Romans 1:2-4 - The Gospel of God in History

Romans 1:2-4: 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, ³ concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, ⁴ who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,

Message: The Gospel of God in History

Time: Written sometime in AD 57-58, probably from Corinth, at the end of Paul's third missionary journey.

What the Lord is Saying: Paul begins this letter with a 7 verse salutation or 7 verse introduction or greeting. 

Verse 2 builds upon Verse 1 and Paul being "set apart for the gospel of God" and this gospel is not new. It has been promised through the prophets in the Old Testament. The message of the gospel that Paul will unfold in this book is a salvation message that has been consistent throughout the Holy Scriptures, the Old Testament. It is a message "concerning His Son." The Son is a direct descendant of David. And it is at the resurrection of Jesus from His death on the cross that is the culmination of all these messages and times preceding that moment. It is at the resurrection Jesus is declared King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

What is the promised message of salvation from the Old Testament that is now declared as well in the New Testament here in the Gospel? It is that the righteous shall live by faith. Abraham and Isaac declared it. Habakkuk 2:4 states it. 

Jesus' message is a quotation very often of the Old Testament. Jesus consistently tells us of the importance of understanding the Old Testament scriptures.
Matt. 21:42; 22:29; 26:54; Mark. 12:24; 14:49; Lk. 24:27, 32, 45; Jn. 5:39; Acts 17:2, 11; 18:24, 28; Rom. 15:4; 2Pe 3:16

God promised to David that his throne would be forever (2 Samuel 7:16). When Matthew began his gospel, the first name mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus is David. So, Jesus was a descendant of David, fully man, and the Son of God, so fully God. 

Christ's resurrection is the culmination of the proof of Christ's divinity and His salvation. If people do not believe in the resurrection, they will not believe in Christ. 

John MacArthur states, "It was the Holy Spirit working in Christ Who accomplished Jesus’ resurrection and every other miracle performed by Him or associated with Him. In the incarnation, Jesus Christ was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit."
   
Promise: Jesus is the culmination of history to that point. Jesus is the turning point of history, literally from BC to AD. History looked forward to Christ and now looks back to Christ.

Romans 1:1 - Paul's Magnum Opus

Romans 1:1 - "Paul, a bond-servant of Christ, called as an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God,"

Message: A convert of Christianity, a Pharisee, explains the Gospel of God and speaks of the true and complete message of Jesus Christ.

Time: Romans written sometime in AD 57-58, probably from Corinth, at the end of the third missionary journey. Paul was on his way to deliver monies collected from the Gentile churches to the Jewish church in Jerusalem. After Jerusalem, Paul wanted to stop in Rome to meet the church there before going on to preach the gospel in Spain. This letter is written to the Romans to introduce himself to the church there and to explain the message he preached throughout the world.

What the Lord is Saying:

Paul, is a bond-servant of Christ, as I am likewise. In Galatians 1:10, Paul says, "Am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." Paul is speaking almost 30 years after the death of Christ on the cross and yet Paul is speaking as if Jesus is present at the same time he is. Bond-servant is the word doulos which means slave.

"God, it doesn’t matter what You tell me to do, I am willing to be submissive to Your will."

Paul is called as an apostle. I am not an Apostle in the official sense, but I am still a called one. I have been called by God.

Paul has been set apart for the Gospel of God. There is a special distinction on Paul's life. His calling is different from others. His mission is to preach the gospel. So, he is a slave, he is called an apostle, but his special purpose is to preach the Gospel of God. As this book begins, we must realize what it is, the Gospel in the truest sense.

Promise: We are people with a mission - to share the Gospel of God.

Malachi 4

Message: Contrasting those who fear His name with those who don't and He overcomes.

Time: See Malachi 1; Also, as a reminder, the Jews of this time thought God was unfaithful, but could it rather be they were unfaithful. Difficult to Date but...Circa 445-420BC

What the Lord is Saying:

Verse 1: The Day of the Lord is coming. And this day will be unlike any other day. It states this day will come "like a furnace burning." Fire often accompanies the judgment day of the Lord. It speaks of the day of judgment being a day when the arrogant and wicked or those that proudly stood in opposition from God will be like chaff, easily blown away. At this time, they will be not able to spring up or rise up for they won't be a root, nor branch. 

Verse 2: And here we have a contrast to those who Fear His Name. The sin of righteousness will rise to, not to all, but only to those who fear His Name. And our response to this being raised up will be like calves let out of a stall. We will run free.

Verse 3:: And the righteous will tread on the wicked. The wicked were always seen to have had success, but here, most assuredly, they will be under the feet of those who fear God.

Don't lose heart. The wicked seem like they prevail often, but in the end the righteous will tread on the wicked.

And 4-6 is interesting. We look back to the Law and remember it. We get ready for Elijah and his coming. Elijah will be the next prophet. And we look forward and remember the special relationship of fathers and their children.

1. Don't ignore my kids
2. Watch my words - don't express disapproval or put-downs
3. Don't have a spirit of disappointment towards them
== From John Piper message on this chapter.

Promise: Stand firm until the end. Glories await the chosen ones of God.

Jesus Calling: April 9

     YOU ARE MINE FOR ALL TIME; nothing can separate you from My Love.  Since I have invested My very Life in you, be well assured that I will also take care of you.  When your mind goes into neutral and your thoughts flow freely, you tend to feel anxious and alone.  Your focus becomes problem solving.  To get your mind back into gear, just turn toward Me, bringing yourself and your problems into My Presence.

     Many problems vanish instantly in the Light of My Love, because you realize you are never alone.  Other problems may remain, but they become secondary to knowing Me and rejoicing in the relationship I so freely offer you.  Each moment you can choose to practice My Presence or to practice the presence of problems. 

Romans 8:38-39
English Standard Version (ESV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 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.

Exodus 33:14
ESV
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

My Prayer
Lord, I pray that I can rest in the fact that I will always be Yours and there is nothing I can do to separate myself from You just as their was nothing I could do to make myself worthy before You. Jesus did it all for me and has made me right with You for all eternity. I want to surrender each day to You and not surrender each day to my problems. I need Your strength to do this.


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: April 8

    I AM WITH YOU AND FOR YOU, your constant Companion and Provider.  The question is whether you are with Me and for Me.  Though I never leave you, you can essentially “leave” Me by ignoring Me: thinking or acting as if I am not with you.  When you feel distance in our relationship, you know where the problem lies.  My Love for you is constant; I am the same yesterday today, and forever.  It is you who changes like shifting sand, letting circumstances toss you this way and that.
    When you feel far from Me, whisper My Name.  This simple act, done in childlike faith, opens your heart to My Presence.  Speak to Me in love-tones; prepare to receive My Love, which flows eternally from the cross.  I am delighted when you open yourself to My loving Presence.

Genesis 28:15
English Standard Version
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Romans 8:31
English Standard Version
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Hebrews 13:8
English Standard Version
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

My Prayer
Lord, it is sad to see people in our world ignore you, thinking and acting like you are not there. I'm saddened when I do this at times. I have opportunities to speak of You in my life and sometimes I don't, out of fear for my own well-being, out of not wanting to stand out, out of not wanting to be different from others. Yet, no matter how I respond, you always remain faithful to me. Lord, help me to simply call on You each day. You are the same yesterday and today and forever. And you always have my back. Thank you for never leaving me. Forgive me for leaving you, at times.


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.

Malachi 3

Message: Repent and Fear the Lord

Time: Difficult to Date but...Circa 445-420BC

What the Lord is Saying:

This chapter begins with an announcement that the Lord is sending a messenger (John the Baptist) who will prepare His way. Jesus is coming to the Temple, a restored temple. And when He comes, only those that are refined will be able to be before Him. Those that are before Him are there because they have been refined by Him. His purification of them will allow their offerings to be accepted.

Others will be on trial because of their sinful acts, those that are sorcerers, adulterers, liars, that cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, deprive foreigners of justice--and finally, those that do not fear the Lord. These will be judged.

The Lord calls us to repentance. The Lord calls His people and He wants them to return to Him. Yes, they are sinners and yes they have disobeyed, but He still calls them to return and then He will return to them. Don't cheat God. People cheat God by not bringing their tithes and offerings to the Lord. When we do give, God's blessings are greater than we could comprehend. When we don't it hurts those over us in the church, or here, in the temple, but ultimate we are robbing God (v. 8).

The key to our life is fearing the Lord. It is recognizing God is who He said He is. It is respecting Him and believing Him. These will be His people. Do we revere God or do we only revere Him out of fear? His people will be His treasure. This is the difference between those that are declared righteous and those that are wicked. The difference is how they fear the Lord.

Promise: We are to have true love for God with our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Jesus Calling: April 7

    I AM THE POTTER; you are My clay. I designed you before the foundation of the world. I arrange the events of each day to form you into this preconceived pattern. My everlasting Love is at work in every event of your life. On some days your will and Mine flow smoothly together. You tend to feel in control of your life when our wills are in harmony. On other days you feel as if you are swimming upstream, against the current of My purposes. When that happens, stop and seek My face. The opposition you feel may be from Me, or it may be from the evil one.
    Talk with Me about what you are experiencing. Let My Spirit guide you through treacherous waters. As you move through the turbulent stream with Me, let circumstances mold you into the one I desire you to be. Say yes to your Potter as you go through this day.

Isaiah 64:8
English Standard Version 
But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.

Psalm 27:8
English Standard Version 
You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

My Prayer
I seek You Lord. You are my father, the potter, and I am the clay. The potter has love for what he makes from the clay and you have love for me. Help me to believe in You Lord and believe that you know what is best for me.


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: April 6

    Bring Me the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Take nothing for granted, not even the rising of the sun. Before Satan tempted eve in the Garden of Eden, thankfulness was as natural as breathing. Satan's temptation involved pointing Eve to the one thing that was forbidden her. The garden was filled with luscious, desirable fruits, but Eve focused on the one fruit she couldn't have rather than being thankful for the many good things freely available. This negative focus darkened her mind, and she succumbed to temptation.
    When you focus on what you don't have or on situations that displease you, your mind also becomes darkened. You take for granted life, salvation, sunshine, flowers, and countless other gifts from Me. You look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until that is "fixed."
    When you approach Me with thanksgiving, the Light of My Presence pours into you, transforming you through and through. Walk in the Light with Me by practicing the discipline of thanksgiving. 

Psalm 116:17
New King James Version
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord.

Verse Thoughts: A sacrifice is an oblation or offering to the Lord, like we would bring something before the Lord. We are presenting to Him something significant. Here, I am offering to the Lord my thanksgiving. As she says, "approach Me with thanksgiving." I begin with thanks. I don't begin with "give me, give me, give me" but begin with heartfelt thanks. 

Genesis 3:2-6
English Standard Version 
And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Verse Thoughts: The woman added a requirement that wasn't there. She told the serpent the fruit could not be touched. God never said this. All the focus in these verses is on "give me more, give me more" versus thankfulness for what Adam and Eve had.  

1 John 1:7
English Standard Version 
but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

My Prayer
Lord, how absent is thankfulness often from my life. I come to life more often with wants and desires rather than thankfulness. Help me to not be so focused on tomorrow, but be thankful for what you do today and yesterday.

Lord, I spoke to a friend last night for an hour. He has a hard time seeing good in himself. He is so quick to say that there is something wrong with him. He struggles with different sins, like we all do, but he rarely can see much victory and instead he knocks himself over. It is like he doesn't really believe that he can find success. That maybe people listen to us less when everything is going well. He needs people in his life. Help him to value himself and to see Lord that you love him and accept him completely. Help him to see and believe that your love for him is unconditional. Give him motivation. He is being lured away by negative thoughts and thoughts of being defeated. Bring him back to being filled with the joy of the Lord.

Lord, help me to not be so quick with what is wrong and instead focus on what is right. Help me to not see the glass half empty, but half full. Lord, you are so great and have been so great to me. Help me to start with these praises and thanking You rather simply asking for more and my life to be better and free from problems. What matters is You are with me, through whatever comes my way. 


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: April 5

    Let Me fill you with My Love, Joy, and Peace. There are Glory-gifts, flowing from my living Presence. Though you are an earthen vessel, I designed you to be filled with heavenly contents. Your weakness is not a deterrent to being filled with My Spirit; on the contrary, it provides an opportunity for My Power to shine forth more brightly.
    As you go through this day, trust Me to provide the strength that you need moment by moment. Don't waste energy wondering whether you are adequate for today's journey. My Spirit within you is more than sufficient to handle whatever this day may bring. That is the basis for your confidence! In quietness (spending time alone with Me) and confident trust (relying on My sufficiency) is your strength. 

2 Corinthians 4:7
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

Verse Thoughts
We have the gospel and it is here described as a treasure, meaning it is of inestimable worth. And yet the possessors of that gospel are earthen vessels--weak, feeble, liable to various accidents, fragile, basically unworthy to hold such a valuable treasure. And yet, we have the ability to do great things, not because we are great, but because of the great Power of God at work in us.

Isaiah 30:15
English Standard Version (ESV)
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
But you were unwilling,

Verse Thoughts
According to Albert Barnes, the design of this verse is to give a reason for the destruction that should come upon them. That reason was, that God had indicated to them the path of truth and safety, but they chose not to follow it, and refused to put confidence in him. In returning to God; that is, if you are converted and surrendered to him, resting on God for assistance, and not seeking the alliance of Egypt (people that want nothing of God), in a collected, quiet state of mind, by putting simple trust in God, you shall be safe; your enemies shall not be able to overcome and subdue you. That's the plan, but you were unwilling.

My Prayer
Lord, I open the door of my life to You and welcome You in. Lord, I want to filled with You. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in me and be the presence of You in me. Keep me connected to You and Your word. I want to be content and have a quiet state of mind, daily putting my trust in 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.

Jesus Calling: April 3

    In Me you have everything. In Me you are complete. Your capacity to experience Me is increasing, through My removal of debris and clutter from your heart. As your yearning for Me increases, other desires are gradually lessening. Since I am infinite and abundantly accessible to you, desiring Me above all else is the best way to live.
    It is impossible for you to have a need that I cannot meet. After all, I created you and everything that is. The world is still at My beck and call, though it often appears otherwise. Do not be fooled by appearances. Things that are visible are brief and fleeting, while things that are invisible are everlasting. 

Ephesians 3:20
English Standard Version (ESV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

2 Corinthians 4:18
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.

My Prayer
Lord, may I rest in the fact that You are at work within me. May this pervade my thinking throughout my day. I live often in stress and worry, and yet Lord all things are a gift from You. Lord, help me to uncover You throughout my day and see You in the events of My day. I get too busy and get distracted, I get too focused on my situations and Lord, I don't focus on making You known in my world. You Lord are the meaning of Life and You are patiently waiting for me to submit and surrender to You for you desire to make yourself known through Me. Remind me. It is in the things that I cannot see that are everlasting.


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: April 2

    I have promised to meet all your needs according to My glorious riches. Your deepest, most constant need is for My Peace. I have planted Peace in the garden of your heart, where I live; but there are weeds growing there too: pride, worry, selfishness, unbelief. I am the Gardener, and I am working to rid your heart of those weeds. I do My work in various ways. When you sit quietly with Me, I shine the Light of My Presence directly into your heart. In this heavenly Light, Peace grows abundantly and weeds shrivel up. I also send trials into your life. When you trust Me in the midst of trouble, Peace flourishes and weeds die away. Thank Me for troublesome situations; the Peace they can produce far outweighs the trials you endure.

Philippians 4:19
English Standard Version
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:17
English Standard Version
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

My Prayer
Lord, you will supply every need of mine? Lord, why don't I really believe that? I wonder if its because I think my needs are so great and vast and numerous. I guess its because I already have so much -- food, shelter, work, comfort, entertainment, rest -- and so what I think I need -- security, health, freedom, retirement, a new phone, a new car, a new house, food variety, sweets, fancy clothes, a vast network of friends, family, loved ones, vacations, respect, appreciation, to be valued -- is perhaps not really a need at all, but a desire. Yet, I look around and see what others have and naturally think I should have the same. So, my wants get blurred often into needs. Lord, you give me peace and when I really believe that, I know I don't need to worry. So place me in that mindset, conform me to the truth of your Word, not the way I want Your word interpreted. Help me to see that trials are often what I need, even though it hurts. Lord, I want to be a child of God, defined by You. Re-train me God.


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: April 1

I am calling you to a life of constant communion with Me. Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances, even while interacting on that cluttered plane of life. You yearn for a simplified lifestyle, so that your communication with Me can be uninterrupted. But I challenge you to relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered world. Accept each day as it comes, and find Me in the midst of it all.

Talk with Me about every aspect of your day, including your feelings. Remember that your ultimate goal is not to control or fix everything around you; it is to keep communing with Me. A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day. Do not let your to-do list (written or mental) become an idol directing your life. Instead, ask My Spirit to guide you moment by moment. He will keep you close to Me.

1 Thessalonians 5:17
English Standard Version
pray without ceasing,

Proverbs 3:6
English Standard Version
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

What the Lord is Saying to Me
Isn't it interesting that Proverbs 3:6 says, "he will make?" We are to acknowledge Him and then He will make our paths straight. It doesn't say that when we acknowledge him, our defined paths will be straight. But, he will make straight my paths. And he decides what is a straight path. I think that is significant. Maybe what I call the perfect path for my life is not what He defines as the straight path. Could it be that me going through a hardship or an uncomfortable situation is a straight path?

I think this is what she may mean that I need to "relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered world." My uncluttered world is a comfortable one, free of obstacles and inconveniences. And in that world I often am not a praying man. When I am living a comfortable life, my focus is on rest and entertainment and taking it easy, but when trials arise, I look to pray. But, I am to be about pray continually; without ceasing.

My Prayer
Lord, You are my strength. You carry me. You aren't simply a crutch, but You carry me throughout the day. I need your help. Guide me and direct me. Be my words. Thank you for sending Your Spirit to reside with me and be in me. I am the temple now. Thank you for always being with me.


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.