-

 Romans 15:14-33 - A Trip to Spain?

We are made acceptable to God by the Holy Spirit.  On our own, without the Good News, we are filthy, an unclean offering to God.  But God purifies us through trust in our faithful Rescuer.  That’s His Way.  And that’s why and how we are good.

We have reason to be enthusiastic about what God has accomplished through us, but be careful not to boast.  The church today is filled with braggarts.  It’s not good.  I watched a graduation ceremony recently where the officiants made it all about themselves.  Boastful men.  Can you imagine going to a wedding and having all the honor and attention and praise and celebration for, the priest?  That would be nuts.  But that’s the type of men we’re dealing with here.  Self-centered narcissists.  They seem to know little of Jesus Christ and his Way.  The Holy Spirit gives all good things; let us give all praise to God alone.  And let us do things His Way.

Notice here the importance of non-believers being convinced about the reality of God and their need to go to Him for salvation.  God uses the message and our example of how we work among people.  God’s creativity is boundless.  We must live lives above reproach.  We must care and love and serve and show God’s love.  People need to see who we are in Christ and they must hear the Good News to be saved.  Notice too how God came alongside Paul in this.  God provided miraculous signs and wonders and the power of God’s Spirit.  God is the same today as He was then.  He'll do the same for us today.

We have a responsibility, you and I, to fully present the Good News of Jesus Christ (15:19).  This means being clear.  Trusting in the Holy Spirit.  Working hard.  Working alongside non-believers.  Praying.  Expecting miracles.  And following God’s plan and message handed to us by the Saints and by the Holy Spirit.

Like Paul, plan.  Plan to share the News of the Rescuer.  Decide where you should go (maybe it is to the cubicle beside you, or the coffee shop, or Tokyo).  Plan, work, and preach Scripture (every day and most creatively and straightforwardly).  Expect God to do the hard work.  He will.  He’s capable and reliable.  All creation is from Him and relies on Him.  God’s will, plans, and purposes are good and strong, and right.

Be honest and increase your faith today.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your mercy and faithfulness.  Thank you for loving me, a sinner.  Thank you for your grace.  Help me today to plan, encourage and preach.  Amen.



Apple Orchard Falls


Comments

Post a Comment

I'd love to hear your comments, and if you have questions email me at dcbell1111@gmail.com.

Popular posts from this blog

-
Image
 2 Timothy 3 - Are You a Christian, Christian?           Early in my legal career (I'd been practicing about five years and about five years into my Christian walk) I had an interesting encounter with the CEO of one of our firm’s clients.  It was 2001 and technology companies were thriving.           My neighbors in S.W. Calgary were Lebanese immigrants and faithful members of their mosque.  They were some of the best neighbors we’ve ever had.  They owned a bakery that made Pita bread.  I’ll never forget the day we took possession of that house.  As they often would in the eleven years we lived there, they brought me a big bag of fresh bread.  We shared many good conversations with them over the years.  I love them and I pray God blesses them.           My neighbors had a friend from the mosque who was the CEO of Wi-LAN - a publicly listed tech company that held patents for technology that was key to the Blackberry - and later many other mobile phones.  Wi-LAN made many in the mosq
Read more
-
Image
 Hebrews 2:1-5 - Signs and Wonders - Miracles and Gifts I can shock myself at my inability to learn simple lessons.  They say just showing up is 90% of success.  Well, I’m confident inattentiveness, waffling, and ambivalence are keys to failure. In this passage, we hear yet again a warning to “listen very carefully” to God’s message or we run a real risk of total failure - drifting away from God (2:1).  With responsibility comes consequences.  Just ask any sentry, goaltender, place-kicker, or pilot.  You have a job to do - if you don’t do it well the results are clear.  So, let’s do it well. It’s the same as we develop and grow as Christians.  We have to make a decision to grow.  I've been reading about growthmindset lately and I think God is finally getting through to me.           It will not come as a shocker to any dad hooked on porn, a mom who has dabbled in an office romance, or the pastor who’s craftily swindled money from the church.  Christians can’t just casually li
Read more
-
Image
 Hebrews 6 - Faith and Endurance These next two chapters of Hebrews are incredibly encouraging for the Christian.  God gives us confidence and courage to do what we must.  When the whistle blows, be ready to go.  God in Heaven is developing your character; He’s preparing you to fight His battles.           We are responsible to grow.  We know that God repays people for the wrong they have done (Jeremiah 50:24).  And that God uses whomsoever He chooses as His instruments of justice (Jeremiah 50:20).  “For the LORD is a God who gives just punishment; he always repays in full” (Jeremiah 50:56). Thinking of God’s character is sobering, and good.  We know Jesus is the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.  In the next few chapters, we hear the truth about who Jesus is and our responsibilities to Him. Nearly 2,000 years after the death, burial, and resurrection of our King we are reminded that there are false teachers today - those leading people astray for power and greed - just as there
Read more