Passing it on

Talk about your plug for evangelism, Ro ch 10 is all about this. V9 notes that confession with your mouth and belief in your heart are keys to salvation. We sometimes gloss over that. Confession can be easy. Believing in our hearts does not mean we cannot have doubts or struggle to understand things. Rather we know that God has done for us what we cannot do ourselves. It is not our actions that make us right with God. However, that is not a 'get out of jail free' card. Paul discusses this elsewhere that we don't go on sinning to show how much faith we have that God forgives. Be ready for rejection and ridicule when you bring this news to others. Few will accept it.

Who's Driving?

Fairness, that seems to be a sticking point with many regarding following God. They might argue that some are blessed, and some not. It doesn't seem fair. Romans ch9 addresses this issue. A question we should also be asking though is 'what have we earned'. Answer is nothing. All have sinned. Who are we to question God. That makes His mercy and grace all the more awesome. We are not worthy, yet God does bless us. He has given all a chance, we just need believe. We shrink God into man-made rules and vision, not understanding that God knows the full story. It might be like a 2 year old directing the parent on how to drive. Kinda funny eh? Do you think God feels likewise when we have a tantrum from our carseat? Prob not, He is searching for the binkie!

Mountains before us

Do you feel loved today? Do you feel special? You should. Paul gives us reason in Romans ch8. If God is for us, who can ever be against us? He gave His only son for us! I love you all, but a few dollars is all you might get from me. In v35--37, Paul asks whether current unsettling situations should separate us from God. He writes through Christ, we are more than conquerers....what encouagement! We serve a BIG God, so whatever life throws at us, He can handle. The mountain in front of you is a speed bump in the rear view mirror. Yet we look at the mountain and that is all we can see. God made the mountain, He knows the paths to get us over. But we need to seek Him. He will not force Himself on us, that is what love is. Seek Him...he knows the way!

Struggling with Sin

Struggling....gee, who could relate. In reading Romans ch7, it appears Paul could. He notes that the Law of God revealed his sin. He notes in v14-25 the struggles he has with that sin, in knowing what is right to do, but then not doing it. And vice versa. Like me, i know starting my day off with a devotion strengthens me. Yet it has been over a week since this happened. Hope you have been consistent. Life should not interupt the connection with the maker of that life. Reading and knowing God's Word will show us the errors in our ways. The stories are for our growth and understanding, since we do the same things. King Solomon was right, there is nothing new under the sun. But daily devotions need to be my way of welcoming that sun. Do what we know is right to do!

Confidence vs Doubt

Confidence, how is yours? The opposite is doubt, which Satan loves to use on us. Paul writes on this in Ro ch5. V2, because of our faith....we confidently look forward to sharing God's glory. There is not doubt. We are sure. Doubts weaken us. Doubts strip away our ability to lead others. Doubt stops us. Paul continues noting that we will run into problems. These are for our benefit to strengthen us. Yet even in our weakness, even when we doubt and stumble, God loved us enough to send His son as the solution. Ch5v8 is a real keeper. Most of us will not give up our meager possessions, let alone our sons! Armed with this info, can we not confidently stride into today knowing we are safe. No matter what happens, God has our back. Don't doubt, we were not made for it!

Its the Relationship Thingy

It's a relationship thing! Paul clearly states this in Ro ch4v13. It is not by our works. Truth is, relationships do need work and attention. How close are you to someone you never talk to, see or think about? It is the same with God. If we don't seek Him, read His Word, pray, and meditate, we are not growing in our relationship with Him. The mmost amazing thing is that the God, creator of the universe, wants to be in a relationship with us! Some of my neighbors don't even want that and they are on my street! Relationships start with desire. Desire to get to know someone. It grows through time, consistency, and experience. Our faith and belief in God is what makes us righteous (v24). Seek Him, don't let Him be a 2nd string QB, He is more than a clipboard holder!

Obedience is not without Passion

Deep theology, simplified. Paul writes in Acts ch3, like he is explaining faith vs. Works to an audience today. Amazing how things really don't change! He begins with focusing on God and His righteousness. This is the answer to why God allows bad things to happen to good people (see also 3:23). He then proceeds into how we are all in sin together. Next, he writes about how Christ took care of what we could not. Finally, he notes that faith is what matters, but through true faith, you will obey. You might say we become domesticated in God's house...we obey, but that doesn't mean our spirit is broken or we don't have passion. We should be like the dog, wagging our tail joyfully when the master is near...and He always is! Ch3 is great ammo to use when attacked by nonbelievers. Woof