Bible League: Living His Word For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...— Romans 1:16 NKJV God is the Creator of all things. In the natural realm, He created the physical universe, plants, and animals. In the supernatural or spiritual realm, He created the various kinds of angels. Human beings were created to participate in both the spiritual realm and the natural realm (Genesis 2:7). We have a supernatural soul that makes us images of God, and we have a body that makes us natural creatures like every other natural creature God made. Given our special nature, God gave us dominion over the natural realm in order to enhance it and develop it (Genesis 1:28). As bearers of God's image, we were supposed to represent His will and ways in the natural realm. We were supposed to rule over it for Him and develop it the way He wanted. Our sin, however, disrupted our relationship to God. Instead of being obedient to Him and following His will and ways, we followed the will of Satan. We became captives of Satan (2 Timothy 2:26) and doomed to eternal destruction. The natural realm has been suffering from our disobedience ever since (Romans 8:22). Despite our betrayal, God was gracious to us. He provided a way of salvation. He did this by sending Jesus Christ, who is one with Him, into the world. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, paid the penalty for our sin on the cross despite His innocence, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended into heaven where He is now seated at the right hand of God. This is the "gospel of Christ" mentioned in our verse for today. It is the good news story of what Jesus has done for us. The Gospel is a powerful thing. It is much more than a good story. It is the means to salvation. If you believe it, you will be saved by God. You will be liberated from Satan's grasp and saved from eternal destruction. That's why the Apostle Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel. It makes no sense to be ashamed of the very thing that can lead to your salvation from Satan's grasp and from eternal destruction. Share it boldly! Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingGenesis 29, 30 Genesis 29 -- Jacob Meets Rachel, Serves Laban, Marries Rachel and Leah NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Genesis 30 -- Jacob and His Sons Prosper NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 10:1-23 Matthew 10 -- Christ Sends out His Twelve Apostles, enabling them with power to do miracles NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected— even children in the third and fourth generations. Insight Why would sins affect children and grandchildren? This is no arbitrary punishment. Children still suffer for the sins of their parents. Consider child abuse or alcoholism, for example. While these sins are obvious, sins like selfishness and greed can be passed along as well. Challenge Be careful not to treat sin casually, but repent and turn from it. The sin may cause you little pain now, but it could later sting in a most tender area of your life—your children and grandchildren. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Job 36:2 I have yet to speak on God's behalf.We ought not to court publicity for our virtue, or notoriety for our zeal; but, at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide that which God has bestowed upon us for the good of others. A Christian is not to be a village in a valley, but "a city set upon a hill;" he is not to be a candle under a bushel, but a candle in a candlestick, giving light to all. Retirement may be lovely in its season, and to hide one's self is doubtless modest, but the hiding of Christ in us can never be justified, and the keeping back of truth which is precious to ourselves is a sin against others and an offence against God. If you are of a nervous temperament and of retiring disposition, take care that you do not too much indulge this trembling propensity, lest you should be useless to the church. Seek in the name of him who was not ashamed of you to do some little violence to your feelings, and tell to others what Christ has told to you. If thou canst not speak with trumpet tongue, use the still small voice. If the pulpit must not be thy tribune, if the press may not carry on its wings thy words, yet say with Peter and John, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee." By Sychar's well talk to the Samaritan woman, if thou canst not on the mountain preach a sermon; utter the praises of Jesus in the house, if not in the temple; in the field, if not upon the exchange; in the midst of thine own household, if thou canst not in the midst of the great family of man. From the hidden springs within let sweetly flowing rivulets of testimony flow forth, giving drink to every passer-by. Hide not thy talent; trade with it; and thou shalt bring in good interest to thy Lord and Master. To speak for God will be refreshing to ourselves, cheering to saints, useful to sinners, and honoring to the Saviour. Dumb children are an affliction to their parents. Lord, unloose all thy children's tongue. Daily Light on the Daily Path Job 7:4 "When I lie down I say, 'When shall I arise?' But the night continues, And I am continually tossing until dawn.Isaiah 21:11,12 The oracle concerning Edom. One keeps calling to me from Seir, "Watchman, how far gone is the night? Watchman, how far gone is the night?" • The watchman says, "Morning comes but also night. If you would inquire, inquire; Come back again." Hebrews 10:37 FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. 2 Samuel 23:4 Is as the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, When the tender grass springs out of the earth, Through sunshine after rain.' John 14:2,3,27,28 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. • "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. • "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. • "You heard that I said to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. Judges 5:31 "Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD; But let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might." And the land was undisturbed for forty years. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; Revelation 21:25 In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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