Devotional Thoughts on Romans
Going through the book of Romans, verse by verse, I’ll post a devotional thought Monday through Friday every week. Each will cover a verse to several verses.
Just Released
Just released available on Amazon. “Renewing the Heart Through Romans.” This is an edited compilation of the Steve’s blog on Paul’s letter to the Romans. It is a devotional commentary on the book that contains over 100 short devotional thoughts covering all 16 chapters of Romans. The work is filled with biblical insights, illustrations, commentary,…
To God be the Glory (Romans 16:27)
“To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” (Romans 16:27, KJV 1900) One of my most favorite hymns is “To God be the Glory.” This hymn takes me back to the first church that I ever joined. In 1983, the Lord gloriously saved me while reading a Gideon placed Bible in…
How Blessed We Are (Romans 16:25-26)
“according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:” (Romans 16:25–26, KJV 1900) Have you ever watched on TV…
Omnipotent God (Romans 16:25)
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ” (Romans 16:25, KJV 1900) Paul concludes the letter to the Romans with a doxology. The word doxology comes from two words in the Greek. The first is the noun, doxa, which means praise or glory…
No Man is an Island (Romans 16:21-23)
“Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.” (Romans 16:21–22, KJV 1900) The expression, “No man is an island,” comes from a poem by John Donne. Donne was a Christian and this expression communicates the idea that people need…
End of Hostility (Romans 16:20)
I watched a documentary the other day about the end of World War II and the rejoicing that went on after it. Our country went from the havoc of war to a state of national tranquility. It may be difficult for many of us to relate to that time, having not lived in it. But…
Get Smart and Be Wise (Romans 16:19)
“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” (Romans 16:19, KJV 1900) You may have heard the expression “Be as smart as you can, but remember that it is always better…
Smooth Talkers (Romans 16:17-18)
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:17–18, KJV 1900)…
The Holy Kiss (Romans 16:16)
“Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.” (Romans 16:16, KJV 1900) I cannot validate this story, but I heard of a church that used to practice giving one another a holy kiss. The story goes that this was all well and good until things got out of hand. I…
Spiritual Moms (Romans 16:13)
“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.” (Romans 16:13, ESV) About 30 years ago, I served as the chairman of the board of elders in a small church in Savannah Georgia. When the pastor resigned, the ministry of the church fell into my lap…
Memories of First-fruits (Romans 16:5b)
“Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.” (Romans 16:5, ESV) In 1983, the Lord saved me and he immediately impressed upon me to share my faith with others. Granted, I did not have a clue regarding what I should say other than to hand people a brochure and ask…
Godly Couples (Romans 16:3-5a)
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.” (Romans 16:3–5, KJV 1900) Certain godly couples just stand out in our…
“Greet . . . “ Romans 16:3-15)
Thirty-seven years ago, the Lord saved me as I was reading a Gideon Bible in a Minneapolis hotel room. I had no idea at the time of the great adventure the Lord would take me on for the past 37 years. The journey took me from Chicago, to Savannah Georgia, to Portsmouth New Hampshire, and…
Godly Women (Romans 16:1-2)
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.” (Romans 16:1–2, ESV)…
Prayer Needed (Romans 15:30-33)
“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;” (Romans 15:30, KJV 1900) Yesterday, I shared that Paul was confident in having Christ’s blessings in his visit to Rome. Yet, since he had…
Blessed in Ministry (Romans 15:28-29)
“I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.” (Romans 15:29, ESV) Ben Franklin once wrote in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, this often-quoted statement, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” I understand the point of the…
Sharing in Blessings (Romans 15:25-27)
“For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.” (Romans 15:27, ESV) You may have heard the term, pay it forward. The idea with this phrase is that when you are blessed by someone, you should forward the blessing to…
Putting off of Plans (Romans 15:22-24)
“For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.” (Romans 15:22, KJV 1900) Serving the Lord is the greatest thing that we can do in our lifetime. Yet, it has repercussions on our earthly lives. Jesus put it this way, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come…
Finding Choir Members (Rom 15:20-21)
“Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:” (Romans 15:20, KJV 1900) You have probably heard the expression, preaching to the choir. It basically means to persuade someone about that which they already know. When I was in the pastoral ministry,…
Reasonable Pride (Romans 15:17-19)
“I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.” (Romans 15:17, KJV 1900) Having served in the pastoral ministry and now being in what I choose to call semi-retirement, I find occasions when I look back on the ministry to determine if I have done anything of…
Bold Reminders (Romans 15:15-16)
“But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God” (Romans 15:15, ESV) Redundancy is not always a bad thing. The fact is, we do have a tendency to forget things. Thus, we often need a bold reminder. Consider Israel for a…
The Encouraged Minister (Romans 15:14)
“And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” (Romans 15:14, KJV 1900) As I was working through the call to pastoral ministry, I had one mentor who challenged me with these words. “The ministry is gloriously…
Powerful Prayer (Romans 15:13)
I apologize for missing yesterday’s post. Something went wrong with the scheduling. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13, KJV 1900) Have you ever wondered how to pray for others? Sometimes do our…
Higher Ways (Romans 15:8-12)
“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.”…
Agree to Disagree (Romans 15:5-7)
“That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:6, KJV 1900) Have you ever come to an impasse in a discussion with another who had a differing opinion from you? I had one early on in my military service with a commanding officer.…
The Supreme Example (Romans 15:3-4)
“For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” (Romans 15:3, KJV 1900) There was an expression when I grew up that went like this. “Your mother wears combat boots.” Oh, I can tell you that these were fighting words. It was akin…
Obligations of the Strong (Rom 15:1-2)
“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.” (Romans 15:1–2, KJV 1900) I just watched a documentary about a combat medic named Desmond Doss who was awarded the Medal of Honor for…
Cautious Exercise (Romans 14:20-23)
“Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” (Romans 14:22, KJV 1900) I knew a young pastor who had no qualm with regards to drinking a beer once in a while. Even though I abstain, I had no problem with his…
Loving Restraint (Romans 14:16, 20-23)
“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.” (Romans 14:20, ESV) Throughout the Scriptures, we see this theme of giving up on our own desires for the sake of the work to which…
Proper Pursuit (Romans 14:16-19)
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. . . So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:17, 19, ESV) I was serving as an elder in a church one time where…
Do Not Set a Trap (Romans 14:13-16)
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13, KJV 1900) There was a time when, as a young man, I did some trapping. There were various ways to trap an animal. I will…
Being Convinced (Romans 14:5-12)
“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. . .So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:5, 12, KJV 1900) As we saw yesterday, there are many areas in Christianity where believers have differing…
No Quarreling Over Opinions (Romans 14:1-4)
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” (Romans 14:1, ESV) In 1983, the Lord gloriously saved me while reading a Gideon Bible in a Minneapolis hotel room while on business. This launched the most glorious adventure of my life. I remember those early days well.…
Time to Awaken (Romans 13:11-14)
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11, KJV 1900) My wife says that I could sleep through anything. Well, it is not totally true, but close. I guess that it is something I developed…
The Only Unpaid Debt (Romans 13:8-10)
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8, KJV 1900) When I was in High School, I remember a huge event at our house. My dad said he was burning the mortgage. I had never heard the expression, but it meant that…
Give unto Caesar (Romans 13:6-7)
“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:7, ESV) For about six years, I taught in a small extension seminary in Savannah, GA. One of the courses was “Christian…
Revive Us Again (2 Chronicles 7:14)
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV 1900) In the mid 1700’s, America experienced what we call “The…
United We Stand Divided We Fall (Mark 3:25)
“And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25, KJV 1900) Before getting back to the book of Romans, I want to deal with a couple more issues of our society today and the precarious position I see ourselves in. I also want to look at how the church should…
Civil Disobedience (Romans 13:5)
“Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.” (Romans 13:5, KJV 1900) The second question regarding the events of the past several weeks that I wanted to address is this. When is it right to disobey government? While this verse does not specifically speak of this, Paul does…
Maintaining Order (Romans 13:4)
“for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” (Romans 13:4, ESV) In Friday’s blog, I indicated that there were two questions that…
Submission to Government (Rom 13:1-3)
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1, ESV) It is in the fleshly nature of man to be rebellious, to resist the authority of those placed over him and claim independence. This is very…
Overcoming Evil (Romans 12:20-21)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21, ESV) How do you stop injustice? Over the past couple weeks, our country has been in turmoil over the death of George Floyd. Some of the response to his tragic death was peaceful and legal protest. However, some of the response was…
Responding to Evil (Romans 12:17-19)
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18, ESV) In my lifetime, the United States has been engaged in four major military conflicts overseas. I served in the Army at the tail end of the Vietnam conflict and during the Cold War. On top of these conflicts, there…
Restraining Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:1-7 – Part 2)
“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7, ESV) Yesterday, I wrote about the events over the past couple weeks. These events display what Paul wrote about in saying, “the mystery of lawlessness is already…
Mystery of Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:1-7 – Part 1)
“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7, ESV) Due to the events over the past couple weeks, regarding the death of George Floyd and the resulting protests and rioting, I felt led to look…
Living in Harmony (Romans 12:14-16)
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” (Romans 12:16, ESV) In 1971, Coca-Cola aired a commercial with a jingle that went, “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.” They were trying to communicate that somehow Coca-Cola…
Make the Most of Every Opportunity (Romans 12:11-12)
“not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:11, NASB95) There is an old expression, “You snooze, you lose.” The expression refers to one who might wait too long to take action on an opportunity and in doing so, miss it. We see this in business often, when there are certain…
Genuine Love (Romans 12:9-10, 13)
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection.” (Romans 12:9–10, ESV) Have you ever met pretentious people? I am sure you have. Merriam Webster’s characterizes pretentious as, “making usually unjustified or excessive claims.” One who is pretentious wants to exalt himself by putting…
Doing Your Part (Romans 12:4-8)
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion…
Superiority Complex (Romans 12:3-6a)
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3, KJV 1900) You probably have heard much about an…
Being Weird (Romans 12:2, Part 3)
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2, KJV 1900) As you read the last two blogs, you should have concluded that there is a marked difference between the…
Transformation (Romans 12:2, Part 2)
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2, KJV 1900) Yesterday I dealt with the issue of being conformed to an evil world system. This happens by influences of…
No Conformation (Romans 12:2, Part 1)
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2, KJV 1900) In the early 70’s while attending Drexel University where I attained a B. S. in Mechanical Engineering, I took…
Sacrificial Worship (Romans 12:1)
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1, ESV) When we think of worship, the first thing that comes to our minds is sitting in an assembly area with a group of…
Motivation for Being a Living Sacrifice (Romans 12:1)
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1, ESV) On February 2nd, 1943 four military chaplains were aboard the Dorchester, a luxury ship converted to transport troops during the war. There were…
Give God Glory (Romans 11:33-36)
“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36, KJV 1900) The Westminster Shorter Catechism was completed by the Westminster Assembly in 1647. The purpose of this document was to establish doctrinal standards for many Presbyterian churches. It was set up in a…
No Debtor’s Ethic (Romans 11:35)
““For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”” (Romans 11:34–35, ESV) I have heard well intentioned believers say that they were serving God in order to pay Him back for their salvation. I have heard…
Transcendent God (Romans 11:33-34)
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?” (Romans 11:33–34, KJV 1900) I studied and met some very intelligent people in my day.…
No Fickleness (Romans 11:28-32)
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29, ESV) Have you ever been with someone who was indecisive? In leadership it is truly a problem. However, a closely related problem is that of being fickle. The old adage goes, “Don’t change canoes in the middle of the stream.” Now most of…
As It Was Written (Romans 11:26-27)
And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26–27, ESV) Many people throughout history have made predictions. I do not know of any…
Removing the Callus (Romans 11:25-26)
“. . . that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved . . .” (Romans 11:25–26, KJV 1900) When I used to play guitar, one of the things that happened was the building of calluses on my left fingertips.…
Lesson from Horticulture (Rom 11:16-24)
“For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.” (Romans 11:24, ESV) I have read about the horticultural art of grafting. It is a…
A Greater Day (Romans 11:11-12, 15)
“Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!” (Romans 11:12, ESV) Often, we have a bad day. In those bad days, we dream of better days ahead. This dreaming is a good thing. I think it helps…
Beneficial Jealousy (Romans 11:11, 13-14)
“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. (Romans 11:11, KJV 1900). When I was a young boy, my dad took my brother and I surf fishing for striped-bass off the Jersey shore. That…
Compatibility (Romans 11:7-10)
“What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,” (Romans 11:7, ESV) I had mentioned earlier in Romans regarding the doctrines of sovereign grace, election and predestination that there are certain things that go beyond the ability of finite human intellect to reconcile. Here we…
The Elect Remnant (Romans 11:1-6)
“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” (Romans 11:5–6,…
Outstretched Arms (Romans 10:18-21)
“But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.” (Romans 10:21, KJV 1900) Once I worked for a company in Zurich Switzerland. I set-up and ran their United States office for engineering and field service. A while later, the company decided to have a…
Hearkening Versus Hearing (Romans 8:16-18)
“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias (Isaiah) saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:16–17, KJV 1900) I am sure many of us have had the experience where someone warned us about a problem, but we did…
Beautiful Feet (Romans 10:15)
“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15, KJV 1900) For many, perhaps most of us, we would not consider our feet to be something that would win…
How Can They Call (Romans 10:12-15a)
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be…
Faith Connections (Romans 10:9-11)
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall…
True Word of Faith (Romans 10:5-8)
“But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee,…
Zeal Without Knowledge (Rom 10:1-4)
“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” (Romans 10:2, KJV 1900) I have run into many people who are zealous for things, but have no knowledge to back up their zeal. Let me give you one example from secular life. Early in my adult life,…
Living with Eyes Closed (Romans 30-33)
“Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 9:32–33, KJV 1900) In 1967, John…
The Remnant (Romans 9:25-29)
“As he saith also in Osee (Hosea), I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the…
Prepared for Glory (Romans 9:22-24)
“What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,” (Romans 9:22–23, KJV 1900) I had a…
Reply Not Against the Master Potter (Romans 9:19-21)
“Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” (Romans 9:20–21, KJV 1900) I have…
Difficult Truth (Romans 9:14-18)
“Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” (Romans 9:18, KJV 1900) Many years ago, someone challenged me to understand what the reformers taught regarding the theology of salvation. More than this, I wanted to see what the Bible said about these things. I began an exhaustive…
Sovereign Call (Romans 9:10-13)
“And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The…
Sovereign Promise (Romans 9:6-9)
“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the…
Incarnate God (Romans 9:5)
“To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 9:5, ESV) Many times, I have been in discussions with people about the deity of Jesus Christ. Those who deny that Jesus is fully God and fully man assert that…
A Chosen Nation (Romans 9:4-5)
“Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” (Romans 9:4–5, KJV 1900) All…
Passion for the Lost (Romans 9:1-3)
“That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:” (Romans 9:2–3, KJV 1900) The expression having a heavy heart refers to having much sadness and grief. Often, we have heavy hearts. The extreme of…
Nothing Can Separate (Romans 8:35-39)
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39, KJV 1900) Many, perhaps most…
More than Conquerors (Rom 8:35-37)
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37, KJV 1900) In the 1970 movie, Patton we have this epic quote ascribed to General George S. Patton. “For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In…
Our Defender (Romans 8:33-34)
“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:33–34, ESV) Here we are at Good Friday. The annual time when…
Our Great Advocate (Romans 8:31-32)
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31–32, KJV 1900) Often in life, we come against people…
A Plan Comes Together (Roman 8:29-30)
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29–30, KJV…
The Grand Plan (Romans 8:28-29)
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:28–29, KJV…
Confident Prayer (Romans 8:26-27)
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to…
Groaning Bodies (Romans 8:22-25)
“And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:23, KJV 1900) Every day there seems to be a new ache and pain, a new malady with which I must contend. This…
Hope of Creation (Romans 8:19-22)
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19, ESV) Around 25 years ago, I served in an interim pastorate in a small church in Savannah, Georgia. I was also working full time as a manufacturing manager in a printing plant located in a papermill complex. One…
Glorious Suffering (Romans 8:17-18)
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18, KJV 1900) For most of us, when we consider our sufferings and compare them to the things Jesus endured, we must consider ours very small. Even comparing them…
The Divine Witness (Romans 8:15-16)
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:16, KJV 1900) Many people who have made a prayer of faith often later will ask the question, am I truly saved? While this question needs a lot of commentary, more than I have time for in this devotional,…
Leadership (Romans 8:12-14)
As you may know, I did not send out a synopsis of a chapter from the book, “Hurdling the Barriers,” Saturday. The main reason is that I have fallen behind on the writing. I will continue as I finish each chapter. The devotional thoughts on the book of Romans will continue as normal. Here is…
Giver of True Life (Romans 8:11)
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans 8:11, KJV 1900) Some of you will understand this when I say that every person is born…
The Indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9)
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:9, KJV 1900) I cannot remember how many times I have heard that people, professing believers, have…
The Impossibility (Romans 8:7-8)
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8, KJV 1900) Certain things are just impossible. It is impossible for a man to lift himself by his own hair or to fly by flapping his arms. As I have already stated in previous posts, the Bible teaches that it is impossible…
New Creation (Romans 8:4-6)
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5, KJV 1900) In 1746, Jonathan Edwards wrote a treatise titled, “Religious Affections.” In it, he presents a truth that when a person is a true believer, one…
The Greatest Assurance (Romans 8:1-4)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, KJV 1900) I once had a parishioner who was struggling with depression and anxiety. After a time of counselling I suggested that she read through Chapter 8. I felt that no believer could read this chapter and go away from…
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Renewing the Heart 