Review Your Past; Plan Your Future

(I need to choose a new book of the bible. Romans is coming to an end quickly. Any suggestions?)


Read Romans 15:14-33
Title in NIV: Final instructions and greetings.

Paul describes himself as a minister of Christ Jesus to Gentiles. He describes his duty as akin to the priest in proclaiming the gospel of God.

He tells the Christians in Rome that they  are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Their purpose is to help Gentiles become an offering acceptable to God and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.  Sanctification is an act of God by which a believer conforms more and more to the image of Christ. This is the 'gift' God holds out. This gift is for all who believe. The believer needs only to accept the gift and allow God to act in their life. It is amazing how God uses anything to conform believers. Believers are to be aware every day, every hour, every minute to what God is doing, to what God is showing and obey promptly.  I think it was Steve Vogl that said, "You only have ONE chance to act 'promptly' ".

God can show something that conforms you in the way you see a child smile, in the way you see a dad hold his child, in the way the beer boxes on the side of the road grate at your nerves, in the way the trees sway in the wind, in the way a friend needs you, in the way a friend hurts you and any other situation you find yourself in today. What will you do with those conforming moments? Take them or leave them?

Paul showed glory to Christ Jesus in his service. He only spoke about what Christ had accomplished though him.  Murderer into ambassador!!!! He also used signs and miracle through the power of the Spirit. How can we use our life to glorify God? It is deeper than just being changed.  Paul went beyond being changed and transformed. He became a spokesman for Christ. He talked it, walked it, showed it, spoke it, advocated it, sacrificed for it. How can we do that today ? How can we become more than just 'changed'.  How can we talk it, speak it, shout it, show it for the glory of God for the purpose of guiding others to Jesus?

These are questions to help you review your past and plan your future.

Paul tells the Christians in Rome he wants to visit them in the future. He prepares them for his need for assistance when he arrives to help him get to Spain. He tells them he has to go to Jerusalem first to deliver a contribution to the poor among the saints that he has been entrusted with.  Paul requests prayers. He wants then to join him in his struggle by praying for rescue from unbelievers in Judea and for his service to be acceptable in Jerusalem.  Do we join one another in struggles by praying? I don't pray enough!!!  Do we assist people on their journey doing God's work?  Deeper thought: do we let people know what our needs are so they can pray for us and assist us?? That is harder to do. Another deep thought: do we associate with unbelievers to try and show them Jesus to the point that, like Paul, we have to request prayers to be 'saved from unbelievers'? He went to prison. How far will we go to spread Jesus?

Remember, the past is the past. The future is the only thing that counts. So, do it better in the future than you have in the past. It is part of the conforming process.

Blessings!!  Let me know of a book in the bible you would like!!