Good Morning,
I apologize for the delay in getting your devotional. Technical difficulties have hindered our progress, but we have a temporary solution to the problem. You will receive three devotional in one today. I do hope that you will join us in Bible Study either at noon today or tonight at 7:00
January is almost over. Our New Year is really in full swing. There is a saying in business that says, “If you do the same thing the same way you get the same results. Can you live with that? We often quote the first part, but never ask the question. The reality is NO; we can not live with that. The very nature of life is change, transition, growth or decline. Many times we can determine the direction, intensity, and duration,
January is almost over. Our New Year is really in full swing. There is a saying in business that says, “If you do the same thing the same way you get the same results. Can you live with that? We often quote the first part, but never ask the question. The reality is NO; we can not live with that. The very nature of life is change, transition, growth or decline. Many times we can determine the direction, intensity, and duration,
As we continue our transition and transformation let’s how
Romans 16 can help us. Here is our devotional for today.
Blessings
Barbara
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014
SCRIPTURE
ROMANS 16 I
commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that
you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist
her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper
of many and of myself also.
OBSERVATION
1. Paul commends a servant from one church to another
church.
2. This servant was helpful to Paul and to many.
APPLICATION
1.
Are you a servant
of the church, or do you want to be served by the church?
2.
Can your pastor
write a favorable letter of recommendation based on your faithful service?
3.
Who are you
helping?
PRAYER
Gracious Father forgive me of
my selfishness, as well as my self righteousness. Help me walk in such a way
that those who have leadership over me can recommend me without hesitation for
service else where. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
SCRIPTURE
ROMANS 16: 3 Greet Priscilla
and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,4 who risked their
own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the
churches of the Gentiles.5 Likewise greet the church that
is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of
Achaia to Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who
labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus
and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the
apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias, my
beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus,
our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles,
approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion,
my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who
are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena
and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who
labored much in the Lord.13 Greet Rufus,
chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.14 Greet
Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with
them. 15 Greet Philologus
and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with
them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The[c] churches of
Christ greet you.
OBERVATION
1.
Paul’s fellow
workers risk their lives to save his life.
2.
Paul greeted
persons who labored with him and for him in the Lord
APPLICATION
1.
Have you risked
your life to save another’s life?
2.
Have you risked
loosing a friendship by standing up to gossip about another?
3.
Are you laboring
for the Lord with someone else?
4.
Can you be
remembered with fondness by those you have served along side?
PRAYER
Father I have lived much of
my Christian life looked to be served, not to serve. I have sought to be fed,
rather than to feed. I have helped to crucify those who serve you rather than
protect and serve along side. Today O Lord, I repent. Work in me to will and to
do your good pleasure. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.
WEDNESDY, JANUARY 22, 2014
SCRIPTURE
ROMANS 16: 17 Now I urge you,
brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine
which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who
are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but
their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts
of the simple. 19 For your
obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I
want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of
peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you. Amen.
OBERVATION
1.
Paul instructs to
take note of and avoid persons who cause division, offence and walk contrary to
the doctrine of Christ.
2.
Paul says those
who we are to note and avoid do not serve Christ, but their own desires.
3.
Their smooth
talking and flattery deceive the simple.
4.
We are called to
be wise in what is good and simple concerning evil.
APPLICATION
1.
Do you struggle
with identifying and avoiding those who cause division, offence and walk
contrary to the doctrine of Christ?
2.
Do you serve
Christ or your own desires and appetites?
PRAYER
Father it is so easy to
become entangled with the smooth talking flattery giving person. It is so easy
to listen to their divisive, offence giving, contrariness. It is succulent and
juicy. Help me overcome this tendency. Empower me to be wise in that which is
good and simple concerning evil. In Jesus’ name AMEN.