Good morning to all the frozen chosen,
Paul is proud of these believers in Rome. Paul says that, "... your faith is being reported all over the world." There was no Internet, let alone phones etc. but it was out that these believers were standing firm in their faith. Paul had not even been there and there was no New Testament. It is amazing that a fledgling church could survive in Rome and about three hundred years later Christianity would be announced as the official religion. Paul had them in his prayers all the time and do not believe this was some nice thing he was saying--in other words he really was praying for them.
Paul wanted to visit to impart some spiritual gift to them and then he talks about the mutual encouragement they would be to each other. How would these people be an encouragement to Paul? Their faith was in practice. To see believers in action is always an encouragement to God's people no matter their position. What you know make sure it is put to practice. You may encourage people without really knowing it but it is never wasted energy to obey the Lord!!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
In verse seven we see how Paul viewed his friends in Rome when he says, "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints." What a mouth full when you stop to think about it. This city where everything in the world is worshiped including the emperors, have people who loved by Yahweh. Not are they only loved by God, but they, as we are too, are called to be saints. Sainthood has already been bestowed upon you. Our job is to live up to are calling. We are sinners who have now been loved by God and called to be saints. How do you see yourself? I believe a lot of stuff in us and most of the stuff in this world wants to pull us away from God's love and from our calling. Today celebrate that you are truly loved by God and that He sees you as a Saint!
The next verse says, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father..." It is only by His grace we are loved by God and that He blesses us with His peace. Can you claim His grace and peace for this day? Can you claim it for this weekend? Can you claim it for this week? Can you claim it for this month? Can you claim it for this year? Can you claim it for your life?
The next verse says, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father..." It is only by His grace we are loved by God and that He blesses us with His peace. Can you claim His grace and peace for this day? Can you claim it for this weekend? Can you claim it for this week? Can you claim it for this month? Can you claim it for this year? Can you claim it for your life?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Romans 1:14-23
Romans 1:14-17 (NIV)
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.
15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Why? Why have outreach concerts? Why have outreach picnics? Why have a Kid's Blitz? Why do three Christmas Eve services? Why wrap presents at K-mart? Why spend money on follow-up material? Why have a big pod seating out in front of the church wrapped as if it's a Christmas box? The answer is found in verse 16 which states, "I(we) am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." The gospel is the power of God. The gospel is the dynamite that blows up the things that stand in the way of people knowing God. Sin is psychologically proofed. Sin is sociologically proofed. Sin is educationally proofed. Sin is philosophically proofed. Sin, however can be penetrated by the message of God in Christ Jesus by the power of His Spirit. Sin cannot with stand the onslaughts of God's grace! This great good news is given by God and received by faith. Do people really need to hear this message? Read the following verses just to get a taste as to how much people need to hear the gospel.
Romans 1:18-23 (NIV)
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
If you choose you can read the whole chapter for the a more vived picutre as to how much people need to hear the gospel.
The gospel is not made to dominate the world. It’s the grain of sand that upsets the world’s machinery. One can’t inhale its fragrance and be content to leave everything the way it is.
Jean Sullivan
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.
15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Why? Why have outreach concerts? Why have outreach picnics? Why have a Kid's Blitz? Why do three Christmas Eve services? Why wrap presents at K-mart? Why spend money on follow-up material? Why have a big pod seating out in front of the church wrapped as if it's a Christmas box? The answer is found in verse 16 which states, "I(we) am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." The gospel is the power of God. The gospel is the dynamite that blows up the things that stand in the way of people knowing God. Sin is psychologically proofed. Sin is sociologically proofed. Sin is educationally proofed. Sin is philosophically proofed. Sin, however can be penetrated by the message of God in Christ Jesus by the power of His Spirit. Sin cannot with stand the onslaughts of God's grace! This great good news is given by God and received by faith. Do people really need to hear this message? Read the following verses just to get a taste as to how much people need to hear the gospel.
Romans 1:18-23 (NIV)
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
If you choose you can read the whole chapter for the a more vived picutre as to how much people need to hear the gospel.
The gospel is not made to dominate the world. It’s the grain of sand that upsets the world’s machinery. One can’t inhale its fragrance and be content to leave everything the way it is.
Jean Sullivan
Monday, February 1, 2010
Chapter 1 of Romans
Read through the first chapter of Romans, then read the below blog
Hopefully you have read the first chapter of Romans. This is an eleven month study and we will be doing some digging in a great book and also doing some Scripture memory.
The devoted slave is the apostle Paul who had been a devoted persecutor of the church. There are those that just ignore Christ, and others who passively go after Him, but then there are those who are militant against Christ. Paul in his mind was stomping out a cult. Now he is on an assignment for this Jesus. The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly the power unto salvation for all who believe. Paul wanted to make sure that this important city truly had the scoop on who Jesus truly is--the Son of God. Jesus came from the Father and was talked of in the prophets. Jesus was the Messiah and gave many proofs of this to his followers. If you notice Paul does not separate the receiving of the message and the mission of Jesus Christ. If you have received salvation you have received the call to get this message out to others. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe in His mission?
Hopefully you have read the first chapter of Romans. This is an eleven month study and we will be doing some digging in a great book and also doing some Scripture memory.
The devoted slave is the apostle Paul who had been a devoted persecutor of the church. There are those that just ignore Christ, and others who passively go after Him, but then there are those who are militant against Christ. Paul in his mind was stomping out a cult. Now he is on an assignment for this Jesus. The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly the power unto salvation for all who believe. Paul wanted to make sure that this important city truly had the scoop on who Jesus truly is--the Son of God. Jesus came from the Father and was talked of in the prophets. Jesus was the Messiah and gave many proofs of this to his followers. If you notice Paul does not separate the receiving of the message and the mission of Jesus Christ. If you have received salvation you have received the call to get this message out to others. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe in His mission?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
COMING IN FEBRUARY 2010!!!
Perhaps you can't visit Rome, Italy but you can let Pastor Terry be your tour guide through the book of Romans starting in February, 2010!
On this tour you will learn from the Apostle Paul through his letter to the Christians in Rome. Some of the places you will visit on your tour are:
- The Power of the Gospel
- Freedom
- Becoming what God intended you to be
- The place of Israel in End Times
- Personal Transformation and more!
Begin by preparing your hearts through prayer and join Pastor Terry starting February 1 on this exciting journey through Romans!!
On this tour you will learn from the Apostle Paul through his letter to the Christians in Rome. Some of the places you will visit on your tour are:
- The Power of the Gospel
- Freedom
- Becoming what God intended you to be
- The place of Israel in End Times
- Personal Transformation and more!
Begin by preparing your hearts through prayer and join Pastor Terry starting February 1 on this exciting journey through Romans!!
Monday, December 21, 2009
355 Monday, December 21, 2009
355 2 Chronicles 17 – 18; Revelation 15
Jehoshaphat was a good king for Judah. He sought the Lord with His heart. Here is one of the accounts of him with another king:
2 Chronicles 18:5-7 (MSG)
5 The king of Israel got the prophets together—all 400 of them— and put the question to them: "Should I attack Ramoth Gilead or should I hold back?" "Go for it," they said. "God will hand it over to the king." 6 But Jehoshaphat dragged his feet, "Is there another prophet of God around here we can consult? Let's get a second opinion." 7 The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat, "As a matter of fact, there is another. But I hate him. He never preaches anything good to me, only doom, doom, doom—Micaiah son of Imlah." "The king shouldn't talk about a prophet like that!" said Jehoshaphat.
Four hundred prophets told them to go ahead and attack. This did not seem to settle well with Jehoshaphat and he wanted hear another prophet. The one prophet left never had a good word for the King of Israel. Sure enough he told them in the end not to attack. Micaiah listened to the Lord. The majority many times are wrong. We have to listen to the Lord!
Seven angels that carry with them seven disasters. For some reason we do not associate angels with disasters. God will use His angels to bring punishment to those who disobey Him. In the book of Revelation the curtain is pulled back and we see the inner workings of heaven. It is obvious that there is no panic and that God is in control. This is where we have to trust Him. On the stage of life it may be utter confusion, but God is in control.
Jehoshaphat was a good king for Judah. He sought the Lord with His heart. Here is one of the accounts of him with another king:
2 Chronicles 18:5-7 (MSG)
5 The king of Israel got the prophets together—all 400 of them— and put the question to them: "Should I attack Ramoth Gilead or should I hold back?" "Go for it," they said. "God will hand it over to the king." 6 But Jehoshaphat dragged his feet, "Is there another prophet of God around here we can consult? Let's get a second opinion." 7 The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat, "As a matter of fact, there is another. But I hate him. He never preaches anything good to me, only doom, doom, doom—Micaiah son of Imlah." "The king shouldn't talk about a prophet like that!" said Jehoshaphat.
Four hundred prophets told them to go ahead and attack. This did not seem to settle well with Jehoshaphat and he wanted hear another prophet. The one prophet left never had a good word for the King of Israel. Sure enough he told them in the end not to attack. Micaiah listened to the Lord. The majority many times are wrong. We have to listen to the Lord!
Seven angels that carry with them seven disasters. For some reason we do not associate angels with disasters. God will use His angels to bring punishment to those who disobey Him. In the book of Revelation the curtain is pulled back and we see the inner workings of heaven. It is obvious that there is no panic and that God is in control. This is where we have to trust Him. On the stage of life it may be utter confusion, but God is in control.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
354 Sunday, December 20, 2009
354 2 Chronicles 15 – 16; Revelation 14
2 Chronicles 15:5-6 (MSG)
5 At that time it was a dog-eat-dog world; life was constantly up for grabs—no one, regardless of country, knew what the next day might bring. 6 Nation battered nation, city pummeled city. God let loose every kind of trouble among them.
Perhaps this is an apt description of the world we live in today. In the midst of this chaos God wants you and me to seek Him. God will let Himself be found. The people finally turned to the Lord. Here is an account of what happened when they sought the Lord:
2 Chronicles 15:14-15 (MSG)
14 They shouted out their promise to God, a joyful sound accompanied with blasts from trumpets and rams' horns. 15 The whole country felt good about the covenant promise—they had given their promise joyfully from the heart. Anticipating the best, they had sought God—and he showed up, ready to be found. God gave them peace within and without—a most peaceable kingdom!
God's people found peace within and without. God can touch us and help us, but we have to come to Him on His terms. Will you?
It is really important to understand there is the anger of the Devil and then there is the wrath of God. This planet will see both and God's is much worse. Listen to these verses:
Revelation 14:9-11 (MSG)
9 A third Angel followed, shouting, warning, "If anyone worships the Beast and its image and takes the mark on forehead or hand, 10 that person will drink the wine of God's wrath, prepared unmixed in his chalice of anger, and suffer torment from fire and brimstone in the presence of Holy Angels, in the presence of the Lamb. 11 Smoke from their torment will rise age after age. No respite for those who worship the Beast and its image, who take the mark of its name."
It is a very good thing to always trust the Lord and follow Him no matter what the cost!
2 Chronicles 15:5-6 (MSG)
5 At that time it was a dog-eat-dog world; life was constantly up for grabs—no one, regardless of country, knew what the next day might bring. 6 Nation battered nation, city pummeled city. God let loose every kind of trouble among them.
Perhaps this is an apt description of the world we live in today. In the midst of this chaos God wants you and me to seek Him. God will let Himself be found. The people finally turned to the Lord. Here is an account of what happened when they sought the Lord:
2 Chronicles 15:14-15 (MSG)
14 They shouted out their promise to God, a joyful sound accompanied with blasts from trumpets and rams' horns. 15 The whole country felt good about the covenant promise—they had given their promise joyfully from the heart. Anticipating the best, they had sought God—and he showed up, ready to be found. God gave them peace within and without—a most peaceable kingdom!
God's people found peace within and without. God can touch us and help us, but we have to come to Him on His terms. Will you?
It is really important to understand there is the anger of the Devil and then there is the wrath of God. This planet will see both and God's is much worse. Listen to these verses:
Revelation 14:9-11 (MSG)
9 A third Angel followed, shouting, warning, "If anyone worships the Beast and its image and takes the mark on forehead or hand, 10 that person will drink the wine of God's wrath, prepared unmixed in his chalice of anger, and suffer torment from fire and brimstone in the presence of Holy Angels, in the presence of the Lamb. 11 Smoke from their torment will rise age after age. No respite for those who worship the Beast and its image, who take the mark of its name."
It is a very good thing to always trust the Lord and follow Him no matter what the cost!
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