The purpose of the apostolic letter of Romans is to introduce Paul as well as to give a sample of his key message before he arrives in Rome. Paul wrote that due to our rebellion against God—against what is right— all humanity has been condemned. But God is merciful and gracious and offers us justification, or a way to be made right, through faith in Jesus Christ, His Son. By Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we have been redeemed and saved.
On Monday, we learn from Rom 1 that God Releases Power In Gospel. On Tuesday, we learn from Rom 3 that God Delivers Us From Sin. On Wed, we learn from Rom 5 that God Uses Trials for Good. On Thu, we learn from Rom 8 that Christ Frees us from Condemnation. On Friday, we learn from Rom 11 that Christ Amazes With His Love. On Saturday, we learn from Rom 12 that God Renews & Transforms Us.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are worthy of our Praise as You Release Power in the Gospel and Deliver Us from sin; For You are worthy of our Thanks as You Use Trials For Our Good and Free Us From Condemnation; For Christ Amazes us with His Love and You Renew & Transform Us. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
God Renews & Transforms Us; Inspiring: Take My Life & Let It Be
What u believe affect how u behave. For 11 chapters Paul has set forth the doctrine of the Christian faith. The balance of his letter moves into the practical outworking of that faith. For every assignment, there is an enablement from God: Serve one another using the gifts God gave you; be subject to higher authorities; be sensitive to needs of weaker brothers; be united in purpose & have mind of Christ.
British hymnwriter Frances Ridley Havergal wrote this hymn in Feb 1874.
Two months earlier, she had made a complete surrender of herself to Christ. She wrote: I just yielded myself to Him, and utterly trusted Him to keep me. And in so doing I experienced blessedness of true consecration Ever, only All for Thee. The hymn: “Take My Life & Let It Be” was largely inspired by Romans 12.
Lord, we Consecrate our being to U: Give your bodies to God. Let them be a Living Sacrifice… When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask? (Rom 12:1) Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God Transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will Know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is (v2). Let love be without hypocrisy… Be kindly affectionate to one another… fervent in spirit, serving the Lord… continuing steadfast in prayer(9-12).
Lord, I don’t really know what these days will hold, but I offer myself to You as a living sacrifice. Fill me with Your spirit of love, joy, peace and patience. Renew and transform my mind with Your truth. Make me to be a new person, and show me what You want me to do, the person You want me to minister. And all glory be unto You. Amen.
Lord, help me grow closer to You. Help me understand the difference between what You desire and what the world offers. Teach me not to apply the behaviours and customs of this world but Be Transformed into a new person. As I seek to follow You, let me know Your will. And help me Lord stay on the right track as I purpose to take small steps of faith each day. Amen
Lord, do Your transforming work in me through Your Word that I may learn to know Your heart desires. Give me the mind of Christ so that I’ll be able to make wise decisions that will also be pleasing to You. Guide me Lord in Your way and by Your Word to embrace Your will. And work in me Lord not only to will but to do Your good pleasure. Amen.
Lord, Take my life and let it be Consecrated Lord to Thee; Take my moments and my days Let them flow in ceaseless praise(2). Take my hands & let them move At the impulse of Thy love; Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee (x2)… Take my will and make it Thine It shall be no longer mine; Take my heart, it is Thine own, It shall be Thy royal throne…Amen.
Charles Gabriel was born in 1856 Iowa. He is credited with writing up to 8,000 hymns and songs in his life. Some of his hymns include His Eye is on the Sparrow, The Old Rugged Cross & Away in a Manger. Gabriel wrote both the words and melody for I Stand Amazed in the Presence. Rev Carlton Young, editor of United Methodist Hymnal, notes: This song of gratitude for the atoning death of Jesus is a personal interpretation of Luke’s account of Jesus’ sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. And we stand amazed at the depth of God’s love and the way He works. The hymn also inspired by Rom 11.
Lord, we’re Grateful and we Adore: (Jesus) withdrew from them… and He knelt down and prayed: Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done…Being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down (Lk 22:41-44) Frankly, I Stand Amazed at the unfathomable complexity of God’s wisdom and God’s knowledge. How could man ever Understand His Reasons for action or explain His methods of working?(Rom11:33-34)
Lord Jesus, we enter into praise and thanksgiving because of Your Deep Love for each of us. Fact that Jesus says “not My will but Yours” shows Jesus loves us more than He loves Himself. Realising how much Jesus loves us, challenges us how much we should love Him in Gratitude. And one day we will be in heaven standing before our Savior, thanking Him for His Great Love to me! Amen.
Lord, I will stop thinking that I must understand everything You are doing before I’m willing to accept it. Forgive me for foolishly thinking my plans will be better than Yours. Forgive me for arrogantly thinking I know more than You about the solutions to my problems. I may not understand Your decisions, but I purpose to accept them. And though I may not be able to trace Your ways, but I will go wherever You may lead. Amen.
I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean… How marvelous! How wonderful And my song shall ever be: How marvelous! How wonderful is my Savior’s love for me!! For me it was in the garden He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.” He bore the burden to Calvary, and suffered and died for me…
Christ Frees Us from Condemnation& Inspiring the hymn: And Can It Be
Backgrounder on Romans 6-8: Paul anticipates questions arising fr hearing gospel of grace. If God’s grace is free, then am I free to sin? If I am free from the law, then can I ignore the ethical demands of the law? Paul has no illusions that becoming a Christian means the end of your troubles. But the life -giving Spirit provides confidence, for victorious Christian living in the storms of everyday life.
Charles Wesley is probably the greatest hymn writer the church has ever known. From the time of conversion in 1738, Wesley wrote an average of two hymns a week for 50 years composing five to six thousand hymns during his lifetime. Most of these hymns were written as he travelled with his brother John, ministering to thousands of poor farmers and illiterate coal miners. These were people at the margin of society, people most churches did not bother to think about. It was for them that Charles Wesley composed his hymns, where people experienced the love of God.
Lord, we’ll Flow with the Spirit: There is No Condemnation for those who are In Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:1-2). The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. He who searches our hearts… intercedes for the saints in accordance with the will of God (v26-27). And we know that in all things God Works for the Good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). Amen.
Father, forgive me for the times that I wrongly think You want to punish me for my failures. For Jesus took my punishment and gave me His righteousness. Because of that Father You see me as perfect and precious. And Lord, help me to better understand Your grace and mercy so that I might be more gracious and merciful. Amen.
Lord Jesus, No Condemnation are two of the most beautiful words. Yet some days they are hard to believe, hard to really take hold of. On one hand, I may be quick some- time to blame others for the problem but deep down I condemn myself. Help me Lord to live in the reality of the freedom that comes from Your grace and be at peace. Amen.
Holy Spirit, help me in my weakness by interceding for me and thru me. You know the will of the Father and You know what to pray for. Guide me and teach me especially when I have exhausted all words. Help me to communicate to God my deepest thoughts, feelings, fears and doubts, so that my prayers are pleasing to God. Amen
God Uses Trials for Good; and Inspiring: It Is Well With My Soul
After painting humanity’s sorry condition, Paul turns to God’s merciful solution. Jesus’ death on the cross has paid sin’s penalty and satisfied God’s righteous demand. To the one who in faith accepts Jesus’ payment, God stamps across the debt of sin: Paid in Full. That is justification. Its basis is the work of Christ; its means is the grace of God; its requirement is faith in God and His promise.
Knowing his friend Dwight Moody was going to preach in England in fall 1871, Horatio Stafford decided to take his family to England. His wife & 4 daughters went ahead on SS Ville and he planned to follow a few days. But on Atlantic Ocean the ship was struck by an iron vessel and sank. 260 lives were lost including Spafford’s four girls; and Mrs Spafford cabled her husband: Saved alone. Horatio Spafford booked passage on the next ship. Crossing the Atlantic, the captain pointed the place where he thot SS Ville had gone down. And that night Spafford penned the words: When sorrows like sea billows roll… It is well, it is well with my soul; inspired also by Romans 5.
Lord, we Allow Trials Shape us: Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, thru whom we’ve gained access by faith into this grace(Rom 5:1-2) We can rejoice when we run into trials, for they help us to Endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will Not Disappoint us. For God loves us dearly (Rom 5:3-4). Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him… We can rejoice because of what Jesus has done for us in making us Friends of God (v9-11). Amen.
Father, I rejoice in my relationship with You God because of what Jesus Christ has done for me. Having an intimate relationship with Jesus also enables me have an eternal perspective about anything that may happen to me. I gratefully praise You for the joy & peace such a friendship brings. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Lord, I place my Hope in You. I trust that You are working on my behalf, no matter how difficult the circumstances can become. For I believe that You won’t just put me through trials; but that You also plan joys for me too. Please fill me Lord with hope the kind that comes from Your Spirit and cannot disappoint. And help me live in that hope. Amen.
Lord, You want me to Trust You in the hard times. But rejoicing isn’t natural for me, so make it my supernatural response to the pressures and difficulties in life. Lord, I surrender and allow myself to be molded and shaped by trials. Teach me Lord to Endure so that my faith will grow steadily and get stronger over time. Be Still My Soul & in Your mercy do restore me Lord and I will Be Complete In You. Amen.
Backgrounder on Romans 1-3: Paul begins by describing the helpless condition of humanity. A rebellious nature has led to rejectn of the Creator & worship of creation God in turn has permitted the sinful nature of human beings to express the fullness of its corruption and the whole human race stands helpless before God. Truly, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But the gift of God is eternal life In Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lord, we’re Grateful for Your Mercy: All have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us Not Guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has Freed us by Taking Away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins… We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing His life for us (Rom 3:23-25). Amen.
Father,thanks for loving us so much that You make us right with You. As You could not overlook sins, You sent Yr Son as sacrifice to take the punishment our sins required. Grateful we made right with U when we trust Your Son take away our sins and You remember them no more. Because of Jesus’ death, You God declares me Not Guilty; and sees Christ’s righteousness instead of my sin. Thanks for giving the Spirit to empower me not to sin. Amen.
Lord, praise You for being Merciful. And thank You for not giving us the eternal death that we deserve; instead we’re given life in Christ. Jesus had said blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Teach me to Be Merciful also by overlooking the wrongs of others. Grant me grace to be willing to bless those who don’t deserve it. Amen.
Lord, challenge us to sow seeds of kindness so that people’s hearts be softened & open to the gospel which can set them free. Open our spiritual eyes that we might see those in our life who are hurting & open to the Good News. Grant us Lord courage to seize every opportunity and share the gospel message with them. Amen.
God Releases Power In Gospel. (Christ for the World We Sing)
In his introductory greeting to the believers in Rome, the apostle Paul begins his legal brief by describing the helpless condition of humanity. A rebellious nature has led to rejection of the Creator and worship of the creation. God in turn has permitted the sinful nature of human beings to express the fullness of its corruption and the whole human race stands helpless before God. Truly, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!!
Samuel Wolcott wanted to be missionary in Syria, but after 2 years there he had to return to America. While attending a YMCA convention in Cleveland, he was captivated by a huge banner with the words: “Christ for the World and the World for Christ”. As Wolcott left the meeting, the words for this hymn took shape in his mind; inspired also by Romans 1:16-17. Wolcott learned that the “world” for whom Christ died included not only distant lands like Syria where he had tried to serve, but also the poor, the burdened, the lost, sorrow-worn in needy places where he ministered.
Lord, we will Share the Gospel: The gospel promises beforehand through His prophets… regarding His Son… who through the Spirit… was declared to be the Son of God, by His resurrection from the dead Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 1:2-4). I want you to know… that I planned many times to visit you… So, I am eager to come to you in Rome too to preach God’s Good News(v13-15) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes… For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:16-17).
Heavenly Father, You sent Jesus into this world so that through Him we have been declared righteous and that we can be freed from sin. Enlarge our appreciation & affection for Christ Jesus and Your gospel. Let the good news of righteousness provided to us in Christ transform our interactions and expectations. And work in us Lord through the good news of Your grace toward those who yet to know You. Amen.
Lord, we have treasure in Your gospel which does for us what we cannot possibly accomplish. What You Christ has done means that my sins have been forgiven, that I’ve right standing with God; and that God is at work to produce the righteous life He desires. Deepen my gratitude to You so that I live worthy of the gospel. Amen.
Lord Jesus, we thank You for the gospel that enables us to receive forgiveness & have peace with God. Help us look at others through Christ’s eyes; for You seek and reach out to the spiritually poor. Help us sow deeds of kindness and share the gospel to the lost. Help us live out the message: Christ for the world we live! Amen.
Christ for the world we sing; The world to Christ we bring With loving zeal — The poor and them that mourns, The faint and over-borne, Sin-sick and sorrow-worn, For Christ to heal… Christ for the world we sing; The world to Christ we bring With fervent prayer — The wayward and the lost, Reclaimed from error’s lot, Redeemed at countless cost From dark despair. Amen.
Almighty God Always Near Us; Inspiring God of Earth, Sky & Sea
Paul’s second missionary journey begins with a new companion-Silas. The team soon doubles in size as Timothy and Luke areadded. Initially given a warm reception in Philippi, Paul & Silas soon experience flogging and imprisonment for disrupting the profitable soothsaying business. But God uses even this to bring a jailer and his family to salvation.
American clergyman & hymn writer Samuel Longfellow (1819-1892), brother of the famous poet Henry Longfellow, loved the seashore. He once compiled a book called Thalatta, including all the charming bits of poetry in the language about the sea and the seashore. Like many of the psalms, this hymn praises God for His involvement in nature. Paul in Acts 17 wrote: the invisible qualities of God are clearly seen in what God has created. Longfellow echoes Paul’s message here. For God’s love and power are clearly seen in the events of nature.
Lord, You Are Always Near Us: He is the God who made the world and everything in it… From one man He created the nations throughout the whole earth. God decided beforehand when (nations) should rise and fall, and He determines their boundaries (Acts 17:24-26). His Purpose in all of this was that the nations should Seek After God and perhaps feel their way towards Him and find Him – though He Is Not Far from any one of us (v27). For In Him We Live and move and have our being… For we are also His offspring (v28).
Lord, help us to live with a strong sense of purpose; and be open to Your Purpose You have for us. Help us to slow down enough to see opportunities; not just big things but also in everyday things. Help me to be sensitive to people and their needs; and be willing to be Your hands & feet to them. Help me Lord fulfill the spiritual assignment You have for me. Amen.
Lord, You may seem nearer to us when we seek & draw near to You. But the reality and today’s passage remind us You are always Near us. Help me Lord notice Your Presence in every situation, watching over me. Praise You Lord for being Provider, Guide, Shield, Healer and Comforter. Even when it seems You’re far away, You are in reality Nearby. Amen.
Lord, we want You to be the one In Whom We Live & have our being. We want to hear Your voice Lord, above all other voices in our lives. But we get bogged down in routine and things that want our attention. And we relegate You to Sundays and times when we need Your rescue. Lord, with all our human failings, help us recognize Your presence. Challenge, inspire and make us into the people You want us to be. Amen.
God of the earth, the sky, the sea, Maker of all above below, Creation lives and moves in Thee, Thy present life thru all doth flow… Thy love is in the sunshine’s glow, Thy life is in the quickening air; When lightnings flash & storm blow, There’s Thy power; Thy law is there.. We feel Thy calm at evening’s hour, Thy grandeur in the march of night; When the morning breaks in power, We hear Thy word:Let there be light!
The purpose of the book of Acts is to give an accurate account of the birth and growth of the church. Acts traces the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem following the ascension of Christ, and the subsequent spread and growth of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. Peter played the leadership role in the first 12 chapters, while Paul travels and trials dominate the last 16 chapters.
On Monday, we learn from Acts 1 that Christ Made Us His Witnesses. On Tuesday, we learn from Acts 2 that Christ Provides Power Source. On Wed, we learn from Acts 4 that Christ the Cornerstone Strengthens. On Thurs, we learn from Acts 9 that God Arranges Divine Encounters. On Friday, we learn from Acts 13 that God Acts on Earnest Prayers. On Saturday, we learn from Acts 17 that Almighty God Always Near Us.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are worthy of our Praise as Christ Made Us His Witnesses and You Arrange Divine Encounters; For You are worthy of our Thanks as Christ Provides Power Source and as the Cornerstone Strengthens Us; For You God Acts on Earnest Prayers and as Almighty Is Always Near Us. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Almighty God Always Near Us; Inspiring God of Earth, Sky & Sea
Paul’s second missionary journey begins with a new companion– Silas. The team soon doubles in size as Timothy and Luke are added. Initially given a warm reception in Philippi, Paul & Silas soon experience flogging and imprisonment for disrupting the profitable soothsaying business. But God uses even this to bring a jailer and his family to salvation.
American clergyman & hymn writer Samuel Longfellow (1819-1892), brother of the famous poet Henry Longfellow, loved the seashore. He once compiled a book called Thalatta, including all the charming bits of poetry in the language about the sea and the seashore. Like many of the psalms, this hymn praises God for His involvement in nature. Paul in Acts 17 wrote: the invisible qualities of God are clearly seen in what God has created. Longfellow echoes Paul’s message here. For God’s love and power are clearly seen in the events of nature.
Lord, You Are Always Near Us: He is the God who made the world and everything in it… From one man He created the nations throughout the whole earth. God decided beforehand when (nations) should rise and fall, and He determines their boundaries (Acts 17:24-26). His Purpose in all of this was that the nations should Seek After God and perhaps feel their way towards Him and find Him – though He Is Not Far from any one of us (v27). For In Him We Live and move and have our being… For we are also His offspring (v28).
Lord, help us to live with a strong sense of purpose; and be open to Your Purpose You have for us. Help us to slow down enough to see opportunities; not just big things but also in everyday things. Help me to be sensitive to people and their needs; and be willing to be Your hands & feet to them. Help me Lord fulfill the spiritual assignment You have for me. Amen.
Lord, You may seem nearer to us when we seek & draw near to You. But the reality and today’s passage remind us You are always Near us. Help me Lord notice Your Presence in every situation, watching over me. Praise You Lord for being Provider, Guide, Shield, Healer and Comforter. Even when it seems You’re far away, You are in reality Nearby. Amen.
Lord, we want You to be the one In Whom We Live & have our being. We want to hear Your voice Lord, above all other voices in our lives. But we get bogged down in routine and things that want our attention. And we relegate You to Sundays and times when we need Your rescue. Lord, with all our human failings, help us recognize Your presence. Challenge, inspire and make us into the people You want us to be. Amen.
God of the earth, the sky, the sea, Maker of all above below, Creation lives and moves in Thee, Thy present life thru all doth flow… Thy love is in the sunshine’s glow, Thy life is in the quickening air; When lightnings flash & storm blow, There’s Thy power; Thy law is there.. We feel Thy calm at evening’s hour, Thy grandeur in the march of night; When the morning breaks in power, We hear Thy word:Let there be light!
