Hi, if you have faithfully read your Bible this year and are on track to complete the Bible at the end of the month, can you please let me know. Also, please let me know if you have consistently read this daily blog for any or all of this year. You can comment to this post or just send me an email to me at pastorfrank@calvarychurch-wh.org.
Thanks for letting me know.
Frank Termine
Pastor - Calvary Church
West Hartford, CT, USA
Saturday, December 7, 2013
December 8 Romans 9-11 Macro View of Redemptive History
Chapters 1-8 provided a micro view of salvation - how an individual gets saved. Chapters 9-11 give us a macro view of redemptive history - from Abraham and the Jewish people to Christ and the predominance of Gentiles culminating sometime in the future with the Jews being grafted back into the olive tree of salvation.
vv. 10:1-4 are important for all of us to remember as we are confronted with religious pluralism. Religious pluralism wants us to affirm, as equally valid, all religions. Religious pluralism values zealousness for a god(s) as the key. Paul doesn't value zealousness alone. Zealousness needs to be combined with knowledge about Christ.
These verses also speak against earning salvation by self-righteousness. All religions except one require some amount of meritorious actions (also called works or self-righteous acts) to earn a right standing with God. The one religion that does not recognize one's works as meritorious (salvation earning) is Biblical Christianity. Isaiah calls them all filthy menstrual rags before God. Biblical Christianity is by faith - always was, always will be.
vv. 10:1-4 are important for all of us to remember as we are confronted with religious pluralism. Religious pluralism wants us to affirm, as equally valid, all religions. Religious pluralism values zealousness for a god(s) as the key. Paul doesn't value zealousness alone. Zealousness needs to be combined with knowledge about Christ.
These verses also speak against earning salvation by self-righteousness. All religions except one require some amount of meritorious actions (also called works or self-righteous acts) to earn a right standing with God. The one religion that does not recognize one's works as meritorious (salvation earning) is Biblical Christianity. Isaiah calls them all filthy menstrual rags before God. Biblical Christianity is by faith - always was, always will be.
Friday, December 6, 2013
December 7 Romans 3:21-8:39 Transformed by Christ
The 1st 3 chapters of Romans tells us that we are all sinners; vv. 3:21 to the end of Ch. 4 tells us that we can justified (declared not guilty in the sense of the punishment of sin) by faith alone - apart from works; Chapter 5 segues from justification to sanctification (process of transformation from a wicked sinner to the likeness of Christ through increasing obedience in thought, word, and deed.
Although there is an internal fight going on inside us between our sinful physical nature and the indwelling Holy Spirit, "there is no condemnation in Christ." He loves us unconditionally. If He died for us while we were enemies, He certainly will not forsake us after we become His.
Chapter 6 is important. To go on sinning is dissonant in thought for a Christian. When we received Christ as savior, we died to sin - how can we continue in our old lifestyle. Part of receiving Christ as Savior is hating sin - not just the penalty of sin - but the sin itself. If you prayed a prayer merely to save yourself from hell - with no thought of hating your sin - you probably aren't really saved.
Loving God and hating sin are consonant thoughts - they go together like peanut butter and jelly - they are in harmony with each other.
Although there is an internal fight going on inside us between our sinful physical nature and the indwelling Holy Spirit, "there is no condemnation in Christ." He loves us unconditionally. If He died for us while we were enemies, He certainly will not forsake us after we become His.
Chapter 6 is important. To go on sinning is dissonant in thought for a Christian. When we received Christ as savior, we died to sin - how can we continue in our old lifestyle. Part of receiving Christ as Savior is hating sin - not just the penalty of sin - but the sin itself. If you prayed a prayer merely to save yourself from hell - with no thought of hating your sin - you probably aren't really saved.
Loving God and hating sin are consonant thoughts - they go together like peanut butter and jelly - they are in harmony with each other.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
December 6 Romans 1:1-3:20 We Are All Condemned Sinners
Romans is basically a missionary support letter from Paul to the Roman Church. Paul is asking their support for his planned trip to Spain. it is not certain that he ever got to Spain. By this time, the Romans had probably heard of Paul - good and bad - about his gospel message. So, Paul takes 11 chapters to explain in his words the thrust of his gospel message - along the way he interacts with all of the objections he has heard along the way.
Paul begins with his total commitment to the gospel - "it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." It leads to "the obedience that comes from faith."
Paul takes vv. 1:18 to 3:20 to prove all men are condemned sinners before God - those that are aware of God's written law and those who don't have God's law. He argues that those who don't have the written law all have some set of right and wrong, but their consciences confirm that they don't keep even their own concepts of right/wrong.
He ends by saying that the law (God's or yours) does not save anyone - it convicts all as law breaking sinners. This would be a downer letter if it ended here. But it doesn't - see you tomorrow for some good news.
Paul begins with his total commitment to the gospel - "it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." It leads to "the obedience that comes from faith."
Paul takes vv. 1:18 to 3:20 to prove all men are condemned sinners before God - those that are aware of God's written law and those who don't have God's law. He argues that those who don't have the written law all have some set of right and wrong, but their consciences confirm that they don't keep even their own concepts of right/wrong.
He ends by saying that the law (God's or yours) does not save anyone - it convicts all as law breaking sinners. This would be a downer letter if it ended here. But it doesn't - see you tomorrow for some good news.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
December 4-5 II Corinthians: Dependence on God
I am struck by Paul's dependence on God displayed in this letter.
v. 1:9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
People mistakenly say, "God will never give us more than we can handle." This is not true. God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle, but sometimes our trials are overwhelming - on purpose - to drive us to depend on God. Many of us are control freaks - we like to order our world and never have any hardship or risk. We are all about comfort and security - we rely on our own control and planning - not on God.
We are to depend on God for everything. When we trust God - He allows us to take risks for Him - and we don't crumble when we realize things are out of our control. We rely on His strength.
vv. 12:7-10 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
If you are going through some trials, are you making it worse by trying to control the uncontrollable? You are not sovereign - God is. He may be letting you go through your trials to show you who you really trust in - who you really depend on - YOU! My advice to you is simple:
v. 1:9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
People mistakenly say, "God will never give us more than we can handle." This is not true. God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle, but sometimes our trials are overwhelming - on purpose - to drive us to depend on God. Many of us are control freaks - we like to order our world and never have any hardship or risk. We are all about comfort and security - we rely on our own control and planning - not on God.
We are to depend on God for everything. When we trust God - He allows us to take risks for Him - and we don't crumble when we realize things are out of our control. We rely on His strength.
vv. 12:7-10 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
If you are going through some trials, are you making it worse by trying to control the uncontrollable? You are not sovereign - God is. He may be letting you go through your trials to show you who you really trust in - who you really depend on - YOU! My advice to you is simple:
- Know things are out of your control
- Trust/rely in God's strength.
- Know God loves you - and the people around you.
- Be faithful to His Word - OBEY!
- Forgive
- Love
- Be humble
Or you can keep doing what you are doing - and how is it working for you?
Monday, December 2, 2013
December 3 I Corinthians 15-16; Acts 19 Stand Firm Because of the Resurrection
Chapter 15 is all about the resurrection of Jesus assuring our resurrection. With this knowledge, we can stand firm and ALWAYS give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. The resurrection of Jesus is God offering us His first fruits assuring us more fruit (our resurrection). The resurrection is critical to our salvation.
Knowing we will live forever with imperishable bodies should cause us to respond - to offer our earthly bodies in God's service.
Knowing we will live forever with imperishable bodies should cause us to respond - to offer our earthly bodies in God's service.
December 2 I Corinthians 11:17-14:40 Love in the Church
Chapter 13 is usually referred to as the "Love Chapter." It is often read at weddings and most people associate it with marriage. But the context is the Bible is far different. Paul's Love Chapter lies within the a discussion of the use of spiritual gifts in the church.
Chapter 13 tells us that we are to love others in the church - all others. All of the attributes of love must be present as we interact with others in our local church. We can not have a passing acquaintance kind of relationship with others in the church - we are to actively love them in observable fashion.
This is how Christ has loved us - this is how we are to love his people:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Now, go and become an active involved member of your church and love the other members like above. You can do so as you reflect on how much God loves you and how much He has done for you.
Chapter 13 tells us that we are to love others in the church - all others. All of the attributes of love must be present as we interact with others in our local church. We can not have a passing acquaintance kind of relationship with others in the church - we are to actively love them in observable fashion.
This is how Christ has loved us - this is how we are to love his people:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Now, go and become an active involved member of your church and love the other members like above. You can do so as you reflect on how much God loves you and how much He has done for you.
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