Thursday Morning: 21 Mar 2019 – Romans 5:12-21 ~ God’s wonderful grace rules

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Romans 5:12-21 (NLT)

Adam and Christ Contrasted

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Morning Reflection:

“Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone,
but Christ’s one act of righteousness
brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners.
But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”
– Romans 5:18-19

The contrast between Adam and Christ is a contrast between condemnation and grace – Adam brought sin, guilt. and death; Jesus brought forgiveness, grace and life.

Let’s look at that a little closer at condemnation and grace –

+ condemnation originates in sin
+ grace originates in the righteousness of Christ

+ condemnation is distinguished by disobedience
+ grace is distinguished by the obedience of faith

+ the law exposes sin, and increases condemnation
+ grace removes both yet magnifies the law

+ condemnation brings death now and forever
+ grace confers a new life on earth and a glorious and wonderful life in the world to come

Questions for consideration:

As you think about the activities and involvements of your daily life, what drives you, guilt or grace? Please explain.
How do you think the sin and condemnation of Adam affects your daily decisions, your lifestyle? Please explain.
How do you think the righteousness and grace of Christ affects your daily decisions, your lifestyle? Please explain.
What does it mean to you: “God’s wonderful grace rules… giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Gracious God: Fill me with joy in the Holy Spirit that I might live every day under the banner of your mercy and grace through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant me a dimension of freedom that I have never known before – the freedom of your wonderful grace ruling in my life, making me your friend, and assuring me of a home with you forever. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Grace Got You” – MercyMe

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Wednesday Morning: 20 Mar 2019 – Romans 5:1-11 ~ Cause for rejoicing!

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – Romans 5:1-11 (NLT)

Faith Brings Joy

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
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Morning Reflection:

We live in a world of trouble – it’s all around us; we can’t escape it. Sometimes we are buffeted by hurt and hardship, and sometimes we are knocked down by pain and suffering. But through it all, we can rejoice. Paul explains why.

“Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith,
we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” – Romans 5:1

1. Our peace with God is cause for rejoicing – because it’s a done deal through faith in Jesus Christ. We have a new relationship with God; we are his friends.

God loves us and cares about us, whatever our difficulties we experience.
We have peace with God now, whether we feel it or not – it’s a spiritual truth.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials….”
– Romans 5:3

2. Our peace with God is cause for rejoicing – because God can actually use our present difficulties to create in us a deeper longing for him and a deeper desire to experience him.

Our troubles develop endurance, the endurance of Christ.
Endurance develops strength of character, the character of Christ
Character strengthens our confident hope, the love of Christ.

Questions for consideration:

Do you have peace with God? If you are not sure, follow this link to – Begin Your Journey to Peace.

With trouble all around us, what sort has rubbed off on you? Please explain.
Does knowing that you are a friend of God help you? Please explain.
Does knowing that God is developing strength of character in you help? Please explain.
How do you express confident joy in your relationship with God? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: I live in a world of trouble; the good world you made has been corrupted by the compounded effects of ageless sin – and some of it has rubbed off on me. Thank you for judging me “not guilty” and making me your friend through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for loving me even in my troubles and struggles. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may experience confident joy, not in anything I do, but in the certain hope of eternity lived in your glorious presence. I ask this in Jesus’ name.
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“Peace Perfect Peace” – Praise And Harmony Singers

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning: 19 Mar 2019 – Romans 4:16-25 ~ Counted as Righteous.

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – Romans 4:16-25 (NLT)

So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him,

“I have made you the father of many nations.”

This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him,

“That’s how many descendants you will have!”

And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
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Morning Reflection:

“Because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.”
– Romans 4:22

What does it mean to be “counted as righteous?” A.B. Simpson is reported to have said that the gospel –

“tells rebellious men that God is reconciled,
that justice is satisfied,
that sin has been atoned for,
that the judgment of the guilty may be revoked,
the condemnation of the sinner canceled,
the curse of the Law blotted out,
the gates of hell closed,
the portals of heaven opened wide,
the power of sin subdued,
the guilty conscience healed,
the broken heart comforted,
the sorrow and misery of the Fall undone.”

And where’s the proof? Easter!

It was recorded for our benefit, too,
assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him,
the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
He was handed over to die because of our sins,
and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
– Romans 4:23-25

Questions for consideration:

In AB Simpson’s list, which one speaks to you personally? Please explain.
Has your faith grown stronger or weaker since you first believed? Please explain.
What new thing would you like God to create in your life that doesn’t presently exist? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Gracious God: Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins so that I might be counted as righteous through faith in him. Thank you for cancelling my condemnation; thank you for opening the gates of heaven to me; and thank you for forgiving me and freeing me from guilt and shame. Strengthen me in faith that I might live as a child of your promise – to bring dead things back to life, and create new things out of nothing. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“His Righteousness” – Acappella

God made Him who had no sin
So that we might become His Righteousness
Instead of ourselves He offered Him
So that we might become His Righteousness

So that we might become His Righteousness
So that we might become His Righteousness

Holy God was offered for us
So that we might become His Righteousness
So that we might become His Righteousness

It’s hard to believe we can be spiritually well
So that we might become His Righteousness
The loving God tasted the essence of hell
So that we might become His Righteousness

So that we might become His Righteousness
So that we might become His Righteousness

Holy God was offered for us
So that we might become His Righteousness

God in the flesh lived as a man
Will of the Father, fulfilling His plan
Jesus condemned, taking our place
Now we are in Him and we’ll see His face
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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Monday Morning: 18 Mar 2019 – Romans 4:1-15 ~ Children of the Promise.

Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – Romans 4:1-15 (NLT)

The Faith of Abraham

Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us,

“Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”

Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. But how did this happen? Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised!

Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)
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Morning Reflection:

By Faith Alone and the Unity of the Bible.

Today’s reading identifies Abraham as the spiritual Father of all who put their faith and trust in God – whether Jew or Gentile. In so doing, the essential unity of the Old and New testaments is revealed –

All are made right with God by faith alone.

While the content of the revelation is in many respects different in the NT, the object of faith, namely, God, and the primacy of faith over works, has not changed. (Greg Herrick)

So what does this mean for us today? A right relationship with God is a gift of God’s grace received through faith –

+ There is nothing we can do to earn it or deserve it.

+ We are unable to save ourselves; grace is our only hope.

+ The observance of religious rites is of no value in securing it.

+ By faith, Christian believers participate in God’s promise to Abraham.

+ The forgiveness of sins is a necessary element of being made right with God.

Questions for consideration:

“The wonder of forgiveness has become a banality. It can be the death of our faith if we forget that it is literally a miracle.”—Helmut Thielicke

Do you view your relationship with God as a miracle? Please explain.

“What I envy most about you Christians is your forgiveness; I have nobody to forgive me” — Marghanita Laski, secular humanist and novelist, before her death in 1988.

Do you view yourself as a person who is forgiven and set free? Please explain.
How does that affect how you think, feel, and behave? Please explain.
Who needs to hear about God’s forgiveness before they die? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Thank you for the wonder of your amazing grace – my inclusion in your ageless family through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for your undeserved mercy – the forgiveness of my sins through the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the guidance of your Word and Spirit – leading me on when I had no idea where I was going. And thank you for securing for me a place in your eternal Kingdom – my true home and resting place forever. Amen.
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“By Faith” – Keith & Kristyn Getty

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

The 2nd Sunday of Lent – 17 Mar 2019 – Luke 13:22-35 ~ Always pressing on toward Jerusalem.

Second Sunday of Lent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Be Thou My Vision” – Noel Richards

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Gospel Reading: Luke 13:22-35 (NLT)

The Narrow Door

Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

He replied, “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’

“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God. And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then.”

Jesus Grieves over Jerusalem

At that time some Pharisees said to him, “Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!”

Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn’t do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem!

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
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Prayer: St Patrick (389-461)- in resolute discipleship, a call to stand.

I call all heaven to witness today that I have put on Christ, I choose no other Lord than the Maker of heaven and earth. This day I walk with Him and He will walk with me. Watch over, and protect me:

+ In life’s choices and circumstance….
+ In my coming and going, in light and darkness….
+ In hesitancy and fear, uncertainty and rebellion….
+ In testing and pain, in danger and doubt….
+ In bearing good news, in breaking new ground….
+ Alone or with others, be they friend or enemy….
+ In carrying your light, in combating darkness….
+ In healing and freedom and life-giving blessing….
+ In comfort or challenge, to rescue and save….
+ In all my beginnings, and at each ending….

Watch over, and protect me. In the name of the Protecting Father, in the name of the Conquering Son, and in the name of the Liberating Spirit, I arise today. Amen.
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“Christ Be All Around Me” – All Sons & Daughters

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Blessing – an Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!