Notes on Romans 1:1-17

Verse 1

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

The word “servant" in Greek is doulos, which means "bondslave."  A bondslave had no rights of his own. He belonged totally to his master.  As a bondslave of Jesus Christ, we, like Paul, live totally for our Master...the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul was "called to be an apostle"  - "Apostle" literally means "one who is sent." In his calling, Paul was "separated unto the gospel of God" 

Acts 13:2-3 says this about Paul...

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Paul was sent by the Holy Spirit to bear the Gospel to the Gentiles. The word "gospel" means "good news." God's love for us in Jesus Christ is good news. ...

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.—John 3:16-17

Verse 2:

which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,

This Gospel wasn't an event that simply happened out of the blue.  God planned it before the foundation of the world...the first mention of it is found in Genesis 3.  The message of the Gospel, especially to the Gentiles, was spoken of by God through the prophets in the “holy scriptures”.  (Old Testament)

Verse 3

concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

Jesus - This is a Greek translation of the Hebrew name "Joshua," meaning "Jehovah is salvation."  

The angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1: 20-21).

His name implies His mission: "he shall save his people from their sins."

Christ - "Christ" is Greek for the Hebrew word meaning "messiah" or "the anointed one of God," "Christ" or "Messiah" signifies His ministry as the fulfillment of the promise of God. 

Lord - is his title. "Jesus Christ our Lord" signifies the believer's relationship to Him.  He is our Lord...our Master, our owner.  

who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

The OT had prophesied that Messiah would be in the lineage of David  (see 2 Samuel 7). Both Mary, Jesus’ mother and Joseph, his legal father were descendants of David “according to the flesh” (that is, as far as His humanity is concerned).   Jesus, however, was more than a man as vs 4 will show....but that is for next week. 

Verse 4:  and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

The Amplified version says it this way:

and [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly designated to be the Son of God with power [in a triumphant and miraculous way] by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

The evidence of Jesus’ humanity is His human birth; the evidence of His deity is His resurrection from the dead.  The summary of this gospel doctrine of his two natures in one person is here in verses 3 and 4.  Jesus is one of us and yet He is much greater than us. He became a man, yet remains the Son of God.  

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,—1 Peter 3:18

For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you—2Co 13:4 NKJV

Verse 5: Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 

The Amplified version says it this way:

It is through Him that we have received grace and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the Gentiles,—AMP

It was through Jesus Christ that Paul received the grace (unmerited favor) that saved him and his apostleship (his direction for ministry) Paul’s mission was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles in the hope that they would obey the message of the gospel by repenting and believing on Jesus.  

“True saving faith always produces obedience and submission to the Lordship of Christ.”—j mac

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,—Ephesians 3:8

Paul had the anointing and calling of an apostle, although he considered himself to be the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1: 12-15). 

For Romans 1:6-7 go here:

Verse 8:  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 

Paul is thankful for fellow believers.  I am also. I love my church family!!  They are on my heart and in my prayers and are always an encouragement to my faith.  

The faith of the Roman believers was well-known throughout the world. ❤️

This from John MacArthur:

“The testimony of the church in Rome was so strong that in a.d. 49 the emperor Claudius expelled all the Jews because of the influence of “Chrestus,” which was undoubtedly a reference to Christ (cf. Acts 18:2)

Verse 9:  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,

God knows and sees everything.  God was Paul’s witness that he prayed for the church at Rome. 

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.—Matt 6:6

It is so easy for me to tell someone I will pray for them...but do I?  Is my heart really in it.  God knows.  Praying for His grace to care for others and remember to pray for them like I remember to pray for my own needs.  I waste so much time thinking about stuff that doesn’t matter or doing things that have no eternal value.  Lord...help me to use that time to pray for those You place on my heart.  Father...help me to be faithful...

Paul serves God in His Spirit.  Prior to his conversion, Paul was a Pharisee...he was an expert law keeper. His service/worship of God was outward.  His religion shallow and hypocritical.  His heart was not really involved except for his passion that the law be adhered and followed.  He was empty of love because he was empty of God.  At conversion, God gave Paul a new heart and began transforming him from the inside out.  Paul’s service/worship of God now sprung from His inner man and was motivated by His love for God....it came from his heart and was sincere and genuine.   Paul worshipped God in his spirit, he rejoiced in Christ Jesus and had no confidence in the flesh.  

Verse 10: making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

Aside from giving thanks for the Roman believers and praying for them, Paul also asks God if he might visit them.  As with everything else Paul wants his visit to be in accordance with the will of God.  (James 4:15) I love that Paul wanted the Roman believers to know that he prayed for them and that he desired to come to them. 

Verse 11:  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established--

Paul's motive for going to Rome to minister to the believers. He wanted to impart some spiritual gift through which they might be strengthened. The Greek word translated “gift” is charisma, which means a “gift of grace”.   Paul’s gift was most likely his teaching.  Praying that my motive when I meet with other believers is not only to be blessed but to be a blessing. 

Verse 12:   that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Gathering together with God's people has a two-way effect. You cannot minister to others without being ministered to yourself. That's the beauty of sharing our spiritual gifts with one another. Jesus said, "' Give, and it shall be given unto you'" (Luke 6: 38a). Sowing the truth in love always reaps the same.

Verse 13:  Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.

Paul wanted to visit them before, but had been hindered. The apostle wasn't deliberately slighting the Romans by his absence.  

For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.

But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you,—Romans 15:22-23

When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."—Acts 19:21

that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.  Paul desired to visit these Romans, in order that they might be edified (vs 11), that they and he might be comforted (vs 12), and that he might bear some fruit among them. (Vs 13). Here he desires to see souls won for Christ in the capital of the Roman Empire and also for the fruit that would be credited to his account.   

just as among the other Gentiles.  I wasn’t sure what to make of this except that it would seem to imply that the Roman Church was made up of mostly Gentiles. 

I took some time before moving on to vs 14 to remind myself of the different kinds of spiritual fruit talked about in the Bible. 

1. Spiritual attitudes:  

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.—-Gal 5:22-23

2.  Righteous Actions:  

A.  Holy Living - But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.—Romans 6:22

B.  Giving - For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.—Philippians 4:16-16

C.  Praise to God - Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.—Hebrews 13:15

3.  Converts:

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.—Romans 16:5

Verse 14: I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.

“Anyone who has Christ has the answer to the world's deepest need. He has the cure to the disease of sin, the way to escape the eternal horrors of hell, and the guarantee of everlasting happiness with God. This puts him under solemn obligation to share the good news with people of all cultures—barbarians—and people of all degrees of learning—wise and unwise. Paul felt the obligation keenly. He said "I am a debtor".  ❤️❤️

For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16, ESV)

Barbarians - barbaros - used by the Greeks of any foreigner ignorant of the Greek language, whether mental or moral, with the added notion after the Persian war, of rudeness and brutality. The word is used in the N.T. without the idea of reproachfulness.

Verse 15:  So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

To pay that debt, Paul was ready to preach the gospel to those in Rome with all the power God gave him.  Paul was “ready” to do whatever God had for him and we should be too. 

Verse 16:  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

So very, very convicting to read and think about all that Paul faced for the sake of the Gospel.  Truly, he “lived” out what he believed.  These words from his letter to the Philippians come to mind: 

 “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  

Nothing curbed Paul’s boldness. 

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;

26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;

27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:24-28, ESV)

What a testimony to the grace of God!  Second Corinthians 4 encapsulates for me the attitude Paul had perfectly.  It is one I desire to emulate.  Copying it here:

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak,

14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 

15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:1-18, ESV)

Paul would not and did not lose heart. His cause was too noble to run away in fear or back down. Paul faced his attacks trusting God to strengthen him and see him through.  

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, ESV)

Oh how different my day to day existence would be if this were my attitude!

Vs 16 continued: for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

The gospel is fruitful because it carries with it the unlimited, supreme power of God. This made me think about how very hard and intractable the heart of man is if it takes the power of God to overcome his sinful nature and give him new life.God’s power in salvation delivers me from the kingdom of darkness and conveys me into the kingdom of the Son of His love when I believe.  The word believe means to trust, rely on, or have faith in. John MacArthur says that when used of salvation, this word usually occurs in the present tense which stresses that faith is not simply a one-time event, but an ongoing condition. True saving faith is supernatural, a gracious gift of God that he produces in the heart and is the only means by which a person can appropriate true righteousness 

Trust in the LORD forever,

For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength—Isaiah 26:4 (emphasis mine)

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13, ESV)

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8, ESV)

Vs 16 continued:  for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

It was Paul’s custom when he entered a city to preach the gospel in the synagogue first.  The Jews, however, rejected it in every city from Jerusalem to Rome. This had been especially true at Corinth, the city in which Paul penned this letter. (Acts 18:6,12). Acts 28:28 gives us Paul’s final words to the Jews when they rejected the gospel at Rome.  

Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen." (Acts 28:28, ESV)

Several years later, Paul wrote to the church at Colosse that in Christ “there is neither Greek nor Jew”....but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:11). Henry Morris says that none of Paul’s later epistles, written after his rejection by the Jews at Rome, is there any relevant reference to the Jews at all.  After this point, Paul apparently treated all alike, both Jews and Gentiles.  

Verse 17:  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel.  How?  Romans 3:25-26 tells us. I like the amplified version because I really needed it spelled out.  

whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion]. 26 It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].—Romans 3:25-26

Jesus, by His death (by His blood) was a propitiation (substitute sacrifice) for us. As He was judged in our place, the Father could demonstrate His righteousness in judgment against sin, while sparing those who deserved  the judgment.  At the cross, God demonstrated His righteousness by offering man justification (a legal verdict of “not guilty”), while remaining completely just (because the righteous penalty of sin had been paid at the cross).

Mercy and truth have met together;

Righteousness and peace have kissed.

Truth shall spring out of the earth,

And righteousness shall look down from heaven.—Psalm 85:10-11

“In him who is both our salvation and our glory mercy and truth have met together; God's mercy and truth, and his righteousness and peace, have kissed each other; that is, the great affair of our salvation is so well contrived, so well concerted, that God may have mercy upon poor sinners, and be at peace with them, without any wrong to his truth and righteousness. He is true to the threatening, and just in his government, and yet pardons sinners and takes them into covenant with himself. Christ, as Mediator, brings heaven and earth together again, which sin had set at variance; through him truth springs out of the earth, that truth which God desires in the inward part, and then righteousness looks down from heaven; for God is just, and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus.”—Matthew Henry

from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." - This verse is quoted three times in the New Testament. (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38). All three passages emphasize that those who are “justified” that is declared and made righteous in the sight of God are justified not by the works of the law but by faith in the Word of God and His provision for their justification through the substitutionary death and resurrection of Christ for their sins. 

I liked this from David Guzik:

“In Hebrew, the important part of the verse has only three words: "the justified man," "by his faith," and "will live." Every word in Habakkuk 2:4 is important, and the Lord quotes it three times in the New Testament just to bring out the fullness of the meaning

- Romans 1:17 is the commentary on the justified man - "The just shall live by faith"

- Hebrews 10:38 is the commentary on faith - "The just shall live by faith"

- Galatians 3:11 is the commentary on the Christian life - "The just shall live by faith"—Guzik

My faith becomes then for me the way I live my life. I am not only saved by faith, I live by faith...moment by moment.  Daily I do the same thing I did when I first got saved—I believe God.  

“Even as you received Christ,” Paul would say to the Colossians, “so walk ye in Him” (see Colossians 2: 6).

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?  This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Are you so foolish? Having :begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?—Galatians 3:1-3

Addendum Vs 16:  

A cross reference for vs 16 (“for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,”) stopped me short and caught my attention.  

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?  (Isaiah 53:1, ESV)

I never before connected this verse from Isaiah with Romans 1:16. The “report” spoken of here is the gospel message and the arm of the Lord is a picture of his omnipotence...His strength, power and might. 

The gospel is effective because it carries with it the omnipotence of God.  Men are powerless to make themselves righteous before God.  Many hear the report of the gospel, but very few believe it.  The arm of the Lord is revealed only to those who believe it and in believing submit to the power of it.  

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)

I really like thinking that as we believe God and submit to Him, His arm or His power is activated in our hearts and in our lives. We who believe experience the working of the Spirit in our hearts making His word effectual as we believe and obey God.  Our conscience is energized by His still small voice and our way made plain. Non believers do not perceive or experience this in their lives.  They have forfeited the grace of God and walk in darkness.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, with their voices they shall sing together; for they shall see eye to eye when the LORD brings back Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem! For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.—Isaiah 52:7-10 - emphasis mine 

The LORD has made bare His holy arm....

“The expression made bare his holy arm is a Hebrew idiom derived from rolling up long, loose sleeves before starting to work. Then the arm was bared - the symbol of any mighty undertaking or initiative."  

in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. 

God does not make His saving strength known just for those who are immediately rescued. He also does it as a witness and a testimony to others, so they can see the salvation of our God.  The Lord’s arm has been made bare in our life.  I (we) are living testimonies to the power of God which is working in us as we believe God. 

 My heart is encouraged and my strength renewed....with my God all things are possible.  I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  For in Yah IS everlasting strength.  

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,

Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca,

They make it a spring;

The rain also covers it with pools.

They go from strength to strength;

Each one appears before God in Zion.—Ps 84:5-7

Showing Kindness...

Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.—Acts 28:1-2

You can’t outgive God. He sees all.  Compassion is a universal language. The natives’ acts of unusual kindness to Paul and his shipmates was repaid pressed down, shaken together and running over!   Paul healed Publius, the island’s leading citizen of dysentery, as well as the rest of those on the island who had any diseases.  

For God [is] not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, [in that] you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.—Hebrews 6:10

Scripture is silent as to whether the gospel was preached at Malta, but my read on it says that it was. The natives understood that murder was wrong and that evil people were punished. Paul writes this in Romans 2:

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?—Romans 2:14,15,27

By making Paul immune from the effects of the viper, God made a way for the Gospel to be received and the One, true God worshipped. One act of kindness prepared by God beforehand for such a time as this, caused an eternal ripple effect that would be “heard” the world over.

And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."—Matthew 10:42

[Be] kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;—Romans 12:10

My Everlasting, Unchanging Friend...

A man who has friends must himself be friendly,

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.—Proverbs 18:24

I don’t know about you, but one of the things this pandemic has shown me is that my mind likes to race and go on trips without my consent.  The older I get, it seems, the more likely it is to race past the moment and into the future.  Maybe it’s because I feel less capable of handling a crisis in my age weakened state and am attempting to compensate by thinking on all the combinations and permutations of what might occur in a given situation so I can be ready for anything.  

Now in my heart of hearts, I know that my God is in control, and that all of this is just useless wrangling on my part to “feel” like I have got “this”...whatever “this” may be.  The truth is, I don’t have this.  The truth is that this kind of “thinking” is wearying, tiring and absolutely useless.  The past is gone and the future is not mine...the moment is.  How much better to use my mind to think on things that are eternal...to set my mind, as the Scriptures tell me, on things above.  

Today, by His Spirit, I will do this.  I will think on what it means to have Jesus as my friend....the Friend who sticks closer than a brother and loves me at ALL times.  The LORD is my Shepherd and my Friend. I have everything I need. No matter what I might face here, He will be with me and He will never change.  My God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  The Creator and Sustainer of the Universe hears my voice and desires to have fellowship with ME!  He wants me to pour out my heart to Him.   My God is my refuge...my strong tower...my “go-to”....MY FRIEND!!  Scripture tells me that my Jesus loves me to the end of perfection and that I am His friend because I do whatever He commands.  

Oh, Father help me to do Your will here on this earth.  For Your sake, help me to be the kind of friend to others that You are to me.

I CAN rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in everything BECAUSE the God who made the heavens, the earth and all that is in them is my friend.  He is for me and on my side. He will NEVER forsake those who love Him and place their trust in Him.  

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.—John 13:1

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.—John 15:14-15

But I Have Trusted in Your Mercy...

O LORD my God, in You I put my trust;

My defense is of God,

Who saves the upright in heart.—Psalm 7:1;10

Father...So often I succumb to the burdens I carry that are just too heavy for me.  They monopolize my thoughts and twist my thinking.  David’s confidence in God is the backbone of this Psalm.  Praying today, that by Your grace, I can be like David is here!  

—Today, Father, I place my trust in You.  

—Today, I will roll each one of my burdens into Your care, trusting that You are sufficient.  

—Today, I will trust in the steadfast, unfailing love and mercy of my God. You will make perfect that which concerns me. 

—Today, I will praise You with a composed and confident heart that is immersed in Your love. 

—Today, I will wait patiently for You, my mighty God, to do exceedingly abundantly on my behalf.  

Thank you, ABBA, for the privilege of casting my cares into Your all capable hands.  You have and will deal bountifully with me. 

Unless the LORD had been my help,

My soul would soon have settled in silence.

If I say, "My foot slips,"

Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.

In the multitude of my anxieties within me,

Your comforts delight my soul.—Psalm 94:17-19

I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.  (Psalms 7:17, ESV)

Winning is in Depending...

And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.—1 Chronicles 5:20

These words hit my heart this morning. The armies of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh succeeded in battle because in their distress they cried out to God. He heard their cry because they put their trust in Him.  It really IS so simple.  Don’t trust in your own skills, in your own wisdom and in your own strength.  Pray and seek God’s wisdom, God’s direction and God’s strength.  Winning is in depending.  Winning is in remembering God and trusting in His will and His purposes for you. Trusting in me opens the door to pride. 

Father...some trust in chariots and some in horses...By Your gracious Spirit, Father, I will humbly place my trust in You!  I will be faithful because You are faithful.  You will hear my cry and I will be helped.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Closing with the words of one of my favorite hymns by Alan Jackson...

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear

And what a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit

Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged

Take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness

Take it to the Lord in prayer

The Beautiful Prayer of Jabez....

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.--1 Chronicles 4:

9-10

The first several chapters of the Book of 1st Chronicles are comprised mostly of genealogies.  Today’s reading brought me to Jabez.  Some of them men chronicled were characterized as unfaithful, evil or wicked, but Jabez is singled out here as being more honorable than his brothers.  Why was he different from his brethren? Jabez called on His God. Jabez was a man of prayer who served God.  He desired to do good and not cause hurt to others. May I owe no one anything but love.  Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

By God’s Spirit of Grace I can want for myself what Jabez wanted...the honor that comes from my God.  I want to please my Creator...the One who died for me and now lives to make intercession for me!

Bless me indeed, Father... with the knowledge of Your love...I want to be filled with all the goodness of who You are!  Enlarge my territory...my area of service.  My desire is to leave the fragrance of Your Son wherever I go.  How beautiful are the feet of those who share your gospel! May many see and place their trust in You!

May Your righteous right hand guide and direct my steps....I want You to uphold me and keep me from falling.  I want your hand upon me always!  Keep me from evil and allow me not to grieve and hurt those around me.  Work all together in my life for good...even the evil intended by others.  Transform my sorrows into blessings! 

Answer my prayer, Father!  Keep me close to Your heart so I can pray Your desires.  Like Jabez, I am calling on You my God, in humility and brokenness...."Lord bless me!"

And Will Not Be Ashamed....

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.—Acts 24:14-16

How do I react when I am accused of being a fundamentalist religious fanatic who believes that the Bible is the literal word of God?  I want my response to be similar to Paul’s. Guilty as charged!  In the world today love of God is very often despised...and at times even seen as a hate crime. May I never draw back from fear but by Your grace move forward in faith proclaiming Your wonderful name.  

I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,

And will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in Your commandments,

Which I love. My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,

Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.—Psalm 119:46-48

"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.—Matthew 10:32-33

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.—Philippians 1:27-30

Father, 

Let me not be silent. Your love to me is better than life.  By Your Holy Spirit, let me speak Your name with grateful love and reverence not fearing the ridicule and hatred that might come from men but desiring instead the praise that is from You.   I will look to You and be radiant...my face unashamed.  

I will love You, O LORD, my strength. I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You.  I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.—Ps 18:1; Ps 138:1-3

God Stands With Us to Strengthen Us...

But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome."—Acts 23:11

As I read this verse in Acts 23 this morning my heart was encouraged.  It is God’s will that despite all that is happening around us...despite the evil...despite the uncertainty...we are to remain faithful and to be of good cheer.  The gracious consolations of God sustain us.  The Lord stands with us and strengthens us!  Truly, if  God is for us, who can be against us?  

My God is my refuge and strength. He is my very present help in time of trouble.  Therefore, I NEED NOT fear.  He IS with me and upholds me with His righteous right hand.  All those incensed against me shall be ashamed and disgraced.  They shall be as nothing and those who strive with me shall perish.   Even now, God holds my right hand and says, fear not, I will help you.  I CAN be of good cheer.  There is NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.  I am His and He is mine. He calls me by name.  When I pass through the waters, He is with me, and the rivers, they do not overflow me.  In Him my heart has peace.  In the world I have tribulation, but I can and will be of good cheer...He has overcome the world.  

After I finished writing the above, I read today’s Psalm and rejoiced as I heard David’s faithful and cheerful heart 1000 years earlier even as he flees from Absalom, his son.  We CAN be faithful..we CAN be cheerful...for it is the Lord who is in us and stands by us. 

1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!

Many are they who rise up against me.

2 Many are they who say of me,

"There is no help for him in God."

Selah

3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,

My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,

And He heard me from His holy hill.

Selah

5 I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people

Who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O LORD;

Save me, O my God!

For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;

You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8 Salvation belongs to the LORD.

Your blessing is upon Your people.

Selah—Psalm 3