Author: admin

¹ I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, ² that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

³ Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, ⁴ who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. ⁵ Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. ⁶ Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.⁷ Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. ⁸ Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. ⁹ Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. ¹⁰ Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. ¹¹ Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. ¹² Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.¹³ Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. ¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. ¹⁵ Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.¹⁶ Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Reflection

1. The list of names in this chapter displays something of the network of warm and loving relationships which bound the early church together.  Paul was not just a theologian, he was a friend.  He did not just count up converts; he cared for people as individuals.
2. Let this remind us that in the eyes of God and in the church of Jesus, each person is important enough to be known by name.
3. How many people do you know by name at your church?  Bring out the church directory and read it through.  Upon the ones you don’t recognize, make a check mark beside it.  Begin to notice and get to know these brothers and sisters in the church.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 17:1-3

¹ Better is a dry morsel with quiet
    than a house full of feasting with strife.
² A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully
    and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
³ The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    and the Lord tests hearts.

¹ We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³ For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.⁵ May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶ that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.⁷ Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

⁸ For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, ⁹ and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”

¹⁰ And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

¹¹ And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”

¹² And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Reflection

1. Paul specifies that we are to help others in areas where we are strong and able in the faith.
2. Recall the people who have stepped in and built you up, even if you don’t remember the specific details.  Thank God for these people.
3. What are some areas in which you have received training, direction, or guidance?  What are some of your natural gifts and strengths?  Who do you know that are in need that you can lend a helping hand?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:30-33

³⁰ Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things;
    he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained in a righteous life.
³² Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
³³ The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is from the Lord.

¹ As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. ² One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.³ Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. ⁴ Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

⁵ One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ⁶ The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷ For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. ⁸ For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. ⁹ For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

¹⁰ Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; ¹¹ for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”

¹² So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

¹³ Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Reflection

1. In the church community, everyone lives entirely on the forgiveness and grace of God.  Therefore, to constantly making comments on what we disapprove of or dislike in one another is outrageous. Criticisms and gossips are detrimental to the church community.  Every judgmental word out of our mouths violates an eternal soul for whom Christ died.
2. What practices offend you? Which of your own practices might distress or destroy another brother or sister in Christ?
3. Ask God for wisdom to know how to respond in areas in which you are causing offense.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:26-29

²⁶ A worker’s appetite works for him;
    his mouth urges him on.
²⁷ A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech is like a scorching fire.
²⁸ A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.
²⁹ A man of violence entices his neighbor
    and leads him in a way that is not good.

¹ Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, ⁴ for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. ⁷ Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Reflection

1. In this passage, Paul commands, “Fulfill your obligations as a citizen.  Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.”  What is your obligation as a citizen to this country and to the kingdom of God?  In what specific ways can you respect your leaders?
2. Find a list of names of your local officials (mayor, city councillor) as well as your MPP and MP.  Pray for each one of them by name.  Pray that God would use them to lead wisely and justly.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:22-25

²² Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
    but the instruction of fools is folly.
²³ The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
²⁴ Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.

¹ I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

³ For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴ For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷ if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Reflection

1. What are some ways we can renew our minds (v. 2) and so be transformed?
2. As you think “with sober judgment” (v3) about yourself, what gift (or gifts) do you think God has given you (vv. 3-8)?
3. In what ways do you need to begin living more sacrificially before God, other Christians or the world?
4. Conclude this time by making this offering of praise: 10000 reasons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:18-21

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
    and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
²¹ The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

¹³ Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry ¹⁴ in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. ¹⁵ For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? ¹⁶ If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

¹⁷ But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, ¹⁸ do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. ¹⁹ Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” ²⁰ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. ²¹ For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. ²² Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. ²³ And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.²⁴ For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Reflection

1. Paul is warning the Gentile Christians not to develop an air of superiority over Jews. Gentiles are in God’s grace only by virtue of a miracle. God’s miracle of “grafting” them into the salvation tree. The natural branches (the Jews), which have been broken off, can be put back in again.  There are no categories in the Christian community; we are all miraculously “grafted” into God’s tree of salvation.
2. How has arrogance between groups of Christians hurt your church experience?  When have you shown this type of attitude to “outsiders”?
3. Pray：Confess that you have acted arrogantly to others.  Pray for those that have been hurt in the conflict.  Pray also for the church that the Lord will guard us against such arrogance and division among members of the church.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:14-17

¹⁴ A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
    and a wise man will appease it.
¹⁵ In the light of a king’s face there is life,
    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
¹⁷ The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.

⁵ For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. ⁶ But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 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 that we proclaim); ⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ¹³ For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Reflection

1. The central affirmation of the early church was “Jesus is Lord”; everyone else was saying “Caesar is Lord”.  At their baptism, first-century Christians would make the public confession that “Jesus is Lord”. Why is public confession important in addition to the belief in one’s heart?
2. What is one major way your confession of Christ as Lord has influenced your life? Who or what are some gods that compete with your allegiance to Christ?
3. As a short exercise today, say aloud twenty times: “Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, is Lord.” How did it affect your heart?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:11-13

¹¹ A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.
¹² It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for the throne is established by righteousness.
¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves him who speaks what is right.

¹  I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— ² that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. ⁴ They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. ⁵ To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

⁶ But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,⁷ and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” ⁸ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. ⁹ For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁰ And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, ¹¹ though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— ¹² she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Reflection

1. These verses illustrated clearly Paul’s love for the people of Israel.  In order for his people to have God’s salvation, he’s even willing to bear their punishment.  How deep his love for them!  This is just like Christ- willing to sacrifice Himself for others.
2. How do you care for those unbelieving people, especially your family, relatives, and good friends?  In order for them to receive salvation, are you willing to sacrifice your time, money, energy and comfortable life?
3. How do you care for your fellow people, whether they may be in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan or anywhere in the word? What about those Chinese immigrants in Toronto, Canada?
4. Ask the Lord to place the burden of a specific group of people in your heart.  (Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Toronto immigrants…)  Use this passage to pray for their salvation.  Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to respond to the burden in preaching the gospel among your fellow people.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:8-10

⁸ Better is a little with righteousness
    than great revenues with injustice.
⁹ The heart of man plans his way,
    but the Lord establishes his steps.
¹⁰ An oracle is on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Reflection

1. In vv18-25, Paul used a bold metaphor to illustrate the sufferings in the world, that is the pregnant woman’s labor pains, birth pangs. These are signs of an imminent and glorious birth – the “redemption of our bodies”. This is certainly a different way of understanding groans and suffering. Christians thus are able to realize that there is no comparison between the present hard time and the glorious future (v18). And they wait with eager longing(v19) and with patience(v25).
   How would this understanding help you better prepared to face the harsh situations in life at present time?
2. In vv 26-30, when we pray, we are never “on our own”. The Spirit at all times is praying in and for us. Therefore, prayer involves not just God’s listening to us; more importantly, rather it is the Holy Spirit’s active intercessory presence in our lives.
3. How do you pray? How can you experience the Holy Spirit’s active intercession for you? How would this encourage your intercession for other believers?
4. Conclude today’s time with God by singing: Consuming Fire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFPzUcQkmmg

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:4-7

⁴ The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
    even the wicked for the day of trouble.
⁵ Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
    be assured, he will not go unpunished.
⁶ By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
⁷ When a man’s ways please the Lord,
    he makes eve

¹³ Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶ Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. ¹⁷ So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. ¹⁸ For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

²¹ So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. ²² For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, ²³ but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.²⁴ Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Reflection

1. There is no use looking for a “secret” to the spiritual life that exempts us from trouble and conflict, defeat and doubt, despair and inadequacy.  No doubt we are “at war” (v23).  There are fierce difficulties with the resurrection life.  Have you uttered the cry as Paul did: “Who will rescue me”?
2. Read slowly:
   God uses failure, sickness, breakdown, sin, personal tragedy, and sorrow to reduce His people to usefulness.  Unless the servant of God learns to depend utterly on God and to forsake self-dependence of any kind, he or she remains too strong to be of much value.  – Robert C. Girard
3. Prayer

Lord, I come humbly to you and admit that I am weak, cold and easy to fall into sin.  Depending on myself, I will only be worse and sink deeper. Thank you for your salvation and the continued deliverance that I will be able to overcome sin and temptation.  Thank you, Lord.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:1-3

¹ The plans of the heart belong to man,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
² All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.
³ Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.

¹⁵ What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! ¹⁶ Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, ¹⁸ and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹ I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹ But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. ²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection

1. Read the passage through your life experience.  Do you identify with “we to sin because we are not under law but under grace”?  What about “now present your members as slaves to righteousness”?  Take time to identify what you do and don’t agree with.
2. Search yourself for an area where you don’t walk in freedom but continue to struggle with sin.  When do you easily give in to temptation?  What comfort, relief or pleasure does the sin give you?  What pain or discomfort does it bring?  What do you fear you would lose if you gave up the sin?
3. Pray and ask God to take over your struggle and unresolved problems.  As you determine to obey God’s command, ask God for freedom from these bondages.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:30-33

³⁰ The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the bones.
³¹ The ear that listens to life-giving reproof
    will dwell among the wise.
³² Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
    but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
³³ The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and humility comes before honor.

¹ Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

⁶ For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— ⁸ but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.⁹ Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. ¹⁰ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.¹¹ More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Reflection

1. Now Paul becomes exuberant as he continues this justified-by-faith life. He mentioned three “rejoices” (vv2, 3, 11).
2. What does a Christian see if he looks back? If he looks ahead?  If he looks around?  – Reconciliation.
   Looking back, we rejoice in God’s salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ that we have been saved and reconciled to God (v10, 11).Looking ahead, we rejoice in the glory of God and the hope that we will stand by God throughout eternity (v2, 9).

   Looking around, we rejoice in our suffering as we are being saved continually.  Jesus is even now at work within us to give us the power to live a holy life.

   Our past, our present and our future are all transformed because of Him.  And when we are reconciled with God, it paves the way for us to be reconciled with ourselves and with others. This is a great cause for our constant rejoicing and praising.

3. Thank God for this Reconciliation Gospel.  Pray that God will help you to live always in reconciliation with God, with yourself and with others.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:26-29

²⁶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    but gracious words are pure.
²⁷ Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,
    but he who hates bribes will live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
²⁹ The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

¹ What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? ² For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, butnot before God. ³ For what does the Scripture say?“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” ⁴ Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. ⁵ And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, ⁶ just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

⁷ “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
⁸ blessed is the man against whom the Lord will notcount his sin.”

⁹ Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. ¹⁰ How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. ¹¹ He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, ¹² and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Reflection

1. Paul explained here that even people like Abraham were counted as righteousness because of his faith in God and not his good works, not his circumcision – obeying the law. It is purely God’s grace.
2. In verse 3, the term “counted to him as righteousness” literally means “to make an entry in the account book.” It’s like the person who has a huge credit card debt. One day he receives a notice from the credit card company saying that all his debts have been cleared. He no longer needs to worry about his debts.
3. We, as sinners, have no righteousness that would be acceptable to God. But God has given His promise that when we believe in His Son; against our name in His account book, He makes an entry that says in effect, “This person is righteous in My sight!” Our faith has been credited to us as righteousness. What relief! What joy!
4. It’s easy to feel that God accepts us only when we are good. How can the examples of Abraham and David give us hope?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:23-25

²³ To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and a word in season, how good it is!
²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the prudent,
    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of the proud
    but maintains the widow’s boundaries.

²¹ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. ²⁶ It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

²⁷ Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸ For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. ²⁹ Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,³⁰ since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. ³¹ Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Reflection

1. V23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Like prisoners on death row, all people are guilty, condemned and awaiting the execution of God’s wrath. They sit silently in the miserable darkness of their cell, all hope extinguished.  Then abruptly, the door swings open and darkness becomes light, death becomes life, and bondage becomes freedom. “You are pardoned,” a voice tells them.  But how? Why?
   This passage tells us that this is exactly our situation.  But how did you get pardoned?  Why would it happen?
2. When did the message of God’s grace become real to you?  What impact is it having on your life right now?
3. End this time with God with a song of worship: Worthy is the Lamb  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMvdUnl5ndk

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:19-22

¹⁹ The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.
²⁰ A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
²¹ Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
²² Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.

¹⁷ But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God ¹⁸ and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; ¹⁹ and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— ²¹ you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? ²² You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³ You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. ²⁴ For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

²⁵ For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. ²⁶ So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? ²⁷ Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.²⁸ For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. ²⁹ But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Reflection

1. In this passage, Paul is pointing his fingers at the hypocritical Jews.  The Jews bragged about their being in God’s covenant.  They knew God’s will and even approved of it.  But the issue is they didn’t do God’s will. How does this kind of person view himself and others?
2. How has religious hypocrisy hurt the cause of Christ in our day?
3. What about you?  When was the last time you said or taught one thing yet acted quite differently? Could Paul also be pointing fingers at you?  How does this realization affect you?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:15-18

¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are evil,
    but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
¹⁶ Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
¹⁷ Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
    than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
    but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.