ROMANS 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.(building up)

This verse challenges me at every turn. It begins by referencing the previous verses with the “therefore.” Because righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit are pleasing to God and approved by men I should be purposeful in my actions…all of them. I should purpose each morning to do only what leads to peace with others and the building up or growth of them in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness and happiness. Destructiveness at any level is not given here as an option. Not a sharp word (speak the truth in love:  Ephesians 4:15)) nor an unkind action (I Corinthians 10:31). If my words and actions are bathed in righteousness, peace and the joy of the Holy Spirit, peace should result. I can look back and grade myself on how I did in any particular situation as I view the results. Do I see peace and a building up of those around me when I turn and look back? A wise, holy, and happy (even in the hardest of times) body of fellow believers should be what I see.

How purposeful am I in my actions to ensure that everything I do results in the building up of those around me? If I do purpose my actions in that way, then I will be built up as I have built others up. Am I more apt to build myself up at the expense of others? May that never be! In purposing my actions drawing help from the Lord is crucial. I know that I cannot do this on my own. I am so grateful that He will give me all that I need to only do what has positive results…what leads to peace and the building up of those around me.

Jesus draw me close. I desire to worship and obey. I desire to be an instrument of your peace. That peace that surpasses understanding.

But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction.  2 Chronicles 26:16

This week I heard of yet another successful, evangelical pastor who has fallen from ministry due to sin.  It seems we hear this all the time.  In most cases it involves immorality, at least on the surface.  But in every case I think it involves pride.  When you get right down to it, most fall due to pride; thinking they are above failure, beyond correction, outside the laws and rules that govern commoners.  Pride is a dangerous attribute for the Christian.  Uzziah’s pride was his ultimate downfall, as the bible puts it, his destruction.  Uzziah was a good king, made the right changes, made good choices, led the nation well.  God prospered him.  But his pride led him to believe that God’s rules did not apply to him, this is dangerous ground on which to tread.  Maybe we need to welcome a little failure in life, a little forced humility.  It might very well be the antidote to the pride that so easily leads to our downfall.  Better yet, we need to recognize where our success originates; from the hand of our gracious God.

Rom. 12:18 (NASV)   If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

We live in a world filled with conflict. We certainly don’t have to look hard to find it. We can see it as our nation “fights” a war. We can hear it as a couple does battle with each other next door. We can watch it as a friend’s child rebels against her parents or see it unfold as a parent exasperates his children. We can observe it in long-time friendships or short-time acquaintances. We can watch it unfold between a boss and his employees or a coach and her athletes. We can even find it in churches. Heard of any church splits lately?

And what’s worse, we can even see this tendency toward conflict in ourselves, often more than we’d like. You know what I mean? When we desire to fight it out versus work it out with someone, maybe even someone we really love. When we have the feeling that we must be right because they have to be wrong. When we somehow think that it’s the other person’s responsibility to make it right, because it can’t possibly be ours.  When we basically say to the one we are fighting, “You want to make peace with me? Maybe. You want me to make peace with you. Good luck.” And then comes Rom. 12:18 - “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”  As one version puts it, “Do your best to be at peace with everyone.” Yeah, but what if I’m right? It doesn’t matter. It’s still up to me to try to make peace with them. But what if they won’t listen? It doesn’t matter. The ball is still in my court to try to make peace with them. But what if I can’t stand them? It’s still my responsibility before God to try to make peace with them. But what if they are anti-Christian? If possible, so far as it depends on me, be at peace with them.

God, as far as it depends on me, help me to be at peace with those around me. Life is too short and valuable to do otherwise.

The Big Picture

This week’s readings in 2 Chronicles continues the overview of the kings of Judah (the southern kingdom). Whereas all the kings of Israel (the northern kingdom) were wicked, the southern kingdom had both good and evil kings. The wickedness of some of the kings is beyond belief, and we cannot help but wonder at God’s patience with them. We find in 2 Chronicles 21:7 the reason God did not completely wipe out Judah: “Because of the covenant the LORD had made with David, the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David. He had promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants forever.”

Eight out of the 20 rulers of Judah were good—some of them more than others. Interestingly, the effects of their revivals never lasted more than one generation.

What to Watch For

The southern kingdom had 20 rulers (beginning with Rehoboam in 2 Chronicles 9:31 and ending with Zedekiah in 2 Chronicles 36:10-21). To help get a clear picture of their succession, as you read along, write a simple list that includes their names, the number of years that they reigned, and whether they were good or evil.

Practical Applications for Today

The fact none of the revivals that took place in Judah lasted beyond one generation stresses the importance of raising up children who will follow God. The same is true within the church—the older generations need to invest themselves in the younger generations so that they might carry on God’s work and not “extinguish the flame.”

The Big Picture

The first 11 chapters of the book of Romans covers the doctrines of sin, salvation, and sanctification. After having explained our position before God, Paul now transitions to explaining our practice as Christians. Romans 12:1-2 begins with the exhortation for us to present ourselves a living sacrifice to God…and the rest of the book describes what a living sacrifice looks like.

What to Watch For

Chapters 12—16 are filled to overflowing with instructions on living the Christian life. As you read through these chapters, write a list of some of the major signs of a transformed life (for example, obedience to God, submission to governing authorities, etc.). What are some of the key characteristics that can make a Christian stand out as a good testimony before unbelievers?

Practical Applications for Today

• It is only because of God’s work in you (Romans chapters 1—11) that you are able to live the kind of life described in Romans chapters 12—16. It’s all by God’s grace!
• Inner transformation results in outer transformation. What is true about your heart will show up in your actions.

Romans 11:11 “..But by their transgressions (Israel’s), salvation has come to the Gentiles..”

 My grandmother’s name was Helphensteine.  My great grandmother’s was Yazell.  They both sounded very Jewish to me, but when I inquired of my Uncle Frank, he promptly responded, “no.”  I was disappointed.  I would have considered it an honor.

Someone once said, “It is a foolish man who kicks away the ladder which raised him to the height he has reached.”  The Jewish faith is the root of Christianity.  My Savior was a Jewish man, the Incarnate Christ.  By His stripes I was healed because His own people rejected Him.  It is humbling to read in I Peter 2:7, “This precious value, then, is for you who believe…”  Peter goes on to say in verse 9 that we who believe are now “…a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession..”

 I think our Christian forefathers knew that the blessings we experience through faith in Christ has come at the expense of the “hardened nation of Israel.”  Paul’s hope, and ours as well, is that Israel will come out of their unbelief as God continues to pursue them with His unfailing love.  Psalms 122:6 reminds us, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”  And in verse 8 the psalmist adds, “may peace be within you.” 

Lord, I am reminded each day when I read or hear the news to pray for Your peace for all of Israel.  I pray that their hearts will be softened by your love and that they will one day recognize you, Jesus, as the Prince of Peace.  I thank you, Jesus, for the salvation that came to me, a Gentile.   

Psalm 19:7  “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.  The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

God’s Word has the ability to revive an empty, dead, dry, lifeless soul.  God’s Word can be trusted and it is powerful in that it can change a person’s life, bring “water” to a parched heart, and put wind in the sails of someone who needs the right word at the right time.

Lord I could use that today.  I need to be revived, encouraged, and reminded about some things.  Thank you Jesus for being an encourager, the lover of my soul, and my friend.  Help me Lord to live within your grace and mercy and to be constantly guided by your truth.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:37-39

Chomp…chew, chew, chew…Whew..my day to blog, and here I am in Romans 8.  I have been here so many times to find out the truth. Sometimes in this life things are…hard.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face:now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.  1 Corinthians 13:12,13

I can see here that Paul has answered many questions for himself with the truth. Here he is now in Rome with some life experience under his belt, and he has faith (God has seen him through in the past), he has hope (he knows that he belongs to Jesus and he will someday be with him), and Paul is extending the truth in love.

I want to abide…not hide… Abide in faith, hope, and love. I desire to embrace the truth of where I stand for eternity, and move on to the assignments,the purpose that God has for me each day…I do not want to loose sight of the good that God works all things together for. I remember the time that I learned what “all” meant in the Greek. All means…all.

Lord, Thank you that all things work together for good. I desire to be a woman that does not try to define “good” for myself.  I want to be a seeker outer of the good, and I want to point out the good. I want to abide. I do see how you have given me faith, and hope and love. I want to be a willing vessel to carry these things to others, especially those who do not know you.

I want to thank Crystal McKay for her journal entry today.  Crystal and John help lead our “PC Squared” ministry, a ministry to anyone who is “post college” and “pre children”.  It meets at Camp Harlow on Thursday nights.

“For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.”
Romans 8:16

It is amazing to me that the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in us as Christians.  It is the token that God has left with us to guide us as we live this life until the wonderful day when we can be with Him in heaven.  I love how this verse points out how the Holy Spirit dwells deep in our hearts, so much so that even sin can’t push Him out.  Sure there are plenty of times that I have struggled with sin, but even during  those struggles there is always an instant when something in my gut tells me that what I am about to do, or am in the midst of doing, is wrong.  That something is the Holy Spirit.  It reminds me that I am God’s child and that ultimately sin has no right to be in my life.  This loyalty to God separates me from sin and makes me realize that I can overcome it.

This verse is encouraging to me as I continue to walk with Christ and grow deeper in my relationship with Him.  I am so relieved to know that God, through the Holy Spirit, is working inside me to help me overcome my weaknesses and to figure out the plan that God has for me.  It is a scary thought to think that I could be left to my own device, with no guide to help me along the way.

Thank you so much God for your Holy Spirit.  Thank you for your constant companionship.  Please help me to recognize your voice during temptations and trials and to be humble enough to listen to it.

Rom 8:1 (NIV) - Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

The holy God. A sinful people. Inevitable punishment. Futile human effort. The perfect Savior. His incredible sacrifice. An indescribable gift of salvation for those willing to put their faith in Him. Imperfect believers. And yet, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Amazing grace! The Book of Romans (so far) and the heart of Christianity in a nutshell.

God, thank you for so great and secure a salvation. Thank you that Rom. 8:1 doesn’t read, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… who are sinless, or who haven’t failed, or who always obey You, or who never want to give up, or who never doubt. Thank you that it simply says, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…period!” And if You are so unwilling to condemn me because of Your Son, then please don’t let me condemn anyone else, especially those closest to me, because of Him as well.