training 26 March 2013

Posted: March 26, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Romans 09:06 It is not though God’s word had failed.  For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

God’s word in the form of beautiful covenant promises came to Abraham. Covenant people, the true children of Abraham are not just his biological descendants. They are al those who trust in God and in what Jesus Christ has done for them.

Lets Bring it Home: Who do you trust in?  Who are you a true descendant of?

Spiritual Training 25 March 2013

Posted: March 25, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
God’s Sovereign Choice

Romans 9:1-4 I speak the truth in Christ-I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Hoy Spirit. I have great sorrow and unceasing aguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons: theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

The Jews viewed God’s choosing of Israel in the Old Testament as being like adoption. They were underserving and without rights as natural children. Yet God adopted them and granted them the status of his sons and daughter.

Lets Bring it Home: Have you truly been adopted by God? Have you receive his invitation of adoption to be His Sons and Daughters?

Proverbs 21:20 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 21, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 21, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 21:20 – In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

This proverb is about saving for the future. Easy credit has many people living on the edge of bankruptcy. The desire to keep up and to accumulate more pushes them to spend every penny they earn, and they stretch their credit to the limit. But anyone who spends all he has is spending more than he can afford. A wise person puts money aside for when he or she may have less. God approves of foresight and restraint. God’s people need to examine their lifestyles to see whether their spending is God-pleasing or merely self-pleasing.

Spiritual Training 21 March 2013

Posted: March 21, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
God’s Sovereign Choice

Romans 9:1-4 I speak the truth in Christ-I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Hoy Spirit. I have great sorrow and unceasing aguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons: theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

Paul expressed concern for his Jewish “brothers” by saying that he would willingly take their punishment if that could save them. While the only one who can save us is Christ, Paul showed a rare depth of love. Like Jesus, he was willing to sacrifice for others.

The Jews viewed God’s choosing of Israel in the Old Testament as being like adoption. They were underserving and without rights as natural children. Yet God adopted them and granted them the status of his sons and daughters.

Lets Bring it Home: How concerned are you for those who don’t know Christ? Are you willing to sacrifice your time, money, energy, comfort, and safety to see them come to faith in Jesus?

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