Romans 8:18-27    The old nature is gone.. the new creation now lives.. "we are children of God"!  For this reason, Paul says, "I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." 

All that worry, all that fear and anxiety, all that pain and sorrow... all that suffering... whatever it is that we are facing.. is " not worthy to be compared"  to what God has planned for us!  Hallelujah!  "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.. "  Creation itself is hoping, waiting, groaning, and suffering.. in anticipation of the "freedom" that will come.  "and not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body." 

This is true for me! This body is giving me too much trouble these days... I look forward to the day when what we have hoped in.. what we eagerly wait for.. what creation groans for..  the Day when Jesus comes back again! 

Until then.. oh how glorious.. we have this good news... the Spirit of God also groans.. but His groaning is on our behalf.. "in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words."  He searches our hearts.  He knows our minds.  He intercedes for us "according to the will of God." 

Father in heaven, Abba, who loves me.. I call upon Your Name and You hear me. I seek Your face and You see me. You know my thoughts.. my fears and worries.. my joys and my love... and I surrender all to You.. have Your way in me.  I am eagerly awaiting that wonderful day when Jesus returns.  And, if you call me home before that Day.. then I will trust You in that too. Let Your peace and comfort be ours today in the midst of our sufferings.. in spite of our groaning.. as we persevere in the hope that You have set before us, in Jesus Christ our risen Lord, to whom all glory and honor and praise belongs!  In His holy name we come. Spirit of God pray for us today. Amen. 

 Romans 8:1-17  Good News!  "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."!!! We who were in bondage to sin.. have now died to that relationship and have been born again.. risen with Christ into life that is new and pure and righteous. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death."!  Hallelujah!

Verse 3-4 "For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did; sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who doe not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." 

Before.. we lived according to the flesh.. setting our minds on the flesh (v5); finding the outcome of that mindset to be death (v6); we were "hostile towards God" (v7);  unwilling and unable to keep the Law; (v7);  and unable to please God. (v8). 

But, now, in Christ.. we live according to the Spirit; (v4) setting our minds on "the things of the Spirit". (v5);  finding that outcome to bring life and peace (v6).  "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you." (v11). 

We, who have believed in Jesus and have received His Spirit.. now belong to Him.  We can put "to death the deeds of the body"; we are led by His Spirit and "are sons of God".  We have received "a spirit of adoption.. by which we cry out, 'Abba Father'!"  His Spirit is the witness, testifying to our own spirit that we are now children of God.  And more.. we are heirs of God; fellow heirs with Christ... 

Amazing grace!

Father, bring us fully into this wonderful truth.. knowing that this is who You say we are when we believe and follow Jesus. We are Yours.  Thank You for this amazing and wonderful grace. Amen

 Romans 7 Paul starts this difficult section with a simple illustration.. marriage.   A woman who is married is legally bound to her husband while he is alive. But, if he dies, she is no longer bound by law.  She is "free" to marry again if she chooses to do so.  Paul says that this is a similar relationship that  Jewish believers have to the Law.  They were bound to the Law until they died to it.  They died to the Law "through the body of Christ".. and then were joined to Him "who was raised from the dead... "

The Law.. while holy and righteous and good.. was not able to set anyone free from sin or death.  Instead, the Law "aroused" the "sinful passions" of the flesh. ( v5) 

The Law revealed.. or made known what sin is.. ".. I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, 'You shall not covet'." (v7)

The Law also brought about death.. because once sin was defined, it took over "taking every opportunity through the commandment producing in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead." (v8)  This reminds me of Adam and Eve in the garden.. until the commandment to not eat of the one tree.. it wasn't a temptation.. but when the command was given, then there was an opportunity to sin.. and they sinned.   It also makes me think of a small child.. who once they are told "No!".. can't seem to stop themselves from doing whatever it was they weren't supposed to do... We can all relate!

The Law that "was to result in life, proved to result in death.. " Paul writes. (v10)  This was not the fault of the Law, Paul continues.. "Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful." (v13)

This becomes a real struggle for every one of us, Paul says.  We want to do what is right, but don't. We don't want to do what is wrong.. but we do. Paul confesses that "the principle that evil is present in me" is the problem.. He wants to keep the Law.. agreeing with God, but he sees "a different law in the members of [his] body, waging war against the law of [his] mind, making [him] a prisoner of the law of sin.. " (v21-23)

This brings about despair.. "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of death?" Paul cries out.. and God answers!  "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (v25) 

Jesus is the answer to our dilemma.  This is why we are to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to Him.  He is our only hope and He died to set us free! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, thank You for revealing sin to us.. for the Light of Your Word that uncovers the depth of sin and the cords of death that it brings to every one of us.  Thank You for showing us grace.. the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord.. that through His death and resurrection we have been set free.. forgiven.. reconciled.. cleansed.. and made righteous as we  put our faith in Him. Help us to live holy and blameless lives, forever kept in Your Spirit.. walking in Your Truth.. abiding in Jesus always.  We ask this in His Name. Amen.

 Romans 6  Paul made the comparison between Adam, the man through whom sin entered the world; and Jesus the one Man, through whom grace abounds.  Now, he makes another comparison.. between being a slave to sin and being a slave to righteousness. 

We all start out the same... in slavery.. under the reign of sin and death.  Our "members".. our bodies.. are "instruments of unrighteousness".. given to "impurity and lawlessness".  We are weak.. and headed for destruction. 

But.... when we come to Jesus.. everything changes!  We die to sin..  ".. do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."  (v3-4)   To be baptized "into"  Christ is to be identified with Him.. to be overwhelmed by Him.. taking on His "likeness".   We "become united with Him in the likeness of His death.. also in the likeness of His resurrection." (v5) We are radically and completely changed forever!

Our old selves.. our  "body of sin"  is "done away with".  We are no longer slaves to sin.. we are freed! We are dead to that past life.  It no longer is master over us.   Like Christ, our example, in likeness to Him.. we are to "consider [ourselves] to be dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (v11)  The word "consider" here is the same as "reckon" in chapter 4.. Count.. account.. conclude.. impute.. think!

We no longer present our bodies to do sin.. but we present our bodies "to God as those alive from the dead, and [our] members as instruments of righteousness to God." (v13)  We "present" ourselves to God as His slaves.. "obedient from the heart".. which will result in "sanctification"...  purity.. holiness.. wholeness. And this will bring about the final outcome of "eternal life". 

If we remain slaves to sin.. the outcome.. "the wages"... is death.  If we become slaves to God, by the "free gift" found though Jesus Christ.. we will have eternal life. This is His promise!

Father in heaven,  You are so good to us.. providing us freedom from the mastery of sin and giving us newness of life through Jesus Christ.  And not only that, but making us "like" Him eternally!  Hallelujah! What a Savior!   May we.. help us to.. continually abide in this attitude and relationship of submission, under the authority of our Master!  May we always obey You from our hearts.  Sanctify us through and through .. may our spirits, souls, and bodies be "preserved complete, without blame at the coming the Lord Jesus Christ." You are faithful and You will bring it to pass!  ( I Thes. 5:23) Amen!

 Romans 5:12-21  Paul gives us a side-by-side comparison between Adam, "one man... through whom sin entered into the world.."  and Jesus, the ".. one Man"  who brings grace... reconciliation.. salvation.. justification.. Life!

Adam sinned (v12)

Sin brought death 

Death spread to all men because all sinned;

Death reigned;(v14)

The "transgression of the one..." brought death to many; (v15)

Judgement "arose.. resulting in condemnation"; (v16)

One man's disobedience.. caused "the many" to be sinners. (v19)

And.. sin increased. (v20)

Jesus brought the "free gift"!

Grace abounds! (v15)

"The free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification." (v16)

"... much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." (v 17)

"One act of righteousness.. resulted in justification of life to all men." (v18)

One Man's obedience .. makes many "righteous". (v 19)

Grace abounds more and more! (v20)

Grace "reigns through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (v21)

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, You are good.. ready to forgive.. kind and compassionate.. sending Your Son, the Lamb of God, sacrificed on a cross of death.. to bring us to Life.  How amazing is Your grace towards us that while we were sinners.. enemies.. condemned and helpless.. Jesus came to die for us.  We are so thankful for such a perfect and great Savior and Lord. Reign in us Lord Jesus.. that we might abound in Your grace.. in righteousness.. and in love, sharing  this Good News with those who are still living in darkness, under the reign of death.  Let Your Kingdom come! Shine through Your people that the world might find the hope that is in Christ Jesus! Amen!

 Romans 5: 1-11  We, who believe in Jesus Christ.. that He died for our sins.. that He rose again.. demonstrating the righteousness of God, and that God reckons our faith as righteousness.. now "have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."   We have an "introduction".. or admission "into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God." (v1-2) 

But, this is just the beginning of what God intends for us who belong to Him! "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations.. " What!?  Yes.. that's right. He said "exult"... leap for joy? rejoice greatly? be jubilant and triumphant? Glory in our tribulations? 

Yes, because.. Paul writes, ".. knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (v3-5) Paul will get back to that theme in chapter 8.. but before that... 

He wants us to think about what Jesus has already done for us.. "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.. But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (v6,8)  We were helpless. We were sinners. We were without hope.. until Jesus came and died for us.. in our place.. for our sins. 

However, there is "much more"  that He will do for us who have been "justified"... for "we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.." (v9)  Paul goes on to say, "For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (v10) Reconciled.. changed.. restored.. differences adjusted.. an exchange made.  And then, MORE!  We shall be "saved" - the Greek word here is sozo- delivered; protected;healed;preserved;made whole.  In His death we are justified and reconciled.. but in His life we are saved.. made complete in every way.  

"And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have now received the reconciliation." 

Yes, Father, we exult You. We rejoice greatly and leap for joy at the truth of Your Holy Word.. that Jesus Christ died for our justification.. even while we were helpless, hopeless, sinners.. enemies.  How amazing is Your Grace to us! Our hope is in You.. in Your righteousness and glory... in Your grace and mercy!  We give all praise to Your Name.  Thank You Jesus for giving us this wonderful peace with God our Father, for providing the Way for us to be reconciled and saved from the wrath that we deserved. Thank You for giving to us even more than we could ask or imagine.. for we didn't even know to ask for such mercy and grace.. and You gave it to us anyway.  You are a great God and You love us so.. Words are not enough to thank You.  We love You. Hallelujah and Amen! 

 Romans 4 Paul begins this chapter talking about Abraham.. "For what does Scripture say? And Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."  This word "reckon" is the central theme of Paul's argument here.  It comes from the Greek word "logizomal" which is translated as reckon, account, estimate, conclude, count, impute, etc. Its root word is logos- which we know means something spoken.. the word.. but can also mean a computation, an account,  a motive, or a thought.  John wrote, " In the beginning was the Word.. ( the Logos) and the Word was with God and the Word was God." (1:1)

God "reckoned" Abraham's faith.. "as righteousness".  He took account of Abraham's faith.. He imputed it.. counted it.. and concluded it.. He spoke.. He said.. He declared it.. "his faith is reckoned as righteousness."  Perfect, amazing, wonderful Grace!

Paul is careful to explain that it was not "to the one who works"... and  "not through the Law".. that Abraham was declared righteous.. "For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all." (v16)

Abraham's faith was not in the Law.. for it had not been given yet.  His faith was not in his circumcision.. for that happened afterward as a "seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised.." No, Abraham "in hope against hope.. believed".  He believed that God would keep His promise to make him the father of nations, even though he was 100 years old and his wife was way past childbearing years. Abraham believed in what God would do.. something that he had no way of doing in his own power.. and it was this belief that God reckoned to him as righteousness. 

Therefore, Paul writes, we can have the full assurance that God will do the same for us.. He will reckon our faith.. ".. as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered up because of our transgressions and was raised because of our justification." (v24-25).

"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account." (v7-8 )Or as the NASB says, "How blessed is the man to who the Lord does not impute iniquity."  Paul quotes the Psalm of David (Psalm 32)  

He does not reckon us sinful, guilty, vile, unrighteous, wicked..anymore!  He provided the sacrifice.. the "propitiation in His blood".. and we receive that gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ the One who died for us! Hallelujah! What a Savior! He has "reckoned" us as righteous! 

Father in heaven, Holy and Righteous God, You are just and the justifier for all who will believe in Jesus. We can not work for righteousness. We can not earn it and do not deserve it.. but You have reckoned our faith in Jesus Christ.. taking account of His sacrifice... and imputing it to our accounts. How can we thank You enough? We praise You and bless Your holy Name.  Thank You! Amen and amen!

 Romans 3:21-31 Paul has made it perfectly clear.. with the Law or without the Law.. all men are "under sin".. Yes.. " for all have sinned and fall short to the glory of God." There are none who are righteous.. none who understand the pure standard of holiness that God requires.. none who even seek God on their own. Even those who have been given the Word of God.. the Law and the Prophets.. have not understood that just  doing the things of the Law are not enough.  People can not be good enough or perfect enough to meet God's perfect righteousness... "by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight..." 

"But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested.. through faith in Jesus Christ." (v21-22)  "Being justified" Paul tells us, is "a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus". 

Jesus was "displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.." Jesus.. the Sacrifice, the atonement; paid the penalty by His blood. "This was to demonstrate His righteousness because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." 

God is just. He does not ignore sin. He cannot.. He judges it.  Every sin - for every person. He is completely fair, impartial, and perfect in His judgement. And we all are rightly.. justly condemned. But, He does not leave us in our hopeless state.. He gives us.. all of us.. freedom to be redeemed from all unrighteousness.. to be justified. He renders us innocent.. righteous.. when we have faith in Jesus Christ.  Not faith in our keeping the rules.. not faith in our good works.. but only through faith in Jesus Christ, the One who was publicly displayed as the propitiation.. on the cross. 

Praise God who is our Justifier.. freely giving us salvation by His grace when we have faith in Jesus Christ.  Father, thank You for such grace.. amazing and wonderful.. for what could we ever do to earn or deserve such a great salvation?  Only by Your righteousness can we come to know these truths.  You are perfect in all of Your ways, gracious and compassionate towards a wayward and sinful world.  You have not left us in our sins but have given us the Way, the Truth, and the Life.. Jesus Christ. We are so thankful. May we be faithful to love You.. to serve You.. and to give You all praise and glory and honor as we begin to understand.. more and more.. the greatness of this gift and the greatness of our God. Amen. 

 Romans 3: 1-20

Paul reasons with his readers.. Jews and  Gentiles.. showing that all are under the same God.. with the same expectations.. and the same need.. to be justified.  The Jews had the Law, they were... ."entrusted with the oracles of God".. but, their unrighteousness and their unbelief would no more save them from God's wrath than the Gentiles in their ignorance of the Law. 

"There is none righteous, not even one.. " Paul cites from Psalm 14.. "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one." 

The Law "speaks to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God.. "  Doing the works of the Law, Paul writes, is unable to save.. the Law just simply teaches what sin is.. 

What a powerful statement.. "all the world"  is  "accountable to God"!  To understand that truth  really does shut our mouths!  We live in a culture that no longer believes they are accountable to anyone.. let alone God. They don't believe the Bible has any say in how they live.. they don't even know what the Bible really says....

As Christians, we have also been "entrusted with the oracles of God".. we have been given the Word of God and we know these truths.. that all have sinned, that all are accountable to God, that all are under the wrath of God unless they are justified by God through faith.  Perhaps we need to speak up more about the reality of sin and judgement. There is a lot of criticism for "hell fire and brimstone" preachers.. but they are not  wrong.. A world that does not recognize what sin means.. does not know that they even need to be saved from it; they have no idea the price that they will pay for their sins. 

Father in heaven, forgive us for trying to make Christianity about anything less than the full truth.. that every man, woman, and child is sinful, unrighteous and headed for a judgement that will be perfectly just.  We all have sinned and fall short of Your glory.  We are all accountable to You and will stand before You.  Our only hope is Jesus.. Praise You Lord for the free gift of salvation by the grace You have poured out on us through Christ Jesus. May the good news of Jesus be made known throughout our world today.. Send forth Your workers, Lord! Send us.  Grant us the open doors.. and the right words to speak up to those who need to hear these truths. Thank You, Lord God. Amen. 

 Romans 2:17-29  Paul writes of what the Jewish teachers were trusting in and boasting of.. 

They relied on the Law.. they claimed to know God's will.  They approved "the things that are essential." They were confident that they were a "guide to the blind..a light in darkness."  They corrected the foolish. They taught the immature... " a teacher .. having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and truth." (v17-20)

But.. they did not live what they taught.  "You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal? You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?" Their sin was worse.. "You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?"  In fact, Paul says, their transgression of the Law that they taught would make their circumcision to become "uncircumcision." What they boasted of.. would become worthless because of their failure to live up to their own teaching. 

On the other hand, Paul writes, the man who is uncircumcised yet keeps the Law.. would be considered "circumcised".  It would be a "circumcision.. which is of the heart, by the Spirit not by the letter; and his praise not from men, but from God."  Not an outward sign in the flesh declaring one's religion.. but an inward change in the heart.. revealing a life set apart for the Lord. 

Over and over Jesus pointed out to the Jews of His time that they were only living an outward show of honoring God.. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness."  Their hearts were full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 

Father, help us to live fully surrendered.. full of Your Spirit.. doing Your will.. persevering in faith by the power of Your love and grace. We do not want to be hypocrites.. blind and dark in our own understanding. Shine Your light into our hearts and help us Father, to be covered by the righteousness that is in Christ our Savior.. living for You through every circumstance.  We ask this in His wonderful Name. Amen. 

 Romans 2:1-16  "Therefore.."  Because mankind has rejected God.. "although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death.. " they are.. we all are.. "without excuse".   God has revealed Himself to mankind.. in Creation.. in the Word.. and in His Son. We all have been given the choice.. the free will to choose.. good or evil. 

Paul addresses those who act as judges.. those who condemn others and excuse themselves.  He rebukes those who say one thing and do another.  The confession of faith is important.. but if our actions do not back up our words.. they are useless. 

God's judgement, on the other hand, is perfect. "And we know that the judgement of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things..(v2)..." For He will "render to every man according to his deeds." (v6)

Do we "think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience..?"  Do we have "stubborn and unrepentant hearts"?  Are we "selfishly ambitious",  disobedient to the truth, filled with unrighteousness and wrath and indignation"?   Then we should expect judgement.. no matter what our claim is in regard to faith.

But, if we persevere in "doing good" and seek the "glory and honor and immortality" that Jesus alone can give.. then we have eternal life. God is the one who justifies us.. not by what we hear.. but by what we do in response to what we hear. He looks at our hearts.. he knows our thoughts... and He judges according to the truth. "..for not the hearers of the Law, but the doers of the Law will be justified." (v 13)

Again, we turn to the good news.. the gospel that" is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..."  May we encourage one another in the truth of God's grace and forgiveness, for we are all in need of His kindness, forbearance, and patience! He leads us to repentance.. so may we not harden our stubborn hearts, but fully yield to Him in every way... every day. 

Father, You see our hearts.. lead us into absolute surrender to Your perfect will. May Your power fill us with Your Truth that we might walk faithfully.. doing the good that You have called us to do.  Be glorified in us, Your children, today. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Romans 1:18-32  Paul has reminded us that the gospel is the power to save... it is the revealed righteousness of God.. and it must be received by faith.. We are persuaded, convinced, certain, and constant in the Truth.  Jesus Christ came for one purpose.. to seek and to save those who are lost... 

And, this part of Paul's letter spells out just how lost mankind really is...  "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." 

Mankind has "suppressed the truth". Suppressing the evidence within themselves that God even exists.  Refusing to see the truth of God's work of creation, men make up their own theories.. foolish ideas of how a planet, once barren and empty, has become a planet full of life.. perfectly situated in a galaxy that is beyond our grasp. 

Mankind suppressed the truth about the One True God.. "even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God.."  They chose to exchange "the glory of the incorruptible God.. "  for idols.  They "exchanged the truth of God for a lie.."  The very same people who saw the Red Sea part, who watched a pillar of fire lead them through the night, and who heard God's voice thunder on the mountain.. were the ones who demanded a golden calf to worship.  Things have not changed much "under the sun".. for men still refuse the truth of God and chose to follow after idols of their own.. whatever pleases them at the moment. 

Suppression of the Truth brings consequences..  "Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity... for this reason God gave them over to degrading passions.. . And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind.. " ( v24;26; 28)  Three times Paul tells us that God acts against those who will not honor Him, believe Him, or even acknowledge Him. When God.. gives them over.. the result is devastating:

Men and women lose their natural, God-given identities.. resulting in "unnatural.. indecent.. not proper" behavior.... "being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." (v29-32)

I hate to watch the news.. but when I hear it, my thoughts always turn to this passage.. for I truly believe that God has given America over .. for our nation has suppressed the truth.. over and over and over again... and we are seeing the consequences across the nation on the nightly news. 

Yet, we are not overcome yet.. and God in His grace has given us the Good News of Jesus Christ which has the power to save.  May the Word of Truth be spoken loud and clear across our land today!

Father, You alone are God, our Creator and our Savior.  We hallow Your Name and we give You honor and praise and thanks.  How marvelous is Your grace to us in Christ Jesus. Father we ask that Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Deliver us from the evil one.. from the deceiver and from those who suppress the truth and lead others into wickedness.  Protect the children, Lord God, from those who wish to destroy their innocence and pervert their thinking. O God, how we need Your Spirit of power, of love, and of sound minds.. to stand firm and to wield the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God in this land where You have placed us. Fill us now, Father and keep us walking in the Truth.. in Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. 

 Romans 1:1-17   Paul begins this letter to the Romans.. perhaps the most impactful and profound of his letters.. with a declaration of the Gospel..of which he is "not ashamed.. for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.. " ( v16) 

V 2 - the Gospel was "promised beforehand".. through the prophets. 

V3- The Son.. "a descendant of David according to the flesh".. as foretold.

V4- He was  "..declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord." 

This gospel.. this good news.. is what we have received through faith in Jesus.. by grace. 

Paul says he was called to "bring about the obedience of faith".  Obedience - (translated from the Greek word hupakoe) - attentive harkening; compliance; or submission.   Matthew Henry wrote, "The Christian profession does not consist in a notional knowledge or bare assent, much less in perverse disputings, but in obedience."  It is the privilege of the Christian, he says, the "beloved of God" to be "members of the body which is beloved."  And secondly.. "The duty of Christians; to be holy, hereunto are they called, called to be saints." ( emphasis mine)

In other words, when we say we are Christians it must not be just words.. a notion or idea.. an opinion or a concept.. there must be a real faith that brings about transformation seen in obedience to the Truth. Faith - (Gr. pistis) - persuasion; credence; conviction of the truth; reliance upon Christ for salvation; constancy in such profession.. Faith that will be seen in holiness.. in a life filled with the "grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (v7)

Paul was thankful that the faith of the Roman Christians was being "proclaimed throughout the whole world".  It was genuine faith that was evident in their lives as they walked in obedience to Christ. His desire was to come to them in person.. to encourage them, to be encouraged by them, to "impart some spiritual gift to" them.. that they might be "established". 

Paul was eager to get to Rome.  He was called to go to Rome. We know from the book of Acts that he never backed down on that calling.. even though it took prison, a ship wreck, and more to get him there.  He was ready to preach the gospel.. the power of God for salvation to Jews and Greeks.. and Romans! 

How wonderful is the gospel of Jesus Christ .. "in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'But the righteous shall live by faith.'" 

Father in heaven, we give thanks to You for the obedience that the Apostle Paul displayed in proclaiming the gospel in Rome and elsewhere... for we are ones who have heard the Good News too!  Thank You for calling us to faith in Jesus Christ who is Lord of all.. the Way, the Truth and the Life. In Him we put our faith.. persuaded, convinced, convicted, and constantly relying on Him.  May we be obedient to Your Word and to Your Spirit.. to the glory of Your Name and to the glory of Christ Jesus in Whom we live, for it is in His name we pray. Amen. 

 Ecclesiastes 10-12  Chapters 10 and 11 are full of various proverbs.. words of wisdom and warnings about foolishness.  The Preacher has written about the reality of life according to his observations.  He has seen darkness and light; wickedness and righteousness; wisdom and folly.   His conclusion is found in 12:13.. " when all has been heard.. fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgement, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or bad." 

His advice?  "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth.. " (12:1)  Before the evils of this world weigh you down. Before there is darkness. Before old age causes your teeth to rot and your eyes to grow dim.. before your knees give out and your bones start creaking. "Remember Him before the silver cord is broken.."  Before death comes knocking.  Start young.. before it is too late!

The Study Bible commentary says it this way.. "The Preacher has taken us on a journey through all types of doubts and fear which man may encounter during a lifetime. His theme has been that all the things which now seem so important are utterly empty in the final analysis." 

Looking back at all that he wrote.. I am again drawn back to the prayer of Moses.. "Teach us to number our days.."  May we evaluate our lives.. our priorities.. our purposes.. our intentions, in the light of God's truths.  When all is said and done.. when we face the final day.. will we be able to say that we feared God and kept His commandments?   Or as Jesus taught us.. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in HIs love... This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." ( John 15:10;12)

Father, take my life.. and let it be, consecrated Lord to You each and every day. Help me to love as Jesus loves. Help us to not take tomorrow for granted.. but to live each and every day in the light of Your Truth. May our children and grandchildren.. and great-grandchildren.. follow Jesus with all their heart. Thank You for those who have given their lives to Jesus already. Sanctify them through and through! Open the eyes and hearts of those who are still walking in the folly of this world, that they might turn their eyes to Jesus.  I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. 

 Ecclesiastes 8-9  The Preacher continues to struggle with what he considers the futility of life.  It is good to have wisdom and to do what is right.. but in the end.. does it make any difference?  "No man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind, or authority over the day of death; and there is no discharge in the time of war, and evil will not deliver those who practice it." (v8) 

Sinners seem to prosper.  Righteous men seem to suffer.  Wisdom doesn't fully satisfy... so "eat.. drink.. and be merry". 

Jesus used these very same words in the parable of the rich man found in Luke 12... noting the Lord's response to such and attitude.. . "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'" The lesson Jesus is teaching is about trusting God and not your "treasures".  For "life is more than food, and the body more than clothing... but seek for His kingdom... "  Treasures in heaven are unfailing. Treasures on earth are.. like the Preacher says, "Vanity". 

We are "in the hand of God" the Preacher says, "It is the same for all."  One fate.. one end.. one life...  The writer of Hebrews said, "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after that comes the judgement... " The Preacher makes this point.. "man does not know his time.. "  So,"whatever you hand finds to do, verily do it with all your might for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going."  Paul echoed this in Col. 3:23  adding a wonderful word of hope... "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." 

What can we take from these chapters today?  Life is in God's hands. We do not know how many days He will give us.  We cannot control it.  We can choose to live each day to the full for the glory of our God, whom we serve.  We can take a hard look at ourselves.. what are we striving after?  Is there any value in it?  Does it serve Jesus? Where is my treasure ?

Father in heaven, how we need Your grace and mercy every day!  Praise God that You are faithful and Your mercies are new every morning.  Thank You that our lives are safe inYour Hands. We are Your children and we are loved by You.  We fall short of all that we would like to be and do.. yet You have made us complete in Christ our Lord. Thank You! We stand in His righteousness and proclaim His holy name! Whatever You have for us today.. may we serve You with all our hearts and minds and strength by the power of Your Spirit who lives in us.. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 Ecclesiastes 7  The Preacher takes another look at wisdom and foolishness.. and sees little benefit in either.  "I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in wickedness."  ( v15)  His advice?  "Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?" (v17-18) 

It is impossible, the Preacher tells us, to be completely righteous. "Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices." ( v29) 

God made days of "prosperity" and days of "adversity", the Preacher writes.  We all will know those kinds of days.  It is better to walk in wisdom and righteousness..  he admits.. "A good name is better than a good ointment..(v1) "It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man than for one to listen to the song of fools." (v5)..." Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit." (v8)  Yet, the Preacher still searched for meaning in it all. 

Eccl. 12:10-11 tell us that the Preacher wanted to write "words of truth".. words that would "goad" his readers.. to think.. to consider.. to come to the conclusion that he came to.. "when all has been heard... fear God and keep His commandments... for God will bring every act to judgement.. " 

Perhaps chapter 7 is "goading" us to consider "wisdom" or "folly".. to consider "righteousness" and "wickedness"... to consider our purpose and God's purpose for us.  He wrote at the beginning of this chapter, ".. the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth...It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart." (v1-2)    It is similar to the Psalm of Moses (90:12) " So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom."  Life is fleeting.. we need to  know that.. to consider it seriously..  and not waste our days with "chasing after the wind"... on futility and folly.. but to live in the Truth of God's word, keeping His commandments.. trusting in His will and purposes for us. 

"Oh satisfy us in the morning with Thy lovingkindness That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Moses prayed.  "And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and do confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes confirm the work of our hands." ( Psalm 90: 14, 17)

Father in heaven,  our days have been ordained for each of us.. written before we were even formed in our mothers' wombs.  You made us for Your purpose and for Your glory.  We are Your "workmanship".. Your creation in Jesus "for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:10) Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to live in faith and obedience.. in truth and righteousness with wisdom from above.. pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering and without hypocrisy. ( James 3:17).  Let all we do and all we say be for Your glory and honor!  Bring Your Kingdom, Lord! Let Your will be done and Your Name exalted in all the earth.  We ask these things in the Name of Jesus. Amen. 

 Ecclesiastes 6  The Preacher goes back to his theme of vanity or futility.  "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent among men - " 

It is evil when a man works hard and does well.. but a "foreigner" comes and takes it away. 

It is evil when a man has many children and lives many years..  but is never satisfied and when he dies.. no one even cares enough to give him a proper burial. 

It is evil when a man lives a long prosperous life.. but never takes the time to enjoy anything. 

The Preacher writes, "For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living?"   It is all futile in his opinion.. for all die the same. "For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow.. " 

We recognize this type of thinking.. it is a worldview that seems to be quite prevalent today.  Work and make money.. live like you want.. do what you want to..care only about yourself.... nothing really matters anyway..  It is a hopeless and sad way of life.. it is no wonder there are so many people depressed and sick and hurting..  

Yet, we have an answer!  Not what they want to hear.. but what they need to hear!  

Jesus came for this very reason.. to reveal to us a God who sees us,  who loves us, and who wants to give us Life.. abundant and eternal!  There is hope in Him!

When troubles come.. He gives strength.

When all is lost.. He brings help. 

When we wait on Him.. He hears us. 

When we ask.. He answers.  When we seek.. He is there. When we knock.. He opens the door. 

Father, we hear this word and see the hopelessness in those around us. We pray that You will show us ways to share the truth of Your love and grace with those around us. Let the Word of God run rapidly and freely in this land we pray.. in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Ecclesiastes 5 The Preacher has made his argument.. that life is short.. that there is nothing new under the sun.. that much of what we call essential in this life is really vanity and "striving after wind".  Two exceptions... our work.. if we are able to just enjoy it as a gift from God.. and our relationships.. for "two are better than one.. "   In this chapter the Preacher delivers a very wise message.. 

"Guard your steps as you go to the house of God.. "   The Preacher teaches that listening is much better than talking when it comes to worshiping God. "Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God."  Fools use many words and offer foolish sacrifices. They make vows they do not keep.  "Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it is a mistake.."  

"Rather, fear God.."    The Preacher tells us "If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight".. there is corruption in humans who do foolish things and speak foolish words..  James wrote, " Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father.. to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (James 1:27)  In a way, the Preacher is warning us of the same thing... "For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few." 

In verses 10-20 the Preacher compares the life of the rich man and the life of a "working man".  The rich man loves his money, but "will not be satisfied with money.. "  His greed will keep him awake at night.  The working man.. on the other hand.. can sleep at night. 

The rich man hoards his riches, "to his hurt".  He may lose his investments. He may not leave anything to his sons.  There is no advantage to riches when you die.. "As he came naked from his mother's womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand."  He has lived in "darkness with great vexation, sickness and anger..."  For nothing. 

But, this does not have to be this way, the Preacher tells us.. "Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting; to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God." 

A life that is not empty and vain.. is one that is lived in the fear of the Lord.. with gratitude for every day one can work and enjoy the fact that he can put food on the table and provide for his family. A life where relationships.. with God and with others.. brings meaning and purpose and blessing. Whether we are blessed with riches or not.. doesn't matter at all.  "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink.." Jesus taught.. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself..." ( Matthew 6:25-34) 

Father in heaven, blessed be Your name in all the earth!  We are reminded again through this Word that life without You is nothing.. worthless.. vain.  We do not want to live that way and yet the pull from the world is so strong. Thank You that Jesus has overcome the world and nothing is able to snatch us from His hands! May we have pure hearts.. to worship You in spirit and in truth.  May we be always grateful for and generous with every gift you have given us. May we leave behind the anxiety of the world's way of living and rest in the grace that You provide.  May we know.. with more and more confidence and certainty.. that You are on the throne and that You see us and know our every need.. that Your good plan is to take everything and work it together for our good.. that we might be conformed into the image of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Let Your will be done! Amen. 

 Ecclesiastes 4  "Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of the oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them." 

Oppression- to keep down.. to weigh down.. to cruelly or unjustly use power.. to crush.. to distress.. to afflict. 

Truly.. there is nothing new under the sun.  We went to see the movie "Song of Freedom" yesterday.  It is an impactful.. significant.. and frightening look at human trafficking .  Oppression to the nth degree.  Go and support this movie.. if you can.  This message needs to be heard.  See for yourself "the tears of the oppressed".  It is based on a true story.. a story that may just stir up our hearts.. the hearts of our nation too.. to action. How it breaks my heart.. how it must break our Father's heart!

The Preacher does not stop with those who are being oppressed.. but looks also at the oppressors. Yes, they are wicked.  Yes, they deserve God's wrath.. but then, don't we all?  They may have power.. but it is not any comfort to their souls.  They know their own guilt.. they try to cover their own pain.. but they are just as much in need of a Savior as the other. 

The Preacher concludes that the dead are better off than the living.. and better still is the one never born.... "who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun." 

This "striving after wind" haunts the Preacher.. rivalry between neighbors.. working and never being satisfied.. never having anyone to share those "riches" with.. Never realizing that when it is all said and done.. this life is over and all that striving comes to naught. 

The only thing that the Preacher does not think is vain.. is found in verses 9-12.. "Two are better than one.. "  Two working together accomplishes more. Two together can help one another in case one falls. Two together can stay warm. Two together can overpower the one who attacks. Then he adds, " A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."  And, here we say, "Yes".. for we again turn to the One who holds us together.. Jesus!

Father in heaven, You are holy and just.. You see the oppressed and the oppressors.. You know every heart.  You see every tear that falls.  You alone bring salvation and comfort and deliverance.  We need You Lord!  Give us eyes to see and hearts to receive Your Word.. help us to abide in Jesus.. bound together with Him in the work You have called us to do.. taking the gospel message to those who have not yet heard the Good News.. Jesus loves them.. He died to save them. He brings forgiveness from sin and life everlasting.  He comforts the poor and helpless.  He sets free the prisoners.  He heals the sick and He raises the dead.  Hallelujah! What a Savior!  To God be the glory, the honor and the power!  amen. 

 Ecclesiastes 3  The first 8 verses of this chapter are perhaps the most well known words of this book.. "There is an appointed time for everything... a time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted... " 

"An appointed time.."  - a fixed season or time "for every event" - for everything that is of value.. every matter that makes up our earthly lives.. birth and death; weeping and laughing; keeping and throwing away;  being silent and speaking up.. loving and hating.. war and peace...

God is the One who sets our appointments... He "has made everything appropriate in its time" and He is the One that "has also set eternity in [our] hearts." (v11)  He is the One who gives any meaning to our lives... these lives that are like a vapor.. As James wrote.. "You are just like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.. " ( 4:14b)  

In his human perspective the Preacher concludes that there is meaning to this life only in the fact that God has given a gift to us.. " that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor - it is the gift of God." 

But, there is another stark reality to the Preacher, as he writes here.. "For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. All go to the same place. all came from dust and all return to dust. Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth ?" (v19-21)  In other words.. be as happy as you can now, for who knows what happens next.. ( Yet, we have a hope that the world does not have!  Hallelujah!)

There is a simplicity to the Preacher's word here that draws us to this passage.. our lives are measured by these significant events.. from birth to death.. and everything in between.  If we can learn to live according to this "gift of God" .. to rejoice in doing good.. to see good in our work.. to be thankful for what God has provided along the way.. to walk in the Truth of God's Word.. there is "nothing better".  

We can trust in God's appointments.. in the times that He gives us.. times of laughing and times of mourning.. times of searching and times of giving up that which is lost.. even times when there is war and times of peace.  

Father in heaven,  our times are in Your Hands  and we are safe there.. waiting on You.. hoping in You.. trusting in You.  We do not know what this day holds, let alone tomorrow.. but we do know that You remain forever and everything You do remains forever.. that we can add nothing to it or take anything from it.. but we can keep on trusting and obeying You.  You are Almighty God who will "judge both the righteous man and the wicked man.. for a time for every matter and for every deed is there."  Hide us under Your wings.. shelter us in the Rock.. keep us abiding in the Vine, no matter what comes next.. for we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Ecclesiastes 2  The "Preacher", the son of David.. perhaps Solomon, although he talks about all those who came before him... decided to "test" himself.. " with pleasure".   Anything he wanted he got.  Wine and houses, gardens and parks, ponds and forests, slaves and treasures.. "Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem." (v9)  Yet, in the end he found that this was "vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun." ( v11)

He then "turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly.. "  His conclusion... it makes no difference if you are wise or foolish.. because either way you die. ".. there is no lasting remembrance of the wise man as with the fool.." (v16)

All this brought about some depressing thoughts for the Preacher.. everything that he worked for would be left behind.. to someone who may not be wise.. someone who waste the legacy left behind and do evil.  All that work would be for nothing .. "Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity." (v23) 

But, then the Preacher remembers God!  "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. this also I have seen, that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?" For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy..." (v24-26)

Jesus said, "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:24)  He taught that to deny oneself instead of indulging oneself is necessary for true life.  We are called to lay down our lives for Him.. to take up our cross and follow Him.  That is what leads us out of "vanity and striving after wind"... out of foolish and fruitless living. 

In our world today, we witness the "pursuit of happiness" through the same vain efforts that the Preacher writes about.. people seek pleasure through houses and treasures and exciting experiences.  They indulge themselves in all kinds of things to try to find anything that is not "vanity and striving after the wind".  Yet, they cannot find satisfaction that is lasting and in the end.. we all face death.  

There is only one way to gain true life.. eternal life... and that is through Jesus Christ. 

Father in heaven, thank You for giving us life everlasting.. life that is not in vain.. life that is fruitful and profitable.. through Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Thank You for this reminder.. that life is more than work or pleasure or anything else.. that all things are for You and from You.. that Your purpose and plan is for our good and Your glory.. and in that is where we will find worth.  We give our all to You and for You, Lord Jesus. Lead us in Your paths this day. Restore our weary souls and bodies,  transform our thinking and conform our wills to Your perfect Will. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the True Wisdom of God and  the true source of lasting joy.  amen.