Bible Pathway - Nov. 22, 2010
Read Romans 11
Highlights:
The mercy of God on Israel (Rom. 11:1-24). The mercy of God for everyone (11:25-32). A living sacrifice — just think, our hands, our feet, our mouth used for the Lord (12:1-2). Do things the way God says. It's always best (12:19-21). Respect authority, obey laws of the land, pay taxes, pay debts; love fulfills all requirements of God (chap. 13).
To be a Christian is to receive a new nature — the nature of God. Ye must be born again (John 3:7). Then the indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to let Christ control our lives instead of trying to control our own lives under our old master Satan.
It is only reasonable that we should live each day demonstrating that we have been resurrected with Christ, freed from Satan's control. 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 (and thoughts), that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Rom. 12:1-2).
As we read through and obey the Bible, God's Word 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 be healthy 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 refuse to read all truth (all the Bible) from Genesis to Revelation. We are either slaves to sin and under the influence of Satan or children of God with a desire for Him to control our lives. This is 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. 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. Life is far too short to allow material possessions and the desire for worldly accomplishments to dominate our lives. Our opportunities to serve the Lord and to be prepared to meet Him will soon end. See then that ye walk circumspectly (with great concern for how you live), not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time (making the most out of every opportunity), because the days are evil (Eph. 5:15-16).
Thought for Today:
Open rebuke is better than secret love (Prov. 27:5).
Word Studies:
11:14 emulation jealousy; 12:9 dissimulation hypocrisy; 13:13 rioting and drunkeness . . . chambering and wantonness unbridled lust, immorality and indecency.
Cross References:
For Rom. 11:3: See I Kin. 19:10,14. Rom. 11:4: See I Kin. 19:18. Rom. 11:8: See Is. 29:10. Rom. 11:9-10: See Ps. 69:22-23. Rom. 11:26-27: See Is. 59:20-21; Jer. 31:33. Rom. 11:34: See Is. 40:13. Rom. 11:35: See Job 41:11. Rom. 12:19: See Deut. 32:35. Rom. 12:20: See Prov. 25:21-22. Rom. 13:9: See Ex. 20:13-17; Lev. 19:18.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Bonnie Wilhite • Staff: Mike Moore • Government Official: Gov. Bill Owens (CO) • Country: Italy (58 million) in southern Europe • Major languages: Italian and German • Religious freedom • 81% Roman Catholic; .4% Protestant; .1% Eastern Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to help you teach His Word to your children; it will give guidance and instruction as they go through life (Prov. 6:20-23).
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Peter 5:7
