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This Reading Guide has been designed for use during Part 1 of the “Romans" message series at South Ridge Church: March - April 2020
A Note from Pastor Justin:
Oneofthecommonbeliefsinourcultureisthattechnologyhelpsustodomoreinless6me.Buthowwellisthisplayingoutinoureverydaylives?Thesimpleanswer:notverywell.Forexample,didyouknow…
• Inthe1850’stheaverageAmericanslept9.5hoursanight.By1950thatnumberdroppedto8hoursanight.Today,theaverageAmericansleepsunder7hoursanight.
• In1967,futuriststoldaSenatesubcommiOeethatby1985,thankstotechnologicaladvances,Americanswouldbeworking22hoursaweekfor27weeksayear.Theaverageworkerwouldre6reatage38!Theypredictedwewouldhavetoomuch6meonourhands.Therealityisthatsince1973leisure6meinAmericahasdecreased37percent.
• Somees6matethatonly10percentofChris6ansareac6velydevelopingtheirrela6onshipwithGodonaregularbasis.This10percentincludesmanyindividualswemaythinkaretoo“busy”todoso(coaches,Fortune500execu6ves,etc.),yetblockout6meeverydaytofocusontheirrela6onshipwithChrist.
We,asAmericans,aregenerallyover-commi[ngtowork,events,andotherac6vi6es,whileremainingunder-commiOedtoleisure,play,anddevelopingourrela6onshipwithGod.Inotherwords,weareover-commi[ngtolife-drainingac6vi6esandunder-commi[ngtolife-givingones.Somethingneedstochange,butwhat?
Everyday,weallmake6meforthethingswedeterminearemostimportant.Aswebeginthisseries,myprayeristhatwethepeopleofSouthRidgeChurchwilldeterminethatcomingtoknowGodmorefullyisthemostimportantitemonourdailyschedules.
Letmeencourageyoutotakeafewimportantsteps:
(1) Overthenext12Weeks,committospendingjust15-30minutesaday,4-5daysaweekreadingandthinkingthroughtheBookofRomanswithus.Ifyougetbehind,don’tquit.It’sbeOertocompletethisstepinmorethan12weeksthantonotcompleteitatall.
(2) Duringthis15-30minutesaday,committoreadingthroughthisReadingGuide,reflec6ngandjournalingthroughtheques6onsprovidedwithineachdailyreading.
(3) UseagoodStudyBibleand/orotherresourcesasyoureadthroughthisReadingGuide.RefertohOps://southridgeblog.com/study-bible-infoformoreinforma6ononmanyexcellentStudyBiblesavailabletoday.Somesugges6onsinclude:
• NLT(orNIV)LifeApplica6onStudyBible,ThirdEdi6on,NIVZondervanStudyBible,ESVStudyBible,andmore.
Part I: March 15 - Romans 1:1-17 March 22 - Romans 1:18-3:20 March 29 - Romans 3:21-4 Apri l 5 - Romans 5 Apri l 12 (Easter) - Romans 6 Apri l 19 - Romans 7
Part I I: Apri l 26 - Romans 8:1-11 May 3 - Romans 8:12-17 May 10 - Romans 8:18-39 May 17 - Romans 9-11 May 24 - Romans 12 May 31 - Romans 13-16
ResourcesCitedinthisDevo1onal:
1. TheNLTLifeApplica3onStudyBible,ThirdEdi3on2. TheGoodandBeau3fulLife,JamesBryanSmith3. VictoryOvertheDarkness,NeilT.Anderson4. TheGiIsofImperfec3on,BrenéBrown5. TheGoodandBeau3fulGod,JamesBryanSmith6. TheDailyStoic,RyanHoliday7. TheCulturalBackgroundsStudyBible8. TheGoodandBeau3fulCommunity,JamesBryanSmith
Note:AllquotesfromtheBiblearefromtheNewLivingTransla3on.
Ti ps for Completi ng th is Read i ng Gu ide:
Takesome6metothinkaboutwhatyoumaybeabletoeliminatefromyourcurrentscheduleinordertocommittohaving6metoengagewithGod’sWordfor15-30minutesaday.(Itmaybeassimpleashavinglessscreen6meeachday.)
Gotobedatadecenthour,ge[ngatleast7-8hoursofsleepanight.Remember,yourbodyandsoulareunited.Youcannotgrowspirituallyifyouarewearyand6redphysically.
Spend1-2minutesinquietsilencebeforereadingeachday.Similarly,endyour6mewithanaddi6onal1-2minutesofsilence.
Writedownyouranswerstotheques6onsfromthisReadingGuideinajournal.
Trytogetintothehabitofreadingandjournalingatthesame6meeachday.Manyfindithelpfultoreviewtheiranswersacoupleof6mesthroughoutthedayastheymayhaveaddi6onalthoughtstoinclude.
Mark6meinyourcalendarforeachdailyreading.Thiswillhelpyouremindyourselfthatthisisasimportant(evenmoreimportant)thanotheritemsonyourschedule.
Askyourspouse,acolleague,aCommunityGroupMember,oranotherfriendtocheck-inwithyoueachweekandaskwhatyou’relearning.
Don’trushthroughthereadings.Ifsomethingcomesupandyouneedtopauseandreturntoitlater,thiswillprovideabeOerresultthanreadingtooquickly.
Mostimportantly,rememberthatyour6mewithGodisnotsomethingtocheckoffyourlist.It’sadedicated6metogettoknowHimandgrowinyourrela6onshipwithHim.
WhatcanIeliminatefrommyscheduletofollowthroughwiththiscommitment?__________________________
What6mewillIplantogotobedeachnighttorestwell?_____________________________________________
What6mewillIplantoreadandjournaleachday?__________________________________________________
WhocanIasktocheck-inwithmeeachweektohelpmefollow-through?________________________________
DAILY READING EXAMPLE:
DAY 1: Inspirational vs. Transformational
Theleosideofeachdailyreadingwillcontainabriefdevo6onal.
READING&JOURNALING:
TherightsideofeachdailyreadingwillcontainafewScriptureversestoreadandaddi6onalques6onsforreflec6on.
SampleJournalEntry:
Re-readRomans1:3-6.WhataresomeofthetruthsabouttheGoodNews?Whatdothesetruthsmeanforyoupersonally?
Inyourownnotebook,youmaywritesomethinglike:
The Good News declares that I belong to Jesus Christ, and that He sees me as Holy. This means that Jesus has the final say on who I am, and I can live today knowing that He sees me as a Saint and not a sinner. This is a life-giving truth that will sustain me throughout the day!
PRAYER:Therightsideofeachdailyreadingwillalsocontainabriefprayertoreadandreflecton.
F260READING:
ThisScriptureReadingisincludedforanyonewhomaywanttoreadthroughthefounda6onalpassagesofScripturethroughouttheyear(Sept.2019-August2020).Itisnotpartofthisstudy,butisprovidedforthosecommiOedtoreadingthroughtheBibleinayear.
MARCH17: Practice Makes Transformation (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Whatwouldyousayisnecessaryforrealtransforma6ontotakeplace?
Afootballcoachmaythinkabouthowtotransformeachindividualplayertophysicallyandemo6onallyprepareforeachgame.WhiletheprocessforeachplayermaybealiOledifferentdependingontheirathle6cability,eachindividualwillprac3ceoverseveralweeks,evenmonths,topreparefortheseason.Theresultsmaynotbeno6ceableaoeraweekortwo,butaoercon6nuedprac3cethecoachesandplayerscanseeandfeelthedifferencewithintheirbody.Theyarementallyandphysicallypreparedforthechallengestocome.
Thespirituallifeisn’tmuchdifferent.WemaythinkwecanaOendchurchonSundayandnotputinanyaddi6onalspiritualprac6cesthroughouttheweek.Butthenwhendifficul6esinlifearise(andtheyalwaysdo)wearewoefullyunprepared.Weneedongoingspiritualprac6cestoexperiencereallifetransforma6on.
Asyoureadtoday,thinkaboutwhatkindsofspiritualprac6cesPaulmaintainedeachdaytopreparetowritethisleOer?
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS1:1-17
Whatkindsofspiritualprac6cesdoyouthinkPaulmaintainedeverydaytopreparetowritethisleOer?
Eachpersonisunique.Whatkindsofspiritualprac6cesdoyouthinkbesthelpyoutogettoknowGodbeOer?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,ifIhadtosummarizemycurrentlifeinoneword,Icouldeasilyusetheword“busy.”Ispendatremendousamountof6medoingthingsthatdonotnecessarilyleadmeclosertoYouorothers.AsIcon6nuetoengageinYourWordandinprayerthisweek,maythetruthsofwhoYouareandwhoIamsustainandtransformmeforthechallengesIwillfaceinotherareasoflife.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
(Endwith1-2minutesofsilence)
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Daniel9,10,&12
MARCH16: Inspirational vs. Transformational
(Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Ifyouweretowatchorreadthenewstoday,chancesarehighthatyouwouldreadsomethingaboutlocalorna6onalpoli6cs,aswellascrimesorotherworldwidedisasters.Youmaybeluckyandhavetheopportunitytoreadsome“goodnews,”findinganar6clethatisuplioingandencouragingtoyoursoul.
These“goodnews”storiesintoday’smediaarefewandfarbetween.Moreover,they’realsoinspira3onalinnature.Theymayprovidesomeencouragementforyourday,butallinalltheywon’thaveasignificantimpactonhowyoulive.
TheauthorofRomans(Paul)beginsthislengthyleOerbydeclaringfromtheoutsetthathehasbeenchosenbyGodtopreachthe“GoodNews.”TheGoodNewsPaulspeaksofistheGospelofJesusChrist,anditistransforma3onal.Itnotonlyhasthepowertoprovideuswithdailyencouragement,butithasasignificantimpactonhowwelive.
Asyoureadtoday,paycloseaOen6ontohowPauldescribesthe“GoodNews”ofJesusChristandhowthesetruthscanandshouldimpactourdailylives.
READING&JOURNALING:
INTRODUCTIONTOROMANS,ROMANS1:1-17
InyourStudyBibleofchoice,readthroughtheintroduc6ontotheBookofRomans.
WhenwasRomanswriOen?Whataresomeofthekeythemesofthebook?
Re-readRomans1:3-6.WhataresomeofthetruthsabouttheGoodNews?Whatdothesetruthsmeanforyoupersonally?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,it’seasyformetogetcaughtupinwhatotherssayorthinkaboutme,butul6matelyitisYouwhodetermineswhoIam.YouseemeasYourfriendandasaSaint.Maythesetruthsresonatedeepinmyspiriteachandeveryday!IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
(Endwith1-2minutesofsilence)
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers).
Read:Daniel5&6
Week 1: ROMANS 1:1-17
MARCH19: I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Romans1:16reads,ForIamnotashamedofthisGoodNewsaboutChrist.ItisthepowerofGodatwork,savingeveryonewhobelieves—theJewfirstandalsotheGen3le.
Onthisverse,theNLTLifeApplica6onStudyBible1notes,“PaulwasnotashamedoftheGoodNewsaboutChristbecauseheknewthatitwastrueandthatitcouldnotberefutedbyeventhebrightestmindsofGreekorRomanculture…WhenyoufeelembarrassedtobeaChris3an,rememberwhattheGoodNewsisallabout.IfyoufocusontherealityofGod’stransformingandlife-changingpowerintheworldratherthanonyourown[feelingsof]inadequacy,youwillfindtheconfidenceyouneedtoboldlyspeakaboutyourfaith.”
Thoseexperiencingreallifetransforma6onareregularlycomingtoseethemselvesinthesamewayGodseesthem.Theyseethemselvesasholy,saints,deeplylovedbyGod,belongingtoChrist,chosen,apartofGod’sfamily.
WhenweallowthetruthsoftheGospeltopermeateourlives,anyandallshameisridden.Wecometoapointofwan3ngtosharetheGoodNewsandtonotfearanyconsequences.
MARCH18:You Are Holy (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Whenyouwakeupeachmorning,doyouseeyourselfasasaintorasasinner?IfthelaOer,considerthis:
• You,…arelovedbyGodandarecalledtobehisownholypeople.Romans1:7
• Iamwri3ngtoGod’sholypeople…Ephesians1:2
• Iamwri6ng,toyouwhobelongtoGodtheFatherandtheLordJesusChrist.1Thessalonians1:1
• Iamwri3ngtoGod’schosenpeople…1Peter1:1
• GoddecidedinadvancetoadoptusintohisownfamilybybringingustohimselfthroughJesusChrist.Ephesians1:5
ThesepassagesarejustabriefsnapshotofwhattheScripturessayaboutallwhohaveprofessedfaithinChrist.TheyaffirmthatyouaredeeplylovedbyGod.Holy.ASaint.YoubelongtoGodandtoChrist.Youarechosen.YouarepartofGod’sfamily.Iftransforma6onincludesknowingwhoyouareandwhoseyouare,theseversesofferaglimpseintothetransforma6onGodhasmadeinyouandiscon6nuingtomakeinyou.
MARCH20:JOURNALING Writeabouta6mewhenyoutriedtoexperiencerealtransforma3oninthepast.Wereyousuccessful?Ifnot,coulditbethattheresultswerenotalackofeffortbutalackoftrus6ngChristinyoureverydaydecisions?
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Ezra5&6
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS1:1-17
InyourStudyBibleofchoice,readthroughthecommentarynotesfortoday’sreading.WhatifanythingdidyoulearnaboutGodorhowGodseesyou?
DoyoustruggletobelievethatGodseesyouasholy,asaint,thatyoubelongtoHim,thatyouarechosen,andthatyouarepartofGod’sfamily?Ifso,whydoyouthinkthatis?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,IconfesstherearemanydaysinwhichIseemyselfmoreasasinnerthanasasaint.Con6nuetohelpmeseemyselfinthesamewayYoudo.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
(Endwith1-2minutesofsilence)
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Ezra1&2
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS1:16-17
DoyoucurrentlyhaveanyshameorfearwhenitcomestosharingtheGoodNewswithothers?Ifso,wheredoyouthinkthatfearorshamecomesfrom?
PRAYER:
Today,writeoutyourownprayertoGod.Confessanyfearorshameyoumayhave,andcon6nuetoaskHimtohelpyouseeyourselfinthesamewayHeseesyou.
(Endwith1-2minutesofsilence)
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Ezra3&4
MARCH24: Looking Inward
(Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
InRomans2,PaulrespondstosomeJewsinRomewhowerelivingoutafalsebeliefsystem.TheybelievedthatitwasOKforthemtopointfingersatGen6lesfortheirwrongdoing(sins),whilenotfocusingatallontheirownwrongdoing.Paulrefutesthiswayofthinking,outliningthattheytoohavesinnedagainstGod.
OnRomans2:1,theLifeApplica6onStudyBible1notes,“Wheneverwefindourselvesfeelingjus3fiablyangryaboutsomeone’ssin,weshouldbecareful.Weneedtospeakoutagainstsin,butwemusthumblyrememberourownweakness.OIenthesinsweno3cemostclearlyinothersaretheonesthathavetakenrootinus.Ifwelookcloselyatourselves,wemayfindthatwearecommidngthesamesinsinmoresociallyacceptableforms.Forexample,apersonwhoisverycri3calofthosewhogossipmayjus3fythesameac3oninthemselves….”
Thiscommentarynotecontainsasoberingtruth:thatonemustfirstlookinwardattheirownsinsbeforelookingoutwardatothers.
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS2:1-16
Thinkofa6mewhensomebodyincorrectlypointedoutwrongdoinginyourlife.Forexample,somebodyfalselyaccusedyouofgossiporsomeothersin.Whatemo6onsdidyouexperienceasaresult?
Romans2:4notesthatit’sthekindnessofGodthatturnspeopletorepent.Inwhatwaysdoesthistruthimpacthowyoucanaddresssinfulbehaviorinthelivesofothers?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,Iamcertainthatatone6meoranother,Ihavefalselyaccusedothersofsinfulbehavior.MaythetruththatitisYourkindnessthatleadspeopletorepentancecompletelychangehowIapproachotherswhomaybelivinganungodlylifestyle.MayYourkindnesslivewithinmeandthroughmesothatotherswanttoturntoYouinallthings.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
(Endwith1-2minutesofsilence)
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Ezra7&8
MARCH23: God’s Anger at Sin
(Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
InJamesBryanSmith’sbook6tledTheGoodandBeau3fulLife2,heoutlinesRomans1:18-32andreferstoitas“TheSixStepsofRuin.”Thesestepsinclude:1. Theturnaway:Somebodysays,"IwanttobeGod.”1:212. Theminddarkens:IfthereisaGodandsomeone
con6nuestoturnawayfromHim(step1),theirminddarkens.1:21-22
3. Idolatry:WemusthaveaGod.IfonerejectsGod,thensomethingmusttakeHisplace.Anidolisanythingweinvestourlivesin,inordertogainpleasure,happiness,andafalsesenseofpurpose.1:23
4. Godleavesusalone(Wrath):Unlesswediscoverthefu6lityofthisexistenceandturnbacktoGod,weareforcedtopushforwardinouridolatry.1:24
5. Pleasureispursuedatallcosts.Disconnectedfromrealityandonourown,wemustfindawaytofindfulfillment.Romans1:26
6. Sinreigns.Sinandwickednessbecomenorma6ve,automa6cbehavior.1:28-31
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS1:18-32
ReadRomans1:18-32andcompareitwiththeoutlineprovidedintoday’sdevo6onal.DoyouthinkJamesBryanSmithhasoutlinedthispassagewell?
Haveyouexperiencedthesestepsinyourownlifeorseenthemlivedoutinthelivesofothers?Whatdoyouthinkisthemostimportantstepsomebodyneedstotaketogetoutofthisdownwardspiral?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,theoutlineprovidedintoday’sdevo6onalrevealstomesomehardtruths.Primarily,itrevealsthatthereare6meswhenIwanttobeGod,andasaresultIturnfromYou.Today,Iturnawayfromthiswayofthinking,andsimplypraythatIwillcometomorefullyknowandexperiencethegoodnessofwhoYouarethroughoutthisweek.InJesus’name.Amen.
(Endwith1-2minutesofsilence)
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Zechariah1:1-6,2,&12
Week 2: ROMANS 1:18 - 3:20
MARCH26:God’s Faithfulness (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
InancientRome,oneofthegoddessesworshipedbythepeoplewasJus66a,thegoddessofjus6ce.StatuesofLadyJus6ceooenshowthegoddessblindfoldedandholdingasetofscales.ThisismeanttosymbolizethatJus6ceisblindtoanykindofprejudice,andthescalesareevenlymeasuredforeverybody,regardlessoftheireduca6onorstatus.
AsaRomanci6zen,theApostlePaulwaswelleducatedandveryfamiliarwithculturalcustomsandteachings.InhisongoingresponsetosomeJewishci6zensinRome,heusestheculturalunderstandingofLadyJus6ceaswellastheOldTestamenttoshowthatallpeople-bothJewsandGen6les-areonanevenlyweighedscaleinthesightofGod.TheJewscancelebratethatGodchosethemtorevealHisrighteousness,butthisdoesn’tmeantheyarebeOerthanothers.
HethenquotesanumberofOldTestamentpassages,endingwith,"Theydon’tknowwheretofindpeace.TheyhavenofearofGodatall.”Isaiah59:7-8,Psalm36:1.Inotherwords,Paulissaying,“Yourwayofthinkingisn’tleadingyoutodiscoveringrealpeace.Perhapsyououghttothinkdifferently.”
MARCH25: God is on My Side vs. I Want Others to Know the Real God.
(Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
ThestoryoftheBibleshowsthatGodselectedagroupofpeople-thepeopleofIsrael-torevealthegoodnessandloveofwhoHeistotheworld.WhenPaulwrotehisleOertotheRomans,someJewshadtakenthistomeanthattheywerebeOerthanothers.TheywerelivingwiththefalsebeliefthatsinceGodhadchosenthem,itmustbebecausethey’rebeOerthanothers.
AsPaulcon6nueshisleOer,herefutesthiswayofthinking.BecauseGodhadgiventhemtheOldTestamentLaw,Paulrespondsasifhe’salawyermakingalegalargumentandhiscaseissimple:Youaresoproudofknowingthelaw,butyoudishonorGodbybreakingit.Romans2:23
ThroughoutRomans2Paulisbasicallysaying,“Thelawisn’tabouthowgreatyouare.ItwasgiventoshowhowgreatGodis.Butyou’velostsightofthistruthandtheconsequencesaredevasta6ng.”Asyoureadtoday,wrestlewithhowyouseeGod.IsGodonyourside?OrdoyousimplywantotherstoknowtherealGod?
MARCH27: JOURNALING HowwouldyoudescribeyourtrustlevelwhenitcomestoGod?HavethingshappenedtoyouthatmadeyoudoubtthatGodisalwaysgoodandalwaystrustworthy?
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Esther3&4
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS2:17-29
Haveyoueverthoughtsomethinglike,“Ireallyneedtoshareahardtruthwithso-and-so,andGodisonmyside?”Whatwastheresult?
PaulwasmoreconcernedthatthepeoplereadingRomanswouldcometoknowGodmorefullythantosimplyknowaboutGod.WhataresomethingsyoudotogettoknowGodandnotjustlearnmoreaboutHim?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthereare6meswhenIlivemylifewiththemindsetthatYouareonmyside.WhileYourWordaffirmstruthssuchas,“IfGodisforus,whocanbeagainstus,”it’swrongofmetothinkthatthisisaboutmebeingbeOerthanothers.IrepentofthiswayofthinkingandwanttoknowYouasYoureallyare.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
(Endwith1-2minutesofsilence)
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Ezra9&10
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS3:1-20
IfyourthoughtsaboutGod,yourself,andothersaren’thelpingyouexperiencerealpeaceinlife,whatcanyoudoaboutthat?(SeeRomans12:2)
Whoissomebodyyouknowwholiveswithahighlevelofpeaceandcontentmentinlife?ConsideraskingthemwhatthoughtstheyhaveaboutGod,themselves,andothers.Alsoconsideraskingthemwhatspiritualprac6ceshelpthemtoexperiencethislevelofpeace.
PRAYER:
Today,writeoutyourownprayertoGod.Confessanynega6veorunhealthythoughtsyouhaveaboutGod,yourself,and/orothers,andprayforwisdominhowGodmaybeabletohelpyouchangeyourwayofthinking(Romans12:2).
(Endwith1-2minutesofsilence)
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Esther1&2
MARCH31: Performance vs. Acceptance (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Thinkaboutthis:Doyouliveyoureverydaylifethinkingmoreabouthowyoucanbestperformorbeperfect,ordoyoulivethinkingmoreaboutthetruththatGodacceptsyou?Forthosewholivebyperformingortryingtobeperfect,authorandresearcherBrenéBrownwritesinTheGiIsofImperfec3on4,“Perfec6onismisthebeliefthatifweliveperfect,lookperfect,andactperfect,wecanminimizeoravoidthepainofblame,judgement,andshame.”Brown’sunderstandingofperformanceorperfec6onismalignswellwithRomans3:21-31.Wecantrytoovercomeoursinfultendenciesonourown,butoureffortswon’tproduceanyrealfruit.Instead,itissimplybyourfaiththatwecanavoidthepainofblame,judgment,andshame.TheLifeApplica6onStudyBiblenotesonRomans3:28,(1)Faitheliminatestheprideofhumaneffort,becausefaithisnotadeedthatwedo.(2)FaithexaltswhatGodhasdone,notwhatwedo.(3)Faithadmitsthatwecan’tkeepthelawormeasureuptoGod’sstandards—weneedhelp.(4)Faithisbasedonourrela3onshipwithGod,notourperformanceforGod.
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS3:27-31
Behonest:Doyoulivemorebyperformanceand/orperfec6onorintheacceptance,security,andsignificancegiventoyoubyyourfaithinJesusChrist?
HowoughtyourfaithinChristfreeyoufromtheburdensoftryingtoperformforGod/others?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,IconfesstherearemanydayswhenItrytoperformbyeitherlivingperfect,lookingperfect,and/orac6ngperfectinordertominimizethepainofblame,judgement,andshame.Butthesethoughtsooenleadmetoexperiencemorefeelingsofjudgementandshamebecauseperfec6onismcannotbeaOainedonmyown.Iamonlyaccepted,significant,andsecure3becauseofChrist.Maythesetruthscon6nuetoshapehowIseeYou,myself,andothers.Amen.
(Endwith1-2minutesofsilence)
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Esther8,9,&10
MARCH30: Not Guilty
(Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Imagineforamomentthatyou’resi[nginacourtroom,butnotasanac6veobserver.Instead,you’reontrial,andSatanistakingyoutocourt.Alldaylong,youhearargumentsfromthedevilabouthowyouareguiltyofsinningagainstGod(seeRomans2:1-3:20).Throughoutthetrial,youhearwhatSatanissayingandyoutrytotakedownnotestomountadefense,butbytheendoftheday,youknowthathehasmadeaverycompellingargument.
Aoerward,yourdefenseaOorney,Jesus,looksdirectlyatyouandsays,“There’snothingyoucandoonyourown.YouareguiltyofsinningagainstMe.ButIhavetakenonyourpunishment.IfyouwilltrustinMeandcommittofollowingMe,thenyouwillbeclearedofallchargesagainstyou.Youwillnotonlybefreetogo,butGodwillalsoseeyouasHissonordaughter.YouwillbeinvitedintoOurfamilyandwillalwayshaveaseatatthetablewithMe.Youwillbedeclaredarighteoussaintandnotaguiltysinner.NowtellMe,wouldyouliketoacceptMyoffer?
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS3:21-26
IfyouhaveacceptedChrist,thenGod(theJudge)hasdeclaredyouNotGuilty.NeitherSatan,theworld,orotherscandeclareyouunrighteousorinsignificant.Today,writeoutRomans3:24inyourtransla6onofchoice.Inwhatwaysshouldthetruthofthisverseimpactyoureverydaylife?Bespecific.
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,some6mesit’seasierformetoacceptthetruthofRomans2:1-3:20-thatIhavesinnedagainstYou—thanitisformetoacceptthetruthofRomans3:21-26—thatYouhavewillinglyofferedmefreedombydeclaringme“Notguilty,”becauseofJesusChrist.Todayandeveryday,IsimplywanttorestintheloveYouhaveselflesslylavisheduponme.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
(Endwith1-2minutesofsilence)
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Esther5,6,&7
Week 3: ROMANS 3:21 - 4:25
APRIL2: God is Working (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
ThestoryAbrahamrevealsthatGodnotonlymakespromises,butthatHewillfulfillthem.ThechallengeforusisthatGodwillfulfillHispromisesinHis6ming,andnotinourown.
InthebookofGenesis,GodhadmadesomespecificpromisestoAbraham.Yearsandyearspassed,andGod’spromiseshadnotyetcometofrui6on.YetPaulwritesinRomans4:20-21,AbrahamneverwaveredinbelievingGod’spromise.Infact,hisfaithgrewstronger,andinthishebroughtglorytoGod.HewasfullyconvincedthatGodisabletodowhateverhepromises.
Ul6mately,thepromiseGodmadetoAbrahamwasn’tcompletelyfulfilledun6lJesusChrist.WhileAbrahamwasabletoexperienceapartofGod’spromiseinhisownlife6me,thecompletefulfillmentofGod’spromisewashundredsandhundredsofyearsaoerAbraham’sdeath.
Today,youmaybepraying,hoping,orwai6ngononeofGod’spromisesinyourownlife.RememberthatGodwillfulfillHispromisesinHis6ming.WhileGodmaybeworkingslowly,thisdoesn’tmeanHeisn’tworking.
APRIL1: Do You Think He Loved Me?
(Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
InhisbookTheGoodandBeau3fulGod5,authorJamesBryanSmithwritesastoryabouttwofriendswhogrewuptogether,joinedthemilitarytogether,andfoundthemselvestogetherinwartogether.Whilehunkeringdowninafoxholethefriendswerecha[ngwhenalivegrenadelandednearby.Onefriendsmiledandlookedattheother,andthendoveontopofthelivegrenade,killinghiminstantly,butsavinghisfriend’slife.
Yearslater,thesurvivingfriendcon6nuedtowrestlewiththisevent,andwhetherornothewasworthyofhisfriend’ssacrifice.Lateoneevening,heaskedhisfriend’smother,“Doyouthinkhelovedme?”Themotherquicklyjumpedoffthecouch,shookherfingerinhisfaceandsaid,…”Whatmorecouldhehavedoneforyou?!”
Inthismoment,hehadanepiphany.Herealizednotonlythathisfrienddeeplylovedhim,butalsothatChristlovedhiminthesameway.Hehadsome6meswonderedifhewastrulyworthyofGod’slove.HecouldpictureGodshakingHisfingerinhisfacesaying,“WhatmorecouldIhavedonetoshowyouhowmuchIloveyou!?”
APRIL3: JOURNALING HaveyoueverwonderedifGodreallylovesyou?Ifso,whatmightbeonewaytofindaclearanswer?
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Nehemiah5&6
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS4:1-15
IntheOldTestament,KingDavidlied,murdered,andcommiOedadultery,yetheexperiencedthefullforgivenessofGod.DoyoustruggletothinkthatGodhasfullyforgivenyouofanywrongdoing?Ifso,whydoyouthinkthatis?
PRAYER:
Today,writeoutyourownprayerand/orpraiseGod.ThankHimforfullyforgivingyouofanysinsyou’vecommiOedagainstHimorothers.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Nehemiah1&2
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS4:16-25
WhataresomethingsyouhavelearnedaboutGod’s6mingvs.yourown6ming?
WhyisitimportantforyoutorestinGodandnotinthe6mingofHisresults?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,IacknowledgethatIliveinaworldinwhichinstantgra6fica6onisthenorm.Icanstreamamovie,readabook,oreatamealwheneverIwant.Assuch,Iamguiltyofwan6ngtoseeYouworkorfulfillYourpromisesinmy6minginsteadofpa6entlyawai6ngYour6ming.Today,Igiveupthiswrongwayofthinking,andtrustthatYouwillfulfillallthingsinYour6ming.IacknowledgethatthebestthingIcandoistorestinYou,andnotinYour6ming.InJesus’name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Nehemiah3&4
APRIL7: We Have Peace with Ourselves (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Romans5:11reads,Sonowwecanrejoiceinourwonderfulnewrela3onshipwithGodbecauseourLordJesusChristhasmadeusfriendsofGod.
Throughoutmy(PastorJus6n)ministrycareer,onecommonstoryI’veheardfromothersis,Ijustcan’tbelieveIdid(fill-in-the-blank)whenIwasyounger.Ijustfeelawfulaboutit,andI’mnotsureIcanforgivemyselfforit.
There’safalsenarra6vebehindstoriessuchasthese,andit’squitesimilartotheonemen6onedyesterday.Thisfalsenarra6vegoessomethinglikethis:Iwillhavepeacewithmyselfwhen(fill-in-the-blank).Orperhapsit’sworse:Iwillneverhavepeacewithmyselfbecause(fill-in-the-blank).
ThosesufferingwiththoughtssuchasthesemayhavetakenthestepofrecognizingtheirownsinagainstGodorothers(Romans3:23),buthavefailedtofullyacceptthatGodhasdonealltheworktoforgivethemoftheirsins.TheyfailtoseethemselvesasafriendofGod.ThetruthisthatGod’sforgivenessisfull,andforthoseforwhohaveprofessedfaithinChrist,GodnowseesyouasHisfriend.
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS5:1-11,JOHN15:13-15
Howdoyoudefinefriendship?
ImagineGodsayingtoyou,“IwantyoutoknowthefullnessofwhoIamandhowmuchIloveyou.YouwillknowthisbyfollowingMe.”Thisisessen6allywhatJesussharedwithHisdisciples.HowdoesthisimpactyourunderstandingofwhatitmeanstobeafriendofGod?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthatit'srareformetowakeupandthinkofmyselfasafriendofGod.ButthisiswhatYourWordteaches,andIwantthistruthtopermeateintomesodeeplythatIknowitdeepinmybones.Whenabiblicaltruthsuchasthishelpsformmyiden6ty,thereisliOlethatcanraOleme.Helpme,Lord,toseemyselfasYourfriendeveryday.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Nehemiah9
APRIL6: We Have Peace with God
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Inhisancientwri6ngs6tledDiscourses,stoicphilosopherEpictetuswrote,“Theproperworkofthemindistheexerciseofchoice,refusal,yearning,repulsion,prepara3on,purpose,andassent.Whatthencanpolluteandclogthemind’sproperfunc3oning?Nothingbutitsowncorruptdecisions.”
RyanHoliday6,amodern-dayauthorwhoresearchesstoicphilosophy,writesthatrepulsion,inthissense,isbeingrepulsedby,“nega6vity,badinfluences,[and]whatisn’ttrue.”
Everyday,weareinundatedwithinforma6onthatmaybeeithernega6ve,abadinfluence,orsimplyuntrue.Someofthesethoughtsdon’tcomefromelsewhere,butfromwithinourselves.Theycomefromourownnega6vethoughts.
Forexamplesomemaygiveintothefalsenarra6veof,IwillhavepeacewithGodwhen(fill-in-the-blank).Thoughtslikethesearebiblicallyuntrue,andassuch,weshouldbecompletelyanduOerlyrepulsedbyit.Instead,wemustreplacenarra6veslikethesewithtruthssuchasRomans5:21,“wehavepeacewithGodbecauseofwhatJesusChristhasdoneforus.”
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS5:1-11
Doyoufindyourselfbeingrepulsedbythoughtsthatleadtonega6vity,areabadinfluence,and/ormaynotbetrue?
Writedownafewthingsyou’renotcurrentlyrepulsedby,butyou’rethinkingmaybeyoushouldbe.ArethereScripturesthatgoagainstthesethings?Ifso,meditateonthosepassagesthisweek.
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,IrecognizethattherearealotofthingsIsee,hear,orreadeverydaythatarenega6ve,abadinfluence,orareuntrue-inthattheygoagainstYouandYourWord.HelpmetoseethesethingsforwhattheyreallyareandtorecognizethattruepeacecomesonlybecauseofwhatJesushasdoneforme.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Nehemiah7&8
Week 4: ROMANS 5:1-21
APRIL9: Ruled by Grace (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Throughouttheweek,we’vebeenlookingatdifferentfalsenarra6vesthatimpactourlives.Theseinclude:
IwillhavepeacewithGodwhen(fill-in-the-blank).Iwillhavepeacewithmyselfwhen(fill-in-the-blank).I’veacceptedtheGospel.Idon’tneedtohearitagain.There’sonemorefalsenarra6vethatPauladdressesinRomans5.Apparently,someoftheRomanChris6answerebelievingthatsinwass6llrulingtheirlives.Paulrefusestoallowthiswayofthinkingtocon6nue.HewritesinRomans5:21,Sojustassinruledoverallpeopleandbroughtthemtodeath,nowGod’swonderfulgracerulesinstead,givingusrightstandingwithGodandresul3ngineternallifethroughJesusChristourLord.
Inotherwords,Paulissaying,“Sindidruleoverallpeople…butnowGod’sgracerulesinstead.Donotlivebythinkingthatyouareruledbysin.Instead,liveknowingthatyouareruledbygrace.Byallowinggracetocompletelyreigninyourlife,youwillexperiencetheeternallifeGodhasforyou,now.Notwhenyoudie.Butrightnow,thisveryday!”
APRIL8: Preach the Gospel to Yourself Daily (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Somepeoplemaygrowupinasmallcountrychurch,listeningtothesamegospelmessagepresentedattheendofeverySundaymessage.Thesametwenty-sixpeoplewhoaOendeveryservicesmileandnodatthepastor,whilethinkingtothemselves,Weknow,andwedon’tneedtohearitagain.
Whilethepastorintheillustra6onabovemaynotbecommunica6nginawaythatresonatedwiththepeople,it’simportantnottogiveintothefalsenarra6vethatgoessomethinglikethis:I’veacceptedtheGospel.Idon’tneedtohearitagain.
AreviewofPaul’sleOersintheNewTestamentshowsthathewaswri6ngtoSaints(thosewhohadalreadyacceptedtheGospelandtrustedinJesusChrist),butalsoshowsthathecon6nuallycommunicatedthegospeltothem.Paulisspeakingadifferent,truenarra6ve.He’ssaying,“Youreallyneedtogetthis.Thismessageissoimportant,youneedtoheariteverysingleday!Whetheryouhearitfromme,fromsomebodyelse,orfromyourself.Butit’svitalthatyouhearthetruthofthegospeleverysingleday.”
APRIL10(GOODFRIDAY): JOURNALING Thisweekwecoveredfourfalsenarra6ves(beliefs)aboutGod,yourself,thegospel,sin,andgrace.Whichofthesenarra6vesdoyoumoststrugglewith?Doyouhaveanyotherongoingnega6vethoughtsorfalsenarra6vesthatmaygoagainstscripture?Whatarethey?
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Nehemiah12
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS5:12-21
Whydoyouthinkit’simportanttopreachthegospeltoyourselfeveryday?
Whataresomewaysinwhichyoucanpreachthegospeltoyourselfthroughoutthedaytoday?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthereare6meswhenIhearaboutYourgoodness,Yourgrace,orYourgospel,andIthinktomyself,Iknow,andIdon’tneedtohearitagain.ButIrecognizethatitdoesn’ttakelongformetoneglect,ortosetasidethetruthofYourWord.MaythewondersofwhoYouareandwhatYouhavedoneformebeetchedintomyheart,sotheybecomethelifebloodofwhoIamandhowIlive.IprayinJesus'name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Nehemiah10
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS5:12-21
Doyouliveyourlifewiththethoughtthatsinrulesyourlifeandisleadingyoutodeath,orwiththethoughtthatgracerulesyourlifeandyoucanexperienceeternalliferightnow?
InyourStudyBibleofchoice,readthroughthecommentarynotesforRomans5.WhatifanythingdidyoulearnaboutGodorhowGodseesyou?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthatthereares3lloccasionsinwhichIseemyselfasbeingasinner(ruledbysin)andnotasaint(ruledbygrace).ButIrecognizethattherootofthesethoughtscomesfrommedesiringtorulemylifeinsteadofsimplywalkinginstepwithYouandallowingYoutoleadtheway.Forgivemeformakingmyworldmyownkingdom,insteadofres6nginYourKingdom.InJesus’name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Nehemiah11
APRIL14:New Nature
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Romans6:11reads,SoyoualsoshouldconsideryourselvestobedeadtothepowerofsinandalivetoGodthroughChristJesus.
Oneofthebiggestques6onsoftheChris6anfaithis,WhydidJesushavetodie?Infact,someofthegreatestmindsfromthebeginningsofChris6anitythroughtodayhavewrestledwiththisques6on.Andwhilethereisnoshortageofthoughtsonhowtoanswerthisques6on,manyhaveproposedthatit’snotthecorrectques6on.TheanswerisnotthatJesushadtodie.Instead,theansweristhatJesuschosetodie.
AsJamesBryanSmithwritesinTheGoodandBeau3fulGod5,“TheFather,SonandSpiritworkedinharmonytoreachouttoafallenandbrokenworldinordertorestoreit.Goddidforuswhatwecouldneverdoforourselves.ThecrossisasymbolofGod’sloveandsacrifice.Jesusassumedandhealedourhumancondi6on,andindoingsohedemonstratedthedepthsofGod’sloveforallofcrea6on.”
JesuschoosingtodieallowsustohaveandexperienceaNewNature.Wenolongerliveruledbysin.Butruledbygrace.
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS6:1-11
Howwouldyourespondtoafriendorfamilymemberwhowaswrestlingwiththeques6on,“WhydidJesushavetodie?”
Whatwouldyousayiscurrentlyrulingyourlife(sin,grace,somethingelse)?Whatimpactisthishavingonyoureverydaydecisions?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthatit’schallengingformetothinkaboutwhyJesuschosetodie.AsIdwellonit,IrealizethatJesuschosetodietotakeonthepunishmentformysins.Maytheseverityofthisloveandgracecon6nuetochangemefromtheinsideout.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Malachi1
APRIL13: New Life
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Romans6:4reads,AndjustasChristwasraisedfromthedeadbythegloriouspoweroftheFather,nowwealsomaylivenewlives.
It’seasytoseethatourworldisbroken.Ifyouweretoaskanyindividual,ofanysex,ofanyculture,ofanysocialstatus,whatisbrokenabouttheworldinwhichwelive,youwouldreceivenoshortageofanswers.Everybodyknowsthattheworldisbroken.Fortunately,Jesusprovidesapathtoescapefromthebrokennessofthisworld.
TheLifeApplica6onStudyBible1notesthatforallwhohavetrustedinChrist'sdeathandresurrec6on,GodhasprovidedaNewLife,aNewNature,andNewFreedom.
Formany,eventheideaofaNewLifesoundsintriguing.Forexample,ifyouweretoevaluateeveryareaofyourlife—physical,emo6onal,spiritual,yourthoughtlife,etc.—youmayverywellstarttothink,Wow.IfIcouldactuallyhaveaNewLife,Ithinkthatcouldbeveryhelpful!
ButRomans6basicallysays,“Thisisn’tjustanidea.YoucantrulyexperienceNewLife.”
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS6:1-11
Whatarethefirstthreethingsthatcometomindforthisques6on:whatisbrokenabouttheworldinwhichwelive?
WhatthoughtscometomindwhenyouthinkthatyourNewLifebeganthemomentyouprofessedfaithinChrist?Itdoesn’tbeginwhenyoudie,butyou’relivingitrightnow?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,todayIsimplywanttothankYouforprovidingmewithaNewLife.Helpmetolivetodayandeverydayknowingthatthenextlifedoesn’tbeginwhenIdiebuthasalreadybegun.MayIrejoiceinthistrutheachandeveryday.InJesus’name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Nehemiah13
Week 5: ROMANS 6:1-23
APRIL16: A New You (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Romans6:23breads,butthefreegiIofGodiseternallifethroughChristJesusourLord.
Ourculturethrivesonconsumerism.Forexample,Amazonreporteda4thquarterrevenueof87.4Billiondollarsin2019.87.4BillionwithaB.That'salotofsalesandconsumerism!
Itshowsthat,atleastinourculture,we'realwayslookingforsomethingnew.SowhenwethinkabouthavingaNewLife,oraNewNature,orNewFreedom,wemayimmediatelythinktoourselves,Signmeup!But…what'sitgoingtocostme?
Romans6answerswiththemostsurprisinganswer—it'snotgoingtocostyouathing.
Theveryideacausessometobalkandwalkaway.Othersmaywantmoreinforma6on,butinthebackoftheirmindsthey’res6llthinkinglikeaconsumer:Surelyit'sgoingtocostmesomething.
Inreality,thereisnocost.Jesuspaiditall.Butifyouacceptit,therewillbeaNewYou.AndwhiletheNewYoumaynotbeeverythingyouexpected,it’llbefargreaterthanyoucouldeverhopefor.
APRIL15: New Freedom (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Romans6:7,19reads,ForwhenwediedwithChristweweresetfreefromthepowerofsin…Nowyoumustgiveyourselvestobeslavestorighteouslivingsothatyouwillbecomeholy.
TheCulturalBackgroundsStudyBible7notesthatwhenRomanswaswriOen,manyintellectualswouldusetheillustra6onofslaverytospeakagainstwrongideas.Assuch,theApostlePaulusesasimilarargumentbysaying,“Youarenolongerslavestosin!”ThosewhofirstreadhisleOerwouldhaveknowntheillustra6onandwouldhaverejoicedatthethoughtthattheyneednolongerbeburdenedbysin.ThattheyindeedhadbeengivenNewLife,andaNewNature.
ButPaulthenflipstheargumentaroundandencouragedtheChris6ansinRometobeslavesofrighteousliving.YoucanjustimaginethemreadinghisleOerandthinking,What?!Youjusttoldusthatwehadanewlife.Nowyou'retellingustobeslavesagain?”
ButPaulwasn’tencouragingthepeopletobeslavesofsin.Instead,hewassayingtobeslavestorighteousliving.Hisargumentwassimple:RighteouslivingleadstoNewFreedom.
APRIL17: JOURNALING Takesome6metodaytowriteoutabriefsummaryofRomans6.Trytodoitinonly2-3sentences,makingiteasytorememberandeasytosharewithothers.
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Malachi4
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS6:12-23
Howdoesbeingaslavetorighteouslivingactuallyleadtoexperiencingfreedomandfrui{ulnessinlife?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,IconfessthatwhenIthinkaboutbeingaslavetorighteousness,it’seasyformetothinkaboutachecklistofwhat’srightandwhat’swrong.ButI’mcon6nuallylearningthatbeingaslavetorighteousnessisn’taboutachecklistbutissimplyaboutmegrowinginmyknowledgeandunderstandingofwhoYouare,aswellasgrowinginmyknowledgeofunderstandingofwhoYouhavemademetobe.IpraythatthetruthsofwhoYouareandwhoIamwillopenmyeyestothefreedomonlyYoucanprovide.InJesus’name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Malachi2
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS6:12-23
InyourStudyBibleofchoice,readthroughthecommentarynotesforRomans6.WhatifanythingdidyoulearnaboutGodprovidingyouanewlife,anewnature,andnewfreedom?
ReadMaOhew13:44.WhatdoyouthinkaboutthegraceofGodbeinga“freegio”(Romans6:23)yetalsopayingeverythingyouown(MaOhew13:44)toreceiveit?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,YourWordisclearinsayingthattheGospelmessageisafreegio.It’salsoclearinsayingthatImustgiveupwhatIthinkIknowaboutYouandaboutmyselfinordertofullyreceiveit.Today,IsimplyacknowledgethatIwanttoknowYouinyourfullness,andIwanttoseemyselfasYouseeme.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Malachi3
APRIL21: Earn It (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
InthemovieSavingPrivateRyan,WWIIsoldierJamesRyanlearnsthathisthreebrothershadallbekilledinvariousbaOles.Assuch,heistobereleasedfromdutyandreturnhomeastheonlysurvivingson.Towardtheendofthemovie,thecommandingofficersenttoretrieveRyan,JohnMiller(TomHanks),becomesmortallywoundedwhileprotec6ngtheyoungerRyan.Inthisclimac6cscene,Miller’sfinalwordstoRyanare,“Earnit.”Millerwasbasicallysaying,Ipaidahugepriceforyou.Makesureyoulivealifeworthyofit.Fortherestofhislife,JamesRyanwonderedifhelivedagoodenoughlifetoearnit.
Thisthemeofearninglifeorsalva6onisprevalentallthroughoutthebookofRomansandisespeciallyprominentinChapter7.TheApostlePaulnotesthatsomemaybelievetheycanearntheirsalva6onbyfollowingGod’scommandments.OthersmaythinktheycanearnGod’sfavorbylivingwithgoodinten6ons.Butthisisn’ttherealgospel.Therealgospeltellsusthatwedon’thavetolivealwayswonderingifwe’regoodenoughtoearnit.Therealgospelisagio.
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS7:1-12
Howregularlydoyous6llfindyourselftryingtoearnGod’sfavororblessingsinyourlife?WhatliesmayyoubebelievingthatleadyoutothinkyoucanorshouldtrytoearnGod’sfavor?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,asIcon6nuetostudythroughthebookofRomans,I’mrecognizingthateventhoughIknowthegospelisafreegio,Is6llsome6meslivebytryingtoearnfavororblessingsforYou.Today,simplyhelpmetorestinthetruththatIcannotearnYourgrace,butmustsimplyreceiveitandknowthatIamYourbelovedsonordaughter.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Luke2
APRIL20:Living in God’s Kingdom
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Romans7:4reads,So,mydearbrothersandsisters,thisisthepoint:YoudiedtothepowerofthelawwhenyoudiedwithChrist.Andnowyouareunitedwiththeonewhowasraisedfromthedead.Asaresult,wecanproduceaharvestofgooddeedsforGod.
BeforefaithChristwesawtheworldaswewantedtoseeit.Wewere,inessence,kingsandqueensofourownlivesandooenhadveryself-centeredwaysofthinking.AstheNLTLifeApplica6onStudyBible1notes,ourownself-determina3onwasoursourceofpower.
ButaoerchoosingtofollowJesus,webegantoseetheworlddifferently.ByfollowingChrist,wecannowseetheworldasGoddoes.Wenotonlyseethebrokennessintheworld,butwerecognizethesolu6on.Wenotonlyseethedestruc6vepowerofsin,butweunderstandwearefreefromitspower.WenotonlyseetheoverwhelminggoodnessofGod,butweseethatHewillworkHisgoodnessintoourlives.Inshort,weseethatwenowliveinHiskingdomandnotourown.Andweseethatthere’snobeOerkingdominwhichwecouldlive.
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS7:1-6
Whataresomewaysyounowseetheworlddifferentlythanyoudidbeforetrus6nginJesus?Bespecific.
Whataresomewaysyounowseeyourselfdifferentlythanyoudidbeforetrus6nginJesus?Bespecific.
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthatitiseasyformetoseetheworld,myself,others,andevenYouinwaysthatmaygoagainstYourWord.Thisweek,IsimplypraythatYouwillcon6nuetoopenmyeyestoseeeverythingasYouseeit.Providemethewisdom,strength,andgracetobethepersonYouhavemademetobe.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Luke1
Week 6: ROMANS 7:1-25
APRIL23: The War for Your Mind (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Romans7:22-23reads,IloveGod’slawwithallmyheart.Butthereisanotherpowerwithinmethatisatwarwithmymind.Thispowermakesmeaslavetothesinthatiss3llwithinme.
InTheLordoftheRings,theyounghobbitFrodoBagginsistaskedwithachallengingmission:todestroytheringofpower.Asthestoryprogresses,theburdenbecomesheavierandheavier.Frodowantstoberidofthering,yethealsofindsauniquedesiretokeeptheringcloseatallcosts.HediscoversthetruthofRomans7:22,thatthereisapoweratwarwithhismind.
Thestoryisanexcellentreflec6onofwhatPauliscommunica6nginRomans7.AsChris6ans,wearenotimmunetosin.Whilewehavebeensetfreefromitsreigninourlives,weares6llflawed.ThedesiretosinagainstGodorotherscancreepineveninthemostunexpectedofmoments.WemustconstantlykeepourthoughtsandheartsonChrist,knowingthatHeandHealonecanremovetheburdenofsininourlives.
APRIL22: Willpower Won’t Work (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)
Romans7:15reads,Idon’treallyunderstandmyself,forIwanttodowhatisright,butIdon’tdoit.Instead,IdowhatIhate.
Haveyouevertriedanewdietorexerciserou6neandtoldyourself(andmaybeothers),“I’mactuallygoingtofollowthroughthis6me?”Ifnot,you’relikelyintheminority.Everyyear,millionsofpeoplesetNewYear’sResolu6onsandthevastmajorityofthemfailbytheendofJanuary.Why?Becausefartooooenwelivewithafalsenarra6ve,tellingourselveswhatwewillorwillnotdobasedsolelyonourownwillpower.
TheLifeApplica6onStudyBible1notesonRomans7:15thatPaulhaslearned3valuablelessons.(1)Knowledgeoftherulesdoesnotmakeiteasiertoobeythem.Justlikeknowingthebenefitsofdietandexercisedoesnotmeanwewillsimplyfollowthem.(2)Self-determina3onandself-improvementcannotchangeourhearts.(3)BecomingaChris3andoesnotstampoutallsinandtempta3oninaperson’slife.
Realtransforma6ononlyoccurswhenweallowGodtochangeourheartsandourminds.Tothinkwecanmakeithappenonourownisfoolishness.
APRIL24: JOURNALING InTheGoodandBeau3fulCommunity8,JamesBryanSmithwrites,“ThekingdomofGodisnotaboutrules,butaboutthegoodnessandconfidenceandlaughterwediscoverwhenwelettheHolySpiritleadus.”WhathaveyoulearnedaboutthegoodnessofGodthisweek?
F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:John1
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS7:1-20
Whenisthelast6meyouweredeterminedtoaccomplishsomethingbasedonyourownwillpower?Howdiditworkoutforyou?
WhatisoneareaofyourlifeinwhichyouneedtoallowGodtochangeyourheartand/ormind?
PRAYER:
Today,writeoutyourownprayertoGod.ConfessatleastoneareaofyourlifeinwhichyouneedtoallowHimtochangeYourheartand/ormind,andaskHimtotransformthisareaofyourlife.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Ma_hew1&2
READING&JOURNALING:
ROMANS7:1-25
Thereisanongoingwarforyourmind.What,specifically,isyourresponsibilityinthatbaOle?
Romans7:22notesthatthereisanotherpower(sin)thatisatwarwithyourmind.WhataretwoorthreeScriptureversesyoucanregularlyturntotoreplacesinfulthoughtswiththetruthsofGod’sWord?
PRAYER:
HeavenlyFather,Idon’tneedtoreadRomans7toknowthatthere’sanongoingwarformymind,butitisahelpfulreminderthatIneedtoacceptmyresponsibilityinthisbaOle.Today,maymy6me,energy,thoughts,words,ac6ons,andevenspendingreflectthatIamtakingthisresponsibilityseriously.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.
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F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)
Read:Mark1