Tag: Romans 10:17
Living by God’s Word
Scripture reading for August 19: Job 23:10-12 “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.”
Matthew 4:4 “But He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Job’s trial of extreme loss and then sickness approaching death was allowed by God to prove that Job served God for Who He was, not just for the benefits God gives those who trust Him. God knows everything about us, including the genuineness of our faith. We don’t have all the inside information of why God allows these tests, but they bring out of us amazing faith and confessions. Job confessed that God knew all about his walk of faith. Job was confident that when the test was over, he would come out like gold from the fire–free from impurities.
He had sought to walk closely with God and to keep His commandments. He stated that he treasured God’s Word more than his portion of food. This reminds us of Jesus’ confession when Satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread after a forty day fast. Jesus stated that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) (Deuteronomy 8:3) Faith also comes by hearing God’s Word. (Romans 10:17) Job was revealing where his faith came from and how he knew his faith was genuine.
As we go through various trials, Peter tells us to rejoice in the testing of our faith. Faith is more precious than gold that is perishing as it is part of creation. Faith in God leads to eternal life and eternal joy–kept in heaven for us and soon revealed in Jesus’ return. “Come, Lord Jesus!” is the last prayer of the church recorded in Scripture! (Revelation 22:17, 20) Amen!
Day 3–Jesus’ Gift of Peace
Scripture reading for March 11: John 14:25-27 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
First responders must be prepared to enter into the trouble and chaos of others involved in accidents, crime, sickness or disease. On top of that, each person has troubles of their own to deal with. In these Scriptures we uncover a Source of peace that helps us overcome each incident. God has made several key provisions for those who trust in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. He desires that all men and women enter into the perfect peace He offers. That peace comes when we receive and believe His Word. Faith comes into our hearts through this process. Jesus Christ came as the ‘Word made flesh’ (John 1:14) and He spoke His Word to those willingly following Him. “So faith comes by hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
But after Jesus gave His body and blood to cover and cleanse us from guilt and sin, Jesus rose again and told His disciples to wait for the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would live in each believer and personally teach each person the Word of God and help them to apply it through faith. The Holy Spirit would bring the fruit of peace. (Galatians 5:22) He would actually bring Christ Jesus’ own peace that gives comfort to us in the midst of the world’s troubles. It enables us to overcome those troubles and fears and walk in confidence. It is a gift from our Father and Lord to be received daily as we walk with Him.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing provision of peace given through the Words of Your Son Jesus Christ. Even more amazing is the Gift of Your Holy Spirit living in me to teach me God’s Word and manifest the fruit of peace through me to a world in trouble. Amen.
Day 4–Study the Word!
Scripture reading for February 12: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
We live in a world where knowledge is increasing at lightning speed. Every field of study is constantly adding new information and there are new books based on the latest research and trends in the culture. For first responders the same is true. In my short time at the fire department, there are now classes that we take to deal with fires caused by lithium batteries in electric vehicles and their charging systems. This was not taught ten years ago. We have new foam, new protective gear, and more powerful battery operated tools to deal with car wrecks. In the medical field, we have defibulators, drugs to combat overdoses, ventilator packs and many other tools that must be mastered by those volunteering to use them to help others. Study is required and refreshers on all tools and procedures are part of regular training.
As a faith responder, we are called to study the Scriptures. Paul reminded Timothy, a young pastor that he had mentored, to continue in what he had learned early in life from his godly mother and grandmother and Jewish rabbi’s. They taught him Scripture and he became wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith comes by hearing God’s Word. (Romans 10:17) Paul told Timothy that all Scripture was ‘breathed out by God’ through those called to write down God’s Word. All Scripture is profitable to those reading, applying and teaching it. It teaches us truth and corrects us when wrong. It leads us into righteousness that comes through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Scripture has the ability to make completed people equipped for good works.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Scripture that You breathed out for us. Thank You that Scripture is profitable for us and makes us wise for salvation. Thank You that Scripture produces faith that brings salvation and pleases You. Teach me, reprove me, correct me, and make me complete. Amen.
The star-breathing God!
Scripture reading for June 8: Psalms 31-35
Psalm 33:6,8 “By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host. . . .Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!
The Psalms reveal a lot about the character, power and majesty of the God we worship. God is the subject and object of these writings quite often, and Psalm 33 is especially rich in revelation! It is one of my personal favorites! It begins with music–singing, shouting, and instruments played skillfully! It is fitting to begin with praise and worship when we contemplate the majesty of God!
God is first commended for His Word. God can be depended on to do what He has said. He made the heavens by His own Word. When He spoke, the psalmist states, God breathed out the starry host! When we think of the vast universe with it’s countless stars, galaxies, and star clusters, stretching out for billions of light-years, we can only worship in awe and holy fear! He speaks and out of nothing, stars and galaxies appear! His Word holds the universe together and is the agent that brings faith to those who will hear Him! (Romans 10:17) (Colossians 1:17)
God is in total control of the earth and all it’s peoples! He knows how to stop nations and people from interfering with His plans. His plans and purposes are established firmly forever! The nation that serves the Lord will be blessed because that is His plan! God is watching over mankind and knows everything that is happening. He knows the hearts of all men and is looking for those whose hearts are sold out to Him. He will show Himself strong for them! (Psalm 33:18-19) He will save them and preserve them!
As we contemplate the truths of this psalm, we gain an understanding of the magnitude of the God we worship! Faith begins to grow that He is truly in control! No purpose of God can be stopped! He knows how to stop nations that are going against Him. He knows how to bless people who are sold out to Him!
“We wait in hope for the Lord’ He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:20-22
Sunday rest and reflection
March 3, 2023
Greetings! Hopefully, you are spending part of this day with God’s family in a place of worship! God redeemed us from slavery to sin to lead a life of worship! We are to worship personally and corporately. We come together to meet with God and His family and prepare ourselves for a week of ministry and witness. We come together to hear the Word of God preached and taught by those with gifts of teaching and preaching. We use our gifts to encourage other believers and pray. The gifts in the body help us to become equipped to do the work God has for each person and the church family. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Moses is one of my favorite Old Testament characters. He was strong and vigorous at 120 years of age. Evidently the manna and water diet kept him healthy and strong! Moses was greatly concerned for the next generation. He wanted them to be blessed and and take by faith all that the Lord had promised as their inheritance. He clearly understood how their sinful human nature was a danger to them. He shared that nature and because of his own anger and dishonoring of God would not be able to go into the promised land himself. Deuteronomy is the record of his last messages preached to this next generation before he died.
God chose the preaching of His Word to be the vehicle of teaching and inspiring this next generation. (1st Corinthians 1:21) Faith comes by hearing God’s Word! (Romans 10:17) Faith also works by love and God calls them to love Him and love each other! (Galatians 5:6) Love is not a feeling, but a commitment to act for the highest good of another. God’s promises show His love and our faith and obedience show our love in return! God’s love hasn’t changed! He is still using preaching to reach people and inspire faith in them. (Romans 10:14-15) He still desires faith and obedience as a show of our love for Him. (1st John 5:2-4) When we walk in faith and obedience and love Him, His face shines on us! (Number 6:22-27) Have a great day of rest and reflection! In His Love, Pastor John
Courage required–no wimps!
Scripture Reading for March 1: Joshua 1-5
Walking with God is not for wimps! God leads His people in paths of righteousness and truth. He is a mighty Warrior! His reputation for war is known far and wide! He never loses or backs down, but often uses only those willing to follow His leadership. As we begin our walk through Joshua, we listen in as God finishes His preparation of Joshua to lead His people to possess the promised land.
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9
Possessing our inheritance requires strength and courage, especially in leadership! It requires strength because there is walking involved and mountains and valleys to traverse. We must have strength of mind to keep our thoughts focused on God’s promises. We must possess strength of character and soul to keep from falling to the temptations of the enemy and the flesh that would trip us up. God promises to lead us and go with us (Matthew 28:20).
Courage is the ability to face tough situations with confidence. Courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to face fear with truth and keep moving toward the goal. The confidence is not to be in our own strength, mind or ability, but comes from a relationship with God. When we know God, we come to trust and rely on His leadership and strength to get us through each obstacle. Joshua was told not to let God’s Law and Word depart from his mouth or mind. He was guaranteed prosperity and success as he meditated on the Word and was careful to obey. Faith is produced by this process and it pleases God! (Romans 10:17) (Hebrews 11:6)
Today, receive this reading from Joshua as a call to walk in renewed strength and courage. Jesus Christ has blazed a trail of perfect obedience to God and He is with us. “Be strong and very courageous!”
Jesus meets us in our unbelief
Scripture reading for November 10th: John 20, Psalm 75, Proverbs 8
John 20:26-29 “Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””
Romans 10:17 declares that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Thomas, the doubting disciple, stated that he could not believe unless he saw Jesus himself and put his fingers in His wounds. Jesus, knowing Thomas’ weakness of faith, met him right where he was. Jesus showed Himself to Thomas and the other disciples by coming right through locked doors. He specifically invited Thomas, who had been missing on other appearances of Jesus after His resurrection, to place his fingers in the nail wounds and his hand in Jesus’ side. This brought a firm declaration from Thomas of faith. Jesus’ Word to Thomas brought faith, as it will to all who hear and choose to believe. Seeing was just a bonus that we will all enjoy one day when we are privileged to see Jesus Christ face to face when He comes again!
Psalm 75:9-10 “But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.”
Prayer: Righteous Father, I will declare the truth of Jesus’ resurrection and salvation through His body and shed blood. I will praise You for exalting those who hear and believe and counting them righteous. Jesus Christ is my Lord and God Almighty! I look forward to the day of Jesus’ return in power and glory when my faith in Him will become sight! Come, Lord Jesus! Come!
Proverbs 8:4-6 “To you, O men, I call, and My cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things and from My lips will come what is right. . .”
Believe! Confess! Be saved!
Scripture reading for June 6th: Proverbs 3-5, Romans 10
Romans 10:8-13 “But what does it say? “The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is the Word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”
Salvation is not mysterious. God does not try to hide His plan for saving the lost. He has made it very simple and universal for all people, all races, and ages. The Word of God is preached. This is the Good News of Jesus Christ, Son of God, come to earth to reveal the Father and the Way to His House and household. Jesus shed His blood on the cross becoming a substitute for sinners. He was buried and experienced death for all. He rose again on the third day, conquering death, hell and the grave, having the keys and leading the faithful out. It is so simple that we must become like a child and believe with our heart and confess with our mouth that “Jesus Christ is Lord” and we will be saved! All who call on the Name of Jesus Christ will be saved. There are no ‘maybe’ or ‘hope to’ people in these statements! Amen!
Romans 10:17 “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the simplicity of salvation and for its universal application to all people of all nations and cultures. Thank You for sending a believer to share the Gospel with me. Send me to someone who needs to hear the Word and draw them to believe, confess, and be saved as I share the Word of Jesus Christ with them. Help me guard my heart each day and let Your Word flow out of me.
Proverbs 4:23-26 “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.”
Take Jesus at His Word!
Scripture reading for May 6th: John 4:43-54
Jesus was never one to do miracles just to satisfy someone’s curiosity. He knew each person and what they needed to help them with faith. He sometimes surprised people with His comments and offended others. In today’s reading, Jesus makes a strong statement to a royal official seeking healing for his son.
Jesus left the Samaritan village where He had ministered to the woman at the well, and headed for Galilee and His home town. Jesus noted that a prophet had no respect among the people He grew up with. Upon arrival, a certain ruler came to Jesus with a desperate request. He had a son who was sick and near death. He believed that Jesus could come and heal his boy. “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.” (John 4:48-50)
This royal official was not deterred at Jesus comment about miraculous signs. He was not seeking a sign, but needed a miracle to spare his son. He was desperate to have Jesus come and touch this son. He ignored the remark about the signs and Jesus honored his faith with a word of knowledge. His son would live and not die! This man exercised faith by “taking Jesus at His word”. “Consequently, faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
Upon arrival at his home, this ruler found his son had recovered and that the recovery began at the exact hour he had received the word from Jesus. This truth brought faith to the whole household and all came to trust in Jesus Christ! Jesus had done this miracle so that this man and his family could come to faith. They were not curiosity seekers or just looking for something to excite them. They sought Jesus for a recovery for this son and their faith was rewarded!
This story teaches us the simple truth of trusting the word of Jesus. Jesus honors faith and He speaks a word to us that strengthens our faith. Miracles can help people to trust in Jesus. We should always seek the Lord for His miraculous work to flow through us. Take Jesus at His word! Miracles are still happening!