Category: Romans

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The Seed and The Soil

I’d like to end the teachings on the seed and the soil this morning with a couple more thoughts.

All of Scripture and the teachings of Jesus can be summed up as seed. Every one’s reaction to God’s word is soil and the seed being planted comes from hearing and what we do with what we hear.

“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” Romans 10:17 NLT

Not being affected by what we hear is seed falling on hard ground; quick growth with no long-lasting results is seed falling on rocky ground; getting offended by the Word that is heard and distracted by riches and worries is a result of seed falling on thorny ground but seed that brings a harvest comes when we embrace the Word of God and put it into practice.

At one time or another my heart has been like every kind of soil. Ample seed and good soil result in a bumper crop.

I want to go back to two of our examples of good soil from yesterday. They are found in Luke 8, the woman with the bleeding condition and the father with the sick daughter. The woman had been weakened by her condition for 12 years. She had spent all she had and gotten no better, hope was all but gone and then she heard of Jesus, a man who did miracles.

She heard and she planted those seeds of the message of healing deep in her heart. She heard and she ventured out to find and touch Jesus. She knew if she could just get to Him, if she could just touch Him, she would be healed. The seed planted, grew and produced a harvest.

“…The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed.” Luke 8:47b NLT

Jairus, the father, was in the same crowd as the woman. In fact, Jesus was on the way to his house when the woman stopped them. Now, as Jairus waited for Jesus to minister to the woman servants came from his house to say his daughter had died. Jesus was quick to counter their report.

“But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.” Luke 8:50 NLT

Jesus pulled out the thorns of worry that were ready to choke the seed of faith and stop the harvest of healing that Jairus needed for his daughter. Thorns were removed and harvest came.

“…’Stop the weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.’ 53 But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. 54 Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, ‘My child, get up!’ 55 And at that moment her life returned,” Luke 8:52-55 NLT

Daily I plant the seeds of God’s word in my heart and daily I’m confronted with opportunities to let it lay dormant, make a momentary impact, be stolen by worry and life’s busyness or to allow it to grow.

God’s word never fails but my application of it can. I ask you to join me in making a renewed commitment to let the seed of God’s word grow in the soil of our hearts and produce a great harvest.

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Worthy?

I wonder how many people woke up this morning with a feeling of not being worthy. Not worthy of the position they hold in their company, not worthy of the success they have obtained, not worthy of love.

Because of Christ, we are embraced by God the Father.

This morning I was reading the story of a man who felt he wasn’t worthy of Jesus coming to his house. His servant was sick and needed a miracle. He knew Jesus was a miracle worker and could heal his servant, but he felt unworthy.

Let’s get a little background on this man. He was a high-ranking officer in the Roman army. The Romans were occupying the land of Israel and holding the residents captive. Many Romans treated the Jews with contempt and cruelty. Not this man, he had built a synagogue for them.

“They came to Jesus and begged Him, saying, ‘The man is respected and should have this done for him. 5 He loves our nation and has built our Jewish place of worship’.” Luke 7:4 NLV

Although others proclaimed that he was worthy, the Roman captain felt he didn’t deserve any special attention from Jesus, but he did care enough about his servant to want him well.

“Jesus went with them. When He was not far from the house, the captain told some friends to tell this to Jesus, “Lord, do not take the time to come to my house, because I am not good enough. 7 And I am not good enough to come to You. But just say the word and my servant will be healed.” Luke 7:6-7 NLV

May I say right here that the miracle-working power of God is never dependent upon our worthiness. In and of ourselves none of us are worthy of God’s compassion and grace. That’s what makes grace – grace. Grace is the outward expression of God’s undeserved love.

“Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. 15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” I Timothy 1:14-16 NLT

The Apostle Paul never lost sight of God’s grace to him. Paul was responsible for the arrest and persecution of hundreds of Christians. He was there when Stephen, a leader in the early church, was stoned to death.

Was he worthy to be used by God? No, not according to the religious standards of the day. But Paul wasn’t limited by religion, he was freed by His new relationship in Christ. His life is an example to all of us. God’s love and mercy make all of us worthy of His acceptance and forgiveness.

Because of Christ, we are worthy to be called the children of God.

“ When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. ” Romans 5:6 NLT

Worthy of forgiveness, love and amazing grace all because of our relationship with Jesus!

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Delighted

A few days back the morning blog was about being a light of hope and encouragement to the world. That’s what Jesus wants us to be.

Be delightful. That word was fresh in my mind this morning.

You see yesterday I had some much-needed dental work done. I had a tooth that required a crown. The appointment had been scheduled and rescheduled several times for the last four months. I was not looking forward to it but the dental technician, Lisa, was a delight.

She was cheery, genuine, concerned about my wellbeing and her focus was completely on me and meeting my needs. I would love to say I talked to her about the Lord but since her fingers were in my mouth the majority of the three hours I was there, I did very little talking.

As I said, she was a delight. That’s what I was thinking about this morning, how to be delightful. Her demeanor put me at ease. It made me smile.

By definition, delight means: a high degree of gratification: JOY; also: extreme satisfaction: something that gives great pleasure.

According to the book of Psalms I am to delight in the Lord. He becomes my joy – He brings me a high degree of gratification and gives me great pleasure. And, when I delight in Him I can bring that pleasure to those around me. I like that.

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Psalm 1:1-3 NLT

We should fill our days being delightful. We do that by focusing on the promises of God’s word. Do you remember a time when you were promised something special? You focused on that promise, and it made you happy – you were delighted.

That’s a crude example but our heavenly Father wants us to keep our focus on the promises of His word. His promises never fail because He never lies. We can trust Him – we can delight in Him.

“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. 5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:3-5 NLT

When we delight in the Lord we find great satisfaction and joy in being with Him. When we delight in the Lord we bring His light and joy to the world.

“ Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10 NLT

Be delightful!

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Break Free

It’s the first Saturday in January. The first Saturday of a New Year. It’s a new beginning, a new life filled with new experiences and we can wipe last year’s slate clean.

God doesn’t want us held back by past mistakes, failures or even past sins. Through His love and forgiveness, we have been promised a freedom that no one else can provide. Remember a few days ago when I told you I am growing in God’s grace? Well, this is what I mean.

We are free to walk away from any hurt, any condemning voices, the memory of any blatant sin because of God’s grace and mercy.

“The Holy Spirit tells us this: First He says, 16 “This is the New Way of Worship that I will give them. When that day comes, says the Lord, I will put My Laws in their hearts. And I will write them in their minds.” Then He says, 17 “I will not remember their sins and wrong-doings anymore.” Hebrews 10:15-17 NLV

That day has come – the day of restoration and reconciliation with the Father. When we accept the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins, giving His life for ours, we are cleansed completely.

Free from the past; free from sin, free from failure, free to love, free to serve. Free!

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:36 NLT

And the Son has made us free to be called sons of God, to enter into a relationship with the Father.

“If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won’t be punished. 2 The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death. 3 The Law of Moses cannot do this, because our selfish desires make the Law weak. But God set you free when he sent his own Son to be like us sinners and to be a sacrifice for our sin. God used Christ’s body to condemn sin.” Romans 8:1-3 CEV

The Father’s forgiveness is instantaneous – the moment we ask, it’s given and forgotten. The struggle comes when we let our own memories continue to condemn us. It’s important to realized that the Father’s unconditional love covers all sin.

“And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. 19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:18-22 NLT

There’s an old hymn we used to sing, “Calvary Covers It All”. The chorus goes like this:

Calvary covers it all,
My past with its sin and stain;
My guilt and despair
Jesus took on Him there,
And Calvary covers it all.

Enter the New Year without looking back. God isn’t holding us in bondage to our past; He sent Jesus to set us free and now we are free indeed!

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Be Heart Happy!

Last night we had a wonderful time with friends. Our hearts were full and so were our spirits. We laughed…alot!

Laughter is good for the body and the soul.

“A happy heart ·is like good medicine [L brings healing], but a broken spirit ·drains your strength [L dries up bone].” Proverbs 17:22 EXB

“A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.” Proverbs 17:22 MSG

It’s good to have our hearts filled with joy. Left unchecked sorrow and sadness can elevate to discouragement, and disease. Dis-ease. Dis-courage. To lose courage and be ill-at-ease can leave the body and the mind drained and bone tired.

“…Today is a special day to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong.” Nehemiah 8:10 ERV

Every one of us will have troublesome situations. That’s just part of living on planet earth, however, we are not left to our own devices. We have God’s promise that end result will be good.

“Praise the Lord, because he is good. Praise his name, because it brings such joy!” Psalm 135:3 ERV

The Bible teaches us how to handle hardship. David faced Goliath, Daniel encountered a lion’s den, the disciples thought they would drown at sea, Paul and Silas were beaten and jailed. But they all came through victorious because they placed their trust in God.

God doesn’t create the problem but He does provide the victory.

“ We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose,” Romans 8:28 CEV

Having a merry heart and trusting God is a choice.

No one knows what this year of 2023 will present to us, but we can make the determination of how we will handle each situation, the simple and the difficult, the good and the adverse. We can choose to trust God to handle every circumstance, to be at work for our good. He will strengthen us and fill our lives with courage and joy.

Choose to live well – live with a merry heart!

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Doing Right

Years ago I read a book, Winners Never Cheat, by Jon Hunstman, Sr. It’s a short read but very powerful for people in business. A very successful businessman, Jon Huntsman, always led with integrity, even when it was detrimental to his bottom line.

He is a man of his word and would not allow circumstances to dictate otherwise.

Thank you Father for godly men and the example they set for the rest of us.

One such man was Joseph. Joseph discovered his fiancé was pregnant. She told him that she hadn’t been with anyone, after all, she was engaged to him. According to the laws of their day he could have her stoned to death or put her away in complete humiliation. Her tainted reputation would reflect on him as well. But, He did the RIGHT thing. He listened to God and raised a child that wasn’t his own as if he was.

“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:19-21

Godly men who are willing to do the right thing just because it’s the right thing are of outstanding character. They can impact their families, their cities and even the world. Joseph is overlooked many times in sermons but his godliness is an example to us all. We are so thankful for the Joseph-like men we have in our lives. They are a true gift from God!

“But now God has made another way to make men right with Himself. It is not by the Law. The Law and the early preachers tell about it. 22 Men become right with God by putting their trust in Jesus Christ. God will accept men if they come this way. All men are the same to God. 23 For all men have sinned and have missed the shining-greatness of God. 24 Anyone can be made right with God by the free gift of His loving-favor. It is Jesus Christ Who bought them with His blood and made them free from their sins.” Romans 3:21-24 NLV

We are all called to do the right thing, the Bible calls it righteousness. Being made right with God is what Christmas is all about. God sent His Son to be the way of reconciliation between God and mankind. We have all missed the mark of right living but through our trust in Christ we receive the free gift of God’s love and a relationship with Him.

Thank you Father for the gift of Your love!

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The Gift of Hope

This morning was heart is filled with song!

I like it when my morning starts like that. The last few days have been kind of rough – we came home from vacation with a winter cold. You know the kind with sore throats, achy muscles, congestion and cough. Not quite the backdrop for starting the morning with a song but these are the words and melody that filled my heart:

“There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord
Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord”

Oh yes, what a glorious and wonderful way to start the day. When I feel weak the joy of the Lord is my strength!

“Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLV

God, our Father, the great gift giver, has so many promises that we leave untapped either through our ignorance or our thoughts of unworthiness.

I once heard a pastor give this example: We have been given a great inheritance, but many have been duped by the world’s greatest thief. They have believed a lie, the lie that God’s promises and blessings are for others – those more holy or kind. So they give up their hope.

As the verse above says, God gives us hope and fills us with joy and peace because we trust Him. The Holy Spirit helps our hope grow stronger and stronger.

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” II Peter 1:3-4 NLT

God has given us everything we need for godly living. He has given us great and precious promises. These promises give us victory in this life! My, oh, my!

One thing about our Father is that He is a promise keeper; He has never lied yet.

There is not only hope in the name of the Lord, there is power, strength, joy, peace, provision, protection, forgiveness, healing, restoration, and eternal life.

“ The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

So many blessings, so many promises – open the gift of hope and let your lives be filled with joy and peace.

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The Gift of God

“but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NLT

Have you ever stopped to wonder why Jesus was given the name Emmanuel? The translation of that word is “God with Us”. The way the heavenly Father brought His purpose and plan to earth was through His Son, Jesus.

Jesus literally became God with us. The Father wanted us to know we would never be alone, He would always be with us.

“The virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.”(Immanuel means “God with us.”) Matthew 1:23

God with us – in the car going to work; in the kitchen baking cookies; helping our kids with their homework; Christmas shopping; sitting beside the bed of a sick friend; sitting alone looking at the checkbook and the bills that need to be paid.

God with us – His purpose in coming was to be “with us”. In fact, Hebrews 13:5 tells us that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.

We are also told that He promises to provide all our needs, heals all our diseases and forgives all our sins. Psalm 103

He always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. II Corinthians 2:14

Can’t say that’s the way it’s always been in my life but I can say that when I realized that “God was with us” it has certainly changed the outcome for the better – the best.

When we focus on all “we” have to do and how it’s “All” up to us, we become self absorbed. We make a very small package. But when we realize, truly realize, that God’s purpose is to “Be with us”, when we unwrap the present of His presence in our daily lives our world changes dramatically.

” What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else?” Romans 8:31-32 CEV

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

Spend time acknowledging God’s presence today and you’ll find joy!

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Looking Up

I love the saying, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” because it gives identity to the baby born in a manger. More and more so many are trying to remove Christ from Christmas it’s important that we remind them.

We need to give them a reason to look up. Look up like the shepherds and see that God, in His great love, has chosen me and you to live in relationship with Him. He wants us looking for and recognizing His love wherever we go and in whatever we do.

So many people spend time looking down. Looking down on others because of their education or lack thereof; looking down on financial status, marital status, political party, skin color, cultural idiosyncrasies, too religious, not religious enough, occupation or a host of other things.

Then there are those who spend their time looking in. Looking in-ward at their mistakes, their failures, their fears, their lack and so they spend half of their lives living in self-pity.

But when we look up, we find hope, good news, unconditional love, and redemption. You may be going through a rough time right now, then look up and find help. Things may be the best they have ever been, then look up in gratitude.

“God knew from the beginning who would put their trust in Him. So He chose them and made them to be like His Son. Christ was first and all those who belong to God are His brothers. 30 He called to Himself also those He chose. Those He called, He made right with Himself. Then He shared His shining-greatness with those He made right with Himself.

31 What can we say about all these things? Since God is for us, who can be against us? 32 God did not keep His own Son for Himself but gave Him for us all. Then with His Son, will He not give us all things? 33 Who can say anything against the people God has chosen? It is God Who says they are right with Himself. 34 Who then can say we are guilty? It was Christ Jesus Who died. He was raised from the dead. He is on the right side of God praying to Him for us. 35 Who can keep us away from the love of Christ? Can trouble or problems? Can suffering wrong from others or having no food? Can it be because of no clothes or because of danger or war? 36 The Holy Writings say, “Because of belonging to Jesus, we are in danger of being killed all day long. We are thought of as sheep that are ready to be killed.” 37 But we have power over all these things through Jesus Who loves us so much. 38 For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! 39 The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:29-39 NLV

Look up and see “The” Reason for the Season and know that nothing can separate us from the love of God!

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Hold Fast

It’s been blowing, hard, for the last few hours. In fact, a couple of times I have gotten up to look out the window and make sure the patio furniture is still there. Yep, that hard.

I’m using my awake time productively – I’ve prayed, played a few hands of solitaire, but haven’t been able to sleep. Not yet, so, it’s time to write what the Lord has put on my heart.

Growing up in a traditional church, complete with pews, organ, choir and hymns books, we did a lot of singing. I am amazed how often the lyrics of those old songs come to mind. Tonight, I found myself singing…(On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand)

“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.”

I’m very thankful for the anchor that God gives my life. When the wind blows hard and tries to topple my dreams, my anchor holds.

“So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us.” Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT

Hope is our anchor. Not hope in ourselves, but hope in God. Our dreams and ambitions, our goals and our plans, are prompted by God. He has designed us to succeed.

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see…6  And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11:1,6 NLt

The Father wants us to put our hope in Him, that’s why He gave us all of the instruction that we have in His word.

Sometimes storms blow through our lives, just like the wind that’s howling outside my window, but when we have our hope anchored in God and His word, we will be held secure.

“Whoever hears these words of Mine and does them, will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain came down. The water came up. The wind blew and hit the house. The house did not fall because it was built on rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 NLV

It may seem like your life is being hit by gale force winds or that you’re about to be deluged by a hurricane but hold on, hold on to your hope, hold on to the anchor of your soul!

I feel it’s necessary to give you two more verses before I close. Two more cords to bind you securely to your anchor, your hope.

“Why are you sad, O my soul? Why have you become troubled within me? Hope in God, for I will praise Him again for His help of being near me.” Psalm 42:5 NLV

“Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLV

Thank God for filling us with hope when the winds of life blow through!

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