Lesson for 8/14

Hey all, the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow comes from Romans 9:6-18. Its titled, "Living under God's Mercy" The title itself here speaks substantial volume, one may interpret this in such a way that this is referring to "everyone." I encourage you to read these set of verses and understand the context. Last week we spoke we mentioned in Romans 8:28 that, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Very good, which may pose the question of what about those who don't love God? In verse 17 of this lesson we see Paul use the example of Pharaoh during the time of Exodus. It says, "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, even for this same PURPOSE, I have raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout the earth." We recall from the time of Moses, Pharaoh constantly refused to release the people of Israel from their bondage in Egypt. This verse is saying although Pharaoh didn't love God, He still was used to fulfill God's purpose and plan for the Isrealites. Think about it, if Pharaoh, an oppressor would have freely let the people of Israel go, that would've been okay - but God probably would not have been as glorified as much. With Pharaoh carrying out his purpose as oppressor, the Isrealites were able to witness the power and glory of God; ranging from turning the river into blood in Exo. 7:17 to parting the Red Sea in Exo. 14:21. Exodus 7 reminds us that Pharaoh's heart was hardened, which is why he refused to let the Isrelaites go. Verse 18 of this lesson says, "therefore hath God have mercy on whom He will have mercy, and who he will, he hardeneth. Powerful! I pray this makes sense, but again, it would not have been the same if Pharaoh's purpose didn't get carried out. To apply Romans 8:28 to the time of Exodus, we recall that all things work together for the good to those that love God; the Isrealites loved God! We know that Pharaoh didn't love God, so things didn't work together for him, yet both served according to God's purpose. Pharaoh remained hardedned, which led to the witnessing of God's miraculous glory as He freed His people from bondage. Paul's purpose in this teaching was to reveal to them who the true decedents and inheritors of God's promise. I encourage you to read the entire Roman's 9!

God bless and thanks for reading!

Lesson for 8/7

Hey all, the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow comes from Romans 8:28-39. Its titled "Safe in God's Love" The lesson begins with the well know verse 28 - "And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." - Lets take a moment to reflect on what was just stated. Regardless of how the circumstance may seem at the moment, we trust that ALL THINGS are working together for us! As we carry out the mission and purpose God has for our lives, He is working each and every aspect out far beyond what we can even think or imagine! Verse 29-30 "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified." - To break this down, we know that being a follower of Christ, professing our faith is a choice, a decision we make. God knows our every being, but as we look at this - To be predestined in this context is to be determined or arranged ahead of time. Us, the believer's destiny is already known, ordered, and arranged ahead of time for a specific purpose of being conformed, or made into the representative nature of Jesus! Please comment your thoughts, but I believe its similar to a template that's enabled the moment we accept Christ; not predestined in regards to when we were born physically, but when we were born again spiritually! - as Christians, we know and believe that all things are working out for those who love God. With that faith in mind, we know we are saved and have the victory at the conclusion of things! The Christian destiny is already known, and is revealed more and more as God sees fit to reveal to each of us! Without causing controversy, Paul continues to explain this to the Christian's in Rome. During that time, the firstborn was considered very valuable and given specific responsibilities, but also special privileges, as God gave to Jesus. We too, are destined by God to be conformed to the image of Jesus, spiritually "that we may be the firstborn of many brethren." As God's love everso manifests, we are justified, then glorified for the love we show and allowing Him to enable us to do what He has called us to do. If God be for us, who can be against us? Please continue to read on for deeper revelation. I'd like to exemplify and conclude with the closing verses. "In all these things (trials, tribulations, persecution, distress, heartache, depression, famine, what ever else we may face/currently facing) we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us!" Verse 38, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  - Amen.

We are safe in God's love!!

Thanks for reading.