Bible Pathways - Nov. 21, 2007
In Today's Scripture Reading:
Law of life in the Spirit; sovereignty of God; suffering versus future glory; Israel's failure because of unbelief became a means of mercy to Gentiles
When we accept Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives, we receive the spiritual nature of God and sincerely desire that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh. . . . Because the carnal (fleshly) mind is enmity (hostile) against God: for it is not subject to the Law of God (Romans 8:4-5,7). Praise God we don't have to be ruled by our carnal nature: If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live (8:13).
True repentance results in a change of heart and lifestyle. This change should manifest itself in our becoming involved in sharing the Good News, supporting mission ministries, and becoming involved in a local church when physically able. Sadly, some people join a church, attend worship services, give generously, and assume that their good works are sufficient for entrance into heaven. However, they may only be expressing a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof (II Timothy 3:5). God is concerned first with what we are, then with what we do for Him.
Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth. . . . Mortify (Put to death) therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate (unnatural) affection, evil concupiscence (desire), and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy (slander and abusive statements against God), filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not to one another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him (Colossians 3:2,5-10).
Word Studies:
9:15 compassion =b> pity, loving-kindness; 10:21 gainsaying =b> self-willed, faultfinding.
Cross References:
For Romans 8:36: See Psalm 44:22. Romans 9:7: See Genesis 21:12. Romans 9:9: See Genesis 18:10. Romans 9:12: See Genesis 25:23. Romans 9:13: See Malachi 1:2-3. Romans 9:15: See Exodus 33:19. Romans 9:17: See Exodus 9:16. Romans 9:25: See Hosea 2:23. Romans 9:26: See Hosea 1:10. Romans 9:27-28: See Isaiah 10:22-23. Romans 9:29: See Isaiah 1:9. Romans 9:33: See Isaiah 28:16. Romans 10:5: See Leviticus 18:5. Romans 10:6-7: See Deuteronomy 30:12-13. Romans 10:8: See Deuteronomy 30:14. Romans 10:11: See Isaiah 49:23. Romans 10:13: See Joel 2:32. Romans 10:15: See Isaiah 52:7. Romans 10:16: See Isaiah 53:1. Romans 10:18: See Psalm 19:4. Romans 10:19: See Deuteronomy 32:21. Romans 10:20: See Isaiah 65:1. Romans 10:21: See Isaiah 65:2.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in honor of Linda Kennon • Staff: Gina Lesnefsky • Government Officials: Gov. Phil Bredesen (TN), Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY), Sen. Richard Durbin (IL), and Rep. Chaka Fattah (PA) • Country: Saudi Arabia (20.9 million) on the Arabian Peninsula in southwestern Asia • Major language: Arabic • Christian worship services for foreign personnel are tolerated, but those who seek to convert Muslims to Christianity face persecution • 86% Sunni (Wahabi) Muslim; 10% Shi'ite Muslim; 1% Ismaili Muslim; 3% Others (including 600,000 Christians and some Hindus and Buddhists) • Prayer Suggestion: Rejoice that He has promised to sustain us at all times (Psalm 55:22).
Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 2:13
