45 devotions on romans by Paul Bradley

Lagan Valley Vineyard, Lisburn 45 Daily Devotionals on Romans 5 per week (MONDAY-FRIDAY) over 9 weeks

Outline

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Passage – Priority Verse(s) Ponder Prayer

A guide to our devotional study of the book of Romans • Each of the 45 daily devotionals are framed by three main headings:

1. Passage 2. Ponder 3. Prayer

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If you want to achieve reading all of Romans within the 45 day timescale you will need to set time aside daily, to systematically read through the portions of scripture beside the word Passage. We have not made this a hyperlink as we recognise the benefits of reading and marking your own bible.

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Within this passage the aim is to then focus upon a Priority Verse or Verses. This is the key scripture verse (or verses) upon which the time of reflection will always begin. God often speaks to us through scripture.

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All scripture quoted is in italics and from the New International Bible (NIV). If you find that you are getting a little bogged down reading the NIV, you may find it useful to read more of ‘a thought by thought’ contemporary version of the Bible. If you enter www.biblegateway.com into your browser you can then click on the drop down menu for a variety of versions that are freely on offer. Check out The Message (MSG) or The New Living Translation (NLT). These may help give you an easier read.

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Ponder is the everyday story or thought in the middle. This is a reflection illustrating a particular facet of truth.

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Prayer is the last section. This is the time when we ask the Holy Spirit to help us apply and live out the truth we have been contemplating. Do not be restricted by the suggested prayer, but feel free to pray as you feel prompted in your heart and mind.

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Further Reading: These devotionals are designed for busy lives (5 devotions per week for 9 weeks – Monday to Friday). The scripture verse excerpts are in italics with a superscript number at the end of every sentence. An example would be Repent and 7

be baptised every one of you. Notice the superscript as . This excerpt is found in Acts 2:38. The bible reference for this scriptural excerpt is then included in the list of 7

Further Reading at the bottom of the page and would show as Acts 2:38.

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In order to get through the book of Romans in the allocated time, we shall reflect on at least 45 key thoughts based upon the sixteen chapters.

Background to Romans

The book of Romans is also known as ‘the Gospel according to Paul the Apostle.’ It is his letter written to the newly formed house churches in the city of Rome, probably written between 55 and 58 AD during Paul’s second visit to Corinth.

3&4

The key verses, which hold its main theme, are found in chapter 1 verses 16 & 17. Here Paul 5

answers the age-old question “how can a man be made right before God?” Paul proclaims that both Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles) are only acceptable to God through faith in Christ. These devotional thoughts, although far from being an exhaustive commentary, are designed to inspire and encourage us as we walk through the biblical text. Our prayer at LVV is that these devotionals will nourish your soul and deepen your Christian faith. We hope they will equip you in your everyday life, to partner with the Spirit of God, to be a carrier of the Kingdom within your particular place of influence. Further reading: 1

Romans 10:17. Romans 16:25. Romans 16:5,10,11,14,15. Acts 20:1-3. Job

9:2.

Contents Date

Passage

Priority Verse(s)

Ponder/Title

Romans 1:1-4

1:1-3

By Appointment of HM the King

Romans 1:5-7

1:5-7

Belonging to Jesus

Romans 1:8-17

1:16,17

The Sustainability Question

Romans 1:18-32

1:25

The Big Con

Romans 2:1-11

2:4,5

Refusing to About Turn

Romans 2:12-16

2:13

Pursuing God’s Yes

Romans 2:17-24

2:21

Religious Experts

Romans 2:25-29

2:28,29

An Inside Job

Romans 3:1-8

3:01

Entrusted

Romans 3:9-20

3:9,10

One Priority Pass

Romans 3:21-26

3:22

The Red-Whitener

Romans 3:27-31

3:28

It’ll Not Be All Right On The Night

Romans 4:1-6

4:3,5

Abe’s Grace Credits

Romans 4:6-9

4:7,8

Dave’s Eradicated Debits

Romans 4:10-15

4:10,12

Relationship precedes Ritual

Romans 4:16-25

4:23-25

A Trailblazer of Faith and Grace

Romans 5:1-5

5:1-5

The F.B.I. of Faith

Romans 5:6-11

5:6,8

A Life on the Line

Romans 5:12-17

5:17

Who got us in, and who got us out?

Romans 5:18-21

5:20,21

Delegated Power...

Romans 6:1-14

6:11

Dead and Alive: The Apostle's Wanted Poster

Romans 6:15-23

6:22

A slave to the master

Romans 7:1-6

7:06

Under New Management

Romans 7:7-8:17

7:17,20&8:9-11

The Inner Tug of War

Romans 8:18-27

8:22,23

Call the Midwife

Romans 8:26-34

8:26,27,34

Double Intercession

Romans 8:35-39

8:35-39

Inseparable Love

Romans 9:1-29

9:8

Grace trumps Race

Romans 9:30-33

9:32

Relationship over Religion

Romans 10:1-21

10:12

No silent disciples: The Sound of Faith

Romans 11:1-10

11:6

The Loyal Minority

Romans 11:11-36

11:32

Tough Love

Romans 12:1,2

12:1,2

Discerning God's Sweetspot

Romans 12:3-5

12:4,5

We all get to play

Romans 12:6-8

12:8

Demonstrating true Christian Virtues

Romans 12:9-13

12:12b,13a

Devoted to God,Dedicated to Others

Romans 12:14-16

12:14-21

Countercultural Christian Behaviours

Romans 12:19-21

12:18

Beryl's story

Romans 13:1-9

13:1-7

Responsible Citizens follow codes of conduct

Romans 13:8-10

13:8-10

Commandment No.2 Condensed

Romans 13:11-14

13:12,14

God's Garments of the Heart

Romans 14:1-23

14:17,18

The Holy Spirit Kingdom

Romans 15:1-22

15:20-22

Reaching the Unreached

Romans 15: 23-33

15:30-33

Praying for Miracles

Romans 16

16:3-5

Little & Large

Date 1 - By appointment of His Majesty the King Passage: Read Romans 1:1-4 (NIV)

Priority Verses 1:1-3 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God – 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son Ponder Question: What do Kellogg’s, Baxter’s, Coca-Cola, Heinz, Moet & Chandon Champagne and Jaguar Cars have in common? Answer: They are all trades, products or services that have been awarded the prestigious crest of recognition “By appointment of Her Majesty the Queen.” Yes, they have all merited a royal seal of approval. These are awards granted to individuals or companies supplying the royal household for at least five years. Can you imagine the kudos this royal endorsement gives to a company brand? When Paul the apostle introduces us to his letter to the Church of Rome, He firstly sets out his credentials. He calls himself a servant of Christ Jesus who was called and set apart. He introduces us to the concept of him being called to be an apostle. Maybe you can recall the well-known story of the three musketeers. These men were ambassadors sent with letters or messages from a king. Understanding how a musketeer was commissioned helps us understand something of what it means to be an apostle. Apostle means a ‘sent one’ or ‘one sent by another’. Like a musketeer, Paul had been commissioned with a royal endorsement. He had been granted the royal seal of approval. His calling to be an apostle was not just by an earthly king; the King of all Kings gave him His appointment. His calling was by appointment of His Majesty King Jesus! After encountering the Lord Jesus on the Damascus Road, Paul asked an important question: 1

Lord, what would you have me to do? Paul understood that he had his own particular part to play in proclaiming the Gospel of God. The word gospel defined means ‘good news.’ Yet this was not just any old good news story. Paul realised he was participating in the good news story of all stories ~ the story regarding God’s own Son. Paul had been granted a royal appointment. He was to be an ambassador sent to the non-Jews (Gentiles). He was called to proclaim and demonstrate what Jesus called the gospel of the Kingdom of God.

Like Paul, being a Christian means that we too must ask God to make clear to us the purpose and reason to which Christ Jesus has taken hold of us.

Prayer

Lord, let me be your ambassador in all I say and in what I do. With your Spirit’s help, let me understand your royal calling and purpose for my life. Over the next days and weeks let me 5

clearly understand how the royal seal “By appointment of His Majesty King Jesus” can be lived out in my life everyday. Amen. 1

Further reading: Romans 1:17. 4

Colossians 2:6.

Hebrews 6:12.

Ephesians 2:8-9. Matt 28:18-19.

Date 4 -The Big Con Passage: Read Romans 1:18-32 (NIV)

Priority Verse 1:25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie Ponder The Sting is a movie that is well worth a watch. It depicts the skillful art of a team of professional con artists, led by Paul Newman and Robert Redford. They set up a bogus bookies room, to pull off a confidence trick that successfully scams the leading mob boss played by Robert Shaw. The reason these people are referred to as ‘cons,’ is that it short for confidence tricksters. Having gained the persons ‘confidence’ they then trick them. The person being scammed, in this case the mob boss, is known as “the mark”. In the Sting movie, the con artists are long gone before “the mark” even realizes he has been set up, duped, deceived and defrauded of his ill-gotten gains. I remember when a lad how I conned my younger sister. It was in the day’s predecimalization, when a bronze penny was big and a silver sixpence was small; yet worth six time the value. My poor wee sis believed the big penny was bigger therefore must have been much better to have. It wasn’t exactly the great train robbery, but nonetheless I carried off the con of exchanging pennies for sixpences in a style that Newman and Redford would have been proud of! Without drilling into the detail of our passage, I do want you to see the ‘big con’ here from the enemy of our souls. His ‘big con’ is that he gives a poor exchange by deceiving people making wrong out to be right, and exchanging truth for lies. As you read the passage through, you can’t help but be struck with the contrasts. Paul is addressing this ‘big con’ in many lives within Rome; firstly, in those that promote idolatry – worshipping a false God in exchange for 1

the true God. Secondly, he then grasps the thorny subject of the poor exchange that people willfully make, when Gods standards in sexual relations are replaced by immoral standards.

Other bible passages make it clear that we can both disobey God either without realizing (omission). We can also disobey by deliberately choosing to agree with the devils ways 3

(commission). Satan is the source. He is called the father of lies. He is the arch-deceiver always aiming to con people or subtly hoodwinking us to avoid the real truth.

Prayer Lord, help me be on my guard, to look out for the ‘big con’ from the enemy of my soul. Help 5

me keep my eyes on seeking the freedom that knowing your truth brings. I pray that you would rescue those caught up in the ‘big con’, those blinded to the lies of the kingdom of 6

darkness. Help me be a transforming light-bringer today. Spirit of Light, let me walk in the 7

light and help me to dispel the darkness. Help me to reflect Jesus, and overcome evil with 8

good. Amen. 1

Further reading: Rom 1:23. Rom 1:26. John 8:44. 2 Cor 4:4. Prov

4:23; John 8:32. Col 1:13,14. 1 John 1:7. 2 Cor 4:6; Rom 12:21.

Date 5 - Refusing to ABOUT TURN! Passage: Read Romans 2:1-11 (NIV)

Priority Verses 1:4,5 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realising that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. Ponder Throughout my teenage years my friends and I were involved in membership of an organization called the B.B. These initials stood for a worldwide organization known as the Boys Brigade. Activities included a myriad of activities such as training in first aid, camp retreats, outdoor activities, Christian devotions, lots and lots of football and the legendary crab football. Every time we met, one of the activities that I really enjoyed was the drill time. It was the part in the evening when all the uniformed lads lined up to an officer shouting the commands "SINGLE RANK SIZE”! The squad formed a very orderly straight line, with the tallest to the left and shortest to the right. Even the spacing was orderly. This was done by everyone looking over their right shoulder, with right elbows set strategically at right angles, gently touching the shoulder of the slightly taller person on the right. This was then followed by a time of discipline and precision, when we marched to the orders that were guldered out by a BB commanding officer. When advancing in one direction, one of the common commands was "SQUAD WILL ADVANCE... ABOUT TURN!" This was a time when we had the chance to move through a series of taught maneuvers, and then to seamlessly turn about face by marching off smartly in the opposite direction. Failing to obey such commands, we’d be relegated to sit out on the benches and potentially loose out on being awarded the sought after drill badge. Paul in this passage is sounding a bit like our commanding officer. The Jews had been banished from Rome under the reign of emperor Claudius. He was warning the returning Jews that at the heart of Christianity is the simple command, repent. This involves a change of heart, literally a turn about and an alignment to God’s way of salvation. ‘To repent’ simply 1

means to turn about. This is a turning about face, from our old selfish ways and turning to God’s way of life and godliness. Interestingly, the early Christians were also followers of ‘the 2

way’. On reading the Bible in other places the only way sinful mankind could be reconciled to a Holy God was through Jesus. This is why Jesus is referred to as the way, the truth and the life.

As we continue in our faith journey, it is crucial that we don't become like some of these Jews that were returning to Rome. They were mixing Christianity with the rules and regulations found in Judaism. In the Old Testament God had made a pledge with the Jews (the 4

Israelites), that if they kept certain laws then God would bless them. However they had been

demonstrating an air of spiritual superiority towards their non-Jewish (Gentile) new-bee Christians in Rome. Judaism was at its heart a conditional and binary coded ‘do and live’ religion. Paul was speaking out against their additional preconditions. However in Jesus, the New Covenant was to be the exact opposite. True Christianity was now to follow the binary code of a ‘live and do’ relationship! When our lives are filled with the Spirit and love of God (‘live’), He gives us the desire and ability to serve Him (‘do’).

The Spirit filled life must be

lived out in a spirit of humility and ongoing repentance. It requires continually turning about, always turning to obey God’s directives.

Our reading today warns us not to get smug in a life of moral, racial or spiritual superiority. 7

Remember none of us are perfect except Jesus, the sinless Son of God. Let's march on then 8

to His commands of grace and truth. Never let us find ourselves in this position of ‘looking down any spiritual noses’ or ‘speaking with any forked tongues’ that would judge of condemn 9

others. Remember Jesus said neither do I condemn thee go and sin no more. It’s good to be reminded here, of the phrase: “people in glass houses should never throw stones”. Therefore, let's not waste our time pretending we are something or somebody be are not. The message is all about Him, not about us. Just in case we ever think we have somehow arrived we must understand, no one ever has a personal corner on sinlessness. Don't be fooled by pride and left sitting on the benches by missing the about turn. This could cause you to miss inheriting the two most important 10

accolades of all – abundant life and eternal life. Jesus is still shouting out this order today ABOUT TURN!

Prayer 3

Thank you Lord that you are the way, the truth and the life. Thank you that no matter how badly I have failed you, that I can come to you today afresh and ask you to help me to do an about turn. Help me realize that I am a child of God and as such one that follows in ‘the way.’ Keep me free from being judgmental of others. Be my commanding officer.

Spirit of Jesus I

depend on an outpouring of your grace and presence to enable and empower me. 1

Amen.

Further reading: Acts 3:19; 2:38; 26:18. Acts 9:2; 24:14. John14:6. Deut 11:13,14. 5

Rom 5:5; Phil 2:13. James 4:6; Isa 66:2; Psa 51:17; 2 Cor 7:10. 1 Pet 1:19; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 8

John 1:9. John 1:14,17. John 8:11 13

John10:10; 1 John 2:25.

Acts 26:19-20. Heb 2:10.

Acts 13:52.

Date 6 - Pursuing God’s Yes Passage: Read Romans 2:12-16 (NIV)

Priority Verse Romans 2:13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous Ponder A speeding prosecution in Northern Ireland is usually paid in one of two ways. One option is paying for a fine, with points being added to the offenders’ driving license. The other option is of paying a fine, but rather than have the points added to the license, speeders can sit in on a morning training session at the Kings Hall. This is to help reinforce the dangers and carnage that results from increased speeding. Speeding can be committed either by omission or commission – by oversight or willfully. If you don’t know that the speed limit is 20mph and you are caught driving at 30mph, your oversight is the sin of omission in not knowing the limit law. This is a little like the non-Jews in our passage. They were the outsiders, who sinned not knowing what they were doing, as they didn’t know God’s commands (sin of omission). However, if you know that motorway limits are 70mph and you are willfully speeding at 100mph, you are disobediently committing to break the law – this is the ‘sin of commission’. The Jews, as insiders, knew Gods commands. However in only hearing them and in not doing them, this made knowing them a waste of time. When you come to faith in Christ you cannot be expected to know all Gods commands! However, the passage tells us that there is something instinctive within the very fabric of our being, written in our conscience that makes us intuitively desire to do what is right. It has been said “if its doubtful its dirty.” Therefore, if we are unsure or doubtful about understanding a way forward, lets ask, seek and knock until we find Gods viewpoint and valued judgment on 1

a subject. As we grow in our faith, we are to grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus 2

Christ. Obedience is the true measure of our love for God. The scriptures say to obey is 3

better than sacrifice. If we love God we keep his commandments. Paul is here saying that there is something woven into the very fabric of creation that echo’s Gods yes and no, right and wrong. Paul goes on to predict that God will take these differences of knowing and not knowing into account on the day of future judgement (v16). So while we are anticipating that future day, when God will judge with absolute fairness and impartially, let us seek to live right. Let us enjoy the freedom and peace in life that obeying the truth brings. So, just as the Highway Code avoids chaos and brings order to our road, let us obey Gods Kingdom commands. It is then we swop a life lived in chaos for a life filled with order and harmony.

Prayer Lord, as the song lyrics says, “trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.” Challenge my heart in areas not yet submitted until they yield to your commands. Transform me to willingly move from oversight to obedience. King Jesus, calm the chaos in my life. Help me today by your Spirit, to be a person who lives a life pursuing your right ways - those filled with your joy and your peace. 1

Further reading: Matt 7:7. 2 Pet 3:18. John 14:15,23; 1 Sam 15:22. 4

Psa119:133. Rom 14:17

Date 7- Religious experts Passage: Read Romans 2:17-24 (NIV)

Priority Verse 2:21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? Ponder The longstanding BBC2 programme ‘Food and Drink’ was one that introduced the UK to two entertaining wine experts known as Jilly Goolden and Oz Clarke. Jilly is famous for her rich plumy English accent and her use of graphic metaphors, likening the taste of wine to pear drops, liquorice and rubber! Oz Clarke became celebrated as the champion of the World Wine Tasting Championship, having appeared on numerous other foodie programmes. He has even gone on to develop various wine tasting Apps. These two wine connoisseurs’ are expert judges and therefore authorities in matters of taste. By training his taste buds, Oz was able to distinguish the difference between a wine worth £500 and one worth £5. But even he got it wrong at times. In one of the ‘Food and Drink’s’ blind-tastings, they tested his expertise by comparing a cheap bottle with and a very expensive bottle. Oz chose the cheaper brand as the one he thought was the best. This just goes to show that we can’t always rely on the experts. Even this wine aficionado got it wrong at times. In this passage the apostle informs us that as the recipients of Gods revelation, the Jews were the best positioned to be experts in the things of God. Unfortunately, in knowing and not obeying God’s commands they failed in their role as God’s ambassadors. The very things the Jews were preaching against, such as stealing, idolatry and immorality, are the very things they ended up doing. Paul is therefore declaring how God’s very own people (the Jews) – considered themselves to be the experts, yet they got it wrong. As God’s people today, never think we have it all together by somehow becoming expert connoisseurs of the will of God. Let us learn here what to avoid. Let us never rely on the 1

head-knowledge of truth but ever seek to practice truth in a spirit of humility. Let us remain 2

ever teachable as we endeavour to teach others. Let us never be self-reliant but rather ever 3

dependent on the Spirit of truth for our guidance. In doing so we shall leave a great 4

reputation and legacy that brings honour to Jesus. Prayer

Lord, thank you that I belong to your chosen people, the people of God. Help me always to 6

remain teachable, and to fully practice what I preach. As I wait upon you in prayer, may I 7

know the divine exchange of your strength in place of my weakness. Continue by your Spirit to help me be a Kingdom-carrier who takes heed to the cautions of self-reliance and pride.

Help me to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with my God today. Amen.

Further reading: Col 3:12. Ecc 4:13. 1 John 2:27; John 16:13. 1 5

Cor 10:31. 1 Pet 2:9. Phil 4:9. Isa 40:31; 2 Cor 12:8. 2 Cor 3:5; 9

James 4:6,10. Micah 6:8.

Date 8 - An Inside Job Passage: Read Romans 2:25-29 (NIV) Priority Verse 2:28,29 28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision

merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God. Ponder During recent years there have been new regulations for the use of underground storage tanks at petrol stations. This was largely due to the fact that oil spillages were creating pollution nightmares affecting the environment. Formerly a single skinned tank was allowed with any installation. As an extra precaution new tank replacements must now have two skins – that is an inner tank within an outer tank. These are known in the petroleum industry as “double skinned tanks.” The gap between the two tanks must also to have a monitoring device with an automatic alarm, which triggers in the event of a leak. Therefore, although in the past it was enough to install a tank with only one skin, it now must have two skins. This is to avoid the tank becoming a leaking container and potential land contaminator. When we look into these last few verses of Chapter 2, the apostle is at pains to explain that Christianity is about who you are inwardly, not just about what you appear to be outwardly.

The Jews had been so caught up in the outward and physical rules that they had missed their calling to have an inner renewal. God had always, even in the days of their forefathers, not only called them to circumcise their bodies. He primarily called them to circumcise their hearts...so that they would love him with all hearts and all their soul, and live.

Paul mentions two of the main things that created their outward and physical identity. Firstly, they had been the keepers of the written code (Torah). Secondly, they had continued to pass on the surgical ritual of circumcision. This rite of cutting the male foreskin was completed eight days after the birth of every Jewish boy.

Throughout the rest of Romans, Paul is keen to restore this missing inward part -

His

indwelling presence. This part that should have defined the Jews identity as God’s people. One such expression of this inward encounter is in us having the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Paul understood that predating any laws being established, Abraham, the founding father of the Jews, was the one who instituted circumcision. Yet it was not the act of circumcision, but 5

Abraham’s faith; his believing in the Lord that was credited to him as righteousness. This outer sign of physical circumcision was only to be a symbolic reflection of an inside job - a 6

heart and life that had encountered the presence of the living God. To be a true Jew, Paul asserts, you must encounter this inner transformation of the presence of the Lord dwelling within. This was the circumcision of the heart by the Spirit.

Prayer Lord, let me not depend on any outward trappings that would deny me from me encountering your presence today. Let me never to be too busy serving you and your purposes that I miss the inward peace that comes from intimately worshipping you. Renew my inner man by your 8

Spirit. Let me experience the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that brings freedom.

Thank you Lord, that even though I am not chosen by race, that I am your child today, chosen by grace and only made right with you by faith in Christ. Thank you for living within me Lord by your Spirit.

Thank you for your inside job. Amen. 1

Further reading: 1 Sam 16:7. Deut 30:6; Jer 4:4. Phil 3:5. Rom 5:5. 5

Gen 17:10-13; Gen 15:16. Col 2:8-14; Rom 3:22. Rom 2:29. 2 Cor 9

4:16. Rom 8:4.

Rom 9:8,30; 10:3,4; 11:5,6.

Gal 2:20;

Eph 3:16-

17.

Date 9 - Entrusted Passage: Read Romans 3:1-8 (NIV). Priority Verse 3:1 First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Ponder Have you ever entrusted something of value to someone else for safekeeping? It may not seem a lot of money to some, but large bay trees can set you back around £65 each these days. When the costs of our four bay trees were added in along with our colourful hanging basket, I suppose their replacement value would be around £300. So before my wife and I headed off on an overseas holiday we arranged for a neighbour to water the plants to ensure they would continue to grow while we were gone. Sure enough, we returned from overseas and our bay trees and hanging basket were still thriving. This was thanks to the faithfulness of our neighbour who continued the watering process while we were away. Everybody needs good neighbours! Paul starts Chapter 3, again challenging the Jews who were objecting to his arguments for faith and grace over law and works. Like our neighbour, they had been entrusted with something of value, in fact of a lot higher value. They had been entrusted with the very words of God, God’s written revelation. However unlike our kind neighbour, they had abandoned their post. They had missed the promised Messiah-King prophesied of within these Old Testament scriptures. With all that Paul had said before (in the first two chapters) their reaction was now to make excuses for their wrongdoing. They just couldn’t fathom how God could judge them, His chosen people. They actually believed that their badness would somehow make God look better, proposing let us do evil that good may result! Our return from holidays would have been very different if we had found our plants shrivelled up and ruined because our neighbour just couldn’t be bothered to water them. She could have conjured up some rather lame excuse. Her wildly imaginative explanation might have said, “I had more important things to do than water your plants. As my time is precious and my work keeps me busy, in the end I could only afford the time to water my own plants. I knew you’d understand though and I’m sure they will be alright now if you water them now that you are home.” This was so like the attitude of the Jews. Prayer 1

Lord, help me to do what I say I will do. Help me reflect your faithfulness and not make lame 2

excuses. Lord, have mercy upon my unfaithfulness and forgive me for the times when I have 3

wilfully placed my will before yours. Let me receive your grace sufficient for today, to 4

embrace the plans you will entrust to my life. Help me to serve your Kingdom purpose in this 5

generation. Amen. 1

Further reading: Phil 2:13; 2 John 1:6. Titus 3:3,5. Matt 6:14,15. 4

Luke 22:42. Acts 13:36.

Date 10 - One Priority Pass Passage: Read Romans 3:9-20 (NIV). Priority Verses 3:9,10 No One Is Righteous

9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one” Ponder There are a number of credit cards on the market that offer frequent flyers the perks of airport lounges. If you have such a card, it is the key to gaining privileged access to a wonderful world of stress busting delights. Instead of slumming it during delays or layovers, these venues give a range of privileged services. These include complimentary snacks and drinks, clean bathrooms and showers, comfortable seating, lots of electrical spots for recharging, speedy Wi-Fi, and relatively quiet spaces to chill or work. Having once worked for a blue-chip multinational company, my Amex business card was the key giving me free access to these elite VIP settings. When I recently had a layover in a US airport, for a full day, I realized how I missed the benefits provided by my old Amex card. Don’t’ feel too sorry for me though, it wasn’t half as bad as what Tom Hanks experienced (in the movie The Terminal) while stuck in the JFK airport! My problem was a first world one. The airline did eventually accommodate me in a cozy airport hotel during my extra layover. The apostle Paul has been facing objections to Christianity from his fellow Jews. He knew the privileges and advantages that a Jew once had. In many ways it was as if they held a privileged pass to the things of God. They saw themselves as an elite club. Paul however was challenging and correcting their arguments, clearly spelling out that they never actually held any such priority pass. In this section he uses fourteen sweeping indictments, taken from the Old Testament scriptures, to explain how God had already viewed everyone’s condition as under sin, whether Jew of non-Jew (Gentile). He challenges their line of reasoning through use of their divinely inspired scriptures. He is uncompromising. He says that there are no exceptions; there is no elite club, no special privilege passes and no special admission. God had rewritten all the terms and conditions for salvation in Christ. As the privileged keepers of Gods revelation, the Jews had actually missed the very Messiah who’d been prophesied within these very scriptures. They were in fact the ones who then ended up killing their 1

Messiah ! God had originally entrusted the Jews with the scriptures to serve and reach the nations of the world, not hold it as their badge of superiority.

Like the Jews, there are still some today whose faith is restricted to their particular elite brand of church or denomination. They assume that they have the right to be God’s spiritual security checkpoint, determining who can be in God’s kingdom and who cannot. God’s way has never 3

been exclusive but has always been inclusive and welcoming to everyone. Christianity is not an elite club. Just because my grandparents and parents loved Jesus, does not mean that I can avoid God’s judgment on sinners solely based on their godly heritage or goodness.

Therefore, we cannot come to God by clinging to the coat tails of others. We are all in the same boat - under sin. The only way to be right before a holy God is by personal faith in Christ. In the words of David du Plessis “God has no grandchildren”! Prayer Lord, thank you that you have made only one priority pass. Thank you everyone can enjoy the privileges of your Kingdom because of our Messiah-King Jesus. Lord, we confess that we 4

have no personal goodness or special heritage to gain your new creation life. We recognise 5

that we are all in the same boat, as sinners saved by your grace. Help us to be those that 6

cast out your lifebelt of love, faith and hope in Christ to everyone. Thank you that your gospel is inclusive and welcomes everyone. 1

Further reading: Acts 13:27. Exod 19:5,6; Gen 22:18; Isa 63:18,19; 3

Hab 2:14. Psa 86:9; Matt 28:19; 24:14. Gal 6:15. Eph 2:8. Gal 5:6; 1 Cor 13:13.

Date 11 - The Red-Whitener Passage Romans 3:21-26

Priority Verses 3:22-25 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. Ponder Did you ever have a white shirt that was going a little grey or yellow? Sometimes it can just be a discoloration often caused by the dye from the other fabrics in the wash. Who hasn’t seen the effects when blue jeans are put in together a white shirt or white smalls? Well, there is a remedy to restore such discoloring mishaps and have the fabric looking as good as new again. ‘Reckitt's Blue’ is a tried and trusted, somewhat old-fashioned product that predates laundry liquid blue. It is used in a wash as a whitener, to help delay the yellowing effects you can get when fabric gets older. This is known as a ‘blue-whitener.’ A blue-whitener is a product that helps reinstate and restore clothes to that whiter than white effect. In the preceding chapters, Paul has been explaining how the judgment of God is upon all men. Paul is now starting to announce the remedy by which man can be made right with God. Although we have used the illustration of a blue-whitener to introduce us to the concept, Paul is unmistakably talking of a red-whitener! Isaiah had prophesied of this red-whitener when he wrote, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are as 1

red as crimson, they shall be like wool. John the revelator uses similar imagery when he 2

says, they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Peter put it this way, you were redeemed...with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish 3

and defect. When we reread today’s passage, we can clearly see that Paul is using word picture comparisons that the Jews would certainly have understood. The Old Testament was full of blood-red sacrifice terminology. The way of the blood was God’s way that dated back to creation itself. In the Garden of Eden God created coats of skin for Adam and Eve. Some would therefore argue that God was the very first priest. To make these clothes there would surely have had to be blood shed. The second main bible story is that of their sons Cain and Abel. God acknowledged Abel’s blood sacrifice as a better sacrifice than Cain’s fruit offering.

It’s important from today’s reading to grasp that faith has an object. It is not blind-faith but faith, reliant and trusting in the person and work of Christ, specifically in the shedding of His blood. This is the red-whitener that frees us from our sins and without which there is no 5

forgiveness of sin. When we accept this by faith, God accepts us as whiter than white. What a wonderfully freeing thought in knowing that God is the one who justifies those who have 6

faith in Jesus. Being justified has the thought of our sins being completely wiped out; “Justas-if-we-have-never-sinned”!

Prayer Lord, thank you for your great love in shedding your blood to eradicate my sins. Thank you for your precious sinless blood poured out to redeem me. Thank you for your precious redwhitener, that makes my sinful life as white as snow. Thank you that if I confess my sins, you are faithful and just and will forgive me of my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness.

Thank you God, that you have reconciled all things to yourself...by making peace through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross.

Further reading: Isa 1:18. Rev 7:14. 1 Pet 1:18,19. Heb 11:4. Rev 6

1:5; Heb 9:22. Rom 3:26. 1 John 1:9. Col 1:20.

Date 12 - It’ll not be all right on the night

Passage: Read Romans 3:27-31 (NIV). Priority Verse 3:28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Ponder There are few actors, actresses or news anchors that would draw our attention to their outtake bloopers. In a programme made up of outtake mistakes, those in the lens of the cameras seeking fame are rarely the ones to draw our attention to their personal hall of shame. However, the ITV show ‘It’ll be alright on the night’, formerly compèred by pioneerpresenter Denis Norden and more recently Griff Rhys Jones, has continued to find a successful format. It is based solely on outtake clips from things like sitcoms, news reports and foreign broadcasts. The programme was such a success that the BBC developed their counterpart ‘blooper show’ entitled ‘Aunties Bloomers’; rehashing outtake bloopers gathered from the BBC archives. ‘It’ll be All right on the night’ was also the inspiration for the spin-off show ‘Denis Norden's Laughter File.’ Although taking a similar format, it had memorable blooper clips focused on pranks and practical jokes. It is quite obvious that none of these performers intentionally set out to make a hash of their on screen appearance. They could never have deliberately set out to create the blunders. Nonetheless, the nature of this format has turned these shambolic ‘oops’ moments into a massive TV success story. With this in mind, we now see the Apostle Paul systematically dismantling the arguments posed by the Jews. If they had have lived in the days of our TV cameras, they would certainly have been the subjects for many outtake bloopers. Their historical records demonstrate how they continually and mistakenly lapsed into various levels of idolatry and immorality. The outtake clips would surely have shown how they had tried and failed God, again and again. However, this was all to change with the first coming of Jesus. The days of them acting on God’s behalf, and blowing it, was to be replaced with a new and distinctly different script. In essence, Paul in this passage is saying to the Jews; ‘It’ll not be all right on the night’ any longer. They had created so many memorable ‘bloomers’ and ‘bloopers’ that the time of their contract with the divine had come to an end. The new contract had been a long time in the making, with Jesus as the new executive producer and leading actor. Paul here reminds the Jews that God had taken them out of their mess of self-performance, with a divine plan to replace their bloopers. He was to rescue His people with the greatest box-office story of all time – Jesus, the Messiah and His Kingdom. The new script under Jesus had caused their rule-driven performances to be sent to the heavenly ‘Room 101’ bin. In spite of their bloopers the good news of the gospel was that they were still included within the new regime. God was the God of outsider non-Jews as well as 1

insider Jews. Both parties had to realize, as we must do today, that God does not respond to

what we do; we respond to what God does. Everyone of us can only be justified before God 3

by faith in Jesus. His terms – His script! Prayer Thank you Lord that you have rewritten the script for life and I no longer feel that I need come 2

to you with any sense of self-performance. Thank you that you take me as we am, even with all my life bloopers. Thank you that you have wiped them from your memory and they will not be aired to 4

embarrass or shame me. Thank you that there is nothing I can do to make you love me any 5

more than you already do today. Thank you for that the enabling power of your Holy Spirit is 6

now with me today to help me live life by faith in Christ Jesus. Help me to live by faith 7

everyday. Thank you that my salvation is secure in you Jesus and that I have peace, ‘not in ’8

trying but in trusting. Amen. 1

Further reading: Rom 3:29(MSG). Rom 3:27(MSG). Rom 3:22,26. 4

Mic 7:19. Rom 5:8. Rom 3:27. 2 Cor 5:7. Prov 3:5-6.

Date 13 - Abe’s Grace Credits

Passage: Read Romans 4:1-6 Abraham Justified by Faith (NIV) Priority Verses 4:3,5 Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness ... to the one who does not work, but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. Ponder Have you ever had an unexpected cheque arrive in the post? Well, I’ve be fortunate enough to have a few appear over the past couple of years. No, they were not from a long lost relative; nevertheless, the unforeseen tax refunds were certainly very welcome. These were just tax adjustments on money that I had earned. As my tax coding had been set too high, the tax office calculated or reckoned that I was owed back the tax that I had overpaid. If you have ever watched the BBC daytime programme ‘Heir Hunters’, you will understand something of what it means to receive an unexpected windfall from a deceased relatives estate. Although these bonanza payouts aren’t earned, they are monetary sums that are rarely refused! The statisticians report, there are around 300,000 people who die in the UK each year without leaving a valid will. This means there are still many potential beneficiaries out there, entitled to claim on these estates worth thousands of pounds. The reasons that these ‘Heir Hunters’ are keen to find to the potential claimants, is because they are working to time limits, within which the legal documents must be completed. If a deceased person’s estate goes unclaimed, after a period of 30 years the British treasury is lawfully allowed to collect the money. That is when these heir searchers or probate detectives, commonly known as heir hunters, fulfill a very valuable role, in tracking down unsuspecting living descendant relatives. An interesting fact in the development of this programme is that the E’s in the two words that make up the title ‘HEIR HUNTERS,’ has been replaced by a pound symbol, with it now reading H£IR HUNT£RS! Can you imagine an ‘Heir Hunter’ calling at your door with the great news that they have proven you to be the next of kin? I wonder what your reaction would be if they then announced to you, “this unclaimed windfall FORTUN£ is your MON£Y”? Your eyes might see pound signs too! This ‘Heir Hunters’ illustration is a great comparison for what the first six verses of our passage are about. It confirms the way and timing of how God’s grace first came to the life of Abraham. Abraham, or ‘Abe’ (as I’d like to refer to him for brevity), is the founding father of the Jewish

religion. The Jewish nation is the one that follows in His footsteps. However, Paul notes that Abe was an ungodly man prior to receiving this unforeseen fortune of righteousness from God. He was a long time pagan prior to him becoming a patriarch. As the priority verses cite; Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. This righteousness and promised inheritance was about nothing Abe had worked for. These were undeserved gifts 2

that God had freely lavished upon him. These benefits were in no way deserved, like my hard earned tax refunds. Therefore, Paul’s analytical research of the scriptures, is pointing out to everyone, particularly to the Jews, that Abe was justified in God’s eyes apart from works. Or to put it another way, Abe received God’s righteousness and promises hundreds of years before Jewish laws even existed.

God sees Abe’s faith as the primary trait, which enables God to move towards making the impossible possible. Abe being set right with God was totally unwarranted, undeserved, unmerited and unearned –yes, it was counted as grace.

If you read the passage in full, you will notice this same word ‘credited’ being repeated 11 4

times. In other bible versions this exact Greek word is translated as variations of accounted, 5

reckoned, counted and imputed. It carries with it the thought of ‘to pass to ones account’. It is an accountancy term, such as used when you reconcile your bank account. Before we know our remaining balance we must reconcile two columns, the one being the credit column for income and the other, the debit column, for expenditure. There is nothing worse than having more going out than coming in. This results in our account balance getting into bad shape. I think we will all agree that we all feel happier with the health of our finances when we have more in the credit column than the debit column. Paul, as the divine Heir Hunter, is therefore underscoring that Christianity was a sheer gift 6

that God had given. The countersignature of our faith on the divine cheque was enabling God’s grace to “pass over to our account” – simply by putting our trust in him. Our faith is 7

God’s way of setting us right with Himself. Abe’s believing was reckoned or credited to him 8

as righteousness. In Abe’s spiritual credit column, he has believed God noted on his account. The account balance of Abe’s life, as is ours, is always in good shape when His grace credits more than exceed our sin debits. More will be unpacked about this truth in the next few devotionals. Prayer Lord, in the words of the song, “Give me the strength of Abraham to believe in you.” Let me have an unwavering trust in you. My puny efforts mean nothing in light of your gift of

righteousness being credited to my account. Thank you for offsetting my sin debits with your grace credits. Help me to never become smug and self-righteous though the good things I do. Let my boasting always be of you and in your grace-gifts. Amen. Further Reading:

Rom 4:12.

Rom 4:4,16.

Gen 15:5,6.

Rom

4:3,4,5,6,8,9,10,11,22,23,24. Rom 4 (KJV). Rom 4:5 (MSG). Rom 8

4:3,5 (MSG). Rom 4:3,5 (NIV/KJV).

Date 14 - Dave’s Eradicated Debits

Passage Romans 4:6-9 Priority Verse 4:7,8 Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven whose sins are covered.8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them. Ponder I was struck with the famous art deco statue, as the TV cameras panned it as the backdrop to the Rio Olympics. ‘Christ the Redeemer’ is a 38 metre high Christian monument erected on the top of the Corcovado Mountain which overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a symbol of peace, which took nine years to construct. When growing up our family sang from a pillar-box red coloured hymnal known as the ‘Redemption Hymnal’. It included songs focused on the actual person and work of ‘Christ the Redeemer’ and His Risen power today. Its rich lyrics helped me express my faith in praise and worship in a way that reaffirmed God’s truths to my heart and life through the medium of music and song. I sang from this hymnal yet didn’t really understand the name ‘Redemption’ in its title. Often when we read words like “redeemer” and “redemption” we have no mental picture on which to hang them. On researching the meaning of bible words, I discovered that ‘redemption’ was a word used in the context of a slave marketplace. It was the silver money or price paid in exchange for the life of a slave. Metals like silver, in scripture, have a meaning.

When Joseph was sold to the Midianites he was sold for 20 pieces of silver. Judas sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. This was the exact redemption money prophesied by Zechariah 3

hundreds of year’s before. Silver is often referred to as the symbol of redemption money. Jesus did not need to be redeemed, but He came to pay the price for our redemption. He shed his blood to buy us out of the slave market of sin, Satan and sickness, by purchasing us as His very own. We have become His treasured possession, His people are now the dwelling places of the Holy Spirit.

In continuing our accountancy theme from yesterday when we dealt with ‘Abe’s grace credits’, today I would like to look at the mercy God extends to wipeout our debit column. King David is the one who Paul uses as his Old Testament example. He is here again highlighting that self-effort or good works cannot eradicate the debts (or wipeout the outgoings) from this column. He quotes from Psalm 32:1,2. The reason for this Psalm stems from King David’s sin with Bathsheba, and the mercy of God that was extended to him. Paul here demonstrates the power and blessing of God’s forgiveness in Dave’s eradicated debits. God completely wipes

away his guilt to give him a clean conscience before a holy God. Forgiveness has the thought of ‘someone else bears the burden’. The Jews understood this from their sacrificial system. When the High priest would select a goat, he would then lay his hand on its head. This was while he confessed the sins of the people thereby putting their sins on the goat. This ‘scapegoat’ who bore the burden was then sent into the wilderness, a reminder of how God carries our sins away. Our scapegoat has taken away the sins of the world. What a marvelous thought. We are forgiven, covered; never to have them counted against us, rather imputed onto Jesus – Christ the Redeemer.

The old reformers understood both “grace credits” and “debits being eradicated” when they talked of “double imputation.” It may be an old-fashioned term but aptly expresses the dual blessing. On the one hand Christ’s righteousness is credited to us through faith. On the other, our sin’s debits are wiped out by being imputed or counted to Christ our scapegoat burdenbearer. Prayer Lord, give me a fresh appreciation of your forgiveness today and the great price you have paid. Thank you for becoming my substitutionary scapegoat. Thank you that you are Christ my Redeemer, not just a statue in Rio. Cleanse me of all my sins of thought and deed, and may I live today conscious of your mercy and love. I am so fortunate – my crimes are carted off, my sins are wiped clean from the slate and Lord I’m so extremely thankful that you don’t 6

keep score. Thank you for taking my shortcomings and failures and placing them in the sea of your forgetfulness. Lord, thank you that you never take into account nor charge my sins 7

against me. Amen. 1

Further reading: Lev 27:3-7. Gen 37:28. Zech 11:12,13; Matt 26:15. 4

1 Cor 6:20. Heb 9:11-14; Lev 16:20-22; Isa 53:6,12. Rom 4:7,8 7

MSG. Rom 4:8 AMP.

Date 15 - Relationship precedes Ritual

Passage: Read Romans 4:10-15 (NIV). Priority Verses 4:10,12 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! ...12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. The success of my sister’s shop, like most card and gift shops, is dependent on a footfall of regular customers. Many return because of the friendly, warm and personable staff, while others return because of the diverse and novel product range within this Aladdin’s-cave of potential presents. Apart from these reasons, many return simply to mark special occasions in the annual calendar. There are however certain cards and gifts that are specifically designed to commemorate an occasion that has recently happened. These include passing a driving test, moving home, death of a relative, birth of a newborn or a graduation. They are custommade with suitable sentiments to convey a suitable tribute to relate to the occasion that has past. The card or gift is not the event; it symbolically acknowledges or observes the special occasion that has gone before. Check out the priority verses above. Paul the apostle is highlighting a similar ‘before and after’ sequence of events. The first time circumcision was carried out, is recorded in Genesis 17. However the apostle is drawing our attention to the fact that this is to commemorate Abe’s faith in God’s covenant-promise, a story found two chapters before in Genesis 15. His faith 1

being credited to him as righteousness was not after, but before. The surgical ritual of circumcision was performed afterwards, as a continual reminder of Abe’s faith-relationship encounter with the living God. The relationship preceded the ritual. This ritual act was God’s 2

idea, to mark the day he promised to give Abe a huge family. The ritual was not the event. Can you imagine what this 75 year-old man was feeling? Firstly, he has a vision from God about how God is promising to significantly going to materially bless him. He then bemoans the fact that as he is childless. After that he voices disappointment that this blessing will all 3

have been in vain, as his house servant Eliezer is to inherit the lot. God at that moment promises Abe that he will have many children, foretelling him that nations would be born from his loins. Abe believes God to be true to fulfill His every word. Up until that time he had thought himself to either be impotent or his wife Sarah to be infertile.

As they say, the rest is history. Twenty-five years after the promise was given, Sarah 5

conceives and gives birth to Isaac. His son Jacob, later known as Israel, then has twelve sons. Anyone who has seen the musical ‘Josephs Technicolor Dreamcoat’ will understand the fulfillment of this seemingly impossible promise. On the face of it, at 100 years old and childless isn’t the best or natural time to be thinking of having lots of “wee ‘uns”, as they say in

Ballymena! The many children that were to be born from his great grandsons ‘Jacob & Sons,’

proved Gods word to be true, establishing Abe ‘the father of faith’. Abe was a pagan who had become a patriarch. Those willing to live in the risky faith-embrace 7

of God’s action for them have always been people of who believed in Gods promises. Its no 8

different today. That is why those that have faith in Jesus are spiritual sons of Abraham – 9

that’s why we are referred to as ‘believers’ – we believe in Jesus! As the song goes, “many sons had father Abraham, and I am one of them and so are you, so let’s just praise the Lord.” Prayer Lord, help me to hold onto your promises today even when things would appear seemingly impossible. Lord I know that with you all things are possible if I only believe. Help me to walk in the footsteps of the faith of father Abe.

Help me to come out of the dark room of unbelief

were I’ve been developing too many negatives.

Help me, by your Spirit, to address every life

event positively by faith, believing in you to work all things together for good because I love you.

Amen. 1

Further reading: Rom 4:22,10,12. Gen 15:5,6. Gen 15:1-4. Gen 5

18:12,14. Gen 22:1-7. Gen 35:11,12. Rom 4:12 (MSG). Rom 4:16. 9

Matt 21:22; John 6:35; Mark 5:36.

Rom 4:12.

Rom 4:20.

Rom

8:28.

Date 16 - A Trailblazer of Faith and Grace

Passage: Read Romans 4:16-25 (NIV). Priority Verses 4:23-25 23 The words “it was credited to him (Abraham)” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness— for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Ponder There is a statue outside the front of Pacific Coliseum in Victoria, British Columbia. It is a memorial of two trailblazer athletes. This is a reminder to everyone who passes by that this was the place were a sub four-minute mile was recorded for the first time. To make it even more remarkable this was achieved by two men in this one race. The race, known as “The Miracle Mile” was run during the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. It was here England’s Roger Bannister swept past Australian John Landy to win. Since then there have been many who have broken their sub-four minute times. The current mile world record breaker is Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj, having posted the amazingly fastest ever time of 3 minutes 43.13 seconds! Nonetheless, Bannister and Landy were the trailblazers. They were the forerunners, the first to achieve a sub four-minute mile barrier. Today’s priority verses express how Abraham had been such a 'faith and grace' trailblazer. He lived hundreds of years before Moses introduced Gods people to the conditions of law and works. Abe is mentioned to remind Jews & Gentiles (non Jews) alike, that Gods promises are received by faith. If we are to experience the lavish reservoir of Gods grace we need to know how to release the blessings of these promises. Maybe think of it this way. Grace is the water in the heavenly water tank filled with God’s blessings and faith is the tap to be turned, to release it to flow into our lives. Dwell for a moment on the priority verses: The words “it was credited to him” were written not for Abraham alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. A good related verse, to commit to memory, is found in Ephesians 2 verse 8, For it is by grace you have been saved through faith –and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Releasing and receiving Gods promises for our lives is clearly detailed throughout Romans.

Receiving God’s saving grace is the starting point. Confession and faith is key. If we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts (faith) that God has 1

raised him from the dead we shall be saved. Prayer

Thank you Lord for your every promise. By faith in you and your promises bring true, I claim salvation, healing and deliverance today in Jesus name.

Help me Lord to be your 3

ambassador today, intent on being another trailblazer of faith and grace. Help me become like Abe, to have many spiritual sons and daughters in my own lifetime. As I meditate on your word help me reach out to someone in my circle of influence, in order to share my personal 4

story of faith and grace. In the words of Nike – work in me Lord that I can ‘just do it’! 1

Further reading: Rom 10:9,10. John14:13-14;15:7; Acts 4:12. 3

2 Cor 5:20. Acts 1:8. Phil 2:13.

Date 17 - The FBI of Faith

Passage Romans 5:1-5 Peace and Hope Priority Verses 5:1-5 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And let us boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but let us also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Ponder Listing ‘Features, Benefits and Incentives’ is a well-known rule used by sales consultants. The initials of the famous USA police force ‘Federal Bureau of Investigation’ help us easily remember the FBI mnemonic. Whilst recently browsing for a new TV at a national electrical goods store in Belfast I was at the receiving end of a ‘FBI’ sale. The features were mentioned – the larger screen, the wideranging product specification, which included the now standard smart connection to the World Wide Web. Jack, the salesman, had a fantastic understanding of the features, but the dealbreaker was when he looked at the benefits. The higher pixel resolution gave a sharper picture; it had such a great sound quality that it really didn’t even require an added sound bar. The benefits made my old TV looked positively out of date. As if I needed convincing, Jack then brought out the big guns – the incentives. Yes, almost two hundred pounds worth of extra products to encourage me to buy. These included several inducements including a free delivery plus waiving the cost of a home installation. This would save me carting the heavy large box home and become frustrated reading through a complex instruction manual. To clinch the deal he threw in two free Gold 3M HDMI cables, another 1M HDMI to HDMI cable plus a USB stick, to optimize 4K UHD TV’s. Jack had extracted every drop of extra value out of the Features, Benefits and Incentives. His FBI’s had persuaded me, as another eager shopper, that this was the best value and quality for my limited budget. Jack certainly understood retail therapy. His expertise in FBI sales techniques had undoubtedly understood the right buttons to press, to help me arrive at a purchase decision. Paul has just written four chapters to establish faith as the way we are to access God and His 1

promises. Now in chapter 5, he starts to unpack what I describe as ‘the FBI of faith’. He establishes at least eight resulting outcomes of believing in Jesus. I like to describe these as the ‘features, benefits and incentives of faith’ – the results of being justified by faith (v1). The apostle says through our Lord Jesus Christ we: 1.

...Are declared righteous or set right with God (v1)

...Experience the peace of reconciliation with God (v1)

...Gain access to the grace – the favour of God (v2)

...Gain access to the glory –the presence of God (v2)

...Hold a hope of the future glory and eternal salvation (v2,4)

...Gain a joyful perspective while experiencing our current troubles (v3,4)

...Become containers for the love of God (v5)

...Become Kingdom-carriers, by our lives being filled by the Holy Spirit (v5)

Prayer Review the 8 areas listed above. Ask the Lord to refresh their meaning in your own life. After meditating on these verses then take time to pray. Invite the Holy Spirit to come to you with 2

more of His peace, His joy and His love. Finish off today’s devotion with your own prayer of thanksgiving based on these 5 verses. 1

Further reading: (Faith 20x) Rom 1:5,8,12,17; 3:21,22,27,28,30,31; 4:1,5,9,11,12,13,14,16,19,20

(Believe

7x)

Rom

1:16;

3:22;

4:3,11,17,18,24. Rom 5:1(Peace); 5:3(Joy); 5:5 (Love)

Date 18 - A life on the line

Passage Romans 5:6-11 Priority Verses 5:6,8 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ... 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Ponder In their desperate efforts to get to Britain, migrants are literally putting their lives on the line – the train line! There is a recent story of one man sitting on the train tracks at Calais to halt the Channel Tunnel train so dozens of his friends can then swarm on board. This latest desperate tactic is then forcing the drivers to slam on the brakes of the 2,000-ton cargo trains, allowing dozens of other migrants to smuggle themselves on board. John’s gospel tells us Greater 1

love has no man than this than a man lays down his life for a friend. Today’s passage sees the great apostle expressing how Jesus has put his life on the line for us. The refugees at Calais are so helpless and their tactics to date unproductive, that they are prepared to stoop to these desperate measures to help provide a way for their friends to get to Britain. We too are powerless. We are unable to do anything to get ourselves ready for eternity. However the good news is, that God has intervened with a extraordinary 2

demonstration of His love to save us from His own wrath. Through Christ’s sacrificial death 3

and shed blood we are both reconciled to God and justified before God. Prior to faith in 4

Christ we are described as the ungodly...still sinners...God’s enemies. Now we have been put on friendly terms with God through Jesus putting his life on the line for us. Our lives will expand and deepen by means of His resurrection life! Now we have actually we have received this amazing friendship with God.

We have a lot to sing about – praising God for sending Jesus to lay his life on the line for us.

Prayer Thank you God for demonstrating your great love for me in sending your beloved son Jesus. Thank you Lord Jesus for becoming my sacrificial substitute, in order that I could be set right 7

and reconciled to God. Thank you putting me on friendly terms before a holy God. Thank you that I am no longer your enemy but you now call me your friend. 1

Further reading: John 15:13. Rom 5:6,8,9. Rom 5:9-11. Rom 5:6,8,10. Rom 5:10,11 6

(MSG). Rom 5:11,6,8,10. 2 Cor 5:21. John 15:15; James 2:23.

Date 19 - Who got us in, and who got us out?

Passage Read Romans 5:12-17 Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ (NIV) Priority Verse 5:17 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Ponder Laurel and Hardy are a famous duo well known for slapstick comedy. They are an acquired taste and renowned for their often-repeated catchphrase, “well, that’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into.” Comedians Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel are often credited with the phrase “well, that’s another fine mess you’ve gotten me into.” However, trivia experts know that ‘Another Fine Mess’ is the title of a film they made in 1930, while ‘another nice mess’ was the phrase they actually used. Ok, less of the fighting over whether the words used were ‘nice’ and ‘fine’ – the real point is Laurel was always getting Hardy into another mess. He was forever dropping him into messy situations! The same could be said of the sinful state of mankind – it was a mess! In fact Eugene Peterson puts it in these terms. There was one person who got us into this mess and another 1

who got us out. The scriptures here are pointing an accusing finger at Adam, and saying, “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!“ You know the story of how Adam 2

landed us in the dilemma we’re in...by disobeying a specific command of God. Adam, who got us into this, also points ahead to the One who will get us out of it. ... If one man’s sin put crowds of people at the dead-end abyss of separation from God, just think what God’s gift poured through one man, Jesus Christ, will do! Paul demonstrates how Adam, by disobeying a specific command of God experienced separation from God. Death got the upper hand through one man’s wrongdoing...but Jesus’ provides a wildly extravagant life-gift that gets us out of sin and death!

Do you think the late Steve Jobs understood something of our fallen humanity when he allowed the apple in the “Apple” logo to be designed with a bite taken out?

Prayer Lord, thank you for getting mankind out of its sin-sick mess! Thank you for your wonderful provision of grace – the way of your unearned favour. Thank you for setting us right by giving 3

us the gift of your righteousness. Help me today, to appreciate how you always intended Jesus to come to earth to rescue us from the mess. Sin and death have been defeated and I

now live my life clothed in your grace and righteousness. Adam’s disobedience may have got us into the mess, but thank you Jesus that your obedience has pulled us out. Amen. 1

Further reading: Rom 5:14(MSG). Rom 5:13,16 (MSG). Rom 5:17 4

(MSG). Gen 2:17; 3:6. Jam 4:6; Isa 61:10.

Date 20 - Delegated Power

Passage: Read Romans 5:18-21(NIV) Priority verses 5:20,21 20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ponder There is a fictional story told of a sleepy village, which was being harassed by the sound of juggernauts thundering through the main street. The drivers were breaking the 30mph speed limit. The police in the nearby town were overstretched and nothing was being done to deal with the situation. Everyone in the close-knit community realised that the police were not responding to the resident’s pleas for something to be done. So the aggravation and annoyance continued. However a retired resident and former traffic cop had a cunning plan. He realised that although he was now quite old, as a former traffic cop, he still had his old uniform and peaked cap in his cupboard gathering dust. He knew he hadn’t the strength to physically confront a burley juggernaut driver, but he did however know the power of wearing a police uniform - it represented delegated power. So he doned the old uniform and went down to the village high street. He then stepped out into the middle of the road and put his left arm up at right angles. Facing the oncoming vehicle, he held his white glove aloft hoping it would stop. The speeding juggernaut screeched to a standstill! He had used what is called ‘the power of attorney.’ He had used the delegated power represented in the authority of the uniform he wore. In our passage today we see sin is like the juggernaut driver and the old traffic cop’s uniform like Jesus’ grace and righteousness. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down.

Although the story is imaginary, it serves us well to understand the delegated power we have received, as we put on the uniform of Jesus’ grace and righteousness. Let’s take back what the enemy has robbed us of for too long. Let’s believe it. Although we don’t have the strength within ourselves, we have been given the delegated power. It is this 2

power that is at our disposal today through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer

Lord, let your Kingdom come today. Help me understanding my spiritual power of attorney.

As the old cop represented the police by putting on his traffic cop uniform, I put on the delegated power of Jesus’ name, grace and righteousness. I pray for those who need your salvation, in Jesus’ name.

As I pray for the sick, I pray for the virtue of your healing to be released, in Jesus name.

I pray that people experiencing hardship and disturbing relationship situations, that these would be turned around, in Jesus name.

As I meditate and confess your name over my friends and loved ones, I pray that you would bring home the prodigals. Bring them into your loving arms. Help them receive you gift of eternal life, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 1

Further Reading: Rom 5:20(MSG). John14:13,14;16:23,24,26. Rom 4

5:21. Matt 6:10. Acts 2:38; Acts 4:12. Mark 16:17; James 5:14. Acts 16:8; Mark 9:38-39.

Date 21 – The Apostles WANTED Poster: WANTED Dead & Alive

Passage Romans 6:1-14, Priority Verse 6:11 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Ponder The old western WANTED posters, in search of bank robbers and the like, would have a mug shot of the criminal, usually with a reward, stating ‘Wanted, DEAD or ALIVE’. In a sense this is the Apostles WANTED poster. Paul proclaims that God wants us DEAD to sin, self and Satan and ALIVE to God’s Kingdom purposes and ways. A well worn phrase coined by Max Lucado rings out clearly as we read todays passage. It says, “God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. He WANTS you to be just like Jesus.” This is what the apostle is saying that symbolically happens when 1

we follow the Lord’s way in being baptized. Baptism (v3-4) is one of the hallmarks of authentic Christian discipleship. Verse four unpacks how that when we fulfill the act of baptism, we are symbolically identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus – firstly by going down (symbolic of death), secondly temporarily staying down (symbolic of burial) and then finally rising up out of the water (symbolic of resurrection). Paul is here again so intent on helping us to understand the importance of moving from justification to sanctification. Responsible parents would never abandon a newborn baby to live life by its own devices. Similarly, when we experience new life in Christ, we encounter the grace of our heavenly Father. The Message puts it, we enter into the new country of grace - a new life in a new 2

land…our new grace-sovereign country. The old life has gone a new life burgeons.

Imagine a branch starting to burgeon, bud and flourish. This is what happens as we develop 4

an ongoing, daily friendship with Jesus. Change is now inevitable, yet in a good way, as God enters our lives and we become like Him.

May you go with the new song of the redeemed in your heart today. You are the child of the 7

living God and He is a heavenly Father only wanting to give good gifts to you His child. This song lyric is one to ponder as you go on your way: ‘to be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, all I ask is to be like him, all through life’s journey, from earth to glory, all I ask is to be like him’

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you have my mug shot and a personal poster of me marked WANTED: DEAD & ALIVE. Help me Lord put to my old way of life to death and no longer be at sin’s 9

every beck and call. I wholeheartedly recommit to living for your way of doing things.

Help

me Lord by your Spirit to become more like Jesus. Help me to make at least one Christlike response today. Help me flourish and grow to become more and more like you. Amen. 1

Further reading: Matt 28:19,20; Rom 6:4-6; 2 Cor 5:17(MSG); 4

John 15:1-5; 1 John 1:1,3,7; 2 Cor 3:18 (MSG); Rev 14:3;

Matt 7:11; Lyrics by Henry Slaughter; Rom 6:6,7(MSG);

Rom 6:12-

14(MSG).

Date 22 – A Slave to the Master – an unusual option

Passage Read Romans 6:15-23 (NIV). Priority Verse 6:22 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness and the result is eternal life Ponder

Most of us oppose the concept of slavery. Even though the injustice of slavery goes unchallenged in many countries, it has been deemed illegal since 1981. The very word slave or slavery sticks in our throat, as it speaks of one person being owned by another against 1

their will. Yet, here the Apostle Paul deems it absolutely fitting that human beings should choose to be slaves of the Lord Jesus. This choice to be a slave is more than duty though. The following picture of an Old Testament bond-slave unpacks the attitudes of willingness and longing in order to serve from a heart full from devotion and gratitude. In Old Testament days, poverty-stricken Jews would occasionally be forced to sell themselves into service to their fellow Jews. The Law required that all servants were to be treated with justice and that they were to be freed at the end of six years. But in Exodus 21:26, we find an unusual option for a person who was due to be released from servitude. Rather than be released, the slave might have developed such a strong, positive relationship with his master for the way he had been treated. And so, even though he was under no obligation to stay as a slave, he might want to stay. He would then make a voluntary decision to become his masterʼs bond slave. In this case, a slave would not be signing up for another six-year-stint. He would be making a lifetime commitment. He would be surrendering himself and giving up all his rights— permanently—to his master. The nature of the slaves new relationship to his master would be no secret. The transaction was to be made in a public ceremony where a sharp instrument would be used to pierce a hole in the servantʼs ear, signifying obedience to the voice of his master. This hole was made in his ear with a metal awl. He had become a willing love-slave. The awl was a small tool with a long, sharp point for making holes, usually in leather or wood. This piercing of the ear with an awl was an outward sign of voluntary slavery. It is mentioned twice in the bible as a sign that the 2

slave had become a slave for life. Check out the associated scriptures for yourself. This illusion to the “opening of the ear” takes on a new meaning in the New Testament in Jesus’ supreme act of 3

surrender to serve.

Paul is therefore advocating that Christians who want to enjoy true freedom, become obedient slaves (v16), slaves to obedience (v16), slaves to righteousness (v18,19) and slaves of God (v22). So, although it seems to be a paradox, slavery to God is here viewed as true freedom. Let’s rehearse some of the passage highlights. Living any old way we want…you know there are some acts of so called freedom that destroy freedom. In the past the more that you did just what you felt like doing- the worse you life became.

A well-known saying is “that freedom without restraint is anarchy.” I’m sure, like myself that you enjoy the warmth of a fire in a hearth and a river fast-flowing within it’s banks – the hearth and bank boundaries are important otherwise we would be experiencing the freedom of wildfire and floods. Listen to your new master, whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom. Let us offer ourselves as a love-slave to the 5

ways of God and the freedom never quits. Prayer

Lord, I commit willingly to your irreversible, exclusive ownership over my life. Thank you for your great love and the great price you paid for my soul. Be my Lord and Master today and always. Amen. As you go on your way today enjoy the lyrics of a chorus by Dottie Rambo ringing in your heart and mind: “I’m a prisoner of love, a slave to the master, I willingly toil, through the heat and the cold, I seek no reward in this world below, but payday will come, when the pearly gates unfold.” Further reading:

https://www.walkfree.org/modern-slavery-facts/; 3

Exod 21:6/Deut 15:17. Psalm 40:6 fulfilled in Hebrews 10:5. Rom 5

6:15,19 (MSG). Rom 6:16-18(MSG).

Date 23 – Under New Management. Passage Read Romans 7:1-6 (NIV).

Priority Verse 7:6 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released* from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code Ponder Many of our former retail stores have gone bust, changing our high streets forever. In recent years renowned stores like Woolworths and British Home Stores have all gone out of business. Recently, another such retailer to go out of business in the UK was Staples, the stationery retailer. It is now under completely new management, trading today as Hilko. Paul is saying, like these decommissioned businesses, the old way of the written code, 1

established since Moses, is “to be put out of business.” He is informing Jewish believers that the old way of obeying the Law has been decommissioned. The new way of the Spirit has replaced the old way of the law. It is completely different. It is not just a life modified to a new list of written codes to obey. The Christian life is now a life transformed from the inside out. The Spirit of Jesus lives within us! Paul doesn’t pull any punches. He is saying to Jewish believers that that the governance of the Law has ended forever. It has gone bust, it’s a dinosaur, it hasn’t ‘done what it said on the tin’, and it’s now defunct. We are now under the new management of the Spirit. Prayer Today Lord, I pray that your Spirit will empower me for service. Let goodness and mercy be 2

the ‘heavenly sheepdogs’ that will lead and guide my life in the way of Jesus, my Shepherd. Amen. 1

Further Reading: Rom 4:14,6:6,7:2,6. Psalm 23. Paul in verse 2 and 6 uses the word Katargeo. * It has two primary meanings. The first is to render idle or inoperative. The second is to cause to cease, to annul, to do away with, to abolish.

Date 24 – The Inner Tug of War Passage 7:7-25 – 8:17

Priority Verses 7:17, 20 / 8:9-11 17 It is no longer I myself who do it (sin), but it is sin living in me…20 Now I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is the sin living in me. 9 You however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you...10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

Ponder You will see that the reading is longer than normal today. It’s just that Chapter 7 needs to be read in conjunction with Chapter 8 for it to make sense. Chapter 7:17-25 looks at the struggle whereas Chapter 8:1-17 looks at the solution. Schools sports days are filled with games showing speed, stamina and strength. The test or struggle of strength game is known as a ‘tug of war’ – two opposing sides battling it out for victory. Two opposing teams hold a rope. Whichever team pulls the rope over the mid-point is deemed the stronger and the winner. Paul the Apostle is highlighting a spiritual tug of war, a continual struggle that goes on in our hearts and minds. Read the priority verses above that highlight how there are the two conflicting natures that live within us. 1

Paul identifies how our two natures are ever battling for control of our mind. One is the sinful nature, which he calls the law of sin and death. The other is the Spirit-led nature, which he 2

calls the law of the Spirit of life. One is pulling us in a selfish or self-centred direction, the other in a God-pleasing direction.

The apostle has just proclaimed how the law of Moses exposed the knowledge of sin but 4

gave no power over sin. He then goes on here to emphasize this tug of war within each of us He is clear that if we are to overcome the sinful nature we need the Spirit’s power. This is a battle we cannot win in our own strength. We need the Spirit’s help to control our mind and desires in a God-pleasing way.

Paul’s letters resound with this ever-present tug of war within us. He calls it putting off “the old man” and putting on “the new man”.

On the one side there is the contender of the sinful nature is referred to in scripture as, ‘the 7

old man’ or ‘my flesh.’ The opposing contender is “the Spirit.” As believers we are now “partakers of the divine nature,” “his Spirit, who lives in you”, “Christ is in you”.

In Chapter 13 he underscores this solution further when he says, Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Prayer Help me every day Lord to be a person who does not live according to my sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Lead me by your Spirit today to be an overcomer.

adopting me as your child and a co-heir with Christ. the desires of the sinful nature.