Bible Commentary & Daily Devotional

 Romans 12:3-5 - Kinship in Christ God wants to benefit us.  He does not want to harm us.  He never tempts us.  His will is good and pleasing and perfect. But how do we know His will for us?  I was reminded this morning at men's breakfast at the church of the importance of individual Bible study.  In hockey we used to remind each other, "you are never too good for the basics."  That's true.  The pros practice the basics every single day.  The same should be true of believers in Jesus Christ.  Walk through one book of the Bible at a time.  Grab a coffee.  Expect God to speak to you.  He will, every time you read.  Read the section of Scripture at least three times.  Even better if you can memorize it.  Think about what God is saying about His character, your character, and those you lead, serve, and work with. In Romans 12:3-5 t he Bible gives us a clear warning.  It is a warning about pride and arrogance and overvaluing ourselves with measures that simply are not f

 Romans 12:2-3  - Think Differently - Self-Evaluation Sunset West of Calgary Well, I guess we’re all part of the wrestling team.  Every human is.  We wrestle with ourselves, the world, and God.  Everyday.  God warns us here to get in the game, to play to win, and to have the mental toughness to know ourselves as we follow Him.           Not to overuse the verb, but I’ve wrestled with this passage.  Frankly, most of my application of this passage is lame and insincere.  I haven’t taken the warning seriously.  Paul warns us with all the power and authority God gave him.  It seems Paul meant business.  What do we do with this warning?  How exactly do we allow God to transform our thinking?  How do we move from self-serving worldly ways and selfish ambition to seriously trusting God’s Way?  How do we practice counter-culture?  How do we think differently?  How do we learn God’s will?           I suggest we start by getting the black hole of our human desire and deception out of the way (

 Romans 12:1 - Beneficiaries of Grace Friends in Lynchburg We are the beneficiaries of God’s love and mercy. I love Romans 12. If you’ve ever wondered how we should act and think as Christians, we find the answer in this chapter.  Thank you, Lord God, for your holy Word. You give radiant light to all who seek you. You do not conceal the truth.  The Way of Jesus Christ is right here in Romans 12, starting with this first verse. This Bible verse goes to the mindset of the Christian.  It means giving our entire selves to God. Yes, all of our bodies. It’s a bit of a weird exercise to think about every part of your body but try it. Your hands, feet, etc., and dedicate each part to God because of what He has done for you. Lord Jesus, thank you for my hands (old hockey fight broken knuckle and chewed fingernails included), knees (including scars from various childhood falls), nose (Scottish and crooked as it is), and ears (both damaged and blessed by ’80s rock), my legs (skinny and re

  Romans 11 - God’s Family - His Special Olive Tree           One of the universal truths of the human experience from the beginning of time until now is the battle of good against evil.  It is a biblical theme.  We see it in the culture wars today.  We see it playing out in our organizations.  The power mongers and those standing against them.  Those who abuse children, those that promote war, those that trample and use the poor, versus those that oppose such things.  You are not alone.  This passage reminds us that God has many people who have not bowed to Satan.  The body of Christ must be those people: salt and light in this evil world.  Speaking to the men for two seconds: we must be the men of God, opposing evil - and recognizing our own flaws and weakness (Matthew 7:3-5).           Romans 11 shows that God is kind and severe (11:22).  That’s true.  God will reject people based on their behavior.  He implores us to do the same in certain circumstances.  Speaking from my own failu

Romans 10:5-21 - God Stands with Open Arms - Salvation is for Everyone! God tells us that all who believe in Him are made right with Him (10:4).  Salvation is not based on what we do; it is by believing in Jesus Christ and the power of God to forgive us. The message Paul preaches (and Peter echoes in 2 Peter 3) is one of faith.  What’s on your lips and in your heart?  What do you believe?  Do you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead?  Do you believe and have you confessed that God sent his Son to pay for your sins on the Cross and by His mighty Spirit that He raised Jesus from the dead?           God stands with arms wide open for you to come to him.  He is offering you salvation.  Jesus died for us.  The perfect sacrifice, once and for all time.  Ask God’s forgiveness for your sin right now, take a step, even a baby step.  God hears you.  He knows your heart and accepts even a mustard seed of faith.  If you do confess and believe as Romans 10 says, your sins are forgiven. 

  Romans 10:1-4 - Lead with Confidence It is all about Jesus.  Trusting in Him.  That is how the Jew is saved.  And the Gentile.  Jesus is the Great Rock.  Some, like most Jews (9:27), stumble and fall as they try to please God without trusting Jesus.  That’s impossible.  To be saved, you must believe in Jesus Christ.  Rather than stumbling on Jesus, we must build our lives upon the Great Rock of Jerusalem!  Let’s build on a solid foundation.  We can now lead with confidence as we have confessed Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Lord Jesus, help us bring others to a relationship with you.  Let us show them your love and kindness.  If people have misdirected zeal, please help us to direct that enthusiasm to the Messiah, God’s way of making people right with himself. This passage explains that Jesus Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given.  The law shows sin.  Sin requires remedy.  Jesus is the Remedy, the Rescuer, the Savior.  As a result, all wh

     Romans 9 - God’s People - Who are they?           People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood (3:25) for them personally, for their sins.  God gave his only son Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins.           There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether Jews or non-Jews (3:30).           In Romans chapter 3, Paul asks about the advantages of being a Jew.  In chapter 9, Paul explains the privileges.  However, Paul clearly states that Jews are no better than others (3:9); we are all sinners.  God elected Jews for the benefits Paul mentions in this passage - not for salvation by default.           The point is that God requires faith for righteousness.   A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God (2:29).  When we accept God’s gift of salvation, we are saved by God; we receive a changed heart produced by God’s Spirit (2:29).           We must believe in God as Abraham did.  Faith makes

  Romans 8:31-39 - How Much Does God Love Us? So, how much does God love us?  He loves us so much.  He loves you more than your mother loves you.  More than a one-year-old’s adoration for his mom.  More than a young fiance’s love for her man, her groom.  More than a husband’s love for his wife of 60 years - his partner in life, his adventurer, soulmate through good times and hard times.  More than Abraham’s love for God.  More than the love of a fireman who rushes into the burning home - his own house, his wife, and his kids.  God loves us that much and so much more. Yes, it is hard to believe because we don’t understand the spiritual realm and must trust God’s promise of the future.  The security of a new life, new bodies, and entire inheritance for the children of God. But we do have the Spirit of Christ living in us.  He shows us, love.  He shows us how He protects and provides for us and guides us to so much that is good. Never confuse God’s love for us with thinking He app

Romans 8:22-35 - Struggle and Emerge - Persevere           Never confuse worldly gain or success with a special favor from God or lack thereof with his disdain or disapproval. It does not work that way. Just because we have adversity, long odds, hunger, trouble, enemies, calamity, and persecution does not mean we do not have God’s love and blessing. Maybe you are threatened today. Or challenged. Or tired of a micromanaging boss or a child that stubbornly refuses to work hard and make a good decision. That does not mean God no longer loves us.           Our hope, our future, is in Jesus Christ. We groan now with aging bodies but look forward to the judgment day - when God will give us full rights as his adopted children - including our new bodies.           First, you believe Jesus is your Rescuer - the Messiah, our Savior from this evil world. You are born again, made new, and saved at that moment. You are indwelled with the Spirit of Christ. I thank God that you are etern

  Romans 8:11-21 - The Great Reveal   Since we have righteousness because we believe in Jesus Christ and have accepted God’s gift of salvation, we have peace with God.  We are no longer condemned.  We have underserved privilege and joy.  We are children of God.  Heirs.  Wow. So now we must stop living as enemies of God.  We must live as friends of God.  We must live self-controlled lives, nay, Holy Spirit-controlled lives.  We must show who we belong to.  One day, God will reveal who his children really are (8:19).  Creation can’t wait to see this. Fearful slaves belong to the devil.  We are not fearful slaves (8:15).  We are humble, joyful, confident children of the Mighty God.  Together with our Savior, we are heirs of God’s glory (8:17). God strengthens us in our trials and troubles.  He molds our character as we endure the pressure of the battle. We can trust the Father.  He is God.  He knows best.  The battle is worth it.  God will provide us with eternal freedom from

  Romans 8:9-10 - We Will Receive New Bodies - New Life. Easter Sunday, 2023. So excited to worship with friends and family this morning at Hillcats Stadium here in Lynchburg. I hope thousands show up to celebrate. As I sip coffee as the sun rises this morning , I’m mindful of God’s power and call for me to follow Him.  As you read this passage in Romans, consider what early manuscripts said in Mark 16:14 when the disciples asked the risen Jesus about His timing and justice, “The period of years of Satan’s power has been fulfilled, but other dreadful things will happen soon. And I was handed over to death for those who have sinned, so that they may return to the truth and sin no more, and so they may inherit the spiritual, incorruptible, and righteous glory in heaven. ” [underlined part standing out to me.] By faith in Jesus, we have the right relationship with God. God counts us as righteous because of our faith in Jesus. And we now belong to God. I am bought by His blood.

  Romans 8:1-8 - Free to Follow the Spirit of God You and I trust in Jesus Christ as our God, who paid the just penalty the law requires for our sins. The same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in us. Thank God for Easter, for the truth that Jesus lives and through Him we live. We now belong to God.  We are his adopted children.  He promises us eternal life and new bodies free from decay and death. The power of the life-giving Spirit of Christ has freed us from sin’s control. If you need help to stop following your sinful nature, ask the Spirit of Christ to help you now.  Jesus pleads for us in Heaven to harmonize our spirit with the Spirit of the Living God. Right now, think about things that please the Spirit.  And let’s do those things today.  We have no obligation to follow our sinful nature.  The choice is ours.  With God’s help, we will please Him in thought and deed today. Lord Jesus, I ask you to control my mind today.  I know that letting the H

  Romans 7 - The Good Coach and the Bad Coach          There are good coaches and bad ones. I've experienced both. This chapter is about the human condition - the conundrum of knowing the right thing to do but doing the wrong. I’ve often thought this passage was limited to the challenge of self-control, but there's more to it.           In this battle within our minds, Paul tells of a secret weapon from God. This weapon is God himself, the Holy Spirit.              Romans 7 is a sober reality check for each of us. Humor me for just a moment. I’d like to use the story of a football coach (I’m a hockey guy, but I like football, too) to show the practical implications of this chapter. I'd like to make a point about parenting and leadership in general - I think it makes all the difference in the world.              When our youngest son Abe was seven (he’s 20 now), he played YMCA flag football. I was the assistant coach. The head coach had a kid named Jack. The co