Syndrome, the evil character from Disney's The Incredibles said a phrase in the movie my family repeats endlessly. As he was capturing the entire in Incredible family, with great joy said, "This is just too good." This is how I felt about today's reading. It was just "too good." I don't know where to start so I am going to post several verses and let them speak for themselves.
2:14-15
Oh that I would instinctively obey God's Word and demonstrate that it is written in my heart.
2:29b
Oh, that I would allow the Holy Spirit to change my heart and seek only God's praise.
3:21-22
Praise God I am an "everyone who believes." He made the way for us all!
3:27-28
Praise God my "rightness" with God is not based on my obedience. I would certainly remain "wrong" with God all the time.
4:5
Praise God I don't have to work for my righteousness. I am made righteous through my faith in my God.
Let's play Popcorn Verse. (I just made that name up. I can do that sense this is my site. Smile) Write down any scripture that popped out to you today and offer a praise or other statement after it. This is going to be fun! Come on share-this is a special invitation to all those whose who don't often post a comment. We would love to hear from you today.
P.S. Off the subject-because of the holiday, Open Blog will begin Friday instead of Saturday.
2:14-15
Even the Gentiles, who do not have God's written law, show that they know His law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.
Oh that I would instinctively obey God's Word and demonstrate that it is written in my heart.
2:29b
And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of the heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
Oh, that I would allow the Holy Spirit to change my heart and seek only God's praise.
3:21-22
But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who are.
Praise God I am an "everyone who believes." He made the way for us all!
3:27-28
Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith, and not be obeying the law.
Praise God my "rightness" with God is not based on my obedience. I would certainly remain "wrong" with God all the time.
4:5
But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.
Praise God I don't have to work for my righteousness. I am made righteous through my faith in my God.
Let's play Popcorn Verse. (I just made that name up. I can do that sense this is my site. Smile) Write down any scripture that popped out to you today and offer a praise or other statement after it. This is going to be fun! Come on share-this is a special invitation to all those whose who don't often post a comment. We would love to hear from you today.
P.S. Off the subject-because of the holiday, Open Blog will begin Friday instead of Saturday.
14 Comments:
Popcorns verse; I like it!
Romans 2:21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself?
Why don't I indeed? Thank you Lord for being my teacher in all things!
Romans 3:23-25
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.
I believe! Not only in God and in Jesus, but I believe God and Jesus. I believe the promises and I believe the truth. Thank you precious Saviour for making me right with God through your sacrifice!
Romans 4: 16 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift.
Thank you Jesus for this precious gift of life. Amen
Karen, Basel
and true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law ; rather it is a CHANGE OF HEART produced by God's spirit" Rom. 2:29
Dear Lord, I need a change of heart
Here is a big popcorn batch from our reading about being "made right":
God has shown us a way to "be made right ... we are "made right" with God by placing our faith in Jesus ....people are "made right" with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life ... so we are "made right" with God through faith and not by obeying the law ... God's promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God's law but on a "RIGHT relationship" with God that comes by faith...Jesus was handed over to die because of our sins and he was raised to life to "make us right" with God!!!!
Lord, I need to be made right...thank you for providing a way and continue to bring me into a right relationship with you
Jeannie, Virginia
Love this idea :)
Romans 2:29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
May my heart be changed Lord from Your Spirit. May your desires be my desires, may YOU be the desire of my heart. May I seek to please You and not people.
Romans 4:17b "Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing."
AMEN! Thank dear God for bring my dead soul back life. I praise You that where Your Spirit is there is creation, Your Spirit was planted in my heart and created a new thing, made me a new creation. I praise You that You are creating new things now in my midst and I am a witness to see You transforming a life right in front of my eyes! (As a side note praise, my husband ordered ON HIS OWN the book Better Dads, Stronger Sons: How Dads Can Guide Boys to Become Men of Character by Rick Johnson! He got it from amazon yesterday.)
Romans 4:20-21 Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger; and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
May I bring You glory, dear Lord, by always believing Your promises. May I never doubt in the dark what I know You have told me in the light. May I walk fully convinced that You can do ALL that You promise even when things are not happening in my timing. May I have the faith to trust You completely dear Lord and have faith and hope until I see with my own eyes Your glory.
Blessings sisters, off to have lunch with Will, my mom and my little sister for Grandparents Day today at school. I am really looking forward to it!
Love ya'll (yes, I am very southern too)!
Brandee, TN
This so hit me: "In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law," (3:31).
"Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God." This is why God counted him as righteousness: because of his faith.
God does not smile on us for the "things" that we do for Him. Just the opposite: it's when we can't do something, and we seek Him to do it through us! Oh, to get to the point that we devote ourselves to Christ and hold nothing back. To be available to serve and obey Him with all of our heart, even when it is out of our comfort zone. To abide in Him. To believe and place our faith in Him, knowing that whatever he asks of us, we will be able to do through Him.
More of You today, less of me,
Lori - AZ
Isn't this fun; "popcorn"!
Rom 4:5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.
We have a dear friend that feels he can't go to church with his wife and kids until he can live a righteous life. My husband and I were just discussing this; if we can be righteous on our own we don't need a Savior. Our God, takes us as we are and He is the one at work in us; our works simply don't cut it.
love you girls,
Nancy
"Popcorn" :-)
Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism.
Praise God that people are made righteous because of thier faith, and not because of what church they attend, or how "perfect" their life is, how pretty they are, what car they drive, or how much they tithe.
Praise God!
Debbie is Southern Louisiana
I underlined "If God's promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless."
Lord-I thank you for your promises and for your God given faith. Help me to keep the faith Lord in this difficult time! Amen
Wow-these are great!
You are so encouraging. Don't you just love the Word!?!
Romans 4:20
Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.
I want my faith to grow stronger and bring Him glory. Father God, forgive me for any doubt and help me to grow stronger in my faith. In the name of Jesus. Amen
Wendy, thank you so much for this study through the bible. I will be continuing next year. I have learned so much through everyone's wisdom and appreciate and thank you all.
Karen - central OR
Pop Pop Pop!!
Romas 4:21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
Lord help me to be fully convinced of your faithfulness regardless of the situations in my life! Lord I believe, help my unbelief.
Debbie - North Carolina
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on guard.
Stand firm in the faith.
Be courageous.
Be strong
And do everything in love.
Father, guard my heart from evil things that seek to destory my foundation.
Allow me to stand firm in your faith, even when the winds of adversity blow their hardest.
Grow in me the courage of a lioness when I frightened and feel alone
Give me the strenght of your mercy when I am weary and down hearted.
May every thought that comes to mind and every word I speak honor and glorify you.
Father may I always show appreciation for those who serve you.
Amen
Love this today,
Diane
Wendy, I did the exact same thing back on September 12th of this year and entitled my post, "A Bowl of Popcorn", with little "Pops" between each verse. Great minds think alike :)
I know my verses have already been mentioned above, but they spoke deeply to me today.
“…Abraham’s faith did not weaken…” “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” Romans 4:19-21
Didn’t weaken. Never wavered. Grew stronger. Brought glory. Fully convinced. Is able.
Each of these couplets characterized Abraham’s faith. I'm jealous of such faith.
Faith that holds on. Faith that trusts an invisible hand. Faith that knows God is at work. Faith that says, I cannot change certain circumstances, but I know You are in the midst of them. Faith that sees beyond the perplexities to the promises. Faith that resists doubt and discouragement. Faith that isn’t hindered or handicapped, frustrated or fearful. Faith that accepts without understanding. Faith that takes root and grows in the soil of our soul. Faith that meets triumph and trials and treats both the same. Faith that sustains through silences, silently. Faith that stands and stays. Faith that perseveres personal loss and public misunderstanding. Faith that pivots destiny. Faith that sings at the midnight hour. Faith that hears the songs still to be written. Faith in the lot and little. Faith in the much and the more.
“Faith that believes in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” Philip Yancey
Lord, today I pray for such faith. A faith that says, through tears, I trust You even in this. Hold me. I surrender again to all Your plans for me. I want my life to bring You glory, whatever path that will walk. Not my will, but Thine be done.
Thanks for your prayers for me today,
Joy
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
Romans 3:3 "...some of them were unfaithful, but just because they were unfaithful does that mean God will be unfaithful?"
Family and friends may fail me, but You remain true. Oh Lord, when my faith is weak or I disappoint You, You still love me. You have proved Your faithfulness over and over, where else can I go?
Rom 4:13 "Clearly, God's promise... was based not on [Abraham's] obedience to God's law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith."
It's not about what we do, but Who You are. If it was based on my performance I would fail miserably. But you know my heart's desire is to walk with You, Lord; and should I stumble You are right there to catch me. It is faith that makes me reach out for Your hand when that happens.
Rom 4:16-17 "So the promise is received by faith... Because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing."
Each step forward is one step further from the dead me; until I can stand before You with nothing but simple faith and a clean heart... nothing, yet everything... Oh Lord, make me your masterpiece
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