Today we are reading Romans 8. In this chapter we read about how God is with us through every trial. “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 the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬-‭30‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Do you love God? If so then we have His promise that all things work together for good. How have you seen this in your own life? When have you wondered if you would see this promise kept? May God strengthen your faith to trust in Jesus no matter what! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Romans 7. In this chapter we read about Paul’s struggle with sin. “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭21‬-‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬ What is the sin that you struggle with the most? How does God help you with your struggle? Paul calls himself wretched. Can you relate? What is your strategy for doing battle against sin? Fight the good fight. Never give up. Repent and return to a life of obedience. God is with you. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Romans 6. In this chapter we read about being slave of righteousness. “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Slavery of any seems horrible—unless it is “slavery” to God. How is slavery to God a good thing? What word could you substitute for slavery? How does being God’s slave impact your daily life? May you rejoice that Jesus has purchased you with His blood. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Romans 5. In this chapter we read about our justification. “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We are made right with God because Jesus died for us. Who would you die for? Most of us would die for our spouse or children or grandchildren or parents. Jesus died for everyone. How do you think we should respond to Jesus dying for our sins? What is an appropriate response? May your life be dominated by your grateful response to Jesus. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Romans 4. In this chapter we are reading about the faith of Abraham. “That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When we think of Abraham, we imagine this wonderful man of God who lived a perfect life. Not true. He is someone we honor but he also sinned just as we do. His faith was the work of the Holy Spirit and a gift from God. So is yours. To those around you, you may appear as righteous as Abraham. You know the truth. Our righteousness comes from Jesus. Pray that people will see the good in you and be inspired to trust in Jesus also. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Romans 3. In this chapter we read about God’s righteousness. “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬-‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God’s righteousness is a gift that Jesus bought and paid for with His death and resurrection. If we believe in Jesus, we have forgiveness and eternal life. In our daily struggle with sin it brings us great comfort to receive God’s forgiveness. May you have grace with those around you. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Romans 1. In this chapter Paul writes about the rebellion of unbelievers. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When we read these words, it is clear that the gross immorality of our times was equally wicked 2,000 years ago. The challenge is clear, we must not become like them but we still must struggle with how to win them for Christ. The sinful world is not pleasing to God. No amount of rationalization excuses sin. We are all called to repentance. May God guard and keep you steadfast in your faith. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Acts 28. In this chapter we read about Paul testifying in Rome to a Jewish audience. “When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭28‬:‭23‬-‭28‬, ‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Paul was a faithful witness to whoever he met. It is believed that he was released from custody in Rome and that he made an additional missionary journey to Spain, Crete and other areas. This chapter concludes like the author intended to write more…what would you write if you were telling the story of Christianity today? Where have you traveled to preach the Gospel? What will others say about you? Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Acts 27. In this chapter we read about Paul’s voyage to Rome and shipwreck. “And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.” Acts‬ ‭27‬:‭35‬-‭44‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Paul was one of 276 people on the ship. Everyone on the ship was impacted by Paul’s faith in Jesus. In the midst of tragedy, Paul stood up and spoke. The circumstances made people listen. God granted Paul favor with the centurion Julius. How has God granted you favor with those in authority over you? Have you spoken out in times of crisis? Made God speak powerfully through you. Pastor Tim