A New Journey in the New Year

Happy New Year!!   At the beginning of a new year we all ponder our last twelve months. I just realized this is my 48th post. I have also been pondering how I did on the "being led by the Spirit" scale. I have two resolution: First, to continue on the journey with the Spirit, no matter where it leads; Second, (and I have never broken this one) when I see something that reminds me of someone I buy it for them and give it to them. Now, don't make those resolutions you will only break such as loose weight, eat better, exercise, pray more etc. Just follow where the Spirit leads you and I bet He wants those things for you, too. When you allow the Spirit the reigns, your destination always includes His will. When you drive the wagon, you will wreck. So, give up control and see where the journey takes you!!
Thanks for 'hanging-out' with me this year!

Read Romans 10
Theme: The Plan of God for Israel
Title in NIV: Paul reminds Israel of the necessity of believing in Jesus Christ.

In a new year we all examine our 'heart's desire' and how to attain it in 2011. What is your heart's desire? Loose weight, exercise, pray more, be at peace, help people mature as Christians? Challenge: write down your heart's desire. If it is selfish like be at peace with everyone this year, be comfortable in this sinful world etc. then redo it! Revisit it! Rethink it based on scripture.

Paul's desire is for the Israelites to be saved. To be saved they had to believe Jesus was the Savior--something they had trouble believing. Jesus did not fit with their worldly thinking. We can have Paul's same desire: for people to be saved and have a relationship with Jesus. We must share, we must speak out and that is not comfortable. (we are not promised comfort in this world-the opposite actually)

This is theopposite situation: Do you know people who are zealous for God like verse two describes? Zealous people are extremely or excessively devoted to a cause (thanks Webster). Paul says that the Israelites are zealous for God but their zeal is not based on knowledge.  I see people so zealous for God they want everyone to do things like they do it. These people do what Paul describes, they seek "to establish their own [righteousness]". They think if people do not do what they do they have not been listening to God. They try to be perfect by their actions and expect others to do the same actions to make them perfect, too.

Vs. 4 says that Christ is the end of the law. When one believes and lives for Christ he take on (accepts) Christ's righteousness because he know he can never attain righteousness by his own actions. The person who accepts, looks perfect because he wears Christ's righteousness like a white robe. I want to be presented in heaven wearing Christ's robe of righteousness-- whiter than snow. I don't want my garment. It has holes in it for all the opportunities I did not take, all my sins and selfish acts. When you accept Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit guides you to righteous behavior. Righteous behavior to gain salvation is in vain because salvation is free for the asking.

The next passage explains that the word (Jesus Jn 1:1) is near you, by faith in Him. It is in your mouth and in your heart. If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believed and are justified (free of blame and guilt), and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame. ...the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him...Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Vs. 6-13)

This passage does not say, "if you go to THIS church you will be saved", "if you have NO music in your worship you will be saved", "if you do NOT raise your hands you will be saved", "if you do NOT have a praise team you will be saved", "if you give a tenth you will be saved", on and on I could go, but belief is all you need. All the other stuff is what you do as  a result of your belief. You are led by the Spirit. Everyone is led differently.

The passage says, confess, believe, trust, call on the name of the Lord and be saved. God takes each person on a personal journey through life. God may have a long journey before confession for some and for others have a short journey before confession for others. God may have a long journey before belief for some and a short journey before belief for others. God may have a long journey before trust for some and a short journey before trust for others. You get the point. God has different things to show us in each part of the journey. Be considerate. You don't know what part of the journey someone may be in. Allow God to work in the life of others without judgement.  For example, I believe God guides all people to baptism, but He may have a year and a half worth of things to teach that person before baptism means what is should. Man should not dictate how God is leading and drawing a person. And man should not insist anyone get baptized. Teaching about baptism is one thing. Insisting on it is simply another.

So, how can anyone call on One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have no heard? How can they hear without someone preaching it to them?(Vs 14) This passage makes me look back over the year and try and remember who I shared the good news with. I think of the talent God gave me and if I used it to glorify God. This verse convicts me to share the gospel with others more (and I want beautiful feet-ha). Some will not accept the good news. I have to be ready for that, too.

The rest of the chapter tells how the Israelites did not accept the good news, did not understand and were disobedient and obstinate.   Don't be obstinate in dealing with others this year. Webster says obstinate is: unreasonably determined to have ones own way. In other words, you are being an obstacle to their hearing, or an obstacle to their belief, or an obstacle to their confession or an obstacle to their calling on the Lord. Examine your actions carefully!
Blessings to all and may you have beautiful feet this year.