Category Archives: Romans

Focus

Posted on December 7, 2016 | Leave a comment

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“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1-4

Romans 8 is encouragement “for those who are in Christ Jesus.” It’s a good plan, designed to redirect our focus away from the necessary consequences of God’s disapproval because of the rules we could not keep, to “sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh” to become the living example of a new option.

That Advent changed our focus completely. Jesus’ birth is the fulfillment of God’s promise to redirect our focus so “the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” It’s more than celebrating the historical birth of Christ “His”story has become our story too. That’s worth celebrating year after year!

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Posted in Advent, Romans, Wednesday

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Challenge and Perspective

Posted on November 9, 2016 | Leave a comment

The Presidential election is finally over! I suspect everyone can honestly say “that’s one for the books” and that’s true. It’s now become the reality of recorded history. Imagine future generations of high school students sitting in history class trying their best to stay awake as they are forced to study this one year in politics that kept us glued to the TV and up half the night.

Romans 13:1 is my challenge to accept another reality of an even older history that’s now the cutting edge of Plan Be.

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

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Posted in Plan "Be", Romans, Wednesday

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Plan Be – Faith and Laundry

Posted on October 19, 2016 | Leave a comment

Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Laundry! That’s what came to my mind when I read this. Remember, this blog is about finding faith in “daily” life. Laundry is a basic activity we all go through to “renew” a piece of soiled clothing and transform it into something presentable we’re happy to be seen in. Daily use takes it’s toll on laundry…and on our minds.

That’s why keeping up with laundry stains becomes a pretty good analogy for the renewing of the mind. It’s a before and after thing.
Is it just slightly soiled or badly stained?
Have you got the necessary stain treater?
Does it need pre-treating and soaking?
Does it need more treatment before going in the dryer?

Let your mind run with those few ideas…but remember this…Spiritual laundry is the mental image of your own before and after. Your proof of God’s “good, pleasing and perfect will” is that he’s changed your mind to be able to see him.  You’re looking better than just presentable. You’re looking more like what he’s created you to Be.

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Posted in Plan "Be", Romans, Wednesday

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His Promise…His Power 12/11/15

Posted on December 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

Romans 8:2-5 NASB
3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

What a surprise to find myself in my favorite chapter from the whole Bible for my Advent reading today.  If you remove the “religiousity” factor of laws you have to admit we can’t live without them.  We need laws to create order and some level of security in our society.  I’ll bet I’m not the only one that’s broken some of them: ever rolled through a stop sign?

That’s an easier-to-swallow version of “weak as it was through the flesh” to own up to. Now that our minds are in the right place maybe we can face the issue of “sinful flesh”…and “in us.”  That’s ugly, isn’t it?  That Holy baby, Jesus…Immanuel…was born “in the likeness of” us???

This is how far God went “so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us.”   He filled that cradle with His Promise…His Power to buy back that “likeness of sinful flesh” in us, and redeem the meaning of this season, for “the things of the Spirit.”  That’s what Advent is all about..

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Posted in Advent, Birth of Jesus, Christmas Bread, Daily Faith, Romans

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Show Me…To Me

Posted on October 25, 2015 | Leave a comment

Romans 8:26 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

I believe so strongly that the Holy Spirit is alive and well and at work.  I believe that if I have put my life in Jesus it is my foolishness if I do not begin to explore the reality of the teaching, supporting and personal guidance God has promised that Spirit will give me according to his will.  I may get wrong at times…but then I’ve been wrong many times for nowhere near as good a reason as trying to find faith in my daily life.

It’s the groaning part I understand the most; mine first, and then the Spirit’s as he and God strategize about my journey to holiness.  That advocate who can explain me to God is great but here’s the rest, and the best, of the plan from my human standpoint.  It’s the purpose and promise that the Holy Spirit will Show Me…to Me.  It’s a really big deal.

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Posted in Romans, The Real "Me"

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It’s Pastor Appreciation Sunday 2015

Posted on October 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

Grace RegardlessRomans 1 – New American Standard Bible (NASB)
1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2  which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was borthe Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness,   Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thoughts:
When I first read this passage my inclination was that it didn’t meet my study criteria of looking for ways to understand the effect and application of Grace in today’s world and in my life.  Here’s what changed my mind.

“…through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;…”  And here’s why.

This Sunday I’ll be in church.  I’ve chosen my churches carefully since becoming a believer.  I know it’s just a building filled with people who are drawn there for many reasons.  It’s likely there would be a very small number of people who would declare one of those reasons to be “needing the obedience of faith.”  But up in front stands a man who has been given that charge of Grace, “in His name,” regardless…

• Regardless of what we think we need or what he knows we need, he speaks of offered Grace.
• Regardless of our recognizing his elevated status he confesses his own need for Grace.
• Regardless of strife in the body, he hopes Grace will prevail.
• Regardless of exhaustion when sacred and moral duties use up all his energy and time, it’s Grace that makes him put one foot in front of the other.
• Regardless of sometimes being a wounded target, it’s Grace that heals and encourages.
• Regardless of all the evidence to the contrary it’s Grace that lets him look out at our faces and believe “you also are the called of Jesus Christ.”  That’s real-time, real-life Grace…Regardless.

Thank You!

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Posted in Appreciation, Blessing, Romans

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Takes One to Know One

Posted on September 3, 2015 | Leave a comment

Romans 2:1 and 14 & 15

• You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
• 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)

My Thoughts:
I’m remembering an exchange with a good man long ago who was not a believer.  I just did not know how to respond to a discussion about good people without God who do good things and people who claim to love God who do bad things.  So I took the well traveled legalist approach.  They were wrong and he was wrong.   Neither of these two areas of judgment ought to be practiced and I was wrong too.  This part of Romans suggests these graceful alternatives:

I can give God the credit for the good that is accomplished even though the one doing it may not be giving Him the credit…and I can honor that person as well without judging his position with God.

Discrediting someone else’s relationship to God is a very risky proposition.  It discredits my own relationship to God.  It’s a flashing beacon that there’s something about myself God wants me to examined first.  It’s a beacon that brings badly needed Grace into the picture.   Grace that covers both of our situations and reminds me that neither of us can survive without it.

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Posted in Grace, Romans