Thoughts on Romans

This concludes the Thoughts On Romans devotional.  I thank God for you and the encouragement you have been to me.  Your thoughts and comments moved me, encouraged me, challenged me.  It is a privilege to see God working in and through others.

The next in this series is “Thoughts on 1 Corinthians”.  Please expect it to be out in January, 2016.

I would appreciate any feedback you would like to share.  If you would like to be part of the 1 Corinthians devotional, you can comment here or send me an email.

Father, you are worthy of all praise and there really is no one like you.  You Word is my rock, my anchor.  Guide me and all of us as we commit ourselves to knowing you, ourselves, and others better in and through your Word.  Amen.

Initiating Prayer:
Q. What are you thankful for today?
Q. Reflect on yesterday: What did you do? What did God do?
Q. What is scheduled for today? Submit it to God’s direction.
Ask God to open your heart and mind to what he has for you today.

Reading for this week (to be read every day):
Romans 15:1-16:27

Personal Time With God
Question for Reflection (Journal Time):  Are there people in your life who “stir” things up?  Do they follow the teaching of God’s Word?  Do you “Stir”?

Optional Reading:
Romans 16:17-18
Matthew 24:24
Galatians 1:6-9
Galatians 5:7-8, 12

Sending Out Prayer:
“Father, it seems that we (those who call themselves Christians) have drifted so far from the teaching in your Word. Lead me back to the truth that is in your Word. Show me what to reject in the teaching of men and in our traditions that ‘disturb’ or ‘trouble’ or ‘unsettle’. Reveal those who would seek to lead me or others away from the truth of your Word. I will avoid
them and counsel others to do the same. Show me if and where I may be cause of unsettling someone or leading them
away from your Word. I repent and commit myself to you and you alone.”

Initiating Prayer:
Q. What are you thankful for today?
Q. Reflect on yesterday: What did you do? What did God do?
Q. What is scheduled for today? Submit it to God’s direction.
Ask God to open your heart and mind to what he has for you today.

Reading for this week (to be read every day):
Romans 15:1-16:27

Personal Time With God
Question for Reflection (Journal Time):  How is your memory refreshed about the things of God?
Optional Reading:
Romans 15:14-15
2 Peter 1:12-13
Romans 12:2
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
Revelation 2:5
Revelation 3:3
Sending Out Prayer:
“Father, thank you for caring enough for me to define a process by which I can be refreshed in my knowledge of you and of myself.  Thank you for a mind that remembers. Help me to remember those things that draw me to you and make me depend upon you. Thank you for brothers and sisters whom you have gifted and put into my life to remind me, rebuke me, reinforce your teaching for me. I love them and love you for sending them to me. Show me how to be a reminder for others with the same love and sensitivity you have shown to me.”

Initiating Prayer:
Q. What are you thankful for today?
Q. Reflect on yesterday: What did you do? What did God do?
Q. What is scheduled for today? Submit it to God’s direction.
Ask God to open your heart and mind to what he has for you today.

Reading for this week (to be read every day):
Romans 15:1-16:27

Personal Time With God
Question for Reflection (Journal Time):  God comes to different people groups in the ways he
chooses. To Israel, the law and Jesus in human form.  For us, Gentiles, he used Jesus and Paul to deliver his
message to us. How does He come to you?
Optional Reading:
Romans 15:8-13, 16-33
James 4:8
Revelation 3:20

Sending Out Prayer:
“Father, you came for me. Thank you. You sent your Son for me. You send your Holy Spirit to guide me. You sent the
prophets and apostles to call me. You sent teachers and mentors to show me the way. You gave me your Word as my light, truth, and the way. I only need to open the “door” to my life to let you in. I need to look for and come to you and we can come together. I will be passionate in my pursuit of you as you have been in your pursuit of me.”

Initiating Prayer:
Q. What are you thankful for today?
Q. Reflect on yesterday: What did you do? What did God do?
Q. What is scheduled for today? Submit it to God’s direction.
Ask God to open your heart and mind to what he has for you today.

Reading for this week (to be read every day):
Romans 15:1-16:27

Personal Time With God
Question for Reflection (Journal Time):  When you came to Jesus, did he accept you?  How do you receive those whom God directs to you?
Optional Reading:
Romans 15:7
Romans 14:1

Sending Out Prayer:
“Father, when your Son called Peter and the others, he simply asked them to follow him. He didn’t ask them to be different
before they followed, just to follow. It was being with him, knowing him, watching him, and in him seeing themselves that
they changed. It is how you have dealt with me. You took me as I was and as we have walked together, as I have followed you, you opened my eyes to see the need and you developed, in me, the desire to be different. Guide me as I accept others as they are. Show me how to walk with them, how to point them to Jesus, how to help them learn to follow him. Mostly, remind me to allow Jesus to change them and that it isn’t my job. Thank you.”

Initiating Prayer:
Q. What are you thankful for today?
Q. Reflect on yesterday: What did you do? What did God do?
Q. What is scheduled for today? Submit it to God’s direction.
Ask God to open your heart and mind to what he has for you today.

Reading for this week (to be read every day):
Romans 15:1-16:27

Personal Time With God
Question for Reflection (Journal Time):  What is the role of perseverance and endurance?

Optional Reading:
Romans 15:5-6
Romans 5:3-5
James 1:2-4

Sending Out Prayer:
“Father, I don’t do well with situations that call for perseverance and endurance. I am blessed to live where I live and be provided for the way you have provided for me. There isn’t much (if anything) I lack. I understand the process to perfection rides on endurance. It requires me to ‘hang in there’, to ‘tough it out’, to ‘stick with’ things that aren’t convenience and possibly even unpleasant. I understand that as I commit myself to doing this, I move further along toward ‘perfect’. Show me where to make a stand and allow perseverance and perfection to do their work in me.”

Initiating Prayer:
Q. What are you thankful for today?
Q. Reflect on yesterday: What did you do? What did God do?
Q. What is scheduled for today? Submit it to God’s direction.
Ask God to open your heart and mind to what he has for you today.

Reading for this week (to be read every day):
Romans 15:1-16:27

Personal Time With God
Question for Reflection (Journal Time):  What is the purpose of scripture?

Optional Reading:
Romans 15:4
1 Timothy 4:13, 16
2 Timothy 3:14-17
John 1:1-18
John 14:6

Sending Out Prayer:
“Father, you gave me your Word… not just a promise (which you have always proven faithful in keeping) but your truth, your wisdom, your knowledge,… your Son. It is life, truth, and direction.  It teaches and corrects me. I recognize that in the Bible, I have a two dimensional picture of your Son, Jesus – the Word. I can know you and him through it. I commit myself to spending time with you by spending time in your Word.”

Initiating Prayer:
Q. What are you thankful for today?
Q. Reflect on yesterday: What did you do? What did God do?
Q. What is scheduled for today? Submit it to God’s direction.
Ask God to open your heart and mind to what he has for you today.

Reading for this week (to be read every day):
Romans 15:1-16:27

Personal Time With God
Question for Reflection (Journal Time):  How do we carry one another’s burdens?

Optional Reading:
Romans 15:1-3
Galatians 6:1-10

Sending Out Prayer:
“Father, everyone has burdens. I understand my responsibility to help my brothers and sisters by assisting, providing, and doing good for them. I also understand my responsibility of not adding to their burdens by being less than I could and should be. Help me to see where I can play a role in building up and encouraging other believers whether in word or deed. I yield and submit my own interests to you, use me and all you have entrusted to me as you see fit.”

Initiating Prayer:
Q. What are you thankful for today?
Q. Reflect on yesterday: What did you do? What did God do?
Q. What is scheduled for today? Submit it to God’s direction.
Ask God to open your heart and mind to what he has for you today.

Reading for this week (to be read every day):
Romans 14:1-23

Personal Time With God
Question for Reflection (Journal Time):  What builds up our common life as disciples of Jesus Christ?

Optional Reading:
Romans 14:19
Ephesians 4:1-16
Romans 12

Sending Out Prayer:
“Father, I am part of your family. I am a member of the Body of Jesus Christ. I am a component in the building that is the
Church. Thank you for entrusting me with a role and responsibility in what we share of life as believers in your Son, Jesus
Christ. I realize you have gifted me and called me to serve not only for your call on me but also for the good of the whole community of believers. I don’t know whether it is as an example for the welfare of others but I do know it is your expectation. I make myself available to you and the larger community of believers today. Use me as you see fit. Help me be aware of our “common life”.”

Initiating Prayer:
Q. What are you thankful for today?
Q. Reflect on yesterday: What did you do? What did God do?
Q. What is scheduled for today? Submit it to God’s direction.
Ask God to open your heart and mind to what he has for you today.

Reading for this week (to be read every day):
Romans 14:1-23

Personal Time With God
Question for Reflection (Journal Time):  What do I do that may cause someone to stumble in their pursuit of Jesus as Lord?

Optional Reading:
Romans 14:13-18
1 Corinthians 8:9-13
1 John 2:10

Sending Out Prayer:
“Father, your way is true and those who follow it will not stumble. I am less than perfect. My words and actions have been a cause for stumbling. I have not represented or presented you correctly. I have treated the freedom in you as license and have not shown regard for a brother or sister. Forgive me. Give me eyes to see these situations and I will seek to be more like John, The Baptist and clear the way for you rather than be a stumbling block.”