Bible Pathways 11/22/2002
November 22
Read Romans 11 -- 13
In Today’s Reading:
The remnant of Israel; warning to Gentiles; Israel still to be saved; duties of a Christian; believers' attitude toward civil government; Christian to walk in love.
When we become a Christian, we receive a new nature -- the Nature of God. As Christians, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, which enables us to let Christ control our lives instead of our old master Satan.
Therefore, it is only reasonable that we should live each day manifesting His resurrection life, free from Satan's control. The Apostle Paul wrote: Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:1-2).
As we prayerfully read through the Bible, His Word becomes our spiritual food, our Source of strength and spiritual insight to accomplish His will. Just as physical food is assimilated into our bodies to provide physical strength, so the indwelling Holy Spirit strengthens our spiritual lives through His Word. The Holy Spirit alone can guide you into all Truth (John 16:13). However, He will not guide us into all Truth if we refuse to read all Truth from Genesis through Revelation. The Word of God displaces our former way of thinking, and His attitudes become our attitudes, which, in turn, will strengthen us to change our outward actions.
We are in the midst of many voices calling for our attention, so we need to pray for the Holy Spirit alone to guide our decision making. It is imperative that day by day we meditate on the Word of God, so that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:13). The Word of God, along with prayer empowered by the Holy Spirit, are our weapons against Satan: Take . . . the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (6:17-18). Thus, each day, we will become more like Christ in all that we do and say. We are to be children of Light, removing from our lives all that would hinder us from being good stewards of our time, our talents, and our possessions. We can truly be grateful that God is merciful, that when we fail Him, as we often do, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar (I John 1:9-10).
There will always be a temptation to satisfy our self-serving, fleshly desires. We need to be on guard against allowing "good things," or even "good people," to occupy our time and keep us from the best God has for us. Life is far too short to allow material possessions and the desire for worldly accomplishments to dominate our lives. Our opportunities to serve the Lord and to be prepared to meet Him will soon end. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Thought for Today: As we are controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are pleasing to God.
Word Studies:
11:14 emulation = jealousy; 12:9 dissimulation = hypocrisy; 13:13 chambering and wantonness = immorality and indecency.
Cross References:
For Romans 11:3: See I Kings 19:10,14. Rom. 11:4: See I Kings 19:18. Rom. 11:8: See Isa. 29:10. Rom. 11:9-10: See Psa. 69:22-23. Rom. 11:26-27: See Isa. 59:20-21. Rom. 11:34: See Isa. 40:13. Rom. 11:35: See Job 41:11. Rom. 12:19: See Deut. 32:35. Rom. 12:20: See Prov. 25:21-22. Rom. 13:9: See Ex. 20:13-17.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for the President · Country: Dominica (65,000) in the British West Indies · Major languages: English and French patois · Religious freedom · 75% Roman Catholic; 12% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Kneel in a humble spirit of reverence as you pray to the Lord (I Kings 8:54).
Memory Verse for the Week: II Corinthians 12:10
