What do you want God to do for you? We have many motives, but we are called to bring glory and honor to Jesus. Acts 1:1-8 1:1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had [...]
The Story of Life
How do you make sense of your life? Where I am from. What I do. What about a story that connects with more people? How about a story from God’s perspective? Romans 1:1-6 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand [...]
Faithfully Fulfilling the Call
When have you done a good job in your profession? Judging Christian maturity is hard. The job is never done. Romans 15:14-21 14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. 15 But on some points I have written to [...]
Hope for the World
Christmas is so commercialized! We need to return to the real meaning of the season. What is the real season? Romans 15:8-13 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might [...]
Endurance, Encouragement, and Hope
Often we confuse the strong and the weak. The strong have great freedom in Christ. Romans 15:1-7 15:1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not [...]
Stumbling, Faith, & Sin
Romans 14:13-23 13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. [...]
Fulfilling the Law Through Love
Romans 13:8-14 8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your [...]
The Weak and the Strong
Romans 14:1-12 14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the [...]
Submit to Those in Authority
Romans 13:1-7 13:1 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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but [...]
Unity for a Purpose
Ephesians 4:1-16 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one [...]