78th Week Romans Chapters 13-16, (Click on the Title for Video Introduction)

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Click on Title for Video Intro


Monday, Romans Chapter 13
Romans 13
Verse 8
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 8:  “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”

THOUGHT
With Easter celebration soon approaching,  we know the tremendous debt that we owe Christ for having died on the cross to save us from our sins and to reap eternal life.  We ask ourselves, why is love for others called a debt as well?  We are permanently in debt to Christ for the lavish love He has poured out on us.  The only way we can even begin to repay this debt is by loving others in return.  Because Christ’s love will always be infinitely greater than ours, we will always have the obligation and debt to love our neighbors.

Going forward, I urge each and everyone of us to think on and process about the debt we owe of loving others each and every time we pay a bill.  May our hearts be filled with gratitude as we give thanks to Him for His death on the cross and as we love our family and friends on behalf of our indebtedness to Christ.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we thank You for Chapter 13 in the book of Romans as it reminds us that we do need to submit to the authorities, to pay our debts, to pay our taxes, and then respect and honor the revenue that we earn.  Above all, may we never forget the indebtedness that we owe to Jesus for the lavish love that He poured out on us.  AMEN


Tuesday, Romans Chapter 14
Romans 14
Verse 19
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 19: “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (I strive each and every day in my own personal life to live this verse.  Blessed are the Peacemakers.)

THOUGHT
Gosh, it sure is hard not to be critical of others’ actions.  How many times do you think that your way is the BEST and the ONLY say?  Not everyone is at the same place that we are as Christians.  What one person believes is OK to do or say may not in anyway be agreeable to us.  Not all believers are mature.  Love demands that the mature members of the family help the immature.  Love also protects people and gives them a chance to grow up.  People may be difficult, but we must accept them in love for the Lord’s sake.

We as Christians have no right to judge and condemn one another because the Judge is the Lord.  Each of us will have enough to do in keeping his own account right without interfering with others’ accounts.  We also must hold each other accountable.  Thank God that Sis and I talk with each other about keeping each other accountable to be in the Word daily.  Just look what came out of it.  SALT SHAKERS!!  What an accountability group!!

Our desire must not be to get everybody to agree with us; our desire must be to pursue peace, not cause others to stumble, and help others to mature in Christ.  Conscience becomes strong as we accept what God says about us in the Word and act on it by faith.  However, it takes time for conscience to develop, and we must be patient with one another. 

PRAYER
Father God, please help us to accept others just as You do.  In your eyes we are all loved exactly the same by You.  You never put anyone in front of another, and You praise us when praise is due.  Please keep us from being critical of anyone.  Help us never to put ourselves before or higher than anyone else.  Help us to love the hard to love and like.  Make us to be peacemakers and encouragers.  Please hold us accountable to each other so that when we see another slipping, we may help bring them back into the flock.  Help us to be strong in our faith and sensitive to others’ needs.   AMEN


Wednesday, Romans Chapter 15
Romans 15
Verse 7
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 7:  “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

THOUGHT
One thing I learned through the 40 days of purpose book and through this book I am currently reading, now is the time to instill a sense of worship in your children and that we all should worship God in all that we do.  We don’t just worship Him in church or through singing songs.  We worship Him in prayer, through using the talents He has given us, through our daily living, and calling on Him. He receives worship.  This verse reminds me of that.  How wonderful does it make God feel when we love and accept His children. 

I have to admit, there are hard people to love in this world; and at times it is hard too accept some of our fellow brothers & sisters, whether due to something they have done to us or others or their handicap, or whatever it may be. We must remember to accept these people.  Knowing when we do, we are greeting/accepting a child of God, and it makes Him so happy to see His children interacting!!  What a simple way to bring worship to God!

PRAYER
God, sometimes it is hard to love some of our neighbors, whether it be due to their attitude, something they have done or said, something in their appearance, or something different from us.  Help us to confess these grudges and sins and move pass them.  Help us through Your assistance to see people as You do, special and equal, and not different.  Help us to worship You through our interaction with Your children!  It seems so simple yet can be challenging sometimes.  Help us to always be humble and remember, we are no better than any of Your other children on this earth.  AMEN


Thursday, Romans Chapter 16
Romans 16
Verses 17-18
Jeanie Boldt

Verses 17-18: “I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.  Keep away from them.  For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.  By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naïve people.”

THOUGHT  (written in 2005)
I can’t help but read these verses and think of Tom Cruise.  I assume many of you have noticed he has been in the news a lot lately, and he has been preaching his belief in scientology.  He and Matt Lauer had a debated discussion a week or so ago on the Today Show about some of his beliefs that has caused quite a stir.  Now I am not here to debate scientology, but this scenario I thought paralleled the verses above.  Do we often hang out with people who try to cause division, try to debate all the time, or have such different views as us that it often makes us question things?  Why do we continue to ‘hang’ with these people?

If we are constantly having to debate or defend our thoughts, maybe we should avoid this temptation.  You can continue to pray the Holy Spirit would change the person’s heart, but don’t let the relationship change you.  Paul is urging us to BEWARE!  Notice when you have discussions with these people.  Are they steering you from your beliefs and your learnedness?  Don’t be a naïve Christian.  Stand strong in what you have been taught and believe, and ‘hang’ with others who believe the same.  Don’t let ‘smooth talk’ get you!!

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, thank You for opportunities to witness and discuss our belief in You. Help us to beware of times when these debates are affecting our beliefs, and the debating is serving someone or something else other than You.  Surround us with Christian-talking friends.  Help us to BEWARE!  AMEN

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