I was sitting and thinking about the things that the Lord has allowed to happen in my life lately when the book of Romans dropped into my spirit. We are going to be feed from chapter one today.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, remind us that man can never travel far enough in space to go beyond the boundaries of Your love. Even though we can’t see the wind, we can believe it’s there because of its effects. Just so, we can believe in You because we see Your love and concern in all that You have provided for us in Your creation. Help us to reflect Your love so that others may desire to know You too, for we often feel inadequate. In the wonderful name of Jesus we pray and give thanks, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Things Which Are of God
Romans 1:1-18
The Gospel of God
(v. 1) –
This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.
2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. 6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 8 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. 9 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son. 10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. 11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. 12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. 13 I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. 14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. 15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.
His Message; the Power of God
(v. 16) –
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
His Salvation; The Righteousness of God
(v. 17) –
This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
His Character; The Wrath of God
(v. 18) –
But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
Quote of the Day
What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we have in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? To know God. What is the best thing in life? To know God. What in humans gives God most pleasure? Knowledge of himself.
James I (J. I.) Packer
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REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
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James H. Taylor Sr. – Kankakee City News has published my Daily meal message for a decade.