Archive for the ‘Romans’ Category

Spiritual Training 04 March 2013

Posted: March 4, 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
Future Glory

Romans 8:18-22 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Sin has caused all creation to fall from the perfect state in which God created it. So the world is subject to frustration and bondage to decay so that it cannot fulfill its intended purpose. One day all creation will be liberated and transformed. Until that time it waits in eager expectation for the resurrection of God’s children.

Christians see the world as it is-physically decaying and spiritually infected with sin. But Christians do not need to be pessimistic, because they have hope for future glory. They look forward to the new heaven and new earth that God has promised, and they wait for God’s new order that will free the world of sin, sickness, and evil. In the meantime, Christians go with Christ into the world where they heal people’s bodies and souls and fight the evil effects of sin in the world.

Lets Bring it Home: We need to keep fighting and hanging out with Christ, healing people and saving souls. Are you looking for your future glory, or are you searching for your glory here on earth?

Spiritual Training 01 March 2013

Posted: March 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
Life Through the Spirit

Romans 8:17-18 (17) Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (18) I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

There is a price for being identified with Jesus. Alone with being “heirs of God,” Paul also mentions the suffering that Christians must face. What kinds of suffering are we to endure? For first-century believers, there was economic and social persecution, and some even faced death. We too must pay a price for following Jesus. In many parts of today’s world, Christians face pressures just as severe as those faced by Christ’s first followers. Even in counties where Christianity is tolerated or encouraged, Christians must not become complacent. To live as Jesus did-serving others, giving up ones own rights, resisting pressures to conform to the world-always exacts a price.

Lets Bring it Home: Nothing we suffer, however, can compare to the great price that Jesus paid to save us.

Spiritual Training 28 February 2013

Posted: February 28, 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
Life Through the Spirit

Romans 8:10-16 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. (11) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (12) Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. (13) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, (14) because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (15) For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (16) The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

The Holy Spirit is God’s promise or guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in him. The Spirit is in us now by faith and by faith we are certain to live with Christ forever.

“Put to death the misdeeds of the body,” means to regard as dead the power of sin in your body (see 6:11;Galatians 5:24) When we regard sin’s appeal as dead and lifeless, we can ignore temptation when it comes.

Paul uses adoption or “sonship” to illustrate the believer’s new relationship with God. In roman culture, the adopted person lost all rights in his old family and gained at the rights of a legitimate child in his new family. He became a full heir to his new father’s estate. Likewise, when a person becomes a Christian, he or she gains all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God’s family. One of these outstanding privileges is being led by the Spirit (Galatians 4:5,6). We may not always feel as though we belong to God, but the Holy Spirit is our witness. His inward presence reminds us of who we are and encourages us with God’s love (5:5).

We are no longer cringing and fearful slaves; instead, we are the Master’s children. What a privilege! Because we are Gods children, we share in great treasures as coheirs. God has already given us his best gifts: his Son, his Holy Spirit, forgiveness, and eternal life; and he encourages us to ask him for whatever we need.

Lets Bring it Home: What family do you belong to? Who’s your Father?

Spiritual Training 27 February 2013

Posted: February 27, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Life Through the Spirit

Romans 8:6-9 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Have you ever worried about whether or not you really are a Christian? A Christian is anyone who has the Spirit of God living in him or her. If you have sincerely trusted Christ for your salvation and acknowledged him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life, and you are a Christian. You won’t know that the Holy Spirit has come if you are waiting for a certain feeling; you will know he has come because Jesus promised he would. When the Holy Spirit is working within you, you will believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and that eternal life comes through him (1 John 5:5); you will begin to act as Christ directs (Galatians 5:22,23); you will find help in your daily problems and in your praying (Romans 8:26,27); you will be empowered to serve God and do his will (Acts 1:8) (Romans 12:6); and you will become part of God’s plan to build up his church (Ephesians 4:12, 13).

Who is a disciple of Jesus Christ?
1. A disciple is one who fist has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
2. A disciple is one who regularly seeks out
3. A disciple is one who reads and meditates upon the Bible
4. A disciple is one who is faithful in attendance at opportunities for worship and praise
5. A disciple is one who routinely shares with others what the Lord has done in their life
6. A disciple is one who cheerfully returns a tithe of what God has given
7. A disciple is one who serves the poor, the hungry, the hurting, and the lost as if that person were Christ himself.

Lets Bring it Home: How many of these fit into your Christian Walk?

Spiritual Training 26 February 2013

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

Romans 8:3-6 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, (4) in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. (5)Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (6) The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace

Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice (“sin offering”) for our sins. In Old Testament times, animal sacrifices were continually offered at the temple. The sacrifices showed the Israelites the seriousness of sin: blood had to be shed before sins could be pardoned (see Leviticus 17:11). But animal blood could not really remove sins (Hebrews 10:4). The sacrifices could only point to Jesus sacrifice, which paid the penalty for all sins.

Paul divides people into two categories-those who are dominated by their sinful nature, and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following him, because his way brings life and peace. Daily we must consciously choose to center our lives on God. Use the Bible to discover God’s guidelines, and then follow them. In every perplexing situation ask your self, “What would Jesus want me to do?” When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly.

Lets Bring it Home: So what category to you fall in? Have you said yes to Jesus?

Spiritual Training 15 February 2013

Posted: February 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
Life Through the Spirit

Romans 8:02 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

“Not guilty; let him go free” what would those words mean to you if you were on death row? The fact is that the whole human race in on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God’s holy law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But thank God! He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and power to do his will.

Lets Bring it Home: Are you still sitting on Death Row, or have you accepted the verdict of not guilty by accepting Jesus as your savior?

Spiritual Training 14 February 2013

Posted: February 14, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Struggling with Sin

Romans 7:21-25 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

The “law at work in the members of my body” is the sin deep within us. This is our vulnerability to sin; it refers to every thing within us that is more loyal to our old way of selfish living than to God.

There is great tension in daily Christian experience. The conflict is that we agree with God’s commands but cannot do them. As a result, we are painfully aware of our sin. This inward struggle with sin was as real for Paul as it is for us. From Paul we learn what to do about it. Whenever he felt overwhelmed by the spiritual battle, he would return to the beginnings of his spiritual life, remembering how he had been freed from sin by Jesus Christ.

Lets Bring it Home: When we feel confused and overwhelmed by sin’s appeal, let us claim the freedom Christ gave us. His power can lift us to victory,

Spiritual Training 13 February 2013

Posted: February 13, 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 7:15 I do not understand what I do, For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.   

This is more than the cry of one desperate man-it describes the experience of any Christian struggling against sin or trying to please God by keeping rules and laws without the Spirit’s help.  We must never underestimate the power of sin.

Lets Bring it Home: We must never attempt to fight it in our own strength. Satan is a crafty tempter, and we have an amazing ability to make excuses. Instead of trying to overcome sin with human willpower, we must take hold of the tremendous power of Christ that is available to us.  This is God’s provision for victory over sin, he sends the Holy Spirit to live inside us and give us power.  And when we fall, he lovingly reaches out to help us up.

Spiritual Training 12 February 2013

Posted: February 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 7:15 I do not understand what I do, For what I want to do I d not do, but what I hate I do.

Paul shares three lessons that he learned in trying to deal with his sinful desires.
1. Knowledge of the rules is not the answer (7:9) Paul felt fine as long as he did not understand what the law demanded. When he learned the truth, he knew he was doomed.
2. Self-determination (struggling in one’s own strength) doesn’t succeed (7:15), Paul found himself sinning in ways that weren’t even attractive to him.
3. Becoming a Christian does not stamp out all sin and temptation from a person’s life (7:22-25).

Being born again takes a moment of faith, but becoming like Christ is a lifelong process. Paul compares Christian growth to strenuous race or fight (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7). Thus, as Paul has been emphasizing since the beginning of this letter, on one in the world is innocent; no one deserves to be saved-not the pagan who doesn’t know God’s laws, not the person who knows them and tries to keep them.

Lets Bring it Home: All of us must depend totally on the work of Christ for our salvation. We cannot earn it by our good behavior.

Spiritual Training 11 February 2013

Posted: February 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 7:9-12 Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, sizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

Sin deceives people by misusing the law. The law was holy, expressing God’s nature and will for people. In the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), the serpent deceived Eve by taking her focus off the freedom she had and putting it on the one restriction God had made. Ever since then, we have all been rebels. Sin looks good to us precisely because God has said it is wrong. When we are tempted to rebel, we need to look at the law from a wider perspective-in the light of God’s grace and mercy

Lets Bring it Home: If we focus on his great love for us, we will understand that he only restricts us from actions and attitudes that ultimately will harm us.

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