November 22
Read Romans 11
In Today's
To become a Christian is to receive a new nature — the nature of God. Jesus said: Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
It is only reasonable that we should live each day free from Satan's domination and manifest Christ's resurrection life. The Apostle Paul wrote: Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (12:1-2).
We should read through the Bible with a desire to do the will of God. As we read His Word it becomes our spiritual food and our source of strength and spiritual insight to accomplish His will. Just as physical food is assimilated into our bodies to provide good health and physical strength, so the indwelling Holy Spirit strengthens our spiritual lives through His Word that we might mature in our spiritual lives. The Holy Spirit alone can guide you into all truth (John 16:13). However, He will not guide us into all truth if we neglect to read all truth from Genesis through Revelation. We are either lost sinners with a desire to sin, or we are children of God with a desire to be submissive to Christ as revealed in His Word. Submission to Christ brings true freedom. The Word of God enlightens and then empowers us to overcome our former way of life. Know The Truth, and The Truth shall make you free (8:32).
We daily live in the midst of many voices calling for our attention. We will always be tempted to satisfy our self-serving, fleshly desires. But, we also need to daily 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. Our opportunities to serve the Lord and to be prepared to meet Him will soon end. Life is far too short to allow material possessions and the desire for worldly accomplishments to be our foremost concern. See then that ye walk circumspectly (as a responsible representative of Jesus), not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Word Studies:
11:14 emulation = jealousy; 12:9 dissimulation = hypocrisy; 13:13 chambering and wantonness = sexual indulgence and unbridled lust, immorality and indecency.
Cross References:
For Romans 11:3: See I Kings 19:10,14. Romans 11:4: See I Kings 19:18. Romans 11:8: See Isaiah 29:10. Romans 11:9-10: See Psalm 69:22-23. Romans 11:26-27: See Isaiah 59:20-21; Jeremiah 31:33. Romans 11:34: See Isaiah 40:13. Romans 11:35: See Job 41:11. Romans 12:19: See Deuteronomy 32:35. Romans 12:20: See Proverbs 25:21-22. Romans 13:9: See Exodus 20:13-17; Leviticus 19:18.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Jack & Delores Bright · Staff: George Kopchak · Country: Vietnam (77 million) in Southeast Asia · Major languages: Vietnamese and French · Very strict control of Christians in the North; the South has been more lenient but is getting tighter · 65% Buddhist and Buddhist sects; 7% Roman Catholic; 4% belief in evil spirits and ancestor worship; .4% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to teach you His ways (Psalm 27:11).
Memory Verse for the Week: James 2:17