Verse of the Day 8/10

Through the Bible - Psalms 94-95, Romans 12

 

Through the Bible -

 

Good morning,

For today's verse we'll continue in the book of Romans, this time to chapter 10 where Paul gives a brief description of how we receive Christ as our Saviour, calling out to God and believing.

 

Rom 10:9-11  Say the welcoming word to God — "Jesus is my Master" — embracing, body and soul, God's work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead. That's it. You're not "doing" anything; you're simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That's salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: "God has set everything right between him and me!"    (from THE MESSAGE:)

But it seldom happens out of the blue or under the noonday sun as happened to Saul (Paul).  God most often uses other people as His chosen instruments.  For today's verse we'll skip down a few verses where Paul asks some searching, suggestive questions.

 

Romans 10:14  But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"   NLT

 

Paul refers back to Isaiah 52:7 speaking of the "good news", the picture is one of news being  brought back from the battlefield that victory has been achieved over the enemy.  "In the Hebrew, the words "upon the mountains" occur, which makes the passage more picturesque, though the sense is retained by Paul. The image in Isaiah is that of a herald seen at first leaping or running on a distant hill, when he first comes in sight, with tidings of joy from a field of battle, or from a distant land. Thus, the appearance of such a man to those who were in captivity, would be an image full of gladness and joy." - Barnes Notes

 

So just who is to be involved in bringing this good news?  Mark Mittelburg writes in "The Unexpected Adventure" that " a Christian by definition is a follower of Christ, the One who came to "seek and save what was lost" Luke 19:10, and then commissioned us to follow His example and "go make disciples" (Matt. 28:20).  We are redeemed in part in reaching others for Christ. Therefore, we'll never be compete in our experience with God until we allow Him to use us to spread His Message to others."

 

It can happen in any number of ways, many times in sharing what God has done in your life even in or possibly especially through trials.

 

Jean and I were  visiting our daughter Lauries church yesterday back in Illinois, Springbrook Church, and heard a powerful message about David and Goliath.  It's a familiar story about faith that goes against the odds.  It was followed by a testimony of a man that had gone against the odds in a battle with cancer and how God had lead and provided each step of the way.  God delivered him through this trial and he knows that he will face others.  But all of us as Christians can face what comes if we keep looking to the One who holds our future and look forward" to that blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ".  (Titus 2:13).

...1 Cor 1:8-9 "but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that."    (from THE MESSAGE)

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
 http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Rom 10:5-18

 

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them."  6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."  12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

 

Israel Rejects the Gospel

 

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

 

"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

 

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"  17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.     NKJV