PD’s Reflections (Page 17)
JESUS IS LORD – ROMANS 10
Jesus is Lord. Such a simple statement yet is a profound truth. That simple statement reminds us that he is the only one who can redeem us, who can save us. It reminds us as well of the place he is to have in our lives each and every day.
LOVE FOR THE LOST – ROMANS 9
Paul’s concern for his fellow countrymen is poured out in the text of chs. 9-10 or Romans. He is so concerned for them, so moved by their present condition, that he will do anything in order that they might be saved. The question we are begged to answer today is this: do I possess that kind of love for the lost around me?
GOD IS FOR US – ROMANS 8
Romans 8 is great chapter! It is a conclusion in the middle of the book to the first section (chs. 1-8). Paul has traced in these chapters man’s great problem (sin), the avenue to salvation (faith), and what God has done to provide the solution (life in/through Christ Jesus). Chapter 8 concludes reminding us amazingly how God is for us! Take a moment to read it and then watch this video.
GRACE & LIFE – ROMANS 6
I love Romans 6 in part because of how it came to life for me when I went to college. Not only that but an important part of the Romans Road to Salvation is found in this chapter telling us that sin leads to death but there is life in Christ. Amazing words! Check it out!
REJOICE, PRAISE TO THE LORD!
In Romans 5, three times the Apostle Paul calls us to rejoice. As you read that text today, may you rejoice in what the Lord has done through Jesus Christ our Savior. As we think through the history of the world and even current events, all is going according to God’s sovereign, good plan.
SUFFERING & FAITH – ROMANS 5
Paul in Romans 5 talks about suffering as a good thing. That’s strange. We don’t normally think of suffering as something that is good. James joins in as well to form a chorus on this subject–God uses suffering for our good. Let’s see what they both have to say on the matter and how God uses this tool.
PEACE & LOVE – ROMANS 5
Romans 5 paints for us both sides of the gospel message. We that we deserved judgement and yet God showed us love and through faith in him we have peace. We praise God who has loved us so greatly, even when we were unloveable.
FAITH & GRACE – ROMANS 4
I remember my heritage being mentioned various times as I grew up, especially in the phrase: “If you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much.” The Jews took pride in their heritage, but it gave them a false sense of security. Paul tells us in Romans 4 that salvation has never been by works. Rather, it is a beautiful portrait of faith and grace.
CREATIONS SPEAKS – ROMANS 1
The book of Romans is a great book with a variety of content. Paul speaks about creation, salvation, the Christian life, God’s plan for Israel, and so much more. Chapter one contains some great verses but also a very solemn message.
A MISSION OF HOPE – MATTHEW 28
Matthew 28 is a wonderful chapter as it concludes the book with a message of hope – CHRIST IS RISEN – and then calls believers to share that message with the world around them. We are comforted by the assurance that God himself is will us always as we do this.
GOD IS GOOD – PSALM 103
With everything going on around us, we may question God’s goodness. Yet Psalm 103 reminds us that God is indeed worthy of praise because he is good. David then proceeds through the Psalm to testify to God’s goodness. These words are encouraging reminders for us today.
GOD IS…
Holy. That word was in my mind today, in part because of a song that has been in my head most of the day. Holy is so much more than just moral purity as we describe God. It refers to the distinctness of every facet of his character – he loves with a holy love, he judges with holy justice, he has holy mercy, holy grace. And he has called us to be holy as he is holy (1 Pe…
HERE’S YOUR SIGN – MATTHEW 27
At various points in the Gospels, we see Jesus telling people that his death and resurrection will be a sign of who he is – the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Yet that sign was rejected as we see in Matthew 27. He didn’t save himself though so that he might save us.
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Join with us today as believers across the nation seek the Lord. We pray that people might listen to the Spirit of God, respond to the invitation of God, and turn to faith in God today. We watch and wait to see what God will do in our lives as well as in our nation for our good and his glory.
THE GREATEST – MATTHEW 22
Matthew 22 talks about the two greatest commandments. These have been the mission of GBC for many years. Through this interaction, Jesus speaks of devotion to the Lord with our whole being and loving our fellow man. We through the phrase around “love God, love others”, but do we do so to the extent he mentions? This has been a favorite of mine and both encouraging and convicting as I read it over and over again.
ANCIENT OF DAYS
Ancient of Days. I remember hearing that term for the first time when I was in college or in a popular chorus. We see it in only a handful of places in the Bible and often in terms of judgment. But exploring the term a bit more, it also reminds us that our God is timeless. He has existed since eternity past. These moments have not caught him off guard. All is going according to HIS plan to the praise…
YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST!
My wife showed me this song that a friend of our was teaching his church. This will be our theme song for the month of May – “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” (CityAlight). May that be our anthem, the tenor of our attitude every day as we walk this earth. “For from him and through him and for him are all thigns. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36 NIV
SHOWING MERCY
As I am studying the book of Jonah presently for a school paper, I was hit with some thoughts on Jonah 4 as I was doing research today. God is quick to show mercy to the sailors, to Jonah, and to the Ninevites, but Jonah gets angry with God for showing mercy to the latter. Do we who’ve been shown so much mercy think it should be withheld from others? That’s the discussion today as we look at the book…
WORSHIP & RESISTANCE – JONAH 1
As I was studying the book of Jonah last night for a school paper, I was struck by comments Jonah made. We normally think of the big fish that swallowed him. Yet the story is about the sovereignty and grace of God. And Jonah becomes a picture of the attitude of the nation of Israel. In Jonah 1, he makes some interesting comments that perhaps reflect our own attitude at times. Please visit www.graceadell.org for our contact information and resources.…
LISTEN TO JESUS – MATTHEW 17
Thanks for joining us as we look at Matthew 17. In this interesting scene, not the words of the Father – “This is my beloved son. Listen to Him!” Those last three words caught my attention today. Do we listen to Jesus? And if so, how is that affecting every fiber of our being?