Road Trip Devotions

We have begun our journey through the book of Romans!  Below you will find devotions written by the staff to encourage you to think about how Paul's letter applies to your life.  A new devotion will be added every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the 16 weeks of the Road Trip sermon series, so keep checking back!

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Click a chapter below to jump down the page.

Romans 16

Friday, September 3 - Romans 16:17-20
By Preston Lambrecht, Office Manager
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“And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people's faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” (Romans 16:17-20; NLT)

When I was young, roughly 5-7 years old, I can remember people in our small town asking my parents what church they went to and they would answer, “First Christian Church.” Some people would smile and say that's nice, just to make some polite conversation. When others would respond to the same question with Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, etc. People would automatically put them into a category without regard to their actions, love for others, or anything else. They just assumed that since they attended a certain church that they were different. It meant nothing to me at the time because I was so young, but as I grew older I found myself lumping people into categories and stereotyping them into religious groups. It wasn't until I had been on a missions trip to an Indian reservation that I began to really dig deeper into who God was and what being a “Christian” meant.

I started to read the Bible and pray daily, trying to understand God's love for me and his plan for my life. While doing these things I discovered something else as well. In the Bible Paul doesn't refer to the First Baptist Church of Corinth or the Church of the Holy Cross located in Ephesus! Churches were the Church! In the passage above we find Paul talking about smooth talkers and their ability to deceive us and cause division. It makes me wonder about the first guy who was upset at the church because they wanted to use an instrument during worship. He didn't, so he moved down the Road and started his own church.

The more we study the more we know, and the easier it is for us to discern truth from personal interpretation. The basic principals of Christianity can be found in most denominations. There is one God, he took earthly form and was crucified for our sins, the only way to heaven is through his forgiveness and grace. If we unite on the principals that are essential to salvation, and accept that there are other things we cannot understand or answer with a direct yes or no, then we can be the CHURCH and not the churches!

Wednesday, September 1 - Romans 16:7-11, 13
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives. They have been in prison with me. They are leaders among the apostles. They became believers in Christ before I did.

Greet Ampliatus. I love him as a brother in the Lord.

Greet Urbanus. He works together with me in serving Christ. And greet my dear friend Stachys.

Greet Apelles. Even though he was put to the test, he remained faithful as one who belonged to Christ. Greet those who live in the house of Aristobulus.

Greet Herodion, my relative. Greet the believers who live in the house of Narcissus.

Greet Rufus. He is a choice believer in the Lord. And greet his mother. She has been like a mother to me too.” (Romans 16:7-11, 13; NIrV)

We can learn a lot about Paul, as a person and leader, from this passage that looks like a Facebook page. Previously in Romans, Paul's words reveal that he was an intellectual. He also was powerful in a theological discussion. He was passionate about presenting the message of Jesus.

Here, at the end of the letter, we see that he connected with people. The people he has “friended” on his homepage tell us something about what should be truly important - relationships. Some of these he knew by personal contact; others because they were connected to his friends. Some people were actually relatives: Andronicus and Junias (verse7) and Herodion (verse 11). Others were like family: Rufus and his mother (verse 13). "She has been like a mother to me too."

Why would the mother of Rufus be like a mother to Paul? Maybe their families were always close and she took an interest in Paul from the time he was young. Paul may have needed a second mother because his mother had already passed away. When Paul was a young man, he went away to school to study under the great teacher Gameliel. Perhaps Rufus' family took him in at that critical stage of life. Near the age of 40 years, Paul became a follower of Jesus Christ. He even started to go by his Greek name “Paul” instead of his Hebrew given name, “Saul.” This would be contrary to his family upbringing and education. He could have become estranged from his own family, at which time Rufus' mother became like a mother to him. The changes that come in a lifetime create new opportunities for relationships.

This chapter shows the church as a family. Celebrate relationships that last a lifetime. Happily embrace new relationships that come with being a Christian. Open your heart to those around you. Invite others to share a meal with you. Send an email or card to a fellow believer who is like family to you.

Monday, August 30 - Romans 16:1-5
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministires Pasotr
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“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God's people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquilla, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.” (Romans 16:1-5; NLT)

The last chapter of Romans is an interesting one. It is different from every chapter that comes before it in that it is primarily a listing of friends and associates of Paul. We must remember that Romans is a letter to the church in Rome - and it is clear that although Paul had not yet been to Rome himself, he already knew many people involved in the Christian community there. So he takes this opportunity to greet many of his associates.

It is interesting that among this list are two prominent female leaders in the church - Phoebe and Priscilla. Phoebe is a deacon (or deaconess, depending on your translation). Priscilla and her husband Aquilla are house church leaders, and in Acts 18:26 we learn that they helped a man named Apollos understand “the way of God even more accurately.”

The subject of women and their role in ministry has unfortunately been a contentious one in church history, and still is today. Sadly, the Bible has often been used to prevent women from exercising their God-given gifts to serve the church. But this passage - and others in Paul's writings - demonstrate that there is a place for everyone to use their gifts in the church. To paraphrase Galatians 3:28, it does not matter if are Jew or Gentile, slave nor free, or male or female - there is a place for all in the work of God. I encourage you to consider how God wants to use your gifts and abilities to serve the church. No matter who you are, God wants to use you to reach out to a world that desperately needs his love.

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Romans 15

Friday, August 27 - Romans 15:24-29
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.

But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.” (Romans 15:24-29; NLT)

The unity of the church is nurtured as Christ followers “accept one another” (Romans 15:7). One practical way that unity is lived out is in sharing money with each other. This sharing is often facilitated by the offerings received in the gatherings of the church. As we read this part of this letter, we can see how comfortable Paul, as a church leader, was in talking about receiving and giving money. Can we become comfortable with the offering time? Sure we can, as we observe how sharing money is a reasonable outcome of the unity of the church.

Sharing money is comfortable when we notice two good reasons to share money: one, to help people who are in need for the basics of daily life; and two, to support those communicating the good news of Jesus to those who have not come to faith.

Sharing money is comfortable when we see how much sense it makes that those who benefit spiritually from others turn around and materially assist those who have helped them. Paul clearly stated it this way: “Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially.”

Sharing money is comfortable when we understand that the money will be used for a clear purpose. One offering was “for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.” The other purpose was to provide for Paul's mission journey to Spain: “I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.”

Sharing money is comfortable when we picture the connectedness of the church around the world. Believers from Greece were sharing with people in Palestine and believers in Rome were asked to share in the expense of preaching the gospel to people in Spain.

Wednesday, August 25 - Romans 15:16-19
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor
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“I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.” (Romans 15:16-19; NLT)

It is difficult not to become overwhelmed by the amount of brokenness I see in the world around me. There is so much suffering and despair, so much injustice, so many broken families. People die of preventable hunger and disease in Africa. Natural disasters cause untold suffering in New Orleans and Haiti. Political and religious prisoners are tortured and forgotten by wayward governments around the world. War and genocide cause untold devastation, suffering and death in places as diverse as the Sudan and the Middle East. Unborn children die because their parents don't want them. Marriages that should be a source of strength and encouragement instead end in divorce. And we all seem to have a surprisingly endless capacity for prejudice and hatred towards other people simply because they are different from us. Since the Fall (Genesis 3), both the world and the people who live within it have been damaged by sin, and we still see the many effects of our sin today - everywhere we look.

I am tempted to be overwhelmed by these things because I want to do something about them - all of them. I hate that such injustice, pain and brokenness exists. I suspect most of us do. But I feel powerless to effect real change on any one of these issues - let alone all of them. And then it becomes easy to give in to the temptation to be overwhelmed - to simply say, “There is nothing I can do” and to go on living my life as if these injustices don't exist.

But this passage gives me hope. It makes me think that maybe, just maybe, I can have an effect. Why? Because it makes me realize that while I can do little to effect change in the face of such evil and injustice, God can do a lot. In fact, the Bible tells us that one day God will set the world right and eradicate all injustice and evil from the world. And while I long for that day to come quickly, I realize that until that day comes, God wants to work through me. This is what Paul speaks of in these verses - that God is working through him to accomplish his will. Paul, by himself, would never have been able to accomplish all that he did. But he made himself available to God - and God can do amazing things through his willing followers.

And God wants to work through you as well. What is it that you care deeply about? What injustice do you care deeply about? Who in your life does God want to reach through you? God wants to use you to share his love and compassion with a deeply hurting world - are you willing to make yourself available to him? What does God want to do through your life?

Monday, August 23 - Romans 15:5-6
By Alex Hall, Youth Ministries Pastor
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“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6; NLT)

Unity is a difficult thing to come by - sometimes it takes months or even years to build. Whether it is in a company, a sports team or a church it never comes easily. Paul knows this and realizes that without perseverance and encouragement, unity that's been built for years can be destroyed in a matter of seconds.

Paul knows that the one thing we need to agree on as the church is Jesus Christ - he is essential and without him nothing else matters. Beyond that the church has made countless divisions over the years all for the sake of pride. Everyone thinks that they have the right answers and they know how to interpret the Bible better than anyone else. It's frustrating - to the point sometimes of wanting to just give up - but that's exactly why Paul tells us to persevere. He knew it was going to be tough for us to stick together and he knew the only way we would make it through these fights and disputes was perseverance.

God never called us to have all the right answers. He called us to glorify him with one voice as one church. All he has ever asked for is our worship. Satan's greatest weapon is to get the church so caught up in fighting with itself that they forget they should be fighting against him.

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Romans 14

Friday, August 20 - Romans 14:13-23
By Jake Christian, Adult Minisitries Pastor
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“So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Don't tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there's nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don't feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.” (Romans 14:13-23; NLT)

What is Paul saying in this passage? Is he saying that sin is all subjective - that if I think something is sin, it is, but if I don't think it is sin, then it is not? The overwhelming evidence from Paul's other writings is that he would never say this - earlier in Romans, the same letter, he says that things like greed, hate, deception, and murder are always wrong (1:29-31).

In this passage Paul speaks specifically of food and drink - but we don't want to minimize the importance of what he is saying. The subject of consuming certain food and drink was enormously significant in Paul's time - both because of restrictions given to the Jews in the Mosaic Law, and because of the realities of eating food that had been dedicated or sacrificed to false gods. These were important and contentious issues. Paul's conclusion is that there are issues on which a Christian's course of action can take several forms - things about which the Bible does not speak clearly. On these issues, Christians can legitimately differ - and our conscience can actually determine whether or not certain actions are sinful for us.

But all of these ideas are basically the background for Paul's discussion here. He states his point right at the beginning, in 14:13: “Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” Paul's main point here is not about how sin works or what is or is not permissible in a believer's life. His main point is about the importance of community and loving others. He tells his readers that if they believe something is permissible - and again, here we are talking about issues on which the Bible does not speak clearly - then for them, it is permissible. But if another believer holds a different view, then for that believer it would actually be a sin for them to violate their conscience. And it would equally be a sin for the first believer to practice her freedom in a way that caused the second believer to sin.

Paul wants his readers to understand that Christian community is about caring for other people and putting their needs above our own. And it is no different when it comes to the exercise of our freedom - we still need to place the needs of others above our own. And sometimes that might mean limiting ourselves and our actions for the sake of another. This is, of course, no excuse for judgmental people to hold other Christians hostage to their own personal opinions. What Paul says in Romans 14 is quite similar to his discussion of the “weaker brother” in 1 Corinthians 8. His concern is that no believer should cause the weaker brother to participate in something they believe to be wrong, which would cause them to violate their own conscience and sin. But implicit in these passages is the need for the weaker brother to keep growing - Paul's instructions here (to the more mature believer) should not be seen as an endorsement of the weaker brother's lack of understanding. Instead, they show that a more mature believer should be sensitive to the spiritual growth of others, and do their best to help them wherever they are in their journey.

It is not immediately clear which contemporary issues apply to this discussion. Drinking alcoholic beverages? Watching R-rated movies? Listening to Kanye West or Lady Gaga? The answers to the question of application are continually being discussed and worked out in various Christian communities around the world. But what is clear is that Paul wants his readers to know that no matter the issue, their freedom should never be exercised in a way that jeopardizes some else's walk with God. Love may sometimes mean choosing to deny ourselves, even when we think it is unnecessary, for the sake of someone else.

Wednesday, August 18 - Romans 14:17-18
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.” (Romans 14:17-18; NLT)

The staff at StoneBridge has enjoyed sharing devotions while taking a Road Trip this summer through Romans. Some chapters have been especially tough. Chapter 11 was puzzling because the theological point seemed so removed from our day and time. Chapter 14 is similar, it is like an uncomfortable silence that falls on a group as the point hits too close to home. It tells us what the kingdom of God is not; let?s begin with what it is.

The kingdom of God is believers in community for all time.

• • This community does not exist because we have the same views, likes, hobbies, diet, or work.
  It is about having the same grace given to us in Christ.
  • This community is not about religious traditions and practices we have received from our
  families or culture. Rather, it is about what we are receiving from God.
  • This community is about a right relationship (that is, righteousness) with God. We receive this
  from him, our Father, as a pure gift of grace. As Paul already wrote, “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.” (Romans 1:17; NIV)
  • This community is about the peace we receive from Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Midway through this letter Paul asserted, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1; NIV)
  • This community is about the joy we receive from the Holy Spirit. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17; NIV)

We are in community with each other because of righteousness, peace and joy. Yes, this passage speaks loudly about our personal freedom on controversial issues, but the essence of the kingdom of God is in discovering our connection to each other in Christ, which is much more than a mere connection of shared opinions, diet or interests.

As we are becoming this kind of church community, “we please God and have people?s approval.” That?s because this kind of community does not exist anywhere else on earth.

Please read this chapter again in the Message Bible (below), looking for the instructions on what you and I can do to make this be true in our church community.

___________________________________________________________

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with - even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.

For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.

Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience.

What's important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God's sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you're a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli. None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. It's God we are answerable to - all the way from life to death and everything in between - not each other. That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.

So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly - or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture:

"As I live and breathe," God says, "every knee will bow before me; every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God."

So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.

Forget about deciding what's right for each other. Here's what you need to be concerned about: that you don't get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. I'm convinced - Jesus convinced me!-that everything as it is in itself is holy. We, of course, by the way we treat it or talk about it, can contaminate it.

If you confuse others by making a big issue over what they eat or don't eat, you're no longer a companion with them in love, are you? These, remember, are persons for whom Christ died. Would you risk sending them to hell over an item in their diet? Don't you dare let a piece of God- blessed food become an occasion of soul-poisoning!

God's kingdom isn't a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness' sake. It's what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you'll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.

So let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault. You're certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God's work among you, are you? I said it before and I'll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don't eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.

Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe - some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them-then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong. (Romans 14; The Message)

Monday, August 16 - Romans 14:1-4; 10-13
By Luke Pruitt, Worhsip Ministries Pastor
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“Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it's all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don't. And those who don't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else's servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord's help, they will do what is right and will receive his approval.

So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.'

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” (Romans 14:1-4, 10-13; NLT)

I believe one of the biggest lies that Satan has whispered into people's ears from the beginning of time is that God wants to control you and keep you from having freedom. It's the lie that provoked Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil and the same lie that keeps many people from giving their hearts to the Lord today. However, in Galatians 5:1 we are told that “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” The truth is that Christ died for our freedom - so much freedom that we need to be careful how we handle it! Paul gives us a “for instance” in Romans 14, addressing a cultural issue regarding what kind of food was okay to eat. I would like to offer a twist to Paul's “for instance” that may help get the point across to our culture today.

For instance, one person believes it's all right to drink alcoholic beverages but another believer with a sensitive conscience thinks alcohol is way out of bounds. Those who feel free to drink alcohol must not look down on those who don't, and those who don't drink must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them both. Instead love one another! So when you get together for dinner the one shouldn't offer beer with the pizza, but the other shouldn't write him off as a “sinner” if he sees a six pack in the fridge. Leave the judging up to God and enjoy your time together.

When we truly love one another we will use our freedom to make choices that will build each other up and allow us to be unified in the fight that really matters: freedom for a world that has been whispered into bondage.

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Romans 13

Friday, August 13 - Tomans 13:11-14
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13:11-14; NLT)

We moved to Goodland, Kansas in 1988. Goodland High School had a quarterback who was to become well known in Nebraska - Brook Berringer. Brook is the player featured with Tom Osborne on the statue in front of Nebraska's North Stadium entrance. His 1994 performance against the University of Colorado was his miracle game. Country artist Sawyer Brown wrote "The Nebraska Song" in honor of Brook, who died in a plane crash on NFL draft day 1996.

Step back with me to Brook's senior year in high school. Goodland made it into the state football playoffs. Coach Osborne watched him in a game and also showed up to watch Brook play basketball. The town was abuzz with excitement. Brooke signed for the University of Nebraska. After his signing, I began to notice a difference in Brook. He wasn't behaving like a high school senior as football season ended. Instead, being committed to Nebraska, he began to workout even harder. It was like he was already trying to live up to his new coach's expectations and training regimen. When others left basketball practice, Brook would then complete his workout as prescribed by the Coach (you know who). Why this behavior? He was already living like he was on his new team - even though it was some time before that would actually happen. And did he stop working hard to be a part of his high school team? No! Instead he was working harder to contribute to his current team while becoming a part of his new team.

Reread today's verses with this viewpoint. We are to continue to be a light in our current world, while “time is running out” and we will soon arrive at “the day of salvation” - the end of our days here on earth. We have signed on with a new life and a new coach. We put on “the armor of light” and “the Lord Jesus” as we look forward to eternity with him. We put off the usual lifestyle of those who have no hope to get beyond this life. Instead, we prepare for the next. And that preparation - training to be like Jesus - makes us better contributors to solutions for this world's problems. We have already passed from death into life. Let's work hard to contribute to our current team (this world) while training as a part of our new team.

Wednesday, August 11 - Romans 13:8-10
By Anna Smalley, Children's Ministries Associate Pastor
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My dog truly knows what it means to love everyone! You can step on his toes, forget to feed him, or leave him outside too long. He still loves unconditionally.    It doesn't matter to our dog what you look like, how much money you make, or what car you drive. He loves anyone that walks through our front door.

The Bible asks us to love people like this. Romans 13:8-10 says:

“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law.” (NLT)

When we choose to simply love God and love people we are fulfilling the requirements of God's love. When we love people we are, by default, obeying the commandments. When we love people we are completing our obligation to one another.

I encourage you this week to love others just like my dog does, no matter what.

Monday, August 9 - Romans 13:1-5
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor
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“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.” (Romans 13:1-5; NLT)

Paul's words here seem strange to many Christians. When we think of the government today, our thoughts are often filled with cynicism. Government is not to be trusted. There may be a few good people, but taken as a whole, we often do not believe that governments have our best interests at heart. Too often politicians seem to be more interested in their own welfare than that of the people they are supposed to represent. It does not matter (for our purposes here) whether this cynicism is justified or not - the simple reality is that most of us have become cynical about government, and that cynicism makes Paul's words very strange to our ears.

When situated in its context in Romans, however, Paul's words start to make a bit more sense. Paul has just finished telling his readers not to take vengeance into their own hands (see Rom 12:19-21). And so in this passage he goes on to tell them about the system God has set up to provide order in the midst of chaos: human government. Paul's message here is not that all specific examples human government are right and good and ordained by God - he himself likely wrote these words under Nero, a corrupt Roman emperor who would eventually persecute Christians in terrible ways. Instead, he is saying that God has provided government in general for the establishment of order - to punish those who do evil, and protect those who do good. He is telling his readers that they do not need to take vengeance into their own hands because God has already set up a system that - when it is working correctly - is designed to keep order and protect those who live blameless lives.

We understand this even in the midst of our cynicism, don't we? Despite our mistrust of governmental authorities, we still look to government to see thieves and murderers brought to justice. We still look to government to protect the weak from those who would exploit them. Despite our cynicism, we still believe that government has a role in maintaining order and protecting its citizens from harm. And this is good, because it is the reason God designed government in the first place - to be a force for good in the world, ensuring that people are protected from those who would do them harm.

So I encourage you not to give in to cynicism, despite the very real problems with all human forms of government. All human systems are broken and tainted by sin. But God has set governmental rulers in authority for a reason - because they are necessary in a fallen world, despite being a part of it as well. Pray for our leaders. Encourage them to be better. Choose leaders who will protect the innocent and vulnerable. Help where you can. And remember that God wants us to be good citizens wherever we find ourselves, even as we must remember that our first allegiance will always be to his Kingdom, rather than any earthly kingdom.

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Romans 12

Friday, August 6 - Romans 12:19-21
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor
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“Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, 'I will take revenge; I wil pay them back,' says the Lord.

Instead, 'If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.

Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.'” (Romans 12:19-21; NLT)

In the latter part of Romans, Paul spends a lot of time giving specific advice for how followers of Jesus should live and interact with the people around them. And here he gives difficult instructions: Do not take revenge on others. Recognize that it is not our place to punish those who have wronged us - if punishment is necessary, we are told, God will handle it.

But Paul goes even further. Not only are we not to take revenge on others; we are supposed to be nice to them! We're supposed to go out of our way to help them and provide for their needs. And why do we do so? To “heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Of course, this sounds a bit like a form of revenge, doesn't it? Nobody wants burning coals heaped on their head - even metaphorical burning coals! And so it is quite possible for me to do exactly what Paul suggests, and still do it for the wrong reasons. I can help the person who wronged me, and be thinking, “I'll show them. I'll make them feel so bad for what they did to me. That'll teach them!” And I would still be in the wrong.

Paul's point here is that we are called to overcome, to conquer, evil. And we don't do so by doing evil to others - by responding in kind to what they may have done to us. When we give in and try to take revenge, get even, or put someone in their place, evil has conquered us. Satan wins. And nobody benefits from our actions.

But when we choose to do good to others - even those who have wronged us - then we conquer evil with good. We demonstrate by our actions that there is a power greater than sin and evil - that good truly is more powerful than evil. And doing good involves acting out of genuine concern for another person - we don't do good when we help out of a desire to hurt or wound. And maybe - just maybe - by doing good to those who have wronged us, we may just show them a better way, and encourage real change in their lives. We can be sure that no change occurs when we respond to evil with evil.

This call to respond to evil with good - all the time - is one of the most difficult parts of being a follower of Jesus. It is also one of the most important and rewarding, because it opens up for the possibility of growth and reconciliation, both in ourselves and others. And our model is God himself - who chose to do good to all people by sending his son despite our continual rebellion towards him. Paul says elsewhere in Romans that God continues to be faithful to his people even when we turn from him through our sin. And if God is willing to be faithful to us - to continue to forgive and do good towards us - then how can we expect to do any less to our fellow human beings?

Wednesday, August 4 - Romans 12:15-16
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“Be happy with those who are ahppy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!” (Romans 12:15-16; NLT)

I get carried away by the look, by the light of your eyes;
Before I even realize the ride I'm on,
Baby I'm long gone.
I get carried away nothin' matters but being with you;
Like a feather flyin' high up in the sky on a windy day,
I get carried away.

Carried Away – does this describe your feelings about anyone? These words, recorded by Country artist, George Strait, describe being so emotionally moved by someone else that “nothin else matters.”

We are warned to “be on guard so that you will not be carried away by errors of wicked people” (2 Peter 3:17; NLT). So, getting carried away must be a bad thing? Only if we are carried away by wickedness. It's not getting carried away that's the problem.

However, right here in Romans 12:16 we are prodded to “get carried away by people of low position.” The NIV says; “be willing to associate with people of low position” and the NLT puts it this way; “Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.” These translations express what Paul literally wrote, “get carried away with commonplace people.” Do what they want to do. Talk about what they want to talk about. In fact, “be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” Get carried away by everyday people – not just our Dancing with the Stars favorite, or the top high school prospect that Nebraska landed this year.

So what's my point? When I think about associating with people of low position, I see them as lower than me – I think about being the helper, assisting them with some need, doing for them what I think is best for them. Rather than holding to this superior attitude toward others, Paul is encouraging us to get carried away in caring and connecting with another person.

A Jewish Proverb states: "Among those who stand, do not sit; Among those who sit, do not stand; Among those who laugh, do not weep; Among those who weep, do not laugh."

An ordinary person has just lost a job – I get carried away with concern. A friend needs to talk about their run of the mill problem, again! I get carried away in the details of their frustration. A typical grandparent wants to show me pictures of the grandchildren – I get carried away with their joy and pride. When was the last time you got carried away because you love people so much?

Monday, August 2 - Romans 12:1-2
By Sandy Kafka, Children's Ministry Pastor
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Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God!s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2; NIV)

The final verses of chapter 11 were praise to God for his great wisdom and knowledge in extending his mercy to us. Now Paul tells us what we are to do in response to God!s mercy: surrender ourselves completely to God and let him transform us by renewing our minds.

Maybe you had the same experience I did when I publicly accepted Jesus' gift of mercy and was baptized as a child. I was so relieved and felt forgiven. That lasted about an hour until I told a lie to my mother. I was horrified. I thought that accepting Jesus and being baptized would make me a new person and would result in me never sinning again.

Unfortunately for me, it was years later before someone explained to me that our life on this earth will always be a process of moving towards being renewed and becoming like Jesus. Every moment of every day I have to make the choice to continue to surrender to God and let the Spirit continue the work of transforming me. This is the transformation process that makes me able to do God's will. We can be “led by the Spirit” as we cooperate with his transforming power. From this point Paul begins to show us what God's will is – loving and serving others.

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Romans 11

Friday, July 30 - Romans 11:33-36
By Alex Hall, Student Ministries Pastor
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I come from a pretty large family and I remember growing up we would always go to my little cousin!s birthday parties. They were pretty fun, but there were always those really annoying cousins that were really fun to mess with and antagonize. So when we went to these birthdays, my dad would always sing this really depressing song to them instead of singing “Happy Birthday.” The lyrics went like this: “Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, people dying everyday, children starving everywhere, Happy Birthday.” It was always pretty funny to see the kids reactions when he did it.

Looking back on that song now, though, it just doesn't seem quite as funny. We really do live in a pretty depressing world. Honestly, if I wanted, I could probably wake up everyday for the rest of my life and find something to complain about. It's pretty hard most days to look around and find the good. Nothing is ever fair, good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people. People really are dying everyday and children really do starve everywhere. What is there to be positive about? Where is the joy in life?

These are some of the most common questions I get from the middle and high school students I work with. They always ask me the “why” questions. Why did God do this? Why does God make this happen? Why doesn't God love me? Why doesn't God want me to be happy? Why doesn't God help people? I can't and won't try to answer the “why” questions because I know they're beyond my understanding. The only question I can answer is “who,” because I know who God is, and I know his love for us is indescribable, and that no matter how bad things may seem in this world, we can always trust that he is who he says he is.

“Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

For who can know the Lord's thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36; NLT)

Wednesday, July 28 - Romans 11:22-23
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor
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“Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.” (Romans 11:22-23; NLT)

Is it possible to lose my faith? Once I have accepted Jesus and begun a relationship with him, is it possible to walk away from that relationship? Some Christians believe that once we have chosen to accept Jesus, it is impossible for us to “lose” our salvation. But this passage calls this idea into question. Paul says that God is kind to those who trust in God's kindness . . . but that those who stop trusting will be cut off. It is a sober reminder that free will means we can always choose to walk away from relationship with God. God will not stop us - and he will certainly work to call us back. But ultimately we must decide if we are going to remain in relationship with him.

But there is good news here too, isn't there? Paul has talked in chapter 11 about how many of the Jewish people have been cut off because of their refusal to believe in Jesus. They thought that they had special status with God through their covenant, and that this special status automatically meant they were “in.” But Paul tells them that God has sent his promised Messiah - and their refusal to place their faith in him means that they had been cut off.

So where is the good news? Paul assures his readers that it is possible for the Jewish people to turn from their unbelief and once again be grafted in. Refusing to believe in Jesus does not mean that a person is outside of faith once and for all - at any point, if they repent and choose to trust and follow Jesus, God will graft them back into the tree. They can again be part of his people.

And this is good news for us as well. Because it means that no matter our past - whether we have continually rejected God, or if we have simply walked away over time - the door is always open. God always desires for us to return, and welcomes us with open arms.

Monday, July 26 - Romans 11:16b-21
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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16b For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too. 17 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” 20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. 21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either. (Romans 11:16b-21; NLT)

God has been working to redeem the world since the first sin. God promised Abraham that through his seed the whole world would be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). The nation of Israel was established as the cultivated root from which the church would grow. God’s plan had always been that the Jews (descendants of Abraham) and the Gentiles (people of any other heritage) would be together in the church, all saved by grace. So the church in Rome was this kind of church: a church where all believers, no matter their heritage, were together in Christ.

In much of his letter to the Romans, Paul has been talking directly to the religiously “cultivated” Jews. Until the beginning of the church Christ established, they enjoyed the advantages of the covenant God had with Abraham – the status as children of God, the experience of the divine glory, the law, the temple worship and the promises (see Rom. 9:4-5). However, they struggled to have a real relationship with God as they focused on the advantages instead of the relationship.

The good news is that “everyone [all mankind] who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13). Jewish people who chose not to call on the name of Jesus Christ were “broken off.” Non-Jewish people who chose to call on the Lord Jesus were “grafted in.” All of this change in God’s “new Israel” (Rom. 9:6-8) brought tension among those in the church in Rome. Some were cultivated religious people and others were wild new converts. The religious people looked down on the others because they didn’t know the first thing about God and his ways. The uncultivated new converts looked down on the Jewish believers because they didn’t know God. How is this barrier to real openhearted fellowship removed? Don’t think highly of yourself. Instead, think highly of God who has mercy on all. So, when I am guilty of looking down on others in the church for any reason, I need to remember that it’s the Lord who made a place for both them and me.

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Romans 10

Friday, July 23 - Romans 10:21
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministires Pastor
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“But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.” (Romans 10:21; NLT)

It would have been quite disheartening for an ancient Jewish person to hear these words, because they point directly to the failure of the Jewish people to obey God's commands. “They were disobedient and rebellious.” It's not exactly how anyone would want to be known by God, is it? And I don't know about you, but these words seem to describe me all too often. Like it or not, I see myself in here.

And yet this passage is absolutely filled with hope. “All day long I opened my arms to them.” Despite the Jewish people's disobedience and rebellion, God continued to open his arms to them. He continued to love them. And he continued to be faithful to his promise to care for them - even though they had not lived up to their promises to follow the requirements of the Law. God would have had every right, according to the covenant he had made with them, to reject the Jewish people utterly. They had not held up their end of the covenant, and the penalties for their disobedience were severe. But God continually chose not to judge - to give them a little more time, to send another prophet to call them back, to allow them yet another chance to live as he had called them to live.

God did not give up on the Jewish people, despite their many shortcomings. And he deals with us in the same way. He offers grace to us time and time again - despite our many failures and shortcomings. And despite the times when we choose to disobey, knowing full well that we are not living in line with God's will for our lives. God is faithful, even when we are not. We all fall short. We all fail. We all give in to sin despite our best efforts. How amazing it is to know that despite our many failures, God is always seeking after us, and always willing to take us back if we will simply repent, turn from our disobedience, and follow him once again.

Wednesday, July 19 - Romans 10:8-12
By Mike McCrery, Director of Operations
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"In fact, it says 'The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.' And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." (Rom 10:8-12; NLTse)

Once again Paul addresses questions about who will be saved and what it takes to be saved.

Your salvation is not dependent on your ethnicity, your ability to follow the law, or your goodness. Paul said God's salvation is right in front us. God will come to us wherever we are. All we need to do is respond and accept his gift of salvation. It is not a complicated process. If you believe in your heart and say with your mouth that Christ is the risen Lord, you will be saved.

So the question is, "Why do we complicate salvation?" It is my opinion that we cannot understand how someone (like me), who is so bad, can be saved by belief in the Lord. We believe salvation has to more difficult than simply believing. Surely, I must need to do something more. And there are those who think, "God cannot save me because my sin is the worst."

Paul said there was no one as bad as he was, and God chose him to bring the message of God's salvation to the lost. Goodness or being so bad has nothing to do with your salvation. No one can work or earn their salvation. God saves us by a belief that Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, died for me.

Everyone has opportunity to be saved. It is up to us to tell people about the gift God has for everyone. Once you believe in God, you will want to work for Christ. One of the most important things you can do is spread the wonderful message about God!s love for everyone.

Monday, July 19 - Romans 10:1-4
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“Dear brothers and sister, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don't understand God's way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God's way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.” (Romans 10:1-4; NLT)

The question, “Do you know what you're doing?” usually comes from someone who has already decided that you don't know what you're doing. In a different circumstance someone may look at you and think, “He doesn't have a clue.” This thought is frequently laced with an air of superiority. Consider yet another circumstance when Jesus himself prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). These words carried grace and forgiveness. Paul's words, “They don't understand God's way,” conveyed sadness and concern for his fellow Jews. He wanted them to understand.

What is so hard about understanding God's way of making people right with himself? Religious people invest a lot of time and energy in being right with God by keeping the rules. When any of us think we are on the plus side of doing enough right, we are not interested in the free offer to be right with God by faith in Christ's death and resurrection. “I can pay for myself. Thanks anyway!” we might think. We also may not like it that not-so-good people get in to the exclusive place when they haven't been what we think they need to be.

It's hard to accept God's way of making people right with himself until I realize that I, myself, am a sinner and will never do enough good to make up for all my wrongs. Then I understand that if I keep clinging to my own way of keeping enough rules, I will never keep enough rules. I am incapable of it. My only hope is the gift of being made right with God by faith. Can you say with me, “Save me Jesus, you are my only hope”?

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Romans 9

Friday, July 16 - Romans 9:30-33
By Micah Kafka, Technical Arts Director
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What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 9:30-33; ESV)

If you've spent any amount of time with my dad (Tony) then you could probably guess that our dinner table conversations were very different than the average American family. While others may have discussed the Chiefs? SuperBowl chances or complain about the prices of corn we'd get sermonettes on the history of the Episcopalian church and in depth discussions on the most accurate Bible translation. As a by product, I knew more about the minor prophets as a kid than I knew about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

So I was very young when I was first introduced to the faith versus works debate. It was always very confusing for me though. One moment I'd be told that all we have to do is believe in Jesus and I'd be saved, then I'd be told by a Sunday school teacher, that I may have pushed a bit to far, that if I didn't behave myself Jesus wouldn't let me go to heaven. (In defense of my Sunday school teachers through the years, I was not an easy child to teach. And only one teacher ever said those exact words to me). Still, it was confusing. Which one was it? Was it faith that would save me or was it being good?

In Romans, Paul writes about the Jews? struggle with what this concept of faith did to their long held traditions born from the Law of Moses. Jesus? sacrifice had freed them from this law and revealed God's plan of salvation through faith. This was tough for many to accept. As restricting as laws may be, they are safe. We know them, we learn them and we can work hard to keep them. We don't have to trust anyone but ourselves. Just as the Jews could use the law to easily separate themselves and put themselves above the Gentiles, we Christians can often find ourselves using rules to make sure we're on the right track. But in the end, no one can live up to the law. We aren't perfect.

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
It's hard to accept that no matter what we do, it'll never be enough. We can't be perfect. We can't even get close. And if we try, in the end, it will only lead to shame. Instead, our only hope is faith.

Wednesday, July 14 - Romans 9:19-24
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor
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“Well then, you might say, 'Why does God blame people for not responding' Haven't they simply done what he makes them do"

No, don't say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, 'Why have you made me like this'' When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn't he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who were made for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.” (Romans 9:19-24; NLT)

This section of Romans is one of those areas of the Bible that sometimes makes us a bit uncomfortable. God has the right to make one jar for decoration, and use one for his trash - and in this metaphor, we are the jars? What about free will? Don't we believe that God desires for us to choose to worship him - not to be forced into it?

It is important that we seek to understand the analogy Paul is making in its proper context. The imagery of a potter and his clay is drawn from Isaiah 29:16 and 45:9, where God is struggling with a rebellious Israel. Nothing in this passage is intended to make human beings out to be lifeless lumps of clay simply commanded by God. Instead, these passages in Isaiah speak of the creator gently molding his people into the community he desires for them to be - and about what would happen if Israel resisted this process of formation.

Paul draws on this analogy from Isaiah because the Jewish nation is undergoing a similar rebellion against God - but they simply don't know it. God called them to be his chosen people not because he loved them more than the Gentiles, but because he wanted to work through the Jewish people to demonstrate his love for all people. This ultimate purpose is most clear in Genesis 12 when God makes his initial covenant with Abraham, telling him, “All families on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:3b; NLT). But the Jewish people had instead developed a sense of privilege. They believed God loved them more than the Gentiles, and they did not desire to show God's love to them.

Paul's message in this passage must be situated within this larger story. He wants his Jewish readers to understand that God will accomplish his purpose of blessing all people. He wants to do it through the Jewish people - but he will do it without them if he must. He is the potter, and he has been trying to patiently mold them - but they have resisted. This is why Paul makes it clear in Romans that the Jewish people's special part in God's plan has ended - that the time has come for all people (not just the Jews) to have access to God. The church would now be the people of God, made up of both Jews and Gentiles.

So now the job is ours. It is through the church that God desires to bless all the families on earth. And we must always resist the urge to do as the Jews did - to think of ourselves as better than the people God desires to reach and care for through us. Consider today how God wants to work through you to accomplish his mission, that “all families on earth would be blessed through” the church, the spiritual descendants of Abraham. (Gen 12:3b; NLT).

Monday, July 12 - Romans 9:1-4
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed-cut off from Christ!-if that would save them. They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God's adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. (Romans 9:1-4; NLT)

Christians have nightmares about it. Many nights of sleep are lost over the feeling of helplessness this brings. Even the apostle Paul was deeply unsettled over this situation. His heart was filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief - never ending anguish. What is the cause of this pain? It is the thought that someone close to us is far away from God. We know that faith in Jesus Christ alone brings a person into a relationship with God, and some people close to us are not in relationship with Christ as their Lord. Pause right now and let those names come to mind and heart.

Paul was willing to be forever cursed-cut off from Christ-if that would have brought any of his people into the promised relationship with God. To make matters even more difficult, they thought they were in relationship with God because of the family or nation into which they were born. They thought Paul was off track. How difficult is it to share the importance of a right relationship with God with people close to you who view themselves as right with God when indeed they have not put their faith in Christ alone. Pause right now and take courage from the fact that even a great Christian like Paul knew the same agony you feel.

How did Paul keep his focus in the midst of this agony? At the end of this chapter, Paul restates the main obstacle in the hearts of the people he loved so much. They were convinced that they were right with God by being a good people (verse 31). We know that they (and our loved ones) need to trust in Christ. What can we do for people who are apart from Christ? Show them that we would do anything to help them. Show them that we absolutely trust Christ for a right relationship with God. And when you are losing sleep over a dear friend or family member who is apart from Christ, do like Paul: commit to show love and share the message of hope with them.

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Romans 8

Friday, July 9 - Romans 8:17
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor
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“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” (Romans 8:17; NLT)

It seems that suffering is all around us, doesn't it? Every night on the news I see it's evidence - robbery and murder, sickness and war. And I see it in my life and the lives of people I care about. They lose their jobs. Their marriages fall apart. They lose their children both before and after they are born. There seems to be no end to suffering.

And it doesn't seem to matter what a person's faith is - Christian or not, suffering comes. But that shouldn't be true, right? Surely when I become a Christian - when I become a child of God - my suffering should cease. God should protect me from present and future suffering - shouldn't he?

As Christians, we often believe that our lives should be free of suffering. We've even sometimes heard this message in churches - that if I have enough faith, God will cause me to prosper economically and protect me from suffering. Unfortunately, that is not the message of the Bible. Paul tells us that “if we are to share in his glory, we must also share his suffering.” Matthew says that God “gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike” (Matt 5:45; NLT). The consistent message of the Bible is that Christians will still experience suffering - sometimes even more because they follow Jesus, and the way of Jesus will always be countercultural.

I realize this message probably will not be perceived as good news. It would be great if becoming a Christian meant that we no longer had any suffering. But why would we expect to experience something different than Jesus? We are called to share in his suffering at least in part because it is often through suffering that we proclaim his message most effectively - and because it is often during periods of suffering that we experience significant spiritual growth. And we also share in his suffering because we still live in a fallen world, and the only way to avoid that suffering would be for us to be transported out of this world. But that has never been God's plan - he calls us to work alongside him to redeem the world and the people in it, not to leave this world behind.

There is, however, some good news. Romans 8:35-37 says this:

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? . . . No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.

So we know that suffering does not separate us from God's love. This is good news because it means that even in the midst of our suffering, God is still with us. And he will still give us the strength to deal with suffering in this life - knowing that suffering can help us to identify with and understand Jesus and his suffering just a little bit more.

Wednesday, July 7 - Romans 8:15
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. You didn't receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear once again. Instead you received the Holy Spirit, who makes you God's child. By the Spirit's power we call God 'Abba.' Abba means Father.” (Romans 8:15; NIrV)

For nearly 70 years beginning in 1854, approximately 200,000 orphaned or homeless children traveled on trains “out west.” Two or three adults traveled with 30 to 40 children at a time to various locations in 47 different states. The Orphan Train Movement intended to take children, primarily from New York City, off the streets or out of huge orphanages, and place them into the care of adoptive parents. The best cases resulted in true adoption into families where they genuinely became the child of a loving mom and dad. The worst cases were simply a transfer from one abusive or uncaring master to another.

In Romans chapters 5 and 6, Paul asked - when you give yourselves to obey someone you become that person's slave. One possibility is that you can be slaves of sin, and then you will die. The other possibility is that you can be slaves who obey God and then you will live a godly life (6:16). In the very best case, the one following Christ is escaping the old master sin.

Paul even writes that in our new life we are slaves to God, obeying him. However, today's verses finish describing the new life in Christ. We are not given a spirit of fear of another master (verse 15), but something entirely different. We are given the Holy Spirit because we are adopted children. We do not now relate to God as “Master” (which he actually is); instead, we live in relationship with God as a child lives with his or her daddy. Abba is an intimate word for Father - daddy. Even though God could expect us to relate to him as slaves to master, he desires to be our daddy - Abba Father.

We come off the orphan train broken and governed by sin, and are invited to accept the loving embrace of our heavenly Father. Remind yourself right now that you are a child loved by our Father in heaven. Pray the Lord's Prayer today from the perspective of a child to her or his dad.

Our Father who is in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come

Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen. (Matthew 6:9-15; NASB)

Monday, July 5 - Romans 8:1-4
By Luke Pruitt, Worship Ministries Pastor
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“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4; NLT)

Romans 8:1-4 is actually an extension of what Paul is saying at the end of chapter 7, where he talks about the war that rages between our hearts and minds: when we want to do good, inevitably we do what is wrong. In our minds we want to follow God's law, but because of our sinful nature we end up continually falling into sin. This would be awful news if that!s where the conversation ended, but there is hope! Paul says, “The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord” - which brings us to chapter 8.

Like someone who is so excited about telling a joke and can!t wait until the end to give the punch line, Paul says, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus!” I just don!t think he could hold it in any longer!

But I believe that statement in verse 1 gains even more momentum when used as a “punch line” for verses 2, 3, and 4:

“Because you belong to him [Jesus], the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” (8:2) - So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus!

“The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.” (8:3) - So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus!

“He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.” (8:4) - So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus!

It's understandable that Paul was so anxious for people to hear this message. It's something many of us desperately need to hear today. And so I say to you and to my own heart: Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice for your sin and if you have given yourself to him, then his Spirit has set you free! Don't be bound by broken chains. Let the Spirit guide you today as you live for him. God does not condemn you, because you belong to Jesus!

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!!” (Lamentations 3:22-24; NLT)

Listen to the song Mercies by Luke Pruitt

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Romans 7

Friday, July 2 - Romans 7:21-25
By Aanna Smalley, Children's Ministries Associate Pastor
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Do you ever have really good intentions that turn out to be an utter failure? I grew up with a great girl. Her family was really involved in our church. Her dad was an elder and her mom led the children's choir. They were almost like a second family to me.

When I was in high school I found out that Katie, my friend's mom, was an alcoholic. She came to my house asking my parents to please support her as she sought out help. She gave up alcohol in a treatment program. A month later she started drinking again.

Katie went back and forth between drinking and being sober. She knew God's Word. She knew his intent for her life. She longed to serve him in her actions and words, but like many of us, she was a slave to sin.

In Romans 7, Paul says:
I have discovered this principle of life - that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart.    But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (Rom 7:21-25; NLT)

Katie made mistakes, big mistakes. I make mistakes too. Everyone does. As Christians we are so privileged to know that God is bigger than any sin! We often have strong desires to serve God by doing the right thing, but sin happens. It's reassuring to know that when we mess up we can ask God for forgiveness and receive freedom from sin.

Wednesday, June 30 - Romans 7: 7-13
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it is the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, 'You must not covet.' But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power. At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, and I died. So I discovered that the law's commands, which were supposed to bring life, brought spiritual death instead. Sin took advantage of those commands and deceived me; it used the commands to kill me. But still, the law itself is holy, and it's commands are holy and right and good. But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God's good commands for its own evil purposes.” (Romans 7-13; NLT)

Your toddling two year old pushes down another toddler while moving toward an interesting toy. She didn't realize that this would hurt the other child. However, you don't want her to be the terror of the play group, so you give her a command, “No, don't push!” Now a new force is in play: the will of your child to pursue her own desire. You let her go and the next moment she's pushing again. Now, you have a relational problem. Your child has not only broken your command, but also broken your heart. If it weren't for your grace and deep love for your child, your relationship would be in trouble. What is happening?

On a small scale, it's the same thing that happens with us and God. If God didn't tell us something was wrong, we might never figure it out. After all, what harm is there in coveting (verse 7)? But when God gives us a command, sin in us launches new temptations from the command. Did God really say that is wrong? Isn't God kind of being a killjoy? However, God does love us, and his commands are an expression of his love. His command is given for our good, and when we break his command we die to a relationship with God. We have set ourselves against God. What can be done? The solution is found throughout Romans – being in a grace relationship with God through his son, Christ Jesus. We can be reborn into a new relationship with God, one in which we believe that God acts out of love for us, not from a need to control us.

So, we relate to God in the new way of grace, realizing that we have gone against God's commands. We can know we are living in the new way when we see that God's “commands are holy and right and good” (verse 12).

Focusing on keeping the law gives sin a springboard, and our sin kills our spiritual life. Focusing on a relationship of forgiveness in Christ leads to new life. What's your focus? Consider the sins that are the toughest to resist. Remind yourself that God's commands are holy and right and good. Ask the Lord to guide your heart toward his heart. Ask the Lord to weaken sin, so that it may not use the commands of God as a springboard to push you away from him.

Monday, June 28 - Romans 7:1-4
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministires Pastor
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“Now, dear brothers and sisters - you who are familiar with the law - don't you know that the law applies only while a person is living? For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries. So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God.” (Romans 7:1-4; NLT)

Paul uses an interesting illustration in this passage to explain the difference between life under the Mosaic Law, and life under grace after Jesus' death and resurrection: marriage and remarriage. He explains that death makes all the difference - when a woman's husband is alive, marrying another man is adultery. But when her husband dies, marrying another man is perfectly acceptable because she is no longer “under the law” that made the previous actions adultery.

Our life as Christians is the same. We too have died - to our old selves and our old way of life. We symbolize this death - and our subsequent resurrection to new life - when we are baptized. But along with our death to self and sin and resurrection to new life, there is a parallel death and resurrection that happened in the work of Jesus - death to law, and resurrection to grace. When Jesus died, he satisfied for all time the sacrificial requirement of the Mosaic Law - there is no need for continued sacrifice when the ultimate sacrifice has already been made. But what replaces the law? Grace. Undeserved favor and forgiveness for our sins because the sacrifice has already been made.

So why does Paul link this death to law and resurrection to grace with good deeds? Couldn't people do good deeds while under the law? Of course they could. But the law required good deeds - in essence, it forced people to do good deeds to satisfy its requirements. That is how laws work - they force compliance because if we do not comply, there are consequences. If I speed, I get a ticket. If I murder someone, I go to jail. The problem with law is that it can only regulate behavior - and it doesn't always do very well at that! But law can never change hearts. Law can never make me want to do good deeds simply because I love God and want to please him. Grace can, and does, do exactly that! Because grace doesn!t just regulate my behavior - it changes my heart. When I realize that I have been forgiven - despite the fact that I richly deserve condemnation - it makes me want to do good deeds, to live how God has called me to live. Not because I am forced to do so by law - but because my heart has been changed by what God has done for me.

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Romans 6

Friday, June 25 - Romans 6:20-23
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:20-23; NIV)

Doesn!t everyone have something to be ashamed of? Sure! Self-centered choices can destroy property and hurt people. That can bring shame as I realize, “I ruined someone!s life!” “I can never make it up!” A self-righteous life that belittles and excludes others from the opportunities to experience God's love can build a wall in the heart of another. My self-centered choices can deny them an opportunity of knowing Christ. The words of this letter to the Romans meet us head on as people who have done things that now bring shame.

As a church attendee I was ashamed when I heard someone close to me say, “If Tony is a Christian, then I want nothing to do with it.” (I had frequently mistreated this person.) A self- righteous, uncaring Christian has plenty to be ashamed of – attitudes of superiority or apathy toward others. The remedy is to surrender to God, asking him to free us from slavery to the sin of self-righteousness. Surrender to God will not lead to shame.

Faith in Christ that leads to surrender (described here as becoming a slave) buries our old life of shame and resurrects us to a new life of total devotion to God. Holiness is simply a life centered on God in thought, affections and action. It is loving God with all my “heart, mind, soul and strength,” as Jesus said (Mark 12:30).

Faith in Christ changes our lives each day. Being a part of Christ has benefit (or a harvest in this lifetime): holiness. It makes us kind, self-controlled, and joyful – at peace with ourselves and others. A person without faith in Christ experiences a different daily life. Being apart from Christ has wages (or a harvest in this lifetime): shame.

We either surrender to Christ or surrender to things that catch our interest. Surrender to either has results that last forever. It is a matter of life and death – for eternity.

Surrender to Christ shows up as love, joy, patience and similar actions as we face the challenges of each day. This is holy living and does not bring shame.

Wednesday, June 23 - Romans 6:12-14
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor
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“Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God!s grace.” (Romans 6:12-14; NLT)

Its probably not a surprise to anyone reading this devotion that Paul tells us that we should neither give in to sinful desires, nor in any way allow ourselves to be instruments of evil. The next part of the passage, however, jumps out at me like it is in flashing neon letters:

“Give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.”

How many of us can claim that we actually do what Paul says here? How many of us can honestly affirm that we have given ourselves completely to God? And what does that even mean? How do I know if I have given myself completely to God?

Here is, I think, one concrete indicator of whether or not we have done so: do I involve God in every decision I make? Do I approach every decision - about disciplining my children, a position on a political issue, what house or car I should buy, or an ethical dilemma in the workplace - by asking what God and my faith have to say about it? If I don't involve God in each decision I make - no matter how large or small - then I have not given myself completely to God, because I still have not involved him in some areas of my life.

I often say that every decision is a theological decision. What I mean is that as a Christian, every decision must be weighed against my faith and how God has called me to live. God has something to say about each decision I make. Choosing what house I should buy involves questions about stewardship of the financial resources God has given me, materialism (how much do I need?), how I can use the home I buy to further the Kingdom of God, and how my home impacts God's creation. My position on a political issue like immigration reform involves questions about following the laws of the land, Old Testament laws about how to treat the stranger and alien (ie. foreigner), how God calls us to help our neighbors, and God's calls for justice for the poor and oppressed in the Old Testament prophets. Every decision is a theological decision, because God has something to say about it all - he wants us to give ourselves completely to him.

Christians often make decisions for all kinds of reasons - much like non-Christians. We make decisions for pragmatic reasons - based on what seems to work. We make decisions based on a sense of self- preservation or even fear - protecting ourselves or maintaining a particular economic or social status. On our better days, we also make decisions out of concern for others. What sets Christians apart from anyone else - people of any other religion or no religion - is that we must make decisions based on what the God of the Bible has told us. We must consider what God has to say about each of the decisions we make. In this way, we take one step closer to giving ourselves completely to God.

Monday, June 20 - Romans 6:1-4
By Mike McCrery, Director of Operations
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“Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined with him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” (Rom 6:1-4; NLTse)

This chapter answers the question that many Christians have concerning the sins they commit after they have accepted Christ as their Savior. Paul writes about the process of transforming ourselves to be more like Christ by asking the question, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” Obviously Paul's answer is no because we died to sin when we were baptized and God's grace is sufficient and far superior to any sin committed prior to or after accepting Christ as your Savior.

Paul writes that once we accept Christ as our Savior we have joined Jesus in his death and resurrection and are no longer slaves to sin. Our sins are forgiven and the transformation of one!s self begins in earnest in serving God. That is what baptism is about. Baptism declares that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you have died to sin, and Christ has become the focus of your life. With Christ as your Savior, you change from a life of sin to forgiveness. God's gift of forgiveness causes you to want to learn more about his goodness and kindness. When we learn about these characteristics, we then begin to live them in our lives.

So no we don't need to continue to sin to receive more grace. Rather, we need to learn of God's kindness, tolerance, and patience and focus on putting them to use in our lives.

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Romans 5

Friday, June 18 - Romans 5:18-21
By Preston Lambrecht, Office Manager
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“Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:18-21; NLTse)

In this passage we find Paul talking about the significance of sin entering the world through one man, Adam, and then being taken away by one man, Jesus. Sin came into the world and affects everyone; and although salvation through Christ is similar it does not eliminate sin from all people. Salvation is a gift that has been given to all, but like a Christmas present you receive, you have to be the one to open it and use it. Otherwise the gift just sits under the tree.

The law shows people just how impossible it would be for them to obtain righteousness without grace. The law was made in order to prepare them for the idea of grace through Christ's death and resurrection, not for salvation through works. It works like this: if sin were a photograph it would be very, very small and hard to see, but with the Law being introduced it was as if the sin was magnified onto a projector screen. The law made it hard for us to deny the sin. In the Old Testament, people were able to be made righteous before God through animal sacrifice, but it wasn't the sacrifice that made them righteous. It was their faith leading them to do what God had told them to do.

I will be the first to admit that I find the Old Testament hard to read at times - especially Leviticus, which contains much of the Mosaic Law. I will also be the first to tell you that sometimes it is important to read those laws and realize just how important Christ's sacrifice was for us. When salvation came through Christ it saved us from a life of disappointment and discouragement from our inability to obey every law. As you go throughout the week I challenge you to understand how significant salvation really is. Read through a little bit of Leviticus and imagine having to live up to those laws. Imagine the idea of having to sacrifice your best animal in order to receive forgiveness from God for breaking those laws. God has still asked us to live by a higher standard, to sacrifice other things in order to follow him. The question we should ask ourselves daily is, “Are we thanking God for what he did by the way I am living today?”

Wednesday, June 16 - Romans 5:11
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor
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“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (Romans 5:11; NLTse)

In this verse Paul reaches the culmination of faith in Jesus - that through Jesus sacrifice on the cross, we can be reconciled to God. Through Jesus' actions, we are brought back into right relationship with God. And not just any relationship - Paul goes so far as to say that we are called “friends” of God.

Pastor Mark often says that Christianity is about a relationship, not a religion. We are called not just to follow and obey God - although we are certainly called to do both of those things! But obedience can all too easily become empty ritual - and the Bible tells us that God wants our hearts. In fact, in the Old Testament we learn that empty observance of religious ritual - even if we are doing things God has commanded - is not pleasing to God at all (Isaiah 1:10-17). But it is hard for our obedience to become empty ritual when we are in relationship with God - when we realize that God calls us his friends. If we recognize that God is our friend - then we obey out of genuine love and gratitude, and not just because we are commanded to do so. And that can make all the difference.

Monday, June 14 - Romans 5:1-5
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“Through faith in Jesus we have received God's grace. In that grace we stand. We are full of joy because we expect to share in God's glory. And that's not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope. And hope will never let us down. God has poured his love into our hearts. He did it through the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5; NIrV)

Did you believe in Santa Claus as a child? It's great fun to live in that fantasy world where every child is known by Santa and rewarded for being nice. Then the illusion begins to crack. You hear inklings from others. You see winks. Your parents make too big a deal about the gifts from Santa. Then it all comes crashing down. Your heart is disappointed as your hope is let down – your older sister tells you to grow up, “There's no such thing as Santa Claus.” You grasp that she's right. You are not only disappointed, maybe confused, but also ashamed that people fooled you into believing something that wouldn't last. Your hope for an enchanted Christmas let you down.

Paul writes, “hope will never let us down.” What hope? It is the hope that we have been made right with God by faith in Jesus. It's our hope that we can expect to share in God's glory. It's our hope that God cares about our suffering, so we find the strength to go on. It's the going on – keeping at it – that builds character, which grows more hope. And what's the power source energizing us through these ups and downs of life? The power is God's love flowing from the Holy Spirit who lives in us. The Spirit is God's gift to those of us who trust in Christ.

What do we do when it seems that God has let us down? I made a decision to trust Christ. My family and friends may question me about this foolish choice. They may say, “You'll see. Trusting God with all your plans and cares will make no difference. And then you will still be in a mess. And you will have wasted a lot of effort and opportunities.”

When let downs come upon me, my hope is tested. I have been totally devoted to God, but some terrible suffering happens in my life. How do I come through the let down of bad things happening to me or my family and not become cynical about faith? Consider two possibilities. One, realize that the hope we have is about knowing God forever, not merely having everything happen the way we want in this lifetime. Two, stick to the new life of loving people. If we lose hope in God, we will quit loving people as we grow cold and return to self-centered living.

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Romans 4

Friday, June 11 - Romans 4:25
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.” (Romans 4:25; NLTse)

Many of us learned the Lord's Prayer, including the phrase “forgive us our trespasses.” The English Standard Version (ESV) translation of Romans 4:25 lets us know that “he (Jesus) was delivered up for our trespasses.” The Bible has quite a few words for sin – trespass is one of them. Each word describes our disregard for God's will from various perspectives. Sin is “missing the mark” – that is, I try real hard but just can't get it right. Trespass is “falling out” as in deliberately stepping out of bounds. Both are in the general category of sin, but I think we see the difference. Jesus didn't just die for our sins (I was really trying hard but I am just not very good at living for God). Jesus was handed over to the executioners because I deliberately stepped out of the bounds of God's loving will.

Parents can relate to this idea. Your child is trying real hard to please you but he just doesn't get it right. How do you feel toward him? “I know you are trying really hard.” Then there are the times that your child deliberately goes against all that you are trying to provide for her good. Do you feel any differently toward her? Probably, but your child needs to experience forgiveness for “getting out of line” just as much as for “messing up.”

God's response to any kind of sin is the same – he gave his son to bring you back to himself. He loves you. Open your heart to him, and embrace his forgiveness. Turn away from trespasses. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Parents can model forgiveness that brings fresh life to each child by extending forgiveness for sins and trespasses. Every one of us can extend forgiveness for trespasses against us, because God has forgiven our trespasses.

Wednesday, June 9 - Romans 4:17
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor
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“That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, ?I have made you the father of many nations.? This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.” (Romans 4:17; NLTse)

The God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. When I read those words, I cannot help but be amazed by the privilege I have serving such a God. And I cannot help thinking back through my life and remembering times when God created something new in my life.

Growing up, I was a shy kid - painfully shy. I was lucky to have a few good friends. But it was hard for me to meet new people. The thought of doing so could be absolutely terrifying to me. And teaching a group of people, or speaking on a stage? I could barely stand the thought of it - and was nearly paralyzed with fear when I had to do it. But the God who creates new things out of nothing saw fit to call me to be a pastor - where I regularly meet new people, and absolutely love the times when I get teach people about the Bible and how it challenges our lives. Speaking in front of real large groups? It may never be my favorite thing to do, but I can do it - and sometimes I even enjoy it!

While I was in seminary in Cincinnati, my wife Cari and I were involved in a very painful, messy church split. It was heart-rending. We had become very involved in a church, and we loved the people and the staff. But the senior pastor and the worship pastor had a lot of personality conflicts. Despite multiple meetings with the pastors, the elders, and various other parties involved, no resolution could be reached and the worship pastor was fired without good cause - and it caused a church split. We knew and loved people on both sides, and we pulled back from church altogether. For almost 5 months Cari and I barely attended church at all - we just couldn't bring ourselves to be part of any church during that time. We felt wounded and betrayed. But the God who brings the dead back to life eventually brought us back, and a few months later we found a fantastic church community for which we are still incredibly grateful.

Paul tells us that if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation (1 Cor 5:17). And God is continually involved in creating something new out of our lives. I encourage you to remember that you too are a new creation - and to think about where God has been and is currently involved in the work of new creation in your own life. We are so fortunate to serve a God who brings the dead back to life and creates new things out of nothing - I'm lucky to see it all the time at StoneBridge. I hope you can see it in your own life, and in the lives of those around you.

Monday, June 7 - Romans 4:6-8
By Micah Kafka, Technical Arts Director
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“...just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: !Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (Romans 4:6-8; ESV)

On August 10th of 2007, I sat eating chicken fried steak at Pann's Restaurant on the odd little triangular block made by the intersection of La Cienega, La Tijera and Centinela in Los Angeles. My heart was racing, palms sweating and my tongue felt like a swollen lump. Across from me Jimmy listened patiently while I tried to string my words into something resembling a comprehensible sentence.

In late 2005, Jimmy had been one of the first people to reach out to me when my brother had started taking me to a downtown church called Mosaic. He got me plugged into the film team there and even pushed for me to co-direct one of the churches tent poll film series. I had enjoyed it, but when things got tough with reshoots, rescheduling and the constant challenges of making a quality film - without sacrificing it's main purpose of serving as a ministry - I quietly and suddenly pulled away. I walked out the door after the worship band's first song and promised myself I was done. I deleted every email Jimmy sent without reading it and ignored all his calls, leaving a mess of a film in his lap.

Between that day in the fall of 2006 and my lunch at Pann's, God moved people into my life that finally snapped me out of the downward spiral I'd fallen into since walking out those doors. God became real in my life. More than once that summer I tried to make myself email Jimmy. I knew if I didn't face him I'd never really be able to let go of what I'd done. Finally I forced myself to meet up with him and try to apologize.

I have almost no memory of what I actually managed to say that day. But I do clearly remember Jimmy's reaction. He forgave me. Not begrudgingly or with a condescending martyrdom but with pure joy. I'll never forget the feeling of freedom that came over me in that moment. Not only did he forgive me, but within weeks I found myself working side by side with him on a new project for Mosaic's film team. Jimmy would be the one to help me land nearly half of the film jobs I had after that. In less than a year I was asked be a leader on the film team because of his personal recommendation.

It was as if what I'd done only a year earlier had never happened. I'd truly been forgiven.

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Paul uses David's words from the Psalms to describe exactly what I felt that day, but with one major difference. At Pann's I experienced forgiveness from Jimmy. David's forgiveness was from God. As humans we are plagued with pettiness, selfishness and even hatred. Forgiveness isn't something we're always good at. I was used to conditional forgiveness: forgiveness that comes when you've proven you've changed, proven that you won't just go and make the same mistake again. Our forgiveness can often be like car insurance - we'll forgive mistakes but only after enough time has passed for the offending party to show they can do better.

And that is why we are blessed to have God's forgiveness - a forgiveness that covers our sins with no cost to us but our faith in Jesus.

What Jimmy did for me that hot August day changed my life. Not because I received his forgiveness, but because I got a small glimpse of the power of God's blessing. I am forgiven. Not because I deserve it or I've proven I can do better, but because I have faith.

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Romans 3

Friday, June 4 - Romans 3:21-26
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor
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“Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. The free gift of God’s grace makes all of us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free. God gave him as a sacrifice to pay for sins. So he forgives the sins of those who have faith in his blood. God did all of that to prove that he is fair. Because of his mercy he did not punish people for the sins they had committed before Jesus died for them. God did that to prove in our own time that he is fair. He proved that he is right. He also made right with himself those who believe in Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-26; NIrV)

When someone hurts me I want God to be fair. That is, I want God to “get him!” It’s retribution time. When I hurt someone else I want God to be merciful. “Please God, don’t listen to her prayer for retribution. I’m sorry.”

We don’t want God to be fair about our condition as sinners who have turned away from him. We want mercy. How can God be both fair (wrong is punished, right is rewarded) and merciful (forgiving sinners)? This passage tells us how. God absolutely and completely punished sin through the perfect one – Jesus. Since Jesus had no sin of his own, he could offer his perfect life as a sacrifice for other people’s sins. That’s you and me. “God did all of that to prove that he is fair.”

God is also merciful - loving. He loved people so much he planned a way back to him. We come back to God as we receive the forgiveness he freely offers. We receive that forgiveness by “faith in his blood.” Why blood? Jesus didn’t merely die, he was sacrificed – his blood poured out."

Today, let yourself be overwhelmed by the mercy the Lord God has shown you. He did not punish you for the sins you committed – because Jesus died for you. Sing: Amazing love, how can it be; that you my king would die for me? Amazing love, I know it’s true; it’s my joy to honor you!

Wednesday, June 2 - Romans 3:9-20
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor

“Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say:
No one is righteous - not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies. Snake venom drips from their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follows them. They don?t know where to find peace. They have no fear of God at all.
Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.” (Romans 3:9-20; NLTse)

These are strong words - frightening words, really. Paul quotes various Psalms here to show that “no one is righteous” and “no one is seeking God.” “All have become useless.” And who is he speaking to here? He is writing to the Roman church - to people who follow the way of Jesus! And yet even to them, the message is a chilling one: “They have no fear of God at all.”

Paul says these things in the context of his discussion of the Mosaic Law. He wants his audience to understand that the Law cannot save - nothing they do, even in observance of the Law given by God, can save them from the penalty of their sins. No law was ever intended to do so - because at best, laws can only manage behavior. And God is interested in much more than just our behavior - he wants our hearts and wills to be aligned with him as well.

The early Jewish Christians relied too much on observance of the Law. Jesus was very critical of the Pharisees for several reasons - one reason was their “traditions of the elders.” These were the laws that Jewish religious leaders had developed to explain the Mosaic Law - the Law says we can?t work, so the “traditions of the elders” defined what things were and were not “work.” And then they tried to make these traditions binding on all people, as if God himself had commanded those things. Jesus had very harsh words for them in Matthew 23, telling them that they turned people “into twice the child[ren] of hell” that they themselves were.

What about us? How often do we create our own law? We make our lists of behaviors that define what it means to be a Christian: reading (or not reading) certain books, associating with the right kind of people, supporting the right political cause or candidate, not drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes, subscribing to a particular belief about the end times, even dressing certain ways. All these things and more become our law - they define what it means (in our minds, at least) to be a Christian. And if someone doesn?t measure up to this law we have created - at best, we question their faith. At worst - maybe we decide we shouldn?t have anything to do with such a person.

I think Paul would question why we want a law at all. Why do we rely on something that has no power to save us? Paul tells us as we continue through Romans that the alternative is so much better - that God has done away with the Law, and instead offers grace through his son Jesus.

Monday, May 31 - Romans 3:1-4
By Luke Pruitt, Worship Ministries Pastor

Then what's the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God. True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true.” (Romans 3:1-4; NLTse)

“Jesus, I wonder is there faithfulness in you? I haven't seen it much in this world...” (Lacey Lester, from her song “Not a Man”)

The Bible tells us that God is completely faithful, which means he is totally reliable, true to his word, and will never change. And whether it's the people chosen by God and entrusted with his revelation, or anyone else in the world, it's hard to find a picture of God's faithfulness in man. Sad, but true. And all too often people pass judgment on God based on encounters they have had with others who claim to know him. “What hypocrites!” I'm sure you've heard it, and maybe even said it yourself. “Why would I trust God when there are so many gossips and liars in this world, let alone cheating pastors and pedophile priests!?”

I think Paul would respond: “True, some of them are unfaithful; but just because they are unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true.” As a Christ follower there will be days, months, and maybe even years when you have to continually remind yourself that “even if everyone else is a liar, God is true.”

Have you had reservations trusting God because of people you've encountered in life? I want to remind you that God is not a man, he does not lie (Numbers 23:19), and we can confidently move forward in relationship with him knowing that he alone is faithful. Take some time to pray this prayer found in Psalm 143:8 - “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk for I give myself to you.”

Listen to "Not a Man" by Lacey Lester.

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Romans 2

Friday, May 28 - Romans 2:25-29
by Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor

“The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God's law. But if you don't obey God's law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. And if the Gentiles obey God's law, won't God declare them to be his own people? In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God's law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God's law but don't obey it. For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.” (Romans 2:25-29; NLTse)

In ancient Judaism, circumcision was one of the most important indicators of Jewish-ness. It was an external sign that they were Jews. It was intended from the start to set the Jews apart from all other nations - to be a visible sign that they were different from others. If Gentiles wanted to convert to Judaism, circumcision was an essential part of their conversion. It was an integral part of what it meant to be a Jew. It was like the label on the outside of a package - it was intended to represent what was inside.

So imagine the shock an ancient Jew would feel at Paul's words here. “Circumcision has value only if you obey God's law. . . . if you don't obey God's law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. . . . In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God?s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God's law but don't obey it” (emphasis mine)! This would have been scandalous! How could an uncircumcised Gentile possibly condemn a circumcised Jew? How could someone with the wrong label possibly be more right with God than a person with the right label?

Paul is trying to help his Jewish audience understand that for circumcision to matter, they have to keep the law - and they have to do it perfectly, which none of them can do. But he also helps us think about the importance of external versus internal labels. Circumcision was an external label that a person was a Jew - but Paul wants them to understand that without obedience to the law - which showed their hearts - the external label of circumcision was worthless. Jesus makes a similar point in the gospels. In Matthew 23, he tells a group of Jewish religious leaders that they are “whitewashed tombs - beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity” (Matt 23:27). He is pointing out that they do all the right things on the outside - but inside they are spiritually dead

Too often we are the same. We put on a good show at church. We want people to think we have it all together. We rely on external labels - the appearance of a loving family, nice clothes, saying the right things, etc - but inside, our hearts are far from God. And God knows it. He sees what we hide from others. And the church should be the place where we can admit our shortcomings and ask for help - where we can be honest and vulnerable and receive help - not another place where we feel like we need to hide our situation and struggles.

My challenge to you today is to pay attention to your heart. Focus on the internal. Don't worry about the external label - Paul tells us that the label of the package doesn't matter. It's the inside that counts. Focus on loving God and loving other people - on learning to see the world, and the people in it, as God sees them. Jesus tells us that if we pay attention to what is happening on the inside, good will come out - the internal realities of our hearts determine the external label, not the other way around (Matt 12:33). Rather than focusing on the outside to hide what is inside, align your heart with God, and the outside will naturally fall into place.

Wednesday, May 26 - Romans 2:5-11
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor

“But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.” (Romans 2:5-11; NLTse)

In our world it seems that some people can “get away with murder” and others can't “catch a break.” However, God does not show favoritism. In this passage, Paul lays out the criteria of God's judgment. Anyone who trusts in their own merit to be right with God needs to consider some truths carefully. In judgment, God does not show favoritism. When judged by the merits of doing the right thing, perfection is the standard. God does not play favorites. He doesn't just let some things slide. God shows no favoritism: “he will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good...; he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who...live lives of wickedness.” The problem is that everyone has sinned (Romans 3).

God does not show favoritism. All people in the world have the same problem – we live for ourselves, blow off the truth (in certain circumstances) and embrace attitudes and actions popular in our culture even though they are contrary to God's truth. In the same way, all people in the world have the same invitation – believe that Jesus? death rescues us from our absolutely deserved judgment.

God does not show favoritism, and that's the reason we don't show favoritism. Later in this letter, Paul instructs believers to accept each other (14:1 & 15:7). This acceptance is based on this principle – don't show favoritism. Accept other believers. We're all in this together. Jesus, who is the only one who is good and did good all the time, is our only hope for eternal life. He's our hope because his sacrificial death takes the judgment for my wickedness. Grace is offered to all, so we offer grace to all.

Monday, May 24 - Romans 2:1-4
By Sandy Kafka, Children’s Ministries Pastor

“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” (Romans 2:1-4; NIV)

Judging others is one of those “acceptable” sins in church families. We all know we aren’t to judge or look down on others, but we still do it. I was raised in a family where we were pros at ripping other Christians apart (behind their backs, of course) and we looked down our noses at anyone who didn’t believe the same way we did.

As a young adult I read this passage and woke up to this sin in my life. Just as this passage stated, whenever I judged others it was always over something I was guilty of myself. I decided to memorize these verses so the Spirit could bring them to my mind more easily. As I worked to memorize them I could never remember the words “kindness, tolerance and patience” so I tried to think of something I was familiar with that would help me remember them. What came to mind was “kleenex and toilet paper.” It worked!

Kleenex and toilet paper are essentials for us in America. Most of us would agree that we’d really be suffering to live without them. God’s kindness, tolerance and patience are essentials in our lives. These traits of God help lead us to repent of our sins - including the sin of judging others. How thankful we can be to God for his kindness, tolerance and patience! Without them we could never be in a growing relationship with him.

We need to show kindness, tolerance and patience to others as well. With these characteristics our church family here at StoneBridge will grow together in loving relationships with each other and with God.

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Romans 1

Friday, May 21 – Romans 1: 8-16
By Aanna Smalley, Children’s Ministries Associate Pastor

Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son. One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News. For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes- the Jew first and also the Gentile. (Romans 1:8-16; NLTse)

I remember receiving a card in the mail a few summers back while doing an internship at a church. The card was filled with encouraging words that reminded me that I was helping children to grow into strong believers by encouraging them to live their faith “out loud.” The words in that card built me up and allowed me to get through long weeks of church camp, service projects, and summer events.

Romans is a letter that Paul wrote to encourage those in the church at Rome. Much like the card I received during my summer internship, Paul wrote to his fellow believers to encourage them, build them up, and remind them to never be ashamed. In verses 8-11 Paul tells the Romans how much he appreciates them and how he prays for them. This can serve as a great reminder to us that we need to continually pray for and encourage other Christians. It is so easy to pray for the people that seem to “need it the most.” We often think of those affected by a crisis, those in political leadership, those battling a terminal illness, or those that have lost a job. But, Paul reminds us that we need to thank God through Jesus Christ for all those who believe and to bring them and their needs to God day and night.

I sense urgency in Paul?s words at verses 12-16. He longs to be together with the Christians in Rome so that he can encourage them and teach them, but also so that he can be encouraged. He reminds them to never be ashamed of the Good News about Jesus. I love this! So often by the time Sunday rolls around I LONG to be together with my church family celebrating all that God has done and rejoicing together in His accomplishments. It excites me to share with others the ways that my church family is fearlessly sharing God?s love with others.

Let me encourage you today to spend some time praising God for other believers and bringing their needs to His throne. Let me also encourage you to thirst for time with other believers and to unashamedly share in the glory of God?s power.

Wednesday, May 19 - Romans 1:18-32
By Tony Kafka, Growth Ministries Pastor

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn?t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. (Romans 1:20-22; NLTse)

Where did I come from? The answer has some implications. If God made me along with everything else, then I am his. As the designer he has the schematics showing how I function best. As the creator he holds the title to my life. The most popular alternate answer is that I came from random actions of impersonal forces - no one has the schematics or title to my life.

God, the Creator, makes some truth obvious to everyone (verse 19). What I do with that truth is up to me. I decide either to love him or to suppress that truth, picking and choosing from a vast array of alternate lifestyles. Suppressing truth darkens my outlook and moves me away from a love relationship with the real Creator. Instead, I try to explain powers beyond my control in different ways, "worshiping idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles" - gods I can control or manipulate. This is the spiritually deadly exchange - "exchanging truth about God for a lie" (verse 25).

When I choose a lie about God, then God chooses to not protect me from all kinds of other lies about life. When I decide there is no God, then I will inevitably refuse to believe the things he has told communicated in the scriptures. I worship created things. My heart is never satisfied for long.

When I decide that it?s silly to acknowledge God as Creator and Lord then I fill my life with ME! That shows up as self-centered sex, wanting more, hating others who have more than I have, and a multitude of other socially destructive behaviors. I use my God-designed creative mind to "invent new ways of sinning" (verse 30). I don?t put up with people (like parents) trying to tell me what?s right and wrong. No one trusts me because, after all, who can trust a self-centered person who creates his own version of reality. However, even with this approach to life, I still expect life to be fair. I don?t put up with other people hurting me, but I may continue to be a part of a group that runs over others. And I say, "Good job!" when we get away with it. Just don?t let anybody else do it to us!

God made some truths about his existence and power obvious through creation. His loving nature is obvious through his son, Jesus. You and I are invited to trust Jesus as Lord, who alone has the power to lift us out of self-destruction and ultimate eternal destruction. This is the Good News of our salvation. Trust Jesus as Lord. Worship God with thanks for his love today.

Monday, May 17 - Romans 1:1-7
By Jake Christian, Adult Ministries Pastor

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:1-7; NIV)

In Romans, Paul writes to a group of believers in the city of Rome, the capital city of the Roman Empire. He writes to people - most of whom he has never met, but longs to visit - who live in the shadow of an empire that demanded their full allegiance. Everything they had. In Paul?s time, Caesar was the most powerful man in the world. He ruled the Roman Empire, the greatest political, military, and cultural power the world had ever seen. Caesar was from a royal lineage, and the Romans used titles like “Son of God” and “Lord” to refer to him. And yet, right from the start of Paul?s letter, he challenges Caesar?s claim to these titles. Jesus was born to the royal line of King David. Jesus is the Son of God, demonstrated by his resurrection from the dead (can Caesar do that?). Jesus is Lord.

On Mother?s Day, Stefanie Rowe encouraged us to reconsider our priorities, and to make God the highest priority of our lives. Above our own desires and wants. Above work and the pursuit of money. Above even our own families. She reminded us that God desires and deserves first place in our lives, and that we are constantly tempted to dethrone him and make other people and things - even good things like our families - into idols. Ultimately, she challenged us not to love our families less, but to love God more.

Paul would have agreed. He tells the Romans in no uncertain terms that Jesus is Lord, despite Caesar?s claims. Even though Caesar had great power over their earthly lives, Jesus is the ultimate power. And throughout the rest of his letter, he would go on to help them understand what it meant for Jesus to be Lord of their lives.

So what would Paul say to you today? What are you tempted to make into an idol? What do you allow to unseat Jesus from his rightful place as Lord? For some of us it might be our families, as Stefanie did such a great job pointing out. For others it might be our profession, or our pursuit of comfort and pleasure. Maybe, like the Romans, allegiance to our country has overtaken allegiance to Jesus and his kingdom. Or maybe money is our god - we wouldn?t be the first people to place our finances our highest priority. I encourage you to consider what it is that prevents you from making Jesus Lord each day. We all have something, and it is often a daily process of choosing to live in a way that shows that Jesus is Lord of our lives. But it is well worth the effort.

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