Wednesday Morning: 13 Mar 2019 – Romans 2:1-16 ~ God will judge everyone’s secret life

Wednesday 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 2:1-16 (NLT)

God’s Judgment of Sin

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.
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Morning Reflection:

Well that ought to slow us down; Paul is talking about us – we too are without excuse! Nevertheless, God is “wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient” with us. Why?

Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
– Romans 2:4c

God’s kindness and patience is intended to lead us to repentance.

The Protestant reformer John Calvin wrote that repentance “may be justly defined to be a true conversion of our life to God, proceeding from a serious fear of God, and consisting in the mortification of the flesh and of the old man (crucified with Christ), and in the vivification of the Spirit (raised with Christ) – a newness of life, which corresponds with the righteousness of God.”

Questions for consideration:

And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. – Romans 2:16

How has God changed your life? What aspects of your life have been truly given to God? Please explain.
What aspects of your life are you still holding on to? What needs further conversion? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Thank you for your kindness, tolerance, and patience. Hear my prayers and forgive the sins of my secret life for the sake of your son, Jesus Christ. Fill me with your Spirit, and continue the process of conversion in me – from death to life – with you in Word and Spirit. And give me a healthy fear of the coming judgement, that I might delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.
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“In the Day of Judgement” – Bryann Trejo

(Turn on Closed Caption)
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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

Tuesday Morning: 12 Mar 2019 – Romans 1:18-32 ~ What makes God angry?

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 1:18-32 (NLT)

God’s Anger at Sin

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
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Morning Reflection:

What makes God angry – not impulsively, but measured – a settled indignation?

God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness…. Yes, they knew God (through creation), but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. – Romans 1:18, 21

So how has God responded?

God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. – Romans 1:24

And how has this worked out?

Please read the following two paragraphs slowly in light of what you are seeing on the news, in your community, in your workplace, in your family, and in your own life. It’s not pretty.

As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. – Romans 1:24b-27

Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. – Romans 1:28-31

And we are without excuse –

They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. – Romans 1:32

Questions for consideration:

If you were to read these paragraphs aloud in public, would they be considered hate speech in your community? Please explain.
Which of the sins listed above has become the “new normal” in your community, in your family, in your life? Please explain.
Which of the sins listed above do you struggle with personally? Is there something else not listed? Please explain.
Why should you attend to your own sins first? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me – a sinner.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. – 1 John 1:8-9
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“In Christ Alone” – Mercy Me

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Closing:

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

Monday Morning: 11 Mar 2019 – Romans 1:1-17 ~ Good News about Jesus Christ

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 1:1-17 (NLT)

Greetings from Paul

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

God’s Good News

Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
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Morning Reflection:

The Apostle Paul begins his letter to the Romans by describing his motivation –

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,
chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.
– Romans 1:1

and describing his message –

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.
It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes
— the Jew first and also the Gentile.
This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight.
This is accomplished from start to finish by faith.
As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
– Romans 1:16-17.

The Good News about Jesus Christ is the theme of the entire letter. Here’s a preview:

+ It’s a gift of God’s grace through faith, and we are indebted to God for having received it.

+ It’s an inexhaustible truth, so vast that we can spend our whole lives exploring its riches.

+ It reveals God’s standards of holiness – as revealed by the Law; by his condemnation of sin; by the way in which he saves us by faith; and by pouring out his wrath on the Lord Jesus, so that sin’s penalty is paid.

+ It’s a part of God’s eternal plan and purpose, which is still being worked out.

+ It’s the means by which God’s power is implemented so as to save everyone who believes.

+ It’s both the message by which we enter into salvation; and the motivation and the means by which our salvation is lived out.

+ It’s revealed “from faith to faith” – beginning with saving faith, and initiating a life characterized by an ever-growing faith.

Questions for your consideration:

When did Jesus Christ become more than just a name to you? Please explain. If you are not sure, please click on this link – PeaceWithGod.net .
Has the Good News about Jesus Christ changed your life? Yes, No, Maybe? Please explain.
When you consider this preview of Romans, what perplexes you? Please explain.
When you consider this preview of Romans, what encourages you? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Gracious God: Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, so that we can be made right with you. Open our hearts, our minds, and our spirits to receive all that you have in store for us as we begin reading through the Book of Romans. Make us joyful witnesses to the Good News about Jesus Christ, that we might love him and serve him wholeheartedly, and grow in faith and practice. I ask this in Jesus’ name and for his glory. Amen.
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“I’m Not Ashamed” – Jeremy Camp

You are the fullness of the beauty I seek
You are the healer of the broken and weak

Even though few may stand and proclaim Your great name
It’s the life I want to live
I’m convinced, there is none like You

I’m not ashamed of the Gospel
I’m not ashamed of Jesus Christ
I will stand and boldly say
This is my life, whoa

You are the author of salvation and faith
You are the victory that conquered the grave
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Closing:

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

Saturday Morning: 09 Mar 2019 – John 21:15-25 ~ As for you, follow me.

Saturday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – John 21:15-25 (NLT)

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
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Morning Reflection:

Trusting Jesus for our Future

When Jesus calls us to follow him, he is really asking us to trust him in everything, even when we don’t understand it all. Jesus called Peter to “feed my sheep,” and then follow him even unto death. John was called to follow Jesus into a mixed-message, unknown future. And so Jesus calls us to follow him into the future he has prepared for us. What might that entail?

+ Trusting Jesus to lead us into the future, including times of trial, and the time and manner of our death.

+ Trusting Jesus to show us how and where we are to serve Him, without concern for how he uses others.

+ Trusting Jesus to return in glory, to bring mercy and justice, even when we don’t understand the details.

+ Trusting the reliability of Jesus’ Word, and the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth sufficient for faith and practice.

Trusting Jesus for our future is not a small thing, it is everything – our lives past, present and future depend on it.

Questions for Consideration:

Have you decided to follow Jesus into the future he has prepared for you? Please explain. If not, please follow this link to PeaceWithGod.net
What trials or struggles are you currently experiencing? How does trusting Jesus help you with this? Please explain.
What are your thoughts concerning your death? How does trusting Jesus help you with this? Please explain.
How has Jesus called you to serve him? How does trusting him help you with this? Please explain.
How does Jesus’ return affect your sense of justice? How does trusting Jesus help you with this? Please explain.
What is your practice of reading and reflecting on God’s Word? What role does the Holy Spirit play in this? Why is this important for trusting Jesus for your future? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: Prayer for Trust in Jesus – St. Ignatius of Loyola

O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things. All to the glory of your name. Amen.
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“Oh My Soul” – Casting Crowns

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Closing:

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

Friday Morning: 08 Mar 2019 – John 20:24-21:14 ~ the blessing of believing without seeing

Friday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – John 20:24-21:14 (NLT)

Jesus Appears to Thomas

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Purpose of the Book

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

Epilogue: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.
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Morning Reflection:

Why have we been reading through John’s Gospel? What’s his purpose in writing? And what’s our purpose in reading?

These are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name. – John 20:30-31

John’s purpose is that we may “continue to believe,” and with that end in mind he recorded many of the miraculous signs wrought by Jesus. Let’s review a few of them:

+ Signs declaring his Divinity – e.g. “Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” (distinguishing himself from prophets and apostles). John 8:58

+ Signs of impressive majesty – e.g. “This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory.” (turning water into wine) John 2:11

+ Signs showing compassion– e.g. “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” (the raising of Lazarus) John 11:34-36

+ Signs illustrating an important truth – e.g. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased [the merchants and money changers] out of the Temple. (his holiness, death and resurrection) – John 2:14-16; 2:21-22

+ Signs showing the necessity of faith – e.g. Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. (healing the government official’s son) John 4:46-54

+ Signs symbolizing something higher – e.g. Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (his resurrection as proof of our resurrection) John 20:27

Questions for consideration:

What’s your purpose for reading John’s Gospel? For information, or transformation, or both? Please explain.
What have your learned from reading John’s Gospel? Please explain.
What has changed in your life from reading John’s Gospel? Please explain.

Then Jesus told Thomas, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” John 20:29

Has your life been blessed by believing in Jesus? If so, how? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Thank you for sending us your Son, Jesus Christ, that we might live full, satisfying lives now and forever. And thank you for sending us your Spirit to lead us into all truth. Strengthen us in faith, hope and love – whether or not we see miraculous signs in our lifetime. For we confess, with Thomas, that Jesus is our Lord and our God! All to the glory of your Name. Amen.
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“I Believe in You” – Nathaniel Bassey