Author: Good Life Church

Scripture :

Romans 12:1 – “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.”

Observation :

In Romans chapter 12 the apostle Paul urges the believer to live their entire life devoted to God. The believer can not give 50% to God and 50% to the world, or even 98% to God with 2% held back. If the gospel is true and if Christ is who He says He is, then he demands 100% response.

Application :

In my life what am I holding back? Is faith something that happens on the weekend or in the morning or is faith the entirety of my life? The call of the believer is to offer everything as a response, as a sacrifice to God.

Prayer :

God I long to give you my everything in response to the gospel. Thank You for the power in your gospel and that I can offer you my all.

Scripture :

Romans 13:8-10 – Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.  For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word:  “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is fulfilling the law.  

Observation :

Paul is calling for love of others to be the driving force in believer’s lives.   Owe refers back to verse 7, where Paul says we are not to owe taxes/debt; but the gospel compels us to love others.  Paul also links the OT scriptures being expressed though the love of the gospel.  We love, through the power of the Holy Spirit, not to earn God’s love but as a reflection of his love for us.

Application :

God loved me so much that he sent Jesus to pay for my sins so that I could be adopted by the Father as his child.  Step 1 is to receive His love which most of us who are believers in Jesus accept and like.  Step 2 is to share the love with others, not always as easy as we let ourselves and things of the world cloud our way.  Living in the Spirit and loving others is (should be) what we do. As Paul states in verse 9 and 10, if we are loving our neighbors, we aren’t thinking about how to hurt them.  Jesus tells us we are to be known by our love. 

Prayer :

Father,

Thank you for your love and grace for me.  Help me be led by the Spirit as someone who has compassion, love for others to point towards you. 

Scripture:

 “So to at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.  But, if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”  Romans 11:5-6

Observation:   

 Through chapter 11 Paul is addressing something specific to the Church at Rome: being snotty to the Jews.  It is the attitude of superiority that the Holy Spirit is addressing so as to get our head on straight.  How is this applicable?  Haven’t I exhibited a haughty, superior spirit every now and then?

Application:

   I have to remember not to stretch this too far out of whack.  I don’t want to lift this section of Scripture out of context.  We do that, you know; sometimes way too often.

Here’s what I think Chapter 11 is conveying: Church at Rome is being snotty to the Jews.  Looks like the Gentile Christians are giving the Jews what for, perhaps about crucifying Jesus.  Maybe it looks like not living with the Jews like brothers in the Lord, not being kind, not serving each other, talking bad and gossiping-maybe just lifting their nose at them in appearance of superiority.

Pretty proud of myself that I have never acted that way towards anyone (as I humbly polish my halo)…

Paul subtlety reminds the Gentiles of this: God chose the Jews first.  Still chose them first.  Showed grace by grafting Gentiles in and loves them dearly and they are not second place–but do not be unaware: Abraham’s descendants were chosen first.  Ok, not so subtle.

But here’s is my takeaway: Remember it is by Grace.  If by Grace, I cannot boast except in His Grace.  If I try to define anything by works, I nullify Grace.  “I really do Christian things and they don’t…” Patting myself on the back for my works—nullifying Grace.  I have a different (more important) position than you-nullifying Grace.  If I evaluate others, judge others, by any measure except Grace, then we are (all together now) nullifying Grace.  Doesn’t mean we overlook sin, doesn’t mean that we ignore unbiblical behavior, but I have to remember except by His Grace in my life, I do the same kind of stuff.

Making ungodly distinctions-I do it all the time.  It is a habit that needs to be broken by really getting in and reviewing the Gospel every single day.  Easy to say, harder to do.

Prayer:

 Father: I want to be an engaged Disciple.  I want to remember, to preach the Gospel to the guy in the mirror every day.  One thing I can do is to review the Gospel, the entire Gospel on my way to work.  I want to act in accordance to the Gospel, to see the world through the lens of the Gospel, to hear and speak through the filter of the Gospel.  Help me O God-not to impress You but to serve as a servant.  AMEN.

Scripture:

 Romans 10:21 But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.

 Observation:

 This letter is for Israel but it applies to the church today. Zeal can be a good thing, if it is directed toward the right thing. The Israelites were zealous of the wrong things for the wrong reasons. Disobedient people turn their backs toward God and having a relationship with Him. Stubborn people believe it’s our will versus God’s will and choose our will.  Even though Israel rejected God, God continues to pursue them.  Our God is a patient God. Our God is a forgiving God. Our God is a loving God.

 Application:

God desires a relationship with me. He has his hands out for me all day long.  I often take his love for granted and I don’t have the sense of urgency I often need.  God is waiting for us. He is always there. However, I must act now.  Too often, we think we have time and that God will always be there but we tend take God for granted. We think we will always have time to come to Him.  Yes, He will always be there for us BUT we may not be able to make the choice to go to Him. I must act NOW.  A day or night will eventually come when our abilities to make a choice will go away. I think of my grandmother who had Alzheimer’s. I telephoned her and had a conversation with her one day. The next time I called she didn’t know me and never remembered me the rest of her life. Her day had come. Thankfully, she was a believer.

I must be accepting to others. God has given me the example of how I am to love. God knew the Israelites were disobedient and stubborn yet he still loved them. I guess that means I must still love my sister even though she has made horrible decisions and continues to frustrate the family. God provided the example of how I am to love knowing that He is perfect and we are not.

Prayer:

 Thank you for being a God that seeks me. You seek me even though I am not worthy. Thank you for being a loving God. Loving me first and showing me how to love others.

Scripture:

Romans 9

Vs 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. 

Vs 8 … it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 

Vs 18 So then (God) has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills.

Vs 19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who can resist His will?” 
Vs 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”

30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 

33 as it is written,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Observation:

Paul is asking a series of increasingly probing rhetorical questions that he realizes we may be asking of God, Himself.
And then Paul actively swats them down as ridiculous by reminding of us who exactly God is and who exactly we are.

The word of God does not fail.
I will.
God is sovereign.
I am not.
God extends His promise.
I have faith in His promise.

Application:

Romans 9 is a great reminder that the habit of “blaming God” is not a modern phenomenon.
It’s God’s fault!
I can’t resist God!
He made me this way!
Paul, an incredibly deep thinker, tells that it doesn’t make sense or do any good to get into the philosophical weeds of these thoughts.
Simply acknowledge that God is God and I am not!
Who am I to answer God?!
This remind me of the first 37 chapters full of questions from Job and his friends only to finally have God speak and say, “Who is this that darkens my counsel by words without knowledge?!”

So many of my questions stem from insecurity.
I don’t have to be like this, though.
I can have an utmost security!
Why? Because God comes with a word … a promise.
And I am “a child of promise”.
And a child of promise receives “mercy”.
And this promise of mercy allows me to attain “righteousness”.
I must have “faith” in this “promise” of God.
But what is this promise?
God promises to “lay in Zion a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Amazing that so many would be “offended” by a promise of mercy and no shame if they would believe in Him, Jesus … the Rock of Offense”.

It’s true, though. I can speak of Buddha, or Hindi, or Mohammed, or any “religious” thought leader.
None give offense like Jesus.
Nothing compares to Jesus.
Because only He is sovereign.
Yet, only He makes and answers His own promises.
And only He makes me a child of His promise.
 
Prayer:

Thank you God that I’m your child.
Help me rest in that promise your mercy.
Help me honor you today.
In Jesus name
Amen

Scripture:

Scripture:  

“For I do not understand my own actions.  For I do not do what I want but I do the very thing I hate… (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.  (for) I do not do the good I want but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right evil lies close at hand.  For I delight in the law of God in my inner being—but I see in my members another law waging against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

Wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then (just to summarize): I myself serve the law of God with my mind but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.  Romans 7:5, 18-19, 21-25

Observation:  

 Tons of logic-speak going on in Chapter 7:  If then, then that; if not this, then not that; and etc.  It takes reading slow and methodical to unwind.  But, when we do, boy is it clear-or not.  It is time to renew our minds….Here’s to mortifying the man of flesh!

Application:  

 Paul’s letter to the Roman Church can be challenging.  There is a lot of doctrine to go through.  I admit that early in my walk I ignored Romans in favor of a little less challenging Epistles-you know the ones that had a bunch of Sunday School sound bites?  Boy I tell you-did I cherry pick scripture-lifting them out; sometimes in context, sometime out of context.  And doing that, I constructed a personal doctrine that looked pretty good-but there were times where this “doctrine” only vaguely looked like mature, informed Christianity.

Above are “lifted” sections (only because I am not supposed to write the whole chapter down) that I think reminds me of what really is happening in me.  I love God.  Saved, redeemed, adopted, forgiven, etc.  Praise His Holy Name!

But as soon as I turned my head I committed some act of sin-I did something I shouldn’t have and didn’t want to do.  But I did it anyway.  I was crushed-at least I was crushed after I did what I did and after enjoying what I did.  Holy Spirit is faithful by convicting me of my sin so I could repent.  But just about every time (not really) I looked at the man in the mirror and asked “Why am I yo-yoing back and forth?  Why can’t I walk always pleasing God?”  Quote: “I do not the good I want but (I do) the evil I do not want is what I keep doing…” (Ro 7:5b

This describes all believers-every one of us.  We all go through this yo-yo effect.  Here’s the down and dirty doctrine: We are redeemed by the Mercy and Grace of God-born again.  The miracle of Conversion.    Auggh!  The Old Man of sin, of the flesh is still hanging around.  Indwelling Sin.  It is the difference between Justification and the subsequent Sanctification. (the big words come in handy at times) that describes what is happening.

God’s justification of us (by His Sovereign Grace) is to be praised and savored every day.  Getting rid of the Old Man?  We act in cooperation with the Holy Spirit to mortify (put to death) that wretched creature.  How?  Through the acts of an engaged disciple.

Prayer:    

 Father: I like that phrase “an engaged disciple.”  Thanks for popping that into my noggin this morning.  Renew my mind, Holy Spirit!  Help me, cause me to see myself through Your eyes; convict my heart.  I ask You to reveal any wayward way in me.  Help me do away with my double mindedness, my stubbornness on getting my way and not Yours.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Romans 5:16-18 – 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 obedience , which leads to righteousness?  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, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 

Observation:

Paul here is providing explanation to answer the question why it is not okay to sin because we are under grace not the law. We are united to Christ and have died with him to sin and are resurrected in a new life.  Our lives will be marked as slaves to what we are obedient so we submit to serve God.  God’s saving grace is a gift that changes our hearts.  

Application:

I need to thank God for the Gospel daily and live as someone who has been set free from sin that held me in bondage.  My response to the Gospel, should be one of love, praise and caring for others.  I am a slave to what I am obedient – whatever has my time, focus and resources.  I best present myself to God, live in obedience to him and consider myself as a slave for Christ and his eternal Kingdom.  If I am not serving God, then I am serving (slave) self, work or sin all of which lead to death.   

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and free gift of eternal life through Jesus. Let me live  a changed life of obedience to give the glory to you and point others to you.  

Scripture :

Romans 5:1 – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation :

Romans chapter five speaks to the peace and hope that the believer has because of Christ. As a result of the gospel Christians are justified and as a result no longer have to live in fear or in need of chasing satisfaction from things in the world. Christians have the ultimate peace and satisfaction which is the peace that comes with being reconciled to God.

Application :

Ultimately my life does not have to be defined by anxiety or the worries of the world. I have peace with God because of the gospel. In light of this my life should be defined not by worry and stress but freedom and love. Today, I want to live in the peace of God and point others to Christ.

Prayer :

God thank You for the gospel. Thank You that because of the work of Christ I can have peace and hope. Help me to reach others with the same peace that has been given to me.

Scripture:

“What then shall we say was gained by Abraham?…If Abraham was justified by works (then) he has something to boast about BUT not before God.  For what does the Scripture say?-“Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
Now to the one who works his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
…to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.  Romans 4:1-5a

Observation:    

Even the folks at the church in Roman get confused about the concept of Justification by Faith.  Works and Faith.  Earning something or getting something.  Working to be justified-maybe a commendable attitude but ultimately a sinful affront to God.  What???   Justification by Faith-a specific pillar of being a Christian.  And I can get so confused and conflicted about it.  At some level it can be very puzzling if it is not frequently thought and talked about.  It really is a foundational facet of the Gospel.

Application:  

How do I get off track on this Works and Faith subject?  I think to understand it I really have to think with Biblical reasoning-and to do that I must study the Gospel point by point (Line upon line, precept upon precept.  Ps 119)

Paul is writing the Roman Church because they were getting it wrong.  The attitude that sneaks up on everybody is the one given birth in the Garden by rebellious disobedience.  Adam disobeyed, succumbed to temptation, ate the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, and then spent the rest of the life of generations of folks trying to make up (atone) for that one act.  Offering sacrifice is the picture we have of the children of Israel.  The key word here is not sacrifice as might be guessed, but offering.  Offering is the key word and the foundational description of Atonement by Works.

“I give something from myself and I will be accepted by God” is generally how the thinking goes.  I give money, time, sacrifice my wants (for a while anyway, not for good-God understands that I have needs, wants, and desires to deal with…).  I become a good person, do good things, smile and be kind, tolerant, loving (not hating), never condemn someone (at least not to their face-I am not a hypocrite…) and so on and so on.  All of these are works, offerings-things to give to God so that He will post a “like” on the Facebook of Life.

Unfortunately, in the ways of God, it doesn’t work out like that.  Scripture is clear: we will not ever have a leg that would keep us standing and upright before God.  All of our works in this manner are to promote us, to gain something, to earn a right—and it would be all stuff that would burn.  In our present state, Man is condemned by the Holiness of God and is judged guilty of being rebellious and a traitor to God.  Man is eaten up with Sin.  We work for ourselves towards God?  Our only payment is the Wrath of God which is our Just due.

But the scripture reference says “…the one that does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly…”  Faith in the Cross, faith in the Work of Jesus as the atonement for my sin (not what I do as sinful acts but what I am-sinful man) is what is counted as righteousness.

He did it, He did it all.  I did nothing but acknowledge He did it.  I cannot add one thing to His work on the Cross for my behalf.  The work on the Cross is so deep and thorough and is impossible for me to contribute to.  I cannot belittle Him by even having the attitude of “I helped by doing XXX.”  I cannot boast except in the mysterious and incredulous impossibility that He should have love and consideration so much that salvation would come to sinful man.  Halleluiah.

Prayer:    

Lord Jesus: the song comes to mind-“I can’t comprehend this fathomless love; I’m gripped and amazed at what you have done; Why would the Adored become the Despised to bear all the furious wrath that was mine?  How awesome this mystery of Your fathomless love for me.”

Amazed and astounded at this Mystery-the Mystery that will be contemplated for all of Eternity.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Romans 3:21-23 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God 

Observation:

Paul just finishes telling us how sorry everyone’s spiritual condition is. Paul lets us know we are all sinners.  “But now” he tells us how we can become right with God. The “but now” part is through one act and one act only. I remember someone telling me we should insert “after the cross” to the sentence. It would read “but now, after the cross, …”

 God promises to save us. He also promises to judge us. God is justified in our condemnation. He declares us not as innocent but as guilty. ALL of us are guilty. However, when we trust Jesus as our savior, we are free because Jesus paid the price for our sins. Although we are totally unworthy, we are redeemed through Christ on the cross. A gift given to us if we accept it.

Application:

 I must accept His gift. This is humbling because I am not worthy to accept it. And this is a gift I can never repay. Ever had a friend who bought you a Christmas gift but you didn’t buy them one? Totally awkward and embarrassing. Even if you go buy them something, it doesn’t feel right. The gift Jesus gave us, however, is different. It is called grace. There is nothing we can do to repay it. Nothing we can do to match it. We must humble ourselves and accept it.

I must follow the playbook.  Team sports have playbooks and coaches call plays to run during a game. When a coach watches game film, he judges his players on how they performed on the plays that were called. Players must know the playbook, know the routes, assignments, etc. to perform well.  Players also must run the play that is called.  Similarly, God has given us a playbook to follow. He has given us laws and rules to follow. I can’t worry about how others will perform if I am not following the plays and doing what I am supposed to be doing.  I must live my life accordingly. All of us will fail. I will fail even though I don’t want to. Even though I have studied the “playbook”. When a player fails on one play, they shake it off and try again the next time. When I fail in life due to my sin, I must keep going and keep referring to God’s plan and his rules.  

Prayer:

I realize God that you seek me. You seek me even though I am not worthy. It is humbling. In my daily life that I fill with all kinds of really, really important stuff that is important only to me, I must take the time to reflect on your gift. I must reflect on the parts of my life that should change in order to follow the path and laws you have provided for my life.

Romans 2

Scripture:

Vs 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.

Vs 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

Vs 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

 Observation:

Paul is speaking to the Romans who are not understanding that God’s judgment will fall on them.

They will not avoid the judgment of God just because they now have the word of God.

Incredibly, these people who now have the word of God are using it, in fact, to judge others.

And they are doing this, while at the same time, using it to excuse themselves from the judgement of God.

In fact, they are applying the good character of God in the most selfishly indulgent manner to justify themselves in their own thinking and doing.

Hypocrisy in the extreme! 

 Application:

How did the idea of the “kindness of God” become somehow equated with eliminating the “judgement of God”?

What a devastatingly atrocious idea? Actually, it’s worse than atrocious … It is thoroughly immoral … even evil.

Do we really want to live in a world without God’s judgement?

Would it be “kind” for God to avoid “judging”? Absolutely not!

In a world without judgement, chaos reigns. And the same goes for a life.

Chaos will reign in my life if I am not holding it up against the righteous judgement of God.

And this must consistently bring me to my knees again.

I want to think, “I know the word of God. I know the character of God. I have the Spirit of God.”

I want to think, “those people” deserve judgement.

Well, “those people” do deserve judgement … just as this person does. I deserve judgment.

Judgement is a good thing when it is done by a righteous Judge.

Judgement is justice. Judgement is accountability.

But in Christ, judgement is not punishment. Jesus took my punishment.

This gives me freedom, but not freedom to now judge others.

Freedom in Christ is freedom to show others they can have this same freedom through repentance.

 Prayer:

 Thank you again God that you are a Just Judge.

Thank you that your kindness leads to repentance.

Help me Spirit not to abuse your goodness.

Help me to not condemn others.

Help me to see others the way you see them.

Help me avoid the sin I am tempted to judge others of.

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture:

Romans 1:24-25
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Observation:

Paul desires to see the brother and sisters in Rome. He wants to be there to share the Gospel with them, encourage them and build them up in their faith. He wants to learn from them as well. The Godly are called to live differently and the wrath of God is not withheld from the wicked.

Application:

Exchanging something is me believing what I am giving away is in replace to get something better. I do this all the time in my relationship with God. In this scripture it says they exchanged the truth for a lie…..I do this too. I exchange what I think is better when it comes to my life and what I think will benefit me more other than seeing what God says in his Word and being transformed by him and being different. We also exchange things when we have gotten the wrong size…people do that too. I tried God and his stuff and if just doesn’t fit me. What if I as a man said that what God reveals I keep, I own, and find satisfaction in. Namely himself.
What I’m exchanging when it comes to God? What truths do I think are not satisfying when it comes to God that I exchange lies for? God and all about him and who he is is truth, and I must find me in him and my all in him and not exchange things that are not true for him.

Prayer:

Father my I see, feel, and get that you are all satisfaction. May I not believe or think there is something or someone better. Transform me by your love and your heart and make me like you.

Scripture:  

“O God: You know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from You.  Let not those who hope in You be put to shame through me O God of hosts-Let not those who seek You be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.” (Ps 69:5-6)

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord-the Lord answered me and set me free…I shall not die but I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord.  The Lord has disciplined me severely but He has not given me over to death.  Open to me the gates of righteousness that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.” (Ps 118:5 and 17-19)

Observation:

  I don’t want to lose sight that these two chapters in Psalms are another set of significant prophetic resources about Jesus.  They are also pretty good sources of what confession, repentance, determination and ultimately rest in the Gospel looks like.

Application:

 I am completely transparent to Jesus.

Isn’t that something?  I cannot hide anything from the Lord of hosts.  He knows my thoughts, my actions, my efforts in self-reliance, my exertions to get my own way, and my oh so transparent rebellious heart/soul to God.

You see: Scripture isn’t written primarily for the unbeliever but for the Believer.  While it is evident that the Bible describes those apart from Christ, when it is referencing sin I have to own it-God is talking about and to me, the guy in the mirror.

The Gospel and the Cross: different for us than it was for David.  The Gospel was unfolding for the House of Israel but the Cross was still to come.  Now that it is here, we can know Redemption in Christ through faith in Jesus’ work on the Cross.  Still: it is good to know the two significant works resulting from the Cross.  One is Justification: Faith in the Atonement is a done deal-just have to persevere to the End.

Sanctification? Another ball of wax entirely.  This is the Walk of the Gospel that Paul refers to in Eph 4:1, Phil 1:27, Col 1:10, 1 Thes 2:12, and a few other references.  It is the summarized basis of what David wrote above.

Do I do foolish things?  Sure.  How about wrongs?  Yep, check.  Shameful things?  Another check.  Dishonorable things?  I am getting tired of checking all of these things off like this.  When is the “rest” from my sin that the Bible talks about kick in?

Biblically from my understanding: Always and never at the same time.  Our rest is in the Cross-we are not condemned any longer-no Wrath of God for Believers.  Good thing too.  Now comes the “working out our salvation part”: Asking the Holy Spirit to expose us, reveal our hearts, make the working out of the “old man” visible and recognizable-so that we can mortify that creature.

David understood this.  He confessed in the 1st person.  My folly, my wrongs, my shameful influence on others, my dishonorable actions to be kept from influencing others.  David also declared his desire (which if you notice is a prayer right up God’s alley to approve of-see James 1): I called upon the Lord; I shall recount the deeds of the Lord and live; I recognize the Mercy of God in disciplining me but not to death; I want to walk through the gates of righteousness-basically I want to walk worthy of the Gospel.

Prayer:  

 Father: Short prayer today.  Even as I am writing this I am shaking my head in my known sin and dishonorable conduct lately.  I have not responded in faith and surrender to You.  I recognize this, ask for specific forgiveness (blankets are only good to snuggle in and not suitable for forgiveness); state my desire to repent and look to You for plans to change my ways through faith in the Gospel.

Scripture:

Psalm 49:7-9 – Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.

Observation:

The Psalmist wants to provide wisdom to all who will listen about those who have a rich lifestyle. We should meditate on God’s word for understanding and to have it in our heart.  There is no reason to fear individuals who have amassed wealth on earth and want to let you know that.  They can’t take their wealth with them and more importantly no one man can pay the cost to ransom his life.   

Application:

We are all mortal and will face the same inevitability of death one day.  While people with a lavish lifestyle may seem like they have everything, without a savior they have nothing.  I need to not fear or be jealous of someone who has accumulated material gain as they can’t take their wealth with them and it is not their greatest need.   Rather I should be burdened for their soul as they are lost like all others who do not know/believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus plus nothing equals everything.  I must recognize my sin and understand that only Jesus has paid the high cost to redeem our souls to an eternity with the Father in full. 

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word and your soverign plan to save me. Help me to share your love and the high price you paid for me on the cross. Let me be burdened for the many in our culture who are lost and place wealth above a relationship with you.