Jesus Calling: August 1

Nothing can separate you from My Love. Let this divine assurance trickle through your mind and into your heart and soul. Whenever you start to feel fearful or anxious, repeat this unconditional promise: "Nothing can separate me from Your Love, Jesus."
     Most of mankind's misery stems from feeling unloved. In the midst of adverse circumstances, people tend to feel that love has been withdrawn and then have been forsaken. This feeling of abandonment is often worse than the adversity itself. Be assured that I never abandon any of My children, not even temporarily. I will never leave you or forsake you! My Presence watches over you continually. I have engraved you on the palms of My hands. 

Romans 8:38-39
English Standard Version

³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Verse Thoughts
The child of God is more than a conqueror. Time will not separate us from the love of God, nor will the future. No dimensions of any kind can separate us from the love of God. Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God. RC Sproul said, "We may feel at times that God has departed from us, but that is when we have to believe his Word rather than our feelings."

Joshua 1:5
English Standard Version 

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
 
Isaiah 49:15-16
English Standard Version 

¹⁵ “Can a woman forget her nursing child,

    that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget,
    yet I will not forget you.
¹⁶ Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
    your walls are continually before me.

My Prayer
Lord, I want to rest on these promises. You know me and You know that Love is what I need, what I desire. In all of its forms - Your Love tells me I am valued, I am appreciated, I am unique. Your Love tells me I am good enough, I am needed, I am wanted. You tell me I am completely accepted. I need Your Love O God. Thank You again for never leaving me. Help me Lord to not listen to the voices that tell me I am not loved, I am not worthy. When I go to read my Bible or spend time in prayer, at times, those voices come to me and speak things that are contrary to Your word. But those crazy voices are not of You and in those moments remind me to tell those voices to "Get out of here you crazy voice" and then I can return to your words of truth that I am not forgotten, that tell me that your love is engraved upon me; you Lord have tattooed me with Your Love and it will never wear off. Thank you Jesus. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 


Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: July 31

Trust Me in the depths of your being. It is there that I live in constant communication with you. When you feel flustered and frazzled on the outside, do not get upset with yourself. You are only human, and the swirl of events going on all around you will sometimes feel overwhelming. Rather than scolding yourself for your humanness, remind yourself that I am both with you and within you.
     I am with you at all times, encouraging and supportive rather than condemning. I know that deep within you, where I live, My Peace is your continual experience. Slow down your pace of living for a time. Quiet your mind in My Presence. Then you will be able to hear Me bestowing the resurrection blessing: Peace be with you. 

Colossians 1:27
English Standard Version

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Verse thoughts
Christ in you, the hope of glory: This is the Christian’s hope of glory. It isn’t our own hard work or devotion to God, or the power of our own spirituality. Instead, it is the abiding presence of Jesus: Christ in you. 

Matthew 28:20
English Standard Version

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Verse thoughts
Bishop William Beveridge (1637-1708) - Bishop of St Asaph, Diocese of Church of Wales states - “I am with you; I, the eternal Son of God; I, who have the angels at my command, and make the devils tremble by my frown; I, who in your sight have caused the storms to cease, the blind to see, the lame to walk, the dead to rise, only with the word of my mouth; I, who have all power in heaven and earth committed to me — am with you; not, I will be with you, but, I am with you, and that always, all the days, or every day: Wheresoever you are, and whensoever you do any thing toward the executing of the commission which I have given you, I am with you in the doing of it, and that too to the very end of the world: that is, so long as I have a church upon earth, which shall be till my coming again to judge the world, all this while I promise to be with you, and consequently as long as the world shall last.” 

John 20:19
English Standard Version

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

My Prayer
O Lord, thank you for the magnificent reminder, to observe all that You have commanded me. Keep the Words of Your Truth fresh on my mind, not simply for my own gratification, though I am forever grateful for You saving me, but also remind me that I am commissioned as your bond-servant to teach people the gospel of Christ. Thank you that I am not justified by my adherence to these commands, because you know the only good in me is because of You in me. Now, also, thank You for being with me always. That I can go to You, that You are with me - every step. I do not have to call on your presence to be with me, for you are there always. You never leave.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: July 30

Worship Me in the beauty of holiness. I created beauty to declare the existence of My holy Being. A magnificent rose, a hauntingly glorious sunset, oceanic splendor--all these things were meant to proclaim My Presence in the world. Most people rush past these proclamations without giving them a second thought. Some people use beauty, especially feminine loveliness, to sell their products.
     How precious are My children who are awed by nature's beauty; this opens them up to My holy Presence. Even before you knew Me personally, you responded to My creation with wonder. This is a gift, and it carries responsibility with it. Declare My glorious Being to the world. The whole earth is full of My radiant beauty--My Glory!

Psalm 29:2
New King James Version

Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Verse thoughts
There are two thoughts for beauty - one external, the other internal. External refers to the robes or vestments worn by priests in the sacred services of the sanctuaries. We see this applied in multiple ways in history as the priest or minister has worn robes to signify coming before God, presenting His word with a beautiful array. It is also why many people throughout history show up to church with their best clothes on - dresses and suits - as we come before the Lord with beauty - the beauty of our dress. We have our ordinary dress and then our beauty dress. Our internal ornament or beauty refers to a holy and pure state of mind. It is here where God says the external clothing is not important, but what is important is what is on our inside. Thus we worship the Lord in a clean manner, free from sin, free from stain, free from marks. Sarah Young here touches on God's beauty - His radiant beauty. 

Isaiah 6:3
English Standard Version

And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

My Prayer
Lord, there should be something special about coming before You. You are not ordinary, but holy and distinct and utterly beautiful. As I show up to worship You, You remind me that You have made me pure, white as snow. You have made me beautiful. So I don't need to walk into your presence carrying any baggage of sin, any complaint, but prepared to worship You in the beauty of who You are. And perhaps me putting on my best clothes helps remind me of this. Yet, help my own heart to not get prideful in thinking I am something greater than I am because of what I am wearing. O God the king of saints, we praise and glorify your holy Name. Glory be to God on high - the whole earth is full of Your Glory. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: July 29

Come to Me continually. I am meant to be the Center of your consciousness, the Anchor of your soul. Your mind will wander from Me, but the question is how far you allow it to wander. An anchor on a short rope lets a boat drift only slightly before the taut line tugs the boat back toward the center. Similarly, as you drift away from Me, My Spirit within you gives a tug, prompting you to return to Me. As you become increasingly attuned to My Presence, the length of rope on your soul's Anchor is shortened. You wander only a short distance before feeling that inner tug--telling you to return to your true Center in Me.

Hebrews 6:19
English Standard Version

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain
 
I John 2:28
English Standard Version

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
 
Mathew 22:37
English Standard Version

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

My Prayer (2019)
Yes Lord, you are my anchor, always there, always bringing me back. My hope is in You. I am Your child, and You are my hope. O Merciful God, I confess that I have sinned, this time my sin was towards my father, thinking that my way for him was the best way. Did I take time to understand him? No. Did I take time to consider what he was feeling? No. Instead I pushed my agenda and declared my way was the best way. Lord, even as I asked his forgiveness, the pain of my sin remained. Yet, you have already made me clean. You have already purified me and tossed my sin as far as the east is from the west. So help me to remember it no more and to restore me to him. On this day, I am  now afresh with the desire to love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind. I want to delight in your will, walk in your ways, to the glory of Your Name.  

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 16:3-5a - Greetings for Prisca and Aquila

Romans 16:3-5a - ³ Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, ⁴ who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. ⁵ Greet also the church in their house.

Message: Greetings for Prisca and Aquila

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

Paul continues with his greetings. 

He greets here Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila, an important Christian couple in the 1st century. In Acts 18, it mentions that his couple met Paul while he was in Corinth. Prisca and Aquila might have had wealth because Paul says, "Greet also the church in their house." There were no church buildings at this time, so people met in homes and Prisca and Aquila must have had a home large enough to host those in the church for worship. 

It is interesting that Priscilla is mentioned 1st, then Aquila. In the New Testament, they are mentioned 6 times with Priscilla getting the mention first 4 times. Maybe she had more importance than Aquila. Again, it is interesting considering how Paul calls out Phoebe in the preceding verses. Could it be that women had a greater role than I think in the early church? 

From Tabletalk (December 2, 2014):

Prisca and Aquila were Jewish residents of Rome who had been expelled from the city, along with the other Jews there, in AD 49. The Roman historian Suetonius reports that Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews because of the disturbances in the Jewish community over a man named “Chrestus.” Chrestus was almost certainly Christ, and it appears that arguments and even fights broke out among the Jews in Rome when Jewish Christians preached Jesus as the Messiah there. Claudius would not have been particularly interested in the theological differences that sparked this trouble; he just wanted peace in the imperial capital. So he “solved” the problem by kicking out all the Jews whether they were disciples of Jesus or not. Claudius died in the year 54, and his edict died with him, allowing Jews to return to Rome.

Paul greets them because they:

• Fellow workers in Christ
• Risked their necks for his life

Fellow workers
This is the Greek word sunergos which means 'together with' (speaks of an intimate relationship) 'work'. They worked together as a team and it reminds me of the unselfishness I am to have working with others. We work together under the umbrella of Christ, as God's representatives on this earth, so I am to understand my position. And we work together jointly because more can do work than one. My goal in working is not to get singular recognition for the work I have done. Paul did work side by side them while he was a tent-maker. 

Risked their necks
We don't know exactly what this means, but we do know they were serious about their commitment to Christ. In Acts 18:26, it says, "and he (Apollos) began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." They were intent on showing people the correct way of the Lord.

Promise: It is important that I give thanks properly to those that have helped me, worked alongside me, in my walk with the Lord.

Jesus Calling: July 28

Let My Love seep into the inner recesses of your being. Do not close off any part of yourself from Me. I know you inside and out, so do not try to present a "cleaned-up" self to Me. Wounds that you shut away from the Light of My Love will fester and become wormy. Secret sins that you "hide" from Me can split off and develop lives of their own, controlling you without your realizing it.
     Open yourself fully to My transforming Presence. Let My brilliant Love-Light search out and destroy hidden fears. This process requires time alone with Me, as My Love soaks into your innermost being. Enjoy My perfect Love, which expels every trace of fear. 

Psalm 139:1-4, 23-24
English Standard Version

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
³ You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
²⁴ And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting!

I John 4:18
Amplified

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].

My Prayer
O Father, in You I live and move and have my being. I thank you for the morning, a new day, the light appears as you make known yourself to me. You are near. You are with me. Guide me and govern me by your Holy Spirit, that in all of my cares and occupations of my life I will not forget you, but I will remember that you are ever walking in my sight. Search me. I have followed too much the devices and desires of my own heart. I have left undone things which You Holy Spirit are telling me to do while I too often run to do those things which I ought not to have done. I bathe in your mercy an am so moved by Your great love. It has been a busy week but through it all you are there, with me, enabling me and giving me strength. Forgive me for the pride that wells up in me, for the rewards that I want now, in the way I decide, yet, the work I do is only work that happens because of you in me. You provide so much for me. I now rest in that provision. Blessed are you, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - you are praised and exalted above all for ever.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 16:1-2 - Phoebe's Commendation

Romans 16:1-2 - ¹ I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, ² that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

Message: Phoebe's commendation

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

The message of Romans is basically complete. Romans 15 ended with a prayer and an Amen. Romans 16 is an entire chapter of greetings and a doxology. This is consistent with ancient writings that ended with a specific greeting to people. 

Paul begins mentioning Phoebe, someone that was not a part of the church at Rome, but rather the church at Cenchreae.  Cenchreae was a sea port in Corinth, in Greece. It is possible that Phoebe is who brought the letter to Romans and presented it to them, so she could have had an important role in the church. The word "servant" is the Greek word diakonos which elsewhere is translated deacon. Obviously, this is one of those doctrines which has been hotly debated in churches: whether women can serve in a role of authority in a church. This is an example of something that can be debated, but it should not result in a division in the church or rather the Body of Christ. Can two churches respect one another even though there are different convictions or application of these verse? 

Commend Sister
Paul immediately asks the church to commend his sister. Commend is the Greek word sunistao which means literally to set together. It is a word that presents another person and could also mean Paul is vouching for her. So, she has special importance in Paul's eyes. She is also a sister in Christ. She is a devoted member of the Body of Christ. This, probably, the most important of all of Paul's letters was most likely given to Phoebe to give to the church in Rome. 

The journey from Cenchreae to Rome was 1200 kilometers (750 miles). This is a journey that would take 20 hours by car and would include going across the Adriatic Sea to get to Italy. 

There was not a letter courier service that Paul could use to deliver this letter to the church in Rome. Instead, he would need to use a person. Taking this letter probably encompassed many months of time. Traveling was difficult. Often traveling occurred at nights so that the stars could be followed. I don't think I can accurately realize the difficulty it was just to take this letter to Rome. What an incredible feat it was just to get this letter to Rome.

Paul asks that the church in Rome: 

• Welcome her in a manner worthy of fellow saints in Rome
• Help her in whatever she may need
• She has been a patron of many and of Paul

Welcome her
Phoebe is to be welcomed by the church, as if she were a member of the church in Rome or one of the other saints. Again, maybe the church in Rome had a position about the use of women in a leadership role in the church and Paul wanted to make sure that Phoebe was treated properly. Either way, her coming was to be anticipated. But, these words would not have come till after the letter arrived. They could have had a different feeling in them about Phoebe prior to these words being read. 

Christians are to welcome other Christians in a manner different from how others may be welcomed in the world. There are to be no strangers in the family of God.

Help Her
Phoebe was not just there to bring a message, but she was to be given help in whatever she may need. The church was to probably provide her food and shelter. The people of Rome are to stand by her and treat her with utmost respect.

Patron of Many
She is a valuable person in the eyes of Paul. She has helped many. And she has helped Paul. 

Promise: Welcome one another as valuable members of the Body of Christ.

Jesus Calling: July 27

Hope is a golden cord connecting you to heaven. This cord helps you hold your head up high, even when multiple trials are buffeting you. I never leave your side, and I never let go of your hand. But without the cord of hope, your head may slump and your feet may shuffle as you journey uphill with Me. Hope lifts your perspective from your weary feet to the glorious view you can see from the high road. You are reminded that the road we're traveling together is ultimately a highway to heaven. When you consider this radiant destination, the roughness or smoothness of the road ahead becomes much less significant. I am training you to hold in your heart a dual focus: My continual Presence and the hope of heaven. 

Romans 12:12
English Standard Version

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
 
I Thessalonians 5:8
English Standard Version

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Hebrews 6:18-19
English Standard Version

¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. ¹⁹ We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

My Prayer (2021)

O Father, keep my eyes focused on You. I want to have tunnel vision toward You and not get so distracted by my left and right. I'm impatient right now. And I complain. Forgive me for my gossip and talking ill of others. I so quickly want to make people think my life is in turmoil. If I share things, help me to not attach names to those feelings. I realize that my words tarnish what people think of people when I bring up their names. I'm so quick to try to make myself out to be the better person. You tell me to be patient in tribulation. I need that reminder because I can be so impatient. In these moments, I'm so thankful that You accept me no matter what. But, give me that strength and resolve to change so that I'm glorifying you in all I do and say....and think. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 


Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 15:33 - The God of Peace

Romans 15:33 - May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Message: The God of peace and the God of Peace be with us all

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

The God of Peace
Paul ends this chapter by asking that the God peace be with you all. It is prayer to these Christians after he has spoken to them about how they are treat other Christians that have different convictions or are at different levels in their walk with Him. In Romans 14:19, he made a point to say that peace needs to be what Christians are about with one another. He knows differing viewpoints will result but peace needs to be the goal of our relationships. 

Peace is the word eiro which means to join together or bind together that which has been separated. It is the opposite of division or discord. It is a word speaking of the state of harmony. 

This is a frequent title for God in the New Testament. Peace is of God's nature. In Philippians 4:7, "the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension" is mentioned as coming from God. If there is one thing that I should want in life, it is to have the peace of God. Ephesians 2:14 says that "He Himself is our peace."

I read a sermon online from Charles Spurgeon that was delivered on November 4, 1855, on this verse. He states that although God permits war to occur in this world, he is ultimately a God of peace.

Peace is His delight. God did not create war. The evil angel brought it first. Left to his free will, he fell. Satan of himself conceived the rebellion, but God was not the author of it. He may from all eternity have foreseen it, and it may even be said in some sense that he ordained it to manifest his justice and his glory, and to show his mercy and sovereignty in redeeming man; but God had no hand in it whatsoever. The Eternal abjures war; he was not the author of it. Satan led the van, that morning star who sang together with the rest, fell of himself, God was not the author of his confusion, but the author of eternal and blessed order.

He announced, upon creating his creation, "it is very good." There was no division present. It was all peace. It was a peaceful creation. The serpent came into the garden and presented an option that would result in discord. Yes, God foresaw it and yes God allowed it, but peace is still God's ultimate and highest appointment and good for us.

Jesus repeated this idea in the sermon on the Mount when he said, "Blessed are the peacemakers; they are the children of God." In this world, in this life, there is discord and disunity, and Jesus puts forth the idea that it is a blessing to those individuals that want to see peace in relationships.

Spurgeon states the following, to describe how God is the great Peacemaker:

Man transgresses. Poor man! Mark how God goes after him to make peace with him! "Adam, where art thou?" Adam never said "God, where art thou?" But God came after Adam, and he seemed to say with a voice of affection and pity, "Adam, poor Adam, where art thou? Hast thou become a God? The evil spirit said thou wouldst be a God, art thou so? Where art thou now poor Adam? Thou wast once in holiness and perfection, where art thou now?" And he saw the truant Adam running away from his Master, running away from the great Peacemaker, to hide himself beneath the trees of the garden. Again God calls, "Adam, where art thou?" But he says, "I heard thy voice in the midst of the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself." And God says, "Who told thee that thou wast naked?" How kind it is. You can see he is a Peacemaker even then; but when after having cursed the serpent, and sent the cursed obliquely on the ground, he comes to talk to Adam, you see him as the Peacemaker still more. "I will," said he, "put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed. It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." There he was making peace through the blood of the cross.

Jesus was our peace, not the maker of peace, but he became our peace through the death on the cross. He allowed the forgiveness of God to occur in the life of every person who believes. He provided the means for there to be peace between God and man again, after sin resulted in discord.

The God of Peace be with you all
Spurgeon in his message cites Petrarch, 14th century poet, who has been called the father of humanism, mentioning his words that there are 5 great enemies of peace: avarice (greed), ambition, envy, anger, and pride. Spurgeon alters this list slightly.

1. Error instead of avarice - he says that one of the biggest threats to peace is error and more specifically error in doctrine. "Error in doctrine leads to the most lamentable consequences with regard to the peace of the church." I agree wholeheartedly with this. I think about the theme of the past 2 chapters of Romans (14 and 15) and I see that theme has been peace. Paul understands that differences are present amongst Christians and he instructs the strong Christian to not get in dispute with the weaker Christian. Isn't it crazy how some people want peace so bad, that they kill to get it? He mentions Calivinists and their quarrelsome identity. They have the main part of the truth, but they are missing something huge. God has sent the Gospel, but God needs to send peace to those that have the Gospel now.

I think this is a hard application because we do want to have good doctrine, obviously. But, in the midst of this, we must be careful about how we discuss differences. Differences are erected and then people are trained in those differences over years and decades and then centuries. Do we think that through one word it will all come crashing down? God must be the anchor for true doctrine. If there is anything we need to do more of is pray that God would be peace and through His peace people would have sound doctrine.

2. Ambition - It is not so much that we seek and want per-eminence over all, but when someone comes in and wants his way over ours, discord then results, and we want to put that one down. On the contrary, our ambition should be to be a servant of one another. Yes, decisions should be made and we need decision makers, but we also need to see the value in one another.

3. Anger - This has been a plague in my life. I have struggled with anger very much. I have not done a good job dealing with it. It is often also about control and not getting what I think is best or right. I've struggled this with my children. I have been impatient with them and have had unfair expectations for them. I have had the same towards my wife. O to be more understanding. O to have more of a desire for peace than who is right.

Spurgeon quotes from a poem by Robert Burns from 1790 called, "Tam O'Shanter." It is a poem about one man's, a Scotsman, adventure with Satan's crew. Tam is making his way home after drinking at a tavern. Men gather, after work to drink, to not simply refresh themselves, but to escape what awaits them at home. His wife has good advice for him at home, but he is proud and wants to escape it drinking. Spurgeon's quote is from the last line of the 1st paragraph: "Nursing her wrath to keep it warm." This man sat and drank, keeping warm the wrath of his wife. He made matters worse the longer he stayed away. It went from advice to anger. Isn't this how it often is in life? We give advice and then that advice is not heeded and it erupts into anger.

4. Envy - We envy often what people have. I do this all the time. I look at how God has provided for one person and want him to provide for me in the same way, or often even better. Envy is a longing to possess something that another person has or owns. I can do this with property as well as emotions and people or status or position.

5. Pride - This also doesn't work in a church and does not make for a peaceful existence. It gives rise to ill-feelings and bad blood between people. 


Promise: Peace is not possible until all are at peace with God.

Jesus Calling: July 26

Relax and let Me lead you through this day. I have everything under control: My control. You tend to peer anxiously into the day that is before you, trying to figure out what to do, and when. Meanwhile, the phone or the doorbell rings, and you have to reshuffle your plans. All that planning ties you up in knots and distracts you from Me. Attentiveness to Me is not only for your quiet time, but for all your time. As you look to Me, I show you what to do now and next.
     Vast quantities of time and energy are wasted in obsessive planning. When you let Me direct your steps, you are set free to enjoy Me and to find what I have prepared for you this day. 

Psalm 32:8
English Standard Version

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
 
Psalm 119:35
English Standard Version
 
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
 
Psalm 143:8
English Standard Version

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul.

My Prayer (2021)

Lord, in these words You remind of my soul's desire to rest myself in You, and let you lead me through my dad. Thank you for being in control as I wade through the waters of life, at times overwhelmed by the waves. Keep me connected to You so that I remain attentive to you not just in this moment, but throughout my day. Holy Spirit, make me know the way I should go, for in You I trust. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 


Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 15:30-32 - Paul's Appeal for Prayer

Romans 15:30-32 - ³⁰ I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, ³¹ that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, ³² so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.

Message: Praying for Missionaries

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

Paul is making an appeal to his brothers in Christ to pray with him. He is not asking simply for them to pray, but that they would pray with him. I find this interesting because this is often how we are not asking for prayer. We generally don't petition requests, by asking people to come alongside us and pray with us. 

Also, there is nothing wrong with asking for prayer for oneself. It is also necessary to pray for ourselves. Paul makes this clear. 

His request is that:

• He would be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea
• His service for Jerusalem would be acceptable  
• He would come to those in Rome
• He would be refreshed in his visit

Appeal/Urge
Appeal - this is the Greek word parakaleo which means "alongside call" or to give strength or aid; it was used to describe the defense counsel in a court of law who functioned as the advocate and pled the cause of the accused. Paul is making an appeal or urging his brothers and sisters in Christ to pray. 

This is an example of prayer for missionaries. 

Romans 5:5 says, "the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." The Holy Spirit is who gives us this love of God in our hearts. Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love."

Paul is appealing to the believers because of the Love of the Spirit in the believer's life. The Spirit gives this love to believers for God and bringing petitions to Him for others. So the Love of the Spirit will be fulfilled when we pray. And Christ will be honored. Jesus and His love for us quickens us to pray.

Over and over, Paul is presenting the idea that we need to be there for one another. I need to come alongside others in prayer. I am to lift people up. I am not to bring them down or be a stumbling block in their lives.

Strive Together
This is the Greek word sunagonizomai that means to strive together or contend for victory. It is two competitors coming together to run a race. Our English word is agonize. So, why is it so important to strive together? Because the enemy, the prince of this world, doesn't want to see a victory for God or for His people. Could it be that we do not pray because we do not really believe the enemy is that active in this world? I find that I often do not pray much or my urgency to pray is not that great. I pray because someone has a need and I want God to help them, but this is a striving together in prayer for those that are contending for the faith. Paul is on a mission to help people and he needs people to pray for him, so that the enemy would not be victorious, but God would win. But, it is not fighting with God, it is working hard together. Pray is work. I know in my Christian life prayer is something that happens last, not first.

I Be Delivered
Paul's request in verse 31 is "that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea." But, as is stated later on his requests, the reason for being delivered was to be freed from suffering or pain, but so that he can continue in his ministry. I am so adverse to pain and suffering. I would almost say that it is something that I fear. I read about martyr's of the faith and I fear that. I could be a martyr but I admit I don't want to suffer or face that horrid pain. My friend shared with me recently about a couple of people that died for preaching the name of Jesus. Someone just shot them and it was over for them on this earth. That is a fear, but I need to trust the Lord's timing and trust His plan.

The Greek word delivered is Rhuomai which in secular writing described a soldier going to a wounded comrade on a battlefield and carrying him to safety. God, through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, has delivered me from the dominion of Satan. I think of my mom and her prayers for me. They have been consistent. She has been a prayer warrior. She has battled on the battlefield for people. I know she is battling for my children. That isn't just a nice thing that she is doing for them, but she is striving for Satan to not win in these people's lives, but instead God would win in their lives. I can't wait to get to heaven and God tell me what those prayers of my mom meant and their far-reaching effect.

I also think of the Lord's prayer and one of the last phrases as recorded by Matthew in 6:13, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." This is an amazing part of the prayer. Jesus is asking us to ask the Father to not lead us into temptation, where Satan lurks, where evil lurks, where evil waits to trounce on the Christian, but instead that God would deliver (Rhuomai) us or carry us to safety. It is true that temptations are not a sin, but the prayer is that we would be led not in the direction of a temptation. 

I Thessalonians 1:10 says, "wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come." Again, rescues is the word Rhuomai. Rhuomai is in the present tense indicating that is our Savior continually delivering us. The middle voice is reflexive {"He Himself rescues us"} and emphasizes His personal involvement in the rescue. He initiates the rescue and participates in the carrying out of the rescue.

In reading the Old Testament, the Septuagint translates the word Redeem as Rhuomai or rescue as in Exodus 14:30, "Thus the Lord saved (Rhuomai) Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore." Who delivers us? Jesus. And Paul understands as he asks for prayer that God would deliver him from those enemies in Judea.

And this it to be delivered from the unbelievers. This is another interesting word for it isn't a momentary disbelief among these people. It is apeitheo. In the King James it says those that do not believe. This is a willful disobedience. I think of the atheist that I speak to as well as others that willfully disregard the Bible. I need to be praying that I would be delivered from that type of thinking. That as I speak to that man his words would not ever rub off on me, but I would always be free from them. This word is in the present tense and so it is their lifestyle.

Acceptable Service
Paul wants them to pray that he would not simply serve the people in Jerusalem, but that his service to them would be acceptable. That is interesting. How often do I just serve thinking I am doing what I think is best, but don't take time to really see if my service is acceptable to others. I know words of affirmation are important to me. My mom was someone that always gave me affirmation. She spoke to me my love language. I served. I know I did. I tried to see things that were hard for her to do, like clean the house or do the dishes, and then I tried to do them for her at times. And in return, she responded with words of thanks and appreciation. That was really important to me. I must admit this is something I struggle with today. I like to serve and give to others, but there are few in my life that give me any words of affirmation. They happen. My boss gives me words occasionally as does Pamela. I wonder if I have given my kids much affirmation.

I will always remember Tyson scoring a basket in Upward's basketball and immediately looking at me. That is one of my greatest memories in life. There was another time, when he was little, that I got mad at him regarding something and he went and painted me a picture, remembering the good time we had at a Lobo football game I took him to. He wanted to make sure everything was okay between us and he used that picture to say he was sorry.  I still have that picture in my office. Tyson didn't always know how to communicate with words, but he did with looks and actions. He has emotions that are so precious. He needs my prayer. I regret so much the many times that I did not appreciate him. He is so special and now he isn't around as much.

Come to you with Joy
In verse 32, Paul asks that "I may come to you with joy." CS Lewis stated that the biblical meaning of joy is an “unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction.” He says joy is distinguished from happiness and pleasure. It is the word chara and means inner gladness or delight. It is not based upon good circumstances, but it is to know that all is well between a person and his God.

Refreshing
And Paul wanted his visit to refresh him. Despite a fatiguing ministry, he needed to be refreshed. Our missionaries, who are serving in other countries, often need breaks to come to the country and simply be refreshed. We all need this time to stop and refuel and be reminded why we work so hard.

Promise: Prayer is to be more important in my life. Trust it. Work hard at it, interceding for others and not forgetting to ask prayer for oneself. 

Jesus Calling: July 25

As you listen to birds calling to one another, hear also My Love-call to you. I speak to you continually: through sights, sounds, thoughts, impressions, scriptures. There is no limit to the variety of ways I can communicate with you. Your part is to be attentive to My messages, in whatever form they come. When you set out to find Me in a day, you discover that the world is vibrantly alive with My Presence. You can find Me not only in beauty and birdcalls, but also in tragedy and faces filled with grief. I can take the deepest sorrow and weave it into a pattern for good.
     Search for Me and My messages, as you go through this day. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with your whole being.

John 10:27
English Standard Version

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
 
Romans 8:28 
Amplified

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
 
Jeremiah 29:13
English Standard Version

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 15:28-29 - In the Fulness of Christ's Blessing

Romans 15:28-29 - ²⁸ When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. ²⁹ I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.


Message: In the Fulness of Christ's Blessing
 
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:  

These verses are a continuation of the thought from the last set of verses (15:25-27) when Paul, prior to going to Spain, wanted first to go to Jerusalem to be with the people there. He wanted to give and help supply their needs. They were impoverished and hurting. The people from Macedonia and Achaia had sent them gifts as well. He had collected gifts for the people in Jerusalem and once his task was complete, he would leaving to Spain by way of Rome so that he could also visit the Romans Christians. It is important to finish the tasks we begin. He did not do things half-hearted. 

I know from the Book of Acts that he did in fact make it to Rome, though not in the manner or the plan he had hoped, but he did make it. 

"I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ." 
What is significant about this statement? 

First, he will come to them in the fullness of Christ's blessing in the sense of Christ's approval. Second, when he got to Rome, he would enjoy the full blessing of Christ on his work. Third, coming in the fullness of the blessing of Christ means that Paul would receive the joy and encouragement of the edifying work of the Savior through the ministry of the Romans to the Apostle.

According to John's MacArthur's commentary on Romans:

Because he lived continually in obedience to the Lord, his life was always blessed. Obviously, that blessing did not exclude physical hardships and afflictions, as he mentions in (verse 31 and in many of his other letters). But nothing physical could rob him of the fulness of that spiritual blessing....What is often referred to as the “health and wealth gospel” was the furthest thing from Paul’s mind. His obedience to Christ cost him dearly in both of those areas. Because of his service to Christ, he suffered imprisonments, beatings, stonings, dangers from Gentiles as well as Jews, and a host of other hardships (see 2 Corinthian 11:23-27). But none of those outward problems could rob him of his inner blessing. To the contrary, he wrote, “my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and… most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.… In every way,… Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice” (Philippians 1:12-14, 18). Paul’s hardships gave him greater opportunity “to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles” and to offer them as an offering to God, “acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:16) and thereby receive the blessing that only such selfless service to the Lord can bring. He knew “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension”; he knew “how to get along with humble means” and “how to live in prosperity”; and God supplied all his “needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, 12, 19).

Promise: May I be in prayer for the fullness of the blessing of Christ in my life, thought the activities that I do, in the relationships that i have.

Jesus Calling: July 24

Thankfulness opens the door to My Presence. Though I am always with you, I have gone to great measures to preserve your freedom of choice. I have placed a door between you and Me, and I have empowered you to open or close the door. There are many ways to open it, but a grateful attitude is one of the most effective.
     Thankfulness is built on a substructure of trust. When thankful words stick in your throat, you need to check up on your foundation of trust. When thankfulness flows freely from your heart and lips, let your gratitude draw you closer to Me. I want you to learn the art of giving thanks in all circumstances. See how many times you can thank Me daily; this will awaken your awareness to a multitude of blessings. It will also cushion the impact of trials when they come against you. Practice My Presence by practicing the discipline of thankfulness.

Psalm 100:4
English Standard Version

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!
 
I Thessalonians 5:18
English Standard Version

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 


Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 15:25-27 - Our Debt to the Jews

Romans 15:25-27 - ²⁵ but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. ²⁶ For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. ²⁷ Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

Message: Our debt to the Jews
 
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:  

Background
In the last section, there was sort of a new theme that took place in the chapter. Paul is starting to conclude the book. His diatribe regarding Jews and Gentiles appears to be over. He has made his case for the Gospel and shown it is not a new message. He has helped the Christian understand that his faith is practical and it is not self-seeking, but is focused on others and this includes when we have differences with our brother, We are interested in other people's well being, not our own. And the Gospel is available to all, even the Gentiles. And once again, this is not a new message. 

Then, he mentions that his desire is not just to write letters, but it is also to visit people with the Gospel and see them face to face. He wanted to do this with the church in Rome. His ministry goal had been achieved in seeing the gospel expanded and preached, but now he had a new desire to take it to Spain, which seems to be further than he originally thought possible. And along the way he could stop and see his friends in Rome. 

But first
Even though he has told the church his ambition to come to them and go to Spain, he first mentions that he is to go to Jerusalem and serve the saints. Paul is a man of his word. 

John MacArthur comments about Jerusalem and their condition:

There was a famine throughout Palestine, and because of persecution by unbelieving Jews, many Christian men lost their jobs and many others were put in prison, making bad conditions still worse for their families. In addition to that, many foreign Jews who were visiting Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost were converted to Christ and decided to remain in the city, usually as guests of believers who lived there.

Yes, it is true that Paul's ambition was the gospel, but that doesn't mean he let other things be lessened. He saw the need in Jerusalem for encouragement that the the Christians needed in Jerusalem. Christians were there and yet receiving persecution. While others were arriving and converting to Christ.

The Giving Body of Christ
And Paul mentions how the people of Macedonia and Achaia have come to the aid of those in Jerusalem. They saw a need and desired to meet it. This is a great picture of how Christians help one another. God has given us the capacity to care for those hurting and in need. We do desire to assist people and again, make others more important than ourselves.

Paul had planted a church in Philippi, the capital of Macedonia and also the major city of Thessalonica. The capital of Achaia was Corinth. The family of God were meeting the financial needs of the poor in Jerusalem. What a beautiful picture.

The gospel is not just about meeting people's needs with the Gospel, but it is also about helping their temporal needs, which may include providing money or clothes or food. And in verse 27 is the words that these gifts were not an obligation but were voluntary: "They are pleased."

But not only did they want to give to, but the wanted in some way to pay back, for they were benefactors of the work of those in Jerusalem. And Paul makes the point that receiving spiritual blessings means we are to share in material blessings received.

There is a key word in verse 27 and it is minister. When we share what God has provided us with others, it is as if we are ministering to them, and therefore, what we are doing is glorifying God through our gift. The tithe is really to be a gift to God, benefiting a ministry, but ultimate a returning of blessing we have received to God. And in this way, when helping the poor here in this context, conveys the same type of giving a tithe. It is a service to God like prayer or teaching.

Promise: From Tabletalk on November 17, 2015, "As Gentile Christians, we owe a great debt tot he old covenant community and the Jewish people. God chose them as the first recipients of His special revelation. He saves the world through a Messiah who is of Jewish ethnicity. Jewish Apostles wrote the vast majority of the New Testament (Luke-Acts being the exception) and preached the gospel to the Gentiles. Let us not forget that debt, and let us seek to "repay" it by supporting Christian ministry to the Jewish people.

Jesus Calling: July 23

I am the Light of the World. Men crawl through their lives cursing the darkness, but all the while I am shining brightly. I desire each of My followers to be a Light-bearer. The Holy Spirit who lives in you can shine from your face, making Me visible to people around you. Ask My Spirit to live through you, as you wind your way through this day. Hold My hand in joyful trust, for I never leave your side. The Light of My Presence is shining upon you. Brighten up the world by reflecting who I am. 

John 8:12
English Standard Version

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
 
Matthew 5:14-16
English Standard Version

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

2 Corinthians 3:18
English Standard Version
 
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Exodus 3:14
English Standard Version

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”


Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 


Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 15:22-24 - En Route To Rome

Romans 15:22-24 - ²² This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. ²³ But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, ²⁴ I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.

Message: On his way to Spain
 
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:  

Background
Paul seems to have ended a thought in some way in the last several verses, almost like he was concluding his message to the church in Rome. He had a purpose in reaching the Gentiles, though his letter seems to be primarily to the Jewish Christians in Rome. He has helped them to understand their faith and beliefs. He has shown them throughout the earlier chapters that the belief in Jesus is not a new thing, but it is a message central in the Old Testament and now he briefly is showing that the message of the Gospel to the Gentiles is also not knew, but something that is also fulfilling scripture. And yet his message is somewhat coming to a close. 

In the Open Bible, verses 22-33 are now under the heading of, "Paul's Plans for Traveling."  

Hindered in the past from coming to you
He says, "For this reason I have often been hindered from coming to you." This repeats a phrase from Romans 1, verse 13, "often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented thus far)." He aludes to a reason back in verse 13 of Romans 1 and now he clarified what that reason was here in verse 22 of Chapter 15. 

Paul had mentioned again in verse 20 that his ambition was to preach the gospel and go to places that never heard and so, here, he states that "he has been hindered from coming to you" because he is instead setting his sights on wanting to go to people that have not heard of the name of Jesus. He recognizes that his time is short on earth and he must make it count. But, he is speaking of why he hasn't come in the past, giving the idea that the will come now. He has been focused on fulfilling his ministry preaching from "Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum (verse 19)." 

His calling fulfilled
Paul clearly saw that the Lord had given him a calling. What is my calling? Has the Lord called me to do a specific purpose? Paul believed that he had no further place for himself in those regions. This doesn't mean that he necessarily had traveled to all of these regions. But, he mentions his place there is no more and he remains with a longing to see the Christians in Rome:  But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you.    

Outermost parts
Paul saw the land of Spain as the furthest region for him. Yes, it is true that his desire to go to Illyricum and all the parts in between had been fulfilled, he now desires to go beyond, to Spain.  

It is understood here that the church helps its missionaries. Not everyone is called to go, but for those that don't go, they assist or help those that go. Verse 24 says that as Paul goes to Spain, "to be helped on my way there by you." He states that he needs help. There are missionaries everywhere serving the Lord and they often will raise support and in so doing, ask for help.  

Promise:  We are not in final control of our lives and that God in his providence may redirect us or keep some of our plans from coming to pass. 

Jesus Calling: July 22

Find freedom through seeking to please Me above all else. You can have only one Master. When you let others' expectations drive you, you scatter your energy to the winds. Your own desire to look good can also drain your energy. I am your Master, and I do not drive you to be what you are not. Your pretense displeases Me, especially when it is in My "service." Concentrate on staying close to Me at all times. It is impossible to be inauthentic while you are focusing on My Presence.

Ephesians 5:8-10
English Standard Version

⁸ for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ¹⁰ and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Matthew 23:8
English Standard Version

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Matthew 6:1
English Standard Version

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."  


Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 



Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 15:20-21 - Paul's Admition

Romans 15:20-21 - ²⁰ and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, ²¹ but as it is written,

“Those who have never been told of him will see,
    and those who have never heard will understand.”

Message: Paul's Ambition

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome
 
What the Lord is Saying: Paul has just mentioned that it is his desire or calling has been to the Gentiles, to speak to them, a people he formally did not even like, but now he is sharing with these Christians in Rome his zeal for the gospel. Throughout these 2 chapter (14 and 15) Paul is emphasizing his desire to preach the gospel and he is calling special attention to those that may be weak in their faith and the importance of not being a stumbling block or not saying something that will diminish that person's belief in God, but instead to deny ourselves, and not focus on the differences. We need to focus on our hearts and our desire for the truth. 

Preach the Gospel

Paul echoes words he has said elsewhere in this book, namely his desire to preach the gospel. In Romans 1:15 and 16 he said, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome for I (Paul) am not ashamed of the gospel. It is Paul's ambition to preach the gospel. 

It is interesting those words of "My ambition." I wonder if preaching the gospel is really my ambition or if it is rather just one of the things that I do. For Paul, I am sure this meant that in his life, in his relationships, in his conversations, that the idea of the Gospel was always forefront in his mind. For me, this seems somewhat difficult or maybe, more of a challenge, because of the varying responsibilities that I have: Father, Son, Employee, Supervisor, and I'm sure others, there seems to be a jockeying for what is most important at all times. And yet, Lord, I want the Gospel to be most prominent. 

New Ground
Now these are interesting words, "not where Christ has already been named." It is not Paul's ambition to simply preach a message to those ears that have already heard. I think on one hand this is a charge to not get comfortable simply staying around Christians, speaking to them all of the time, but it is a charge to go to ground where people have not named Christ. But, it also makes me think of whether I should be trying so hard with people that know a Jesus, but not necessarily the Jesus Christ. This is hard. 

Someone else's foundation
The reason Paul does to go where Christ is already named is because he does not want to build on another person's foundation. Again, these are interesting words and, in some ways, hard to apply in this day and age where there are churches everywhere. Multiple churches aren't bad if they are all full. But Paul's desire is not to try and not override someone else. It is somewhat sad to see churches almost competing with one another for congregants. I think the key here is to not settle. 

As it is written
And Paul puts a special emphasis on his words here: because God says so. He quotes now from the Septuagint and the words of the Old Testament to further emphasize this message. It should be a special point of emphasis when he goes to the Old Testament to emphasize his words. He is calling those words to special attention and showing that this is a message that is not unique to his own time.  

Verse 21 says, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”

• Isaiah 52:15 - Thus shall many nations wonder at him; and kings shall keep their mouths shut: for they to whom no report was brought concerning him, shall see; and they who have not heard, shall consider.
• Isaiah 65:1 - I became manifest to them that asked not for me; I was found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold, I am here, to a nation, who called not on my name. 

Albert Barnes states that Isaiah 52:15 is not literally quoted but the sense is retained. The design of quoting it is to justify the principle on which the apostle acted. It was revealed that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles; and he regarded it as a high honor to be the instrument of carrying this prediction into effect.

From TableTalk (November 13, 2014) - Isaiah foresaw a day in which foreigners to God's covenant with Israel would hear of the Servant of the Lord--the Messiah--and be struck with awe. Under the ministry of Paul in particular, and the rest of the Apostles generally, this took place as the gospel went forth into pagan lands and the Gentiles came to faith in the one true God for the first time. Today, Isaiah's prophecy continues to be fulfilled as unreached people groups the world over hear the gospel and churches are planted among them. Moreover, this fulfillment will continue until every tribe and tongue is represented in the great company of believers. 

Promise: My ambition is to preach the Gospel. Do this and everything else will be taken care of with success.