Day 62 - Romans 16:24 - 16:27 - ROMANS CHALLENGE COMPLETE!!!

25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

Terrie's Comments:

It has always been about Jesus.  I love how simple the good news is.  

We have now reached the end of Romans... tomorrow we begin a new challenge!!

Tori's Comments:

God makes us strong.

God planned to make a way before humanity took it's first breath. I think that'a beautiful.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 61 - Romans 16:17 - 16:23

17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

22 I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.

23 Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.

Tori's Comments:

This is why bible reading is so important. I can be rooted in the truth, and know right from wrong in these sort of situations. Keeping the gospel in my heart and on my mind is a priority!

Terrie's Comments:

Knowing the truth is the only way to know if you are being deceived.  If we are to stay innocent of any wrong we need to remain in the word of God always... this is a never ending task.  After 30 years of reading my Bible, I still feel like each time I read through the scriptures the Holy Spirit reveals more to me.  

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 60 - Romans 16:3 - 16:16

3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. 5 Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.

Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. 6 Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. 12 Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.

14 Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. 15 Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. 16 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.

Terrie's Comments:

Today I think the one thing that stands out is the reference to churches meeting at houses.  It seems that within the Roman church there were several meeting places that were all connected.  Verse 5 "the church that meets in their home"... Verse 14 "the brothers and sisters that meet with them"... Verse 15 "all the believers who meet with them."  Paul encourages comradary among the churches by the way he words his letter to the Romans.  

What can I do better to encourage unity in the body of Christ among the churches?

Tori's Comments:

"They once risked their lives for me" (vs.3) intriguing...

I feel as though the point of all of these acknowledgements is to encourage them even more. Like how when a teacher tells a student "good job", not only does the student feel happy, but they also want to continue in their good work.

It also has me wondering how often I tell people important to me WHY I appreciate them. 

Anyone else sometimes take loved ones for granted? I feel like going and being an encouragement to every one of them right now!! 😊

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 59 - Romans 16:1 - 16:2

16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

Tori's Comments:

I don't have much to say about this passage but that I really like how much he lavishes his statements in love and kindness. Do I talk about our brothers and sisters in Christ that way?

Terrie's Comments:

So much to learn from this passage.  Paul built Pheobe up with the church so that they were going to welcome her openly.  I feel like in our culture we tend to talk more about people flaws than their strengths.  I have no doubt that Pheobe wasn't perfect but Paul chose to honor her and set her up to be honored when she entered the church in Rome.  

Also, as a female Pheobe was a deacon in the church.  She was a part of the leadership and direction of the church in Cenchrea.  Since part of the requirement of those who are in leadership was to be filled with the Holy Spirit, along with Paul's description of Pheobe to the church I am sure she was one who was following God full heartedly :-) 

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 58 - Romans 15:30 - 15:33

30 Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. 31 Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem. 32 Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.

33 And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.

Terrie's Comments:

We need to pray for those who are spreading the gospel around the world.  As we do this we are joining with them in their journey.  

Tori's Comments:

I had to go back a day to make sure I didn't miss something after reading the first sentence in this passage!

This solidifies the need of sharing prayer requests. I myself have bought into the lie one too many times that I just need to take care of myself and keep my problems between me and...nope, just me.

Paul didn't think the believers would accept the donation? What, as in pride or generosity for those even poorer than them? Two opposite extremes and I can't tell which one he's talking about.

"And we will be an encouragement to each other". Just a nice thought.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 57 - Romans 15:22 - 15:29

22 In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.

23 But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. 24 I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.

25 But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. 26 For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. 28 As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. 29 And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.

Tori's Comments:

I am really enjoying these looks at how believers should treat one another.

Terrie's Comments:

A number of things strike me about this passage

-Paul was finished his work in certain regions.  He was eager to visit the believers in Rome to have fellowship and to give them the privilege of providing for him financially.

- He was taking a financial gift from one group of new believers to another group of believers to provide for believers who were poor among them.  They were not providing money to everyone in their community who were poor... it was poor believers.  This is part of what made the church attractive is because they took care of each other in every way.  When we try to provide for everyone in the world it can be daunting, but if we try to care for those in the church it is much more manageable a task.  Much of what we are asked to do in the Bible is directed to how believers should treat believers.  We have ended up missing the point in many cases because the church as a whole is so focused on taking up the social causes of the world that often they are not caring for those believers around them properly.  We are supposed to spread the gospel to the rest of the world so that they become a part of the body of Christ.

- I love the last line of this passage... it sounds so confident!  I am SURE that when I come, Christ WILL RICHLY BLESS OUR TIME TOGETHER.  

I am loving the prayer nuggets this week!  Definitely need to add some of Romans into my prayer strategy.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 56 - Romans 15:14 - 15:21

14 I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. 15 Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, 16 I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. 17 So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. 18 Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. 19 They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.

20 My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. 21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says,

“Those who have never been told about him will see,
    and those who have never heard of him will understand.”

Terrie's Comments:

verse 19 stands out to me today... They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God's Spirit.  Paul relied fully on the Holy Spirit to give him power to perform miraculous signs and wonders and the Holy Spirit moved on Paul's behalf. 

I find it interesting that Paul also was following a plan that he found in scripture.  In my own life this has happened many times.  It would take a while to write the accounts out here so I won't bore you with them for now :-)

Have the scriptures ever jumped off the page at you to give you direction or instruction?

Tori's Comments:

"Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me"

Giving literally ALL the glory to God...

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 55 - Romans 15:8 - 15:13

8 Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. 9 He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:

“For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing praises to your name.”

10 And in another place it is written,
“Rejoice with his people,
    you Gentiles.”

11 And yet again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles.
    Praise him, all you people of the earth.”

12 And in another place Isaiah said,
“The heir to David’s throne will come,
    and he will rule over the Gentiles.
They will place their hope on him.”

13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tori's Comments:

Do I overflow with confident hope? I know I let fear control my actions waaay too often.

Terrie's Comments:

Verse13 is a great prayer to pray for all our brothers and sisters in Christ!  I LOVE IT!

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 54 - Romans 15:1 - 15:7

1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

Terrie's Comments:

I feel like Verse 5 is a great prayer for me... God please help me live in complete harmony with everyone.... as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus!

Tori's Comments:

"We must not just please ourselves."

Guilty. 

Accepting each other as Christ has accepted me certainly can be a task, though. But having JUST learned the importance placed on unity, I see it is necessary.

And in doing so, we point to what Christ has done for us <3

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 53 - Romans 14:20 - 14:23

20 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. 22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. 23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

Tori's Comments:

I haven't got many thoughts on this except that our unity is the work of God. It is held as more important in this passage than we seem to treat it nowadays. Unity should be a priority!

Terrie's Comments:

This would be the part where if the Holy Spirit tells you to do something and you don't do it, that would be sinning for you.  If the Holy Spirit tells you to not do something and you do it, that would be sinning for you.  Which means that each believer is responsible  to listen to the Holy Spirit and I believe that God works with us where ever we are at and helps us continue to become more like Jesus everyday.  It is not our responsibility to be anyone else's Holy Spirit... even our husband... Our part is to pray for them and let God do the rest.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 52 - Romans 14:13 - 14:19

13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

14 I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. 15 And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. 16 Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. 17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Terrie's Comments:

The Kingdom of God is a matter of 

-Living a Life of Goodness

-Peace

-and Joy in the Holy Spirit

Serve Christ with this attitude ... it will please God and others

Aim for harmony in the church

Try to build each other up

Each person will be accountable to God for their own actions.  A life of goodness, peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit sounds really awesome right now... Why does it have to be such a struggle to remain there?

Tori's Comments:

Still MIA... Miss you Tori!!

I'm sorry for the late update, guys. 

I am again reminded of constantly living a life with the question of whether your actions are dictated by love or not.

And the confirmation that God cares more about the position of our heart than if we're going through our 'Christian' checklist like a chore is nice.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 51 - Romans 14:1 - 14:12

14 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.

5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? 

Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bend to me,
    and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”

12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

Tori's Comments:

I was just rereading our past few posts, and this heavily reminds me of what Terrie said not that long ago about asking herself whether she was honoring God.

I think the main message I am getting is actually about unity and how we shouldn't constantly be nagging and correcting each other theologically but walking alongside each other and growing together in faith. 

Terrie's Comments:

We live and we die to honor the Lord.  So why do I live comparing myself to others?  It steals my joy that Jesus came to give me.  

Verse 10 I don't condemn or look down on other believers if I am actually thinking about what I am thinking about.  It happens... then when I actually think about what I am thinking about and take those thoughts captive into obedience to Jesus Christ they are exposed for what they are... lies.  Too often though things proceed out of my mouth before I have examined what is actually going on in my head.  Like a well directed missile bomb aimed at a target by the enemy.  Then the enemy turns the bomb back at the launching pad for another attack through regret, shame and guilt.  It is an awful cycle. 

Does anyone else need renewal in the word so this cycle ends?

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 50 - Romans 13:8 - 13:14

8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Terrie's Comments:

Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ... I am thinking about the image of clothing myself.  Clothing protect, Cover and serve many purposes.  If my life is covered and protected by the presence of my Lord Jesus Christ then it should make it easier to not think about ways to indulge in my evil desires.  Why is it so hard to love others 100% all the time?  The first part of verse 13 is easy to skim over for me but it is the last 3 words that get me as something that I get trapped by sometimes... quarreling and jealousy... I am working on it with the help of the Holy Spirit.  I am glad God isn't done with me yet and he has more patience with me than I have for myself some days.

Tori:  That sounds like a good guide.  I quite often will ask myself "is this honoring to God?"  I want my life to be God honoring.  That is usually my go to  "guide" question.

Tori's Comments:

I have just decided to use love as a way to decide between right and wrong. To weigh my decisions and actions on the most loving thing to do.

This may seem like an obvious step, but I lose control of my tongue sometimes and I could use the little voice that says, "Is that the most loving thing you could say?"

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 49 - Romans 13:1 - 13:7

13 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Tori's Comments:

I don't understand. Some authorities persecute the Christians in them (including Rome at this time, right?), so they aren't just punishing those who do wrong.

Anybody have insight on this?

Terrie's Comments:

This is always a convicting passage for me.  Ever since I was small and pushed against those in authority over me at the hospital, I find that it is one of my greatest areas that I  need to keep in check.  Respecting those in authority when I don't think that what they are doing is right or justifiable is something I have been working on for many years already.  It is getting easier.  

I really don't have issues with paying taxes or following the laws of our government.  We still live in a free country for the most part.  I am not sure how I would work this out if I lived in a country where I wasn't allowed to worship God... but I don't think that those laws would be included in this passage.  There are examples in scripture of those who refused to stop worshiping God against authority and God protected their lives.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 48 - Romans 12:14 - 12:21

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;    I will pay them back,”    says the Lord.

20 Instead,“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.In doing this, you will heap    burning coals of shame on their heads.”21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Terrie's Comments:

I am not sure about everyone else but I know for myself I need to remember these things often.  We live in a world surrounded with the attitude that you have the right to be upset and hold grudges... "Never take revenge.  Leave that to the righteous anger of God."  Chew on that for a minute...

We are to do good always, live at peace with everyone.  This is pretty much the opposite of the world we live in that says "whatever feels good to me is good".  Putting God first means putting everyone else before Me always.  Anyone else need to keep this in mind?

Tori: Ordinary people I believe are anyone who you might be tempted to consider "beneath" your social status.  

Tori's Comments:

I read somewhere that it is really hard to hate someone you pray for daily. I thought it was an awesome way of seeing this, because it shows how prayer helps us, as well.

Just curious... what does it mean by 'ordinary people'?

Verse 21 is awesome. I kind of want to hang it on my wall as a reminder.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 47 - Romans 12:9 - 12:13

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Tori's Comments:

Whoa whoa whoa  whoa. Loads of gems.

I'm just going to pick out one to camp out on for now. Really loving others. I choose this because it's very hard to do. It takes constant self sacrifice and means trying to be the best friend I can, even when I don't feel like it.

There was a lot of advice (I guess that's the word for it? Or commands?) in today's section. I'm curious-which one do you struggle with, or are focusing on right now, or just stuck out to you?

Terrie's Comments:

This is one for the wall... time to break out my cricut and cut some vinyl letters... lots of great and practical reminders in a few short verses!!

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 46 - Romans 12:1 - 12:8

12 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Terrie's Comments:

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but LET GOD TRANSFORM ME INTO A NEW PERSON BY CHANGING THE WAY I THINK"

Be honest in my evaluation of myself

Use the gifts and abilities that God has given me the best that I can.  

I guess the key to this is to identify what the behavior and customs of this world are that I shouldn't copy and then to LET God transform me and letting Him change the way I think.  In a world that tends to boast about how independent we are and how we don't need each other it is hard to then rely completely on God and give Him glory for everything.  How can I give Him glory more in my life?

Tori's Comments:

"Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

I realize I often ask about knowing the Holy Spirit's voice from others, and these few verses at the beginning sure help.

Ha! I love how it says "the faith God has given us", because I can testify that I can't even be faithful on my own!

"we all belong to each other." I think that's beautiful. And in this sort of relationship, giving up on people because they are too needy or tire you out isn't an option.

I remember a lot of stressing about what God wants me to do with my life, but have come to a peace about it. This passage only reaffirms what I feel about it. I realized God had given me gifts and talents, and it was my job to use them. Not only that, but to glorify God through them. It was such a relief to go from this mindset of needing to convert thousands of people and open orphanages and blah blah blah to....doing a job I feel God has gifted me to do well.

This passage went loads of different directions. I think the "we belong to each other" is something I'll be keeping in mind. What about you? Anything particular stick out?

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 45 - Romans 11:28 - 11:36

28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. 30 Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. 31 Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.

33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
    Who knows enough to give him advice?
35 And who has given him so much
    that he needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Tori's Comments:

"For God's gifts and His call can never be withdrawn."

I am confused as to what is being referred to. The gift of salvation?

Terrie's Comments:

Everything comes from God

Everything Exists by His Power

Everything is intended for His glory...

How often do I act like everything was made for my purposes and my pleasure?  I come from God, I exist only by His power, and I am intended to glorify Him.  That is my purpose... How am I doing on that?

Tori:

Since he is talking about God's gifts and call to Abraham Isaac and Jacob I don't think it would be the gift of salvation specifically.  I think it is a general reference to all of God's gifts and his callings to His people.  

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 44 - Romans 11:25 - 11:27

25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,

“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,
    and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.
27 And this is my covenant with them,
    that I will take away their sins.”

Terrie's Comments:

It is so clear that God's heart is for us and he wants to see everyone saved, not just the Israelite's.  It is also clear that he is serious about keeping his promises.

Tori's Comments:

Oh, I feel like I've missed a part of these last few sections. All the while, he has been making sure his readers realize that nothing they can do will earn them salvation.And you shouldn't brag about a gift, but glorify the giver.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 43 - Romans 11:17 - 11:24

17 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.

19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” 20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. 21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.

22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. 23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. 24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.

Tori's Comments:

"kind to you if you trust in His kindness"

As in His promises to us?

Terrie's Comments:

It is a marathon which you win the prize for finishing and believing in Jesus Christ to the end.  "But if you stop trusting, you will also be cut off"... There is no prize for giving up before the end.

Keep your eye fixed on the end.  It will be worth the effort it takes to be set apart as ambassadors for Jesus!!

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 42 - Romans 11:7 - 11:16

7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8 As the Scriptures say,

“God has put them into a deep sleep.
To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see,
    and closed their ears so they do not hear.”
9 Likewise, David said,
“Let their bountiful table become a snare,
    a trap that makes them think all is well.
Let their blessings cause them to stumble,
    and let them get what they deserve.
10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,
    and let their backs be bent forever.”

11 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. 12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.

13 I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, 14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. 15 For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! 16 And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.

Terrie's Comments:

I can feel Paul's heart for the Israelite's here... He so desires for them to come to a faith in Jesus alone for their salvation.  He is pleading with the Gentiles to live a life that shines like a light to the Jews so that some of them may also be saved.  

I am reminded of the prodigal's son whom Jesus told about... when he returned home His father celebrated greatly because he was dead and now he was alive again!  His father was waiting and longing for the day of his son's return and when he returned His father saw him coming a long way off and ran to meet Him... this is a great picture of God's love for all who are lost (especially the Jews who were set apart for Him since Abraham).  Do we long for those who are lost around us to be saved?

Tori's Comments:

Going to be honest, I don't know many Jewish people. But can I assume to take this mindset with people who bash the faith? That we shouldn't be hardened to them, but always hope for their salvation. And if it does, we celebrate because they have gone from death to life.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 41 - Romans 11:1 - 11:6

I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”
5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

Tori's Comments:

"free and undeserved"

Just how I need it.

via GIPHY

Terrie's Comments:

God's Grace is Free and Undeserved... which means I am good enough :-) Just as I am.  Only by God's Grace... His unmerited favor!

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 40 - Romans 10:14 - 10:21

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. 18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:“The message has gone throughout the earth,    and the words to all the world.”
19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said,“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation.    I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”
20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,“I was found by people who were not looking for me.    I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”
21 But regarding Israel, God said,“All day long I opened my arms to them,    but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

Terrie's Comments: 

In other translations Verse 17 reads like this: "So then faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."  If you feel like your faith is weak or you are having trouble trusting that God will do what he says he will do perhaps it is a word problem not a faith problem.  The more you hear God's word, listen to it, apply it... the natural by-product of that will be faith.  Trusting someone comes from spending time with them.  Trusting God is no different.  If you want faith (trusting God's word is true) then you need to put effort into your relationship with God and get to know Him by spending time in His word and talking with Him.  Makes sense :-)   

Tori's Comments:

Terrie and I were just talking about how faith is grown. Well, I am pre-writing this before my trip, so not that recently, but still.

The author explains just how epic and awesome faith is. And then he tells us just how to get it.

With such a simple answer, why don't we read our bible more? Search the Word and soak ourselves in truth?

I am convicted of this especially.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 39 - Romans 10:5 - 10:13

5 For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. 6 But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). 7 And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” 8 In fact, it says,

“The message is very close at hand;

    it is on your lips and in your heart.”
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Tori's Comments:
And the reason that it seems so simple is because faith is our weapon it against the enemy. It is powerful to believe what God says.

"They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him."

He has certainly given generously to us.

Terrie's Comments:
This passage dismisses the theory of being a quiet Christian.  "For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by OPENLY DECLARING YOUR FAITH that you are saved".  You can't keep it to yourself and at the same time openly declare the same thing that you are keeping to yourself.  I need to work on this... anyone else with me on this?

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 38 - Romans 10:1 - 10:4

 Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

Terrie's Comments:

I think we need to spend more time praying for the church as a whole... for those that cling to rules and traditions and have misdirected zeal... they think they are doing God's will but don't understand that it isn't what we do it is what Jesus Christ has already accomplished that that makes us right with God when we place our trust in that alone!

Tori's Comments:

"they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law"

This seems very prevalent today even in Christianity and my own life. But going through Romans has been so great at pouring God's mercy, forgiveness and love over me, washing those doubts away. 

"ALL who believe in him are made right with God."

Now, when Satan comes I feel more able to say:

via GIPHY

'Cuz there is no condemnation in Christ!

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 37 - Romans 9:27 - 9:33

27 And concerning Israel, Isaiah the prophet cried out,“Though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the seashore,    only a remnant will be saved. For the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth    quickly and with finality.”
29 And Isaiah said the same thing in another place:“If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies    had not spared a few of our children,we would have been wiped out like Sodom,    destroyed like Gomorrah.”
30 What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. 31 But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. 32 Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. 33 God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said,“I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble,    a rock that makes them fall.But anyone who trusts in him    will never be disgraced.”

Tori's Comments:

Verse 32 is awesome. It really shows the difference between living by the law verses living by the Spirit. The stone in the path in my life is definitely fear of people's opinions of me.

Anyone have anything different that hinders you from trusting God?

Terrie's Comments:

I think many people in the church have a set of rules that they live by in their heads.  A set of "God's laws" or what they think God expects.  We need to learn to live by the leading of the Holy Spirit so those laws are not a stumbling block in our lives... I am guilty of this... anyone else with me?  Love the Lord your God with all of your Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength and Love your Neighbor as yourself... I want to become more unconditionally loving and live a life filled with compassion for others no matter what other people think of me.  Those of you that know me can keep me accountable to this!

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!