New Testament in a Year

Romans 16:10-27
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We finish up Romans today! Tomorrow we embark on First Corinthians!  Romans has been a powerful book for me to read and study this year.  I hope it has been for you as well?  I love the closing words in this book today from Paul in Romans 16 verses 25 through 27: “God is able to make you strong, just as the Good News says. It is the message about Jesus Christ and his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they might believe and obey Christ. To God, who alone is wise, be the glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen.” Do you believe that God is able to make you strong?  Are there areas of your life currently where you feel weak?  Will you turn these areas over to God completely, so that he can strengthen you?  To God, who indeed alone is wise, be the glory forever through Jesus Christ!  Amen.

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “Watching Out for Wolves” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings in Romans reminded me of Matt Maher’s song “Turn Around:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IbgbfmQogo

Are you lost & need to be found? Click here and turn around!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Romans 15:23-16:9
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Paul’s words in Romans 15 verse 30 stood out to me today – “Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.”  The thing that stood out to me in these verses is Paul’s encouragement to his brothers and sisters in Christ in Rome to pray for him.  Not only to pray for him – but to “join me in my struggle.”  That is pretty powerful to consider.  That we can actually join someone in their struggle – in their work for the Kingdom of God – by praying for them!  And I’ll be honest – I do not do this enough.  I rarely join my pastors and family and friends and spiritual mentors in their struggle by praying to God for them.  I rarely join my missionary friends in their struggle by praying for them.  I rarely join my brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted in other countries for being Christian by praying for them.  I simply do not pray for others enough.  And in not doing so, I honestly think I am missing out on something powerful.  I am missing out on joining them in their struggle for the Kingdom of God!  My selfishness in not praying for others doing Kingdom work in this world is my loss.  But – this actually sounds selfish – “my missing out – my loss.”  Sometimes I guess I try to trick myself into doing something good (praying for others) by attaching a selfish reason (so I won’t miss out).  The truth here is that our pastors and priests and missionaries and spiritual mentors need us to take up the struggle with them by praying to God for them.  Even Paul needed this prayer coverage – and he asked for it!  I am afraid that too often our pastors and priests and missionaries and others doing God’s work may not ask us for our prayers.  But they need them!  So – are you regularly praying for others in your life who are in ministry?   Are you joining them in their struggle?  Will you begin today / tonight by praying for someone in your life that you know who is in ministry?  Will you take up the struggle with them?

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Chris Tomlin’s fantastic song “How Great Is Our God:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ZtKzw-ipo

Do you know how great our God is? Click here for His Greatness!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” Romans 15:30 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray for your pastors and spiritual mentors on a regular basis. Join them in their struggles of ministry by praying for them.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Romans 15:1-22
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Romans 15 verses 2 and 3 definitely give us much to think about: “We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t please himself.”  That’s a bit of a counter-intuitive statement compared to what our culture preaches.  We should please others?  I think our culture would say instead, “We should please ourselves!  It’s all about you!  You are #1!”  and so on.  This is the beauty of the Gospel.  It is counter-cultural in so many beautiful ways.  It’s the great revolution.  It turns the world upside down.  The last shall be first.  Blessed are the peacemakers.  Rejoice when you are persecuted.  We should please others.  So, are you living your life to please others?  Are you doing what helps them?  Are you building them up in the Lord?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “Pleasing Others and Praising God” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Britt Nicole’s song “You:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iduL7r_8sWs

Are you coming back to You? Click here to make your heart more like the ultimate You!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” Romans 15:1-2 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are bearing with the failings of the weak every days. Pray that you are building up your neighbor. Pray for strength – to serve.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Romans 14:1-23
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Paul’s writings in Roman’s chapter 14 about the dangers of criticizing and judging others are powerful!  I love verses 12 & 13: “Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God. So don’t condemn each other anymore. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not put an obstacle in another Christian’s path.”  Wow…  that is something for each of us to consider.  That we ourselves can actually put obstacles in another Christian’s path toward God!  Do you think that you have ever done this in your life?  I do think that I have.  Never intentionally. But, when I have stopped loving and serving others and instead began judging and criticizing others, I do believe I have placed obstacles in other people’s paths!  Not to mention my own path!  Let us pray that we are not obstacles to others by judging and criticizing…

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “Love and Liberty: Liberties Love Won’t Take” is at this link.

YouTube:  Today’s readings remind me of the Chris Tomlin song “King of Glory” and how it relates to Psalm 24.  This is a powerful song…  Who is this King of Glory!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M59h6hDG40Q

Do you know the King of Glory? Click here to meet Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are living for the Lord today. Pray that you will die in the Lord. Pray that you belong to the Lord.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Romans 13:1-14
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Tyndale’s One Year Bible Companion has a great overview of three historical interpretations of how Christians are to submit to the government per Paul’s writings in Romans chapter 13 verse 1 today:  “1. Some Christians believe the state is so corrupt that Christians should have as little to do with it as possible. 2. Others believe that God has given the state authority in certain areas and the church authority in others.  Christians can be loyal to both and can work for either.  They should not however confuse the two.  3. Still others believe that Christians have a responsibility to make the state better.  They can do this politically by electing high-principled leaders.  None of these 3 views advocate rebelling against or refusing to obey the government’s laws or regulations unless those laws clearly require you to violate the moral standards revealed by God.”  Bible.org’s commentary on this subject titled “The Christian and Civil Government” is at this link.  I lean toward a mix of #2 and #3 these days.  I think there is much value in Christians paying attention to local and national and international governments, and getting involved.  Let us not just throw our hands up in the air and think that our government is nothing but this image below…  🙂   (or if we do think our government is nothing but this image below, then let us work to change the reality!)

How incredibly powerful are Paul’s words in Romans 13 verses 8 through 10 – “Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting–and any other commandment–are all summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements.”  Wow… great stuff.  Love satisfies all of God’s requirements.  Do you believe this to be true?  What type of love do you think Paul is talking about here?  A passive love?  An active love?  Who is the last person you paid the debt of love to?  Who is the next person you will pay the debt of love to?  Will you pay the debt of love to somebody in your life each and every day?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “Love, Law, and the Last Days” is at this link.

YouTube:  Today’s readings remind me of this video of Abby reciting Psalm 23:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3buLQoCN6KY

Is the Lord your Shepherd? Click here to not be in want!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Romans 12:1-21
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Wow!  Could Romans chapter 12 be one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible??  I love this chapter…  Please take a moment to re-read this chapter if you can. Verses 1 through 3 have been so powerful for me personally since the early days of my Christian walk – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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.”   I really don’t know what commentary I could add to these words of Paul’s. I love the thought of our bodies being living sacrifices to God.  (There is of course the old joke that the only problem with a living sacrifice is that it tends to crawl off the altar… 🙂  And the warning to not conform any longer to the pattern of this world is so so so true…. and we all know it.  But I find myself still falling prey to the pattern of this world.  Its temptations do not cease.  But!  We can be transformed by the renewing of our minds to test and approve what God’s will is.  Through a loving and growing relationship with Jesus, we can overcome the temptations and the death this world will offer us all too frequently.  In view of God’s mercy, will you offer your body today as God as a living sacrifice?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “The Road to Renewal” is at this link and “Thinking Straight about Spiritual Gifts” is at this link and “What is this Thing Called Love” is at this link.  Below are 2 wonderful images for Romans chapter 12 verse 2 and verses 4 & 5:

Worship God:  Today’s readings reminded me of Christian Paul’s song “Yes I am:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t7T5Bz78Jc

Are you born again? Click here to be born again!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship. 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.” Romans 12:1-2 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are offering your body as a living sacrifice to God today. Pray that you are not conforming to the pattern of this world, but are being transformed by the renewing of your mind. Pray you are walking and living in the center of God’s will for your life – His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Romans 11:13-36
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Paul bursts out in some great praise and worship of God today in Romans 11 verses 33 through 36: “Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor?  And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen.”  Great stuff!  I love that second to last full sentence that tells us that everything is intended for God’s glory.  So true.  And yet so easy for us to forget.  You my friend are intended for God’s glory!  It is a beautiful truth to consider.  Are you living your life fully for God’s glory?  Are there any areas of your life that would not be seen as giving glory to God?  Will you let those un-glorious aspects of your life go?  Will you walk fully in the LIGHT of God’s glory?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings from Romans titled “The Kindness and Severity of God” is at this link and “The Wisdom of God and the Wisdom of Man” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Chris and Conrad’s song called “Lead me to the Cross.” Here is a terrific live version of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zuwm5H8-Kw

Have you been led to the Cross? Click here and be led!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Romans 10:14-11:12
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Romans 10 verses 14 & 15 are a powerful call to share the Gospel with a world that so desperately needs it! “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””  Are you bringing good news to people in your life?  Do you realize that you do not necessarily need to go abroad to share the Gospel with people who really have probably never heard it before?  Yeah, sure, maybe in our hometowns people have heard the name Jesus.  But have they really heard about the love and life and forgiveness and healing that Jesus offers?  Do they really know who Jesus truly is?  How will they know unless you tell them? Will you utilize the gift of your beautiful feet?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “Without Excuse” is at this link and “Man’s Failures Do Not Frustrate the Purposes of God” is at this link.

Worship God:  Today’s readings remind me of the classic hymn “Amazing Grace” performed here with over 200 bagpipes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKQULTTnaI8

Have you received amazing grace? Click here for Grace!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” Romans 10:14-15 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you have beautiful feet. Pray that your beautiful feel are bringing the Good News of Jesus to those that have not truly heard about Jesus. Pray that you are being sent to preach to the lost and help them call on the name of Jesus.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!