Tuesday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

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 10 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 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. 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.

Salvation Is for Everyone

For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. 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). And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” 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: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 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. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

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? 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!”

But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. 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.”

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.”

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.”

But regarding Israel, God said,

“All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

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Morning Reflection:

“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.”
– Romans 10:10

What does it mean to “believe in your heart?”

+ It is the working of the Holy Spirit creating in us a hunger and longing for something to fill our emptiness.

+ It is the reaching out to Christ, and Him coming to live in us, and our pressing Him close to us.

+ It is the conviction that Christ is just what we want and need, even though we may know very little about doctrine or theology.

+ It is the joy and gladness we experience when we realize that Christ crucified has removed our troubles – we are forgiven and set free.

+ It is the confidence in Christ that sustains us throughout all the cares and sorrows of our lives.

+ It is the certainty at life’s end that we shall see Christ face to face, and know Him even as we are known by Him.

What does it mean to openly declare our faith?

+ It is uniting with other believers in public acts of worship – regularly “calling on the name of the Lord.”

+ It is publicly professing our faith – at our church we provide content to our profession our faith by repeating the words of the Nicene Creed which singularly unites all of Christendom.

+ It is our baptism in public that marks the death and burial of our old life, and our resurrection to our new life in Christ.

+ It is our participation in the Lord’s Supper that declares our distinction from the world and nourishes our new life in Christ.

+ It is our association with other believers who are learning and growing in Christ, and who pray for one another.

+ It is bearing the crosses we have been given – in our own families and in the unique temptations and challenges we face.

+ It is telling others the Good News of what Christ has done for us and trusting God to use it for good in their  lives.

Questions for consideration:

• When you reflect on “believing in your heart,” what stands out for you? Is there anything missing? Please explain.
• When you reflect on “declaring your faith,” what stands out for you? Is there anything missing? Please explain.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
– Romans 10:13

• What does this scripture verse mean to you? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Thank you for bringing me to a place in my life where I called out to you wholeheartedly in faith. Thank you for the gift of your Spirit that creates in me a hunger and thirst to draw closer to Christ, and to grow in faith and practice. Thank you for your sustaining mercy and grace throughout the years. And thank you for the believing friends and faith communities that I have known. Bless your people and your church that we may be lights to the nations, sources of help and healing and hope. I ask this in Jesus’ name, and for your glory. Amen.
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“Call On The Name” – Vertical Church Band

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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