Romans 1:8-17 Eagerness

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 

9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 

10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- 

12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 

13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 

14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 

15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. 

16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 

17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Romans 1:8-17 NIV

Paul was an amazing teller. He shared Jesus wherever he went. And many times he endured tremendous hardships to get to people who still didn't know about Jesus. 

And what an amazing story of hope Jesus is to a world who is searching, hungry, and lost in themselves. Some say faith is hard, maybe even impossible for them. I say, how could I not live by faith? Walking in my own judgement and direction is what is impossible.

However, the true question is, "Am I eagerly sharing Jesus the way I should be sharing Him?"

For years I have said I am a discipler, not an evangelist. My gifting is in helping people grow in their faith, not winning them to Christ. We have probably done a disservice to the gospel by making such distinctions. We are all called to share Jesus with others. Some of us have a gifting to do that, but that does not exempt the rest of us from letting others know about the power of the resurrection and the hope they can have through Jesus Christ. The Great Commission is for all of us, not just those who are "gifted."

So how do I share Jesus as a disciple-maker? I live Him every day in front of everyone I meet. I build relationships with people to share the love of Christ. When they feel hopeless, I show them Hope. When they are weak, I point them to the Strength. When they are lonely, I introduce them to a Friend who will never leave them. 

I am not ashamed of the gospel, but I must be sure I'm not living as if I am. Sometimes it's not popular to be a Christ-follower, but I'm not looking for popularity. I want to be a hope-giver like Paul. 

I recently heard Pastor Bob Roberts speak and He said, "You don't have to completely understand what others believe. You have to know the gospel and how to share it in love." 

Lord, help me to live as my heart believes - that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give me boldness to love as you love and to eagerly speak your truth in love to so many who need to hear. So be it.

Further Thoughts:

1. Consider what is stopping you from sharing Jesus with others. What will you do about those obstacles?
2. Paul was a bold personality. Who else shared Jesus in the Scriptures who may have been more like you? What can you learn from their life? How can you gain the boldness of Paul?
3. Read 1 Corinthians 13. Love is the basis of all sharing of the gospel. Are you truly loving others if you are not sharing Jesus?
4. Read Bob Roberts book, Bold as Love. He talks about how to have a relationship with people of other faiths and belief systems.

"Trust" in Relationships

Jim and I were talking about relationships the other day and the word trust came up. So I was just wondering today what The Word has to say about trust as it pertains to relationships. I looked at well over 150 verses and here is what I found.

Most Scriptures are about trusting in God and His Word as our only source of strength, truth, and hope.

The second highest listing is about what not to trust in. These are some of them: emptiness, extortion, princes, man, deceptive words, neighbor, close friend, lover, oppression, perverseness, brother, bow/sword, flesh, cities, your works, your treasures, riches, your own mind. Some of the items are bad things and understandably something I should not trust in. But others.....man, friend, lover? Am I not to trust in these? So I dug further....

These are the only verses I found that said you are to trust another person: Proverbs 3:29 (neighbor), Proverbs 31:11(husband trusting his wife), 1 Chronicles 9:22 (gateskeepers - office of trust), Hebrews 13:4 (honor the marriage bed). [Granted, there may be more, but this is what my search on YouVersion.com revealed. A study of the original language would be more accurate.]

I thought this was very revealing. We are to trust in God and basically Him alone. He is our only source of strength, hope, needs being met, comfort, security, absolute truth. Our confidence placed anywhere but in Him is on rocky ground. He alone makes me steadfast and purposeful in the short life I have been given in this world. And trusting in anything else will be my downfall because everyone and everything in my life at one time or another will disappoint and/or fail me. And I them. All of us are imperfect beings and cannot help but fail at one time or another. God is the only one who will never come up short.

Now, here's the catch. Although the Scriptures do not have many verses about trusting others, it does say that we are to be trustworthy and faithful. Look at Proverbs 11:13 (confidence keeper), Proverbs 13:17 (messenger), Luke 16:11 (in wealth), Proverbs 8:6 (in speech), Exodus 18:21 (as men of integrity) and 1 Timothy 1:12 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service." God found Timothy trustworthy.

Here is the key: while our trust is to be in God alone, we are to live as a reflection of His trustworthiness. How we will live, work, play, and speak should be above reproach as He is above reproach. We are to live so others can trust in us. I am to love others -- that is a commandment. And I must do so with all my heart -- providing grace, hope, and help, believing in who they are striving to become -- and thus, being trustworthy. Choosing to love others is an act dependent upon my heart. Trusting others is depending on their heart. God's heart is the only one I can truly rely upon.

Where is our trust placed? in people? possessions? routines? jobs? titles? reputation? Or in our God? We must choose.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do a word study on trustworthy and faithful.
2. How would my life be different if I completely trusted God and lived as a reflection of His trustworthiness?
3. What do I need to change in my thought pattern and actions to trust God more?
4. Do I currently reflect trustworthiness? If yes, in what ways? If no, why not?
5. How can I become more trustworthy?

Father, I have put my trust in many things in my life. Some have been faithful and some haven't. Forgive me Father. I recommit to trusting in You alone. Help me to reflect Your amazing trustworthiness. Change in me what needs to change. And strengthen and solidify those areas I am already doing well. Amen.

John 13:35 "How Do We Love Others?"

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. ~John 13:35

Loving others begins with loving God. When we completely surrender to Him and His will, His love within us helps us see others as He sees them if we just open our spiritual eyes. We then stop judging others because we see the decrepit state of our own heart, and instead, afford others the same grace and mercy that was shown to us by the Father.

Since we are battling sin and self-centeredness daily, we must choose to reach out to others in love. We can love in dramatic ways such as caring for a dying friend or helping someone make rent this month. Or it can be in small, simple kindnesses like saying hello, giving a smile, helping someone with their groceries. The range is wide and never ending. The point is to love God by loving others – the proof is in the action.

Further Thoughts:

1. After surrendering true love to God, love for others begins at home. How can you love better those who know you best?
2. Friends and co-workers are next in the line of priority. What can you do for someone today that will show him/her the love of God?
3. Random acts of kindness should infiltrate every part of our life. Did you make anyone’s day special today?
4. Review these Scriptures on loving others -- 1 John 4:21; Rom. 12:9; 10 Commandments. What do you observe from these passages?

Father, fill me with a love of grace and mercy. Guide me away from self-centered desires and help me to see others as You see them and love them with Your love. Amen.

Colossians 4:5-6 "Someone's Watching"

Read Colossians 4:5-6.

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders...." NIV

Recently at our church we had one of our teens (let's call him Clay) play the drums in the service. Clay had only been attending for about three months and had grown spiritually in tremendous leaps from an atheist to a believer. He had played drums for our Sunday morning youth service called, A.M. But not in the adult service. That's why his father and his girlfriend came that morning. I was sitting on the front row because Jim (my husband) and I were going to team teach on parenting that day. Jim was standing off to the side in the wing. Worship began and suddenly I realized that standing to the side, but right in front of the stage was Clay's dad with a camera taking video of Clay playing the drums. Because we work so hard to avoid distractions during worship so people can actually worship, my first instinct was to go ask him to sit in the front seats or wait until after service to get his video. I knew the team would play another song for him in between services. I even looked over at Jim to see if he wanted me to move. We both just waited a bit to see if he would sit back down, but he tenaciously stood there taping his son. Jim nodded me off to let him continue. At greeting time, Clay's dad (We'll call him, Tom) sat down beaming from ear to ear.

Bob immediately got involved in the church helping with set up (We meet in a high school.) and came to church three weeks in a row. I talked to Clay the second week Tom was there and he said that his dad really liked coming and felt it just added something to his life. This last Sunday, week three of Tom's coming, we had baptisms. We always have some scheduled with video testimonies to precede them. But after the scheduled ones, Jim always gives an invitation for anyone who wants to get baptized to come talk to a pastor. We have clothes and towels waiting for them to use. At the end of first service baptisms, Clay came forward and asked to be baptized. It was awesome. Here this 16-year-old, who only three months previously was a self-proclaimed atheist, was receiving the sacrament of baptism. Clay had called his dad to come, but Tom missed it by just minutes.

Tom stayed for second service and after the baptisms, he came forward to speak to a pastor about being baptized. Someone ran to A.M. service and pulled Clay out saying, "Your dad is going under." So with Tom and the pastor in the portable hot tub, and Clay kneeling behind his dad with his hand on Tom's shoulder, Tom took the plunge. What a beautiful sight - father and son, hugging and crying -- as together they declared that they will follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

So here's the point of my story. What if Jim or I had stopped Tom from videotaping his son that day three weeks ago? Here was an unbeliever who was proud of his boy and just wanted to document his son's accomplishment. We could have come across as very uncaring and legalistic if we had stopped him and maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't have come back. I'm not saying this is the only reason Tom kept coming back. There are other factors -- the Holy Spirit working in his heart; the love and acceptance of not only Tom but his son by the people of the church. But.....what if.

People are watching us every day. Many just waiting for us to "mess up" so their view of Christians can be confirmed. Many watching because they see we have something that they so desperately want. Are we taking that fishbowl life seriously? Are we watching that we treat all people with love and kindness -- not just those in the body or the ones that treat us nicely? Are we allowing the glory of Christ to shine through our actions and conversations so we present the best reflection of Christ possible? We have to live out in front of all people the person we say that we are. Souls are hanging in the balance. And I don't want to have to answer for one of them being lost.

Further Thoughts:

1. Look for more Scriptures on being a witness for Jesus Christ to those who we are around every day.
2. How did Jesus treat the unbelievers He came in contact with?
3. Is there a "Tom" in your life who needs to see who Jesus really is? Are you showing them? If not, what needs to change?

2 Peter 1:1-11 "Adding to Faith, Part 2"

Read 2 Peter 1-11.

"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure...." NIV

For Part 1, read here.

"to perseverance, godliness:" So often people see godliness as something to strive for. If I do enough good things, I will be like God. If I read my Bible more, if I pray more, I will be godlier. While all these things are good and need to happen, godliness comes from being, not doing. It's being surrendered to Him. Being unselfish. Being a child of the King. Being open to whatever He has for my life. Being faith-filled. I can strive and strive and never make myself like God. But if I surrender to His Spirit within me and follow His lead -- knowing His character -- I can at least become a dull reflection of His beauty and love.

"to godliness, brotherly kindness:" Brotherly kindness is loving the believers around us. They are our family -- forever. It doesn't matter what denomination or what town they live in, we have a bond between us that must be nurtured. There is no room for envy or competition, bickering or hatred. We should all be working toward the same goal and doing it with kindness and love between us. When a brother hurts, we hurt with them. When they rejoice, we throw the party. When they are in need, we do all we can to meet their need. When they struggle, we afford them grace and help guide them back to the Truth. We can't run this race alone. We need each other to finish well.

"to brotherly kindness, love." The Lord has been impressing on me more and more to love others better. How do we love? Seeing others with the eyes of the Father. All people are His creation and He loves His children dearly. He desires that none should be lost but come to a saving knowledge of Him. If we can just look at others -- really look at them -- with grace-filled, loving eyes, we will see people who are hurting, confused, blinded who need to know Jesus. And since I may be the only "Jesus" they ever see, I need to love them fully. This takes a lot of selflessness. It's setting aside biases and judgements through which I may be tempted to filter my love. Loving with abandon in whatever way others need it to be. Whether they need help financially, help with children, moral support, friendship, or even just a kind word and smile, I need to be ready to give. My Lord is the author and embodiment of pure love and His Spirit can love through me if I am willing to be used. Lord, open my eyes to the need. I am willing. 

Further Thoughts:

1. What of today's attributes do I need to work on more? Is God putting me in situations where I can exercise more godliness, brotherly kindness, or love? How will I do that?
   
2. Find Old Testament people who did each of these really well. What distinguished them in this attribute?
   
3. How did Jesus embody all of these attributes. Do a study and list an example for each of these seven virtues.
   
4. How are all these virtues related to our faith? (see vs. 5)
   

1 Peter 1:22-2:3 "Unselfish Love"

Read 1 Peter 1:22-2:3.

"...have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." NIV

The last half a year or so I have been praying that God would help me love others and Him more and myself less. He's given me many opportunities to live that out, but it begins not so much with actions, but with an attitude of the heart that then leads to actions. That's exactly what this passage is talking about.

Getting rid of self is 2:1. Think about that list -- malice..., deceit...., hypocrisy..., envy..., slander of every kind. All of these sins center in selfishness, power over another, my way. None of these actions center on others and their needs. None! As the child of the Almighty, I am called into relationship first with Him, and secondly in relationship with others. Perfect relationship looks to meet another's needs before my own and that only happens with a pure love. Pure love can only come from the One who is pure love -- our Heavenly Father. As I surrender my own selfish desires and perspectives to embrace Him and His love, that love can flow through me to others. That is all that matters in this life -- living out the love of Christ so others see Him through me.

My heart has been breaking more and more for other people. I don't know what God is doing in me, but I do know I can't keep doing life as I have been. Our time here is just a speck and a lot is still to be done. The grass and flowers are going to die, but God's plan will endure.

Lord, continue to break my heart for others. Use me to be a light in the darkness. Direct my path daily and shine through me, for I am nothing but Yours.

Further Thoughts:

1. How am I actively surrendering my will to God every day?
2. Do I love with an unselfish love? Am I allowing God to love through me? If not, why?
3. Spend an entire day consciously moment by moment paying attention to everything you do -- is it a selfish attitude/action or are you looking out for others first?

1 Peter 1:1-2 "Being the Church"

Read 1 Peter 1:1-2.

"Grace and peace be yours in abundance." NIV

Peter, like James, is addressing the Christians from Pentecost that have scattered throughout Asia Minor. How this letter was passed, I don't know, but it traveled to several provinces.

Peter refers to these Christians as "God's elect, strangers in the world." Interestingly, that title has not changed. We are still God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes and work. And we are still strangers in the world. Maybe we are even becoming stranger.


The question is, are we strangers because we are different from the world, set apart or because we are not acting as the church should act? Are we living in "obedience to Jesus Christ?" Are we living out the "grace and peace" that is ours "in abundance?"


I was at an MLK celebration last night. What a wonderful time of worshipping with The Body of Christ. The speaker, Dr. Cynthia James, brought up the point of are we ready to set aside our materialism, envy, doctrinal differences, and bigotry and take up our sword and spear and cross over to the enemy camp together? Is the Church being the Church or are we individual social clubs doing our own little thing? Is the life we are living as individuals and as individual bodies appealing to the world, or are we repelling them because we're just not doing it right? Do they see us as judgmental or grace-filled? Do they think of us as Bible thumpers or compassionate problem solvers? Are we the hope of the world or a hopeless group of weaklings? Do we live out the joy we have through Jesus Christ or are we just a mirror of the anger and frustrations of everyone else around us? And if the latter, how does that happen if we are the benefactors of the most amazing grace ever given and a peace that passes all understanding?

I'm asking all of these questions of myself. As I've studied Ephesians, Matthew, and now James, I'm challenged to look at the role of the Church in the 21st century and it seems to me that it's the same role as in the first.

When Peter sent this letter to the believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, he didn't specify which group of believers he was sending it to. There weren't Baptists, Wesleyans, Assemblies, and Non-denoms to separate them. They were all saved by grace and sanctified by the Holy Spirit to do the work of obedience to Jesus Christ. Maybe we have become too comfortable in our individual structures and programs and have forgotten how to be the Church united to those living right around us. Now not all have. Many churches are reaching out to the lost, helping the widows, orphans and oppressed. I'm not oblivious to the good being done. But is it enough and can it be better?

I believe it can be better, but transformation must begin in our individual hearts before our churches can change. We must gain a new love for people. Hearts must seek to reach out to those around us everyday in our jobs, neighborhoods and communities. Making a difference while living the victorious life.

How is this all accomplished? I can't come up with all the answers:) But as for me, I will start finding ways to reach out more in my community to make an impact for Christ right where I live.

Lord, guide me in my choices for my involvement in my community while I continue to work on my relationship with You. Help me to meet the people I need to share Your love and grace with.

Further Thoughts:

1. Look on a map for where this letter was being sent. A map of Paul's journeys will show it. Besides Asia, the provinces are just north of his missionary trips.
2. What were some of the things the New Church of Acts was reaching out to people with the love of Christ?
3. Brainstorm a list of ways you can make a difference in your community. Pray for God's direction, then actively take a step toward accomplishing at least one of them this year.
4. Do others know you are a believer? How might they know? Do you show yourself as a person of hope and a future or one who is depressed and frustrated most of the time? If the latter, do a study of "grace" and "peace."