Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Isn’t Romans 8:28 one of those verses you know, but when going through a failure of expectations, or when your dream has died, or a new family or employment problem comes into your life, and anxiety creeps in, you wonder how can any good can come out of this? You wish things were back to normal. But did you know “normal” is just a setting on your dryer? There was a book written several years ago by Patsy Clairmont, with that very title! I still have that book.

Ezra was a scribe commissioned by King Artaxerxes to establish the Law of Moses, to the Jewish community. Ezra studied the Law of the Lord; he was skilled at it and taught its statutes and rules in Israel. He knew the law inside and out. Ezra was leading a band of new Jewish returnees, exiles, back to Jerusalem, bearing royal gifts for the temple. Ezra 8:22,  states: “For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him. So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” God’s sovereign hand in the events of history for the Jews, is recorded throughout the book of Ezra. There were tremendous odds against them, yet repopulation of the ancient Promised Land was a fulfillment of prophecy. Ezra’s prayer about the peoples trust in God in Ezra 8:22-23, told about wanting to show the reality of God to the Persian king. Their long journey was going to be dangerous, for the roads were often frequented by thieves who robbed for survival. Prayers and fasting for protection prepared them spiritually. They recognized that God was in control and that they were not strong enough to make the trip without Him. The king’s ongoing support for them, they knew, would depend on his belief in the power and existence of the God of Israel. Ezra and the people then made it safely without being ambushed in their journey back to Jerusalem. God honored their prayers of faith with His protection. Ezra 8:22 is a parallel verse to Romans 8:28.

The word “all” means “all” – everything. There are no doubts – the verse does not say we hope or wish – no, we have a promise and it is a reality founded in the character of our Creator. The Greek language is essential to note that it places great importance on the word order – Paul put at the beginning of the verse – “for those who love God.” This promise stresses it is intended exclusively for believers – for you – for me.

“Does this mean that all things in the world are good? They are not. The world is unfair, brutal, shocking, and demoralizing, and it contains people who relentlessly oppose God’s created order. Nevertheless, as evil tries to destroy, the Lord turns the world’s destruction into our gain.” Charles Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary. Romans.

This verse is not saying that everything will turn out in our life to make us happy. God’s purpose is always eternally minded. Satan cannot overpower God’s plan. No sinful person can ruin God’s plan for your life. That will never happen.

Remember Joseph? He had not been treated fairly or well by his brothers. Have you ever been in a place where you could identify with him in that? Joseph later got to acknowledge to his brothers that he knew they “had planned evil against him” but “God planned it for good.” Joseph’s brother’s sin could not obstruct God’s greater purpose for His people.

Are you and God having closer fellowship recently due to a particular situation you are dealing with? Look at John 14:25:31 when you are feeling anxious. Jesus is speaking with his disciples before His crucifixion. Jesus is telling them that the Holy Spirit will be sent to comfort them, teach them “all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (v. 27).” Then Jesus states: “For the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.” The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, according to the will of God, (Romans 8:26-27) when we don’t know what words to use to pray. The more we focus on our issue the bigger it becomes. But Jesus said not to be afraid. He gives peace. Ask the Holy Spirit to refresh in your mind the specific verse you need that will give you the peace in your heart that you so desperately need. Then ask Him to show you a sign of His favor (Psalm 86:17).

Once God gives you that verse that gives you more hope and comfort share it. Don’t let it go to waste. He means it just for you, but you never know who God wants you to encourage and show love and kindness to that may be going through something similar. You just may be the person that helps turn on the lightbulb for someone in their need.

Here is a hug from me to you today! Stand up with shoulders straight, head held high, and go from here. God, the heavenly Father, is saying, “I’ve got this. I know the end of your story, and I am right here with you! Now go make me proud! You can do this!”

Listen to Danny Gokey’s Haven’t Seen It Yet (Lyric Video). Perfect words for when you haven’t seen a Romans 8:28 in what you are struggling through.

Romans 8:26-27: “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. 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.”

Do you feel like you need a hug today? Is it just one of those days or weeks where you feel you need extra understanding and consolation and it doesn’t seem to be coming your way? When someone gives you a smile and it suddenly meets a deep insecure need they don’t even know you are struggling with when you make eye contact, and you feel appreciated and loved – just like a hug. I have at times. But it goes back to being willing to surrender it all to our heavenly Father as difficulties drag on. But whatever struggle and turmoil you might be going through right now, be comforted in knowing that the Holy Spirit will give comfort, instruction through God’s Word as you read it, and be your advocate. “Today, the Holy Spirit groans with us and feels the burdens of our weaknesses and suffering. But the Spirit does more than groan. He prays for us in His groaning so that we might be led into the will of God. We do not always know God’s will. We do not always know how to pray, but the Spirit intercedes so that we might live in the will of God in spite of suffering. The Spirit “shares the burden.” Warren Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT.

When all you can do is sigh or groan inwardly over a burden as you pray and lift it to God, remember what is also going on in your behalf:

• The Holy Spirit groans with us – “groanings too deep for words.” He has wisdom we do not possess.
• Jesus Christ, God’s son, is interceding for us.
• God the Father will do what’s right concerning us.

The Bible tells us God works through the vehicle of prayer.

When you are tempted with discouragement, remember you have two intercessors. The Holy Spirit dwells within us and “intercedes for us with groanings (Rom. 8:26) and Jesus Christ, is at the “right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us (Rom. 8:34),” in heaven.

Dwell on this:

• No matter how deep the pain we suffer, there will be an ending, and one’s joy will be greater at that end.
• The weaker our spirit is, the stronger His support is provided.
• When affliction and suffering bring you to your knees, that is when the power of God has the greatest effect on your ministry, or your parenting, or your role in your employment (2 Cor. 12:10).

What problem is the Holy Spirit interceding for you about right now, so you will know what the will of God is for you in this?

What prayers has God answered in the past that you were ready to give up on?

Our perspective is short-sighted. We can’t see beyond current circumstances. But the Holy Spirit, interceding on our behalf, is praying with insight and wisdom that is beyond our comprehension. “He groans His intercessions in heaven so that our minds and the mind of the Father will unite to accomplish His will.” Chuck Swindoll. Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary. Romans.

When you are at the point when all you can do is sigh or groan, as you see yourself progressing yet taking steps backward, keep praying even though you don’t know what to say. Then look up to heaven and say again, “Ok, now what’s next Papa?”

Listen to the Newsboys new song, This I Know (Lyrics) YouTube.

Romans 8:15-16: “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

Have you ever thought about or realized the role of the Holy Spirit in your life? Paul now introduces to his readers in Rome, the purpose of the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8. In Romans 1-7, he only refers to the Holy Spirit three times. But in chapter 8, he refers to the third person of the Trinity, twenty times. Paul states in verse 6 that “the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.” Then in verse 9 and 10, Paul states the fact that the Holy Spirit lives in us and therefore, “the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

The instant we accept Christ as our Savior, He adopts us and gives us the position of an adult son or daughter. We then have the Holy Spirit in us, leading and guiding us by God’s Word day by day empowering us to live in the will of God. We have a new standing, a new position in belonging to the family of God from the instant of our conversion onward. We may not always feel we belong, but the Holy Spirit’s inward presence in our heart reminds us of who we are. He is our comforter and encourager (Rom. 5:5) who pours out God’s love into our hearts. We never have to feel insecure because Christ is right there, never leaving us.

The term “Abba father” was an Aramaic term of endearment and intimacy, used by young children to speak to their fathers. “Daddy” or “Papa” would be our equivalent term. Paul used it in Romans 8:15 and in Galatians 4:6: “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” It denotes unusual tenderness, dependence, and a relationship free of anxiety or fear.

What fears in this life have enslaved you during your lifetime? We all have them but have to fight against giving into them. Paul also states in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” The Greek word deilia is used here and means one who flees from battle and refers to being cowardice. Timothy is saying that does not depict a Christ follower because we have the power of the Holy Spirit living within us.

Since we have the Holy Spirit within us, and Christ has chosen us to be His adopted son and daughter to be in His family, why don’t we, why don’t I, live adventurously expectant to whatever comes next in my life? I happen to be one of those people that hate change. I prefer the status quo – that is where I am most comfortable.

The MSG states Romans 8:15-16 this way:

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us – an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through.”

What chains of fear(s) have crept into your life during the past two weeks? What was the outcome?

How has the Holy Spirit led you recently in making decisions through God’s Word clarifying in your mind what God’s will is? How has your faith been tested? How has He then reassured you that you are indeed adopted into God’s family?

I often struggle with feelings of insecurity. I often feel ill-equipped, not smart enough, not savvy enough, and that in my expectations, or someone else’s, I will be let down or I will let someone else down. So I have to remind myself of Paul’s words in Romans 8:15 – God has not given His children the spirit of fear – that never comes from Him. I, too, have to reboot my mind to take hold of the promises of God and to take action on the truth found in God’s Word, leading my life day by day, so I can also say: “OK, now what’s next Papa?”

Listen to Stand In Your Love by Josh Baldwin, YouTube. Listen to the lyrics.

Romans 7:15: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

Do you ever ask yourself what is wrong with me? Why can’t I be better? Why did I do that? Take comfort – Paul had the same problem and admitted it in Romans 7. He has just talked about presenting oneself to God, in Romans 6, in yielding to God as “instruments for righteousness,” and he now states he doesn’t understand his own failures many times in this struggle of not doing what he knows is right and not carrying it out. Paul is not absolving himself of personal responsibility, or making excuses, but is emphasizing the power of sin even Paul struggles with, and continually has to redirect his thoughts, his mind, his heart, back to God’s truths and promises. Paul shares his vulnerability.

The tenth commandment, in Ex. 20:17 forbids coveting (having a strong desire for that which belongs to another). Luke states in Luke 12:15 that covetousness is the root of all sins so to be on guard against it. Paul states in Romans 7:8: “But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment (“thou shalt not covet”), produced in me all kinds of covetousness.”  The Old Testament law activated Paul’s conscience. Paul is saying that the command not to covet actually accomplished the goal of making him covet even more (think of Eve and the forbidden fruit and Achan with the wedge of gold). “Paul said, I got up and decided not to covet, but my rebellious flesh took over and caused me to covet in ways that I did not think possible.” Wayne Barber. Some commentators feel Paul was writing autobiographically about before his conversion experience. If that is true then Paul is writing that he was indifferent to the demands of the law on the inner man. Paul was raised in a sheltered Jewish culture. He was taught the law from birth. But the fact remains that Paul points to himself as an example, be it pre-Christian or not and explains the law of God is perfect and as he grew in his understanding of Scripture, after his conversion, he realized how sinful he really was – that is his point.

So what is the answer in our back and forth struggles of needing to stand firm, persevering, growing in learning to place our faith and hope in God, and living through setbacks and coming out a stronger person in our relationship with Christ?  Paul states it at the end of Romans 7 and in verses 24-25: “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, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

Paul declares Jesus is the answer – His living presence in our lives and filling our hearts and minds with His Word. We have to put on our spiritual armor every day (Ephe.6:10-18). Our culture has a pill or method of having being numb attractive as an escape, but that does not give one the tools to deal with life’s pressures. What Paul wrote is valid for all Christians. We all struggle with weaknesses and imperfections, but by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power, we will walk worthy and grow as a Christ-follower in complete obedience and surrender to our heavenly Father, while we mature in our perseverance, stronger character, and unwavering hope (Rom.5:3).

Our acceptance is in Christ. Our identity is in Christ. Our worth is found in Christ. Our purpose is not in our social status or position. Hebrews 6:10 declares: “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.”

What would make you happier than you are right now?

Who do you wish you were more like and why?

“Envy is the painful and oftentimes resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by someone else. Sometimes we want that same advantage, leading to the further sin of covetousness. And sometimes we just resent the other person having something we don’t have.” Jerry Bridges. Respectable Sins. Confronting The Sins We Tolerate.

“Covetousness is desiring something so much that you lose your contentment with God.” John Piper.

Charles Stanley has said in his book “Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back” – “Why keep persevering? I’ll tell you why. Because it is in the realistic arena that true character is forged out, shaped, tempered, and polished. Because it is there that the life of Jesus Christ is given the maximum opportunity to be reproduced in us, replacing a thin, fragile internal theology with a tough, reliable set of convictions that enable us to handle life rather than escape from it . . . when the bottom drops out and brutal blows attempt to pound us into the corner of doubt and unbelief, we need what perseverance offers: willingness to accept whatever comes, strength to face it head on, determination to stand firm, and insight to see the Lord’s hand in it all.”

Listen to the new song from Danny Gokey, “Wanted.” May the words minister to you today as you listen to it on YouTube. It is from his new album – Haven’t Seen It Yet.

Romans 6:13: “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Remember when you first got married and you thought you had marriage down pat and you knew everything there was to know about your spouse? Then seasons of life progressed and you discover more and more new things about each other you didn’t know before. Your love for each other deepens as the years go by. Sanctification – in the Christian life is much the same. It is a progressive process. The longer you are a Christian the more you learn new things about God’s love, faithfulness, power, mercy, and grace. He speaks directly to you out of His Word, giving you just what you need when you need it, and it will have special meaning just for you.

The NIV states Romans 6:13 as “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God . . .”

The KJV states this verse as “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves to God . . .”

Paul states five different times in Romans 6:13, 16, and 19, this phrase of “present your members” in the ESV, while the NIV states “do not offer” and the KJV says “do not yield” to sin. The power of sin was destroyed on the cross. It was deactivated – paralyzed and was nailed to that cross. Christ offers freedom in no longer being under sin’s control.

Then Paul appeals to his readers; he counsels them, in Rom. 12:1 that we are to present ourselves to God for His glory – “as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” – that is our purpose – to be yielded entirely to God as an instrument for righteousness. It is a fully, once and for all surrender of our own will, yielding, presenting, offering ourselves unto the Lord.

Remember that banner phrase, “Let go and let God!” That was totally false –  while we remain idle is totally wrong. Paul is saying the Holy Spirit provides us with the energy and our will must kick in to stand firm in saying no to sin while having faithful obedience to God’s will and law. It is surrendering to righteousness. God is not going to do that for us. It is a life-long process – called sanctification. It has to be done daily and is not age specific.

The following are examples of how God used various “members” which is parts of the body for His purpose:

• The rod in Moses’ hand was used by God to conquer Egypt.
• The sling in David’s hand, God used to defeat the giant Goliath.
• God used the mouths and tongues of the prophets.
• Paul’s dedicated feet took him from city to city proclaiming the gospel.
• John’s eyes saw visions of the future, while his ears heard God’s message, and his fingers wrote it all down for us to read.

However, we are also given examples in the Bible of physical body parts being used in disobedience and sin: Eve’s eyes and hands picked the forbidden fruit; David’s eyes and mind led to a plot of killing. Ps. 51 deals with the sin of David’s mind, eyes, heart, ears, and lips and mouth. Then he repented and prayed for mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing from his sin.

Our old sin nature has been paralyzed – deactivated, while other things are being made new for God’s glory. Living in the freedom of God – doing what satisfies Him — listening to our master and shepherd who has set us free to have eternal life, a new life with Him – this should be our battle plan each day.

“Learning to walk spiritually/supernaturally is similar to learning how to walk naturally because a walk merely consists of two simple steps, repeated over and over again. It is not a complicated thing. In the same way, the Christian life is a matter of taking two steps, one step after another. Then you are beginning to walk. Put off the old man and put on the new. Then repeat. That is all. Keep walking through every day like that. That is how Scripture exhorts us to live.” Ray Stedman.

What verse has given you ammunition to stand firm and persevere as God intended?

Which body part gives you the most trouble – your mouth, eyes, heart, mind, or hands?

Listen to the Newsboys brand new song This I Know (Audio). It is from their new album United, released in May 2019

Romans 5:2b-5: “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 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.”

In the Christian life, we are complete in Christ. Christ’s acceptance of us is secure. No one can take that away. But as we are growing in our relationship with Christ, becoming more and more like Him, we will have temptations and problems. That is what life is on this earth until Jesus calls and takes us home to live with Him. We enjoy having the peace of God because He has justified us, declared us not guilty, by His grace. But we still face daily pressures. Yet God has a plan in it all.

The Chain of Christian Growth and Maturity Found in Rom. 5:3-5:

• Suffering produces endurance v. 3-if we remain firm under it. Literally, Paul is referring to stresses of life. Real hardships. Paul knew this better than anyone from his own life.
• Endurance produces godly character v. 4.
• Character produces hope v. 4
• As we wait for this hope to be fulfilled, the love of God is poured into our hearts v.5.

Look at Romans 5:3-5 from The MSG: “There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary – we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” Now if I can just remember that the next time I feel like I am hemmed in with troubles! Yes, my faith and my hope in the Lord should tell me – “Hey you! There is more to come out of this. Pause and wait to see what God will do next.” I confess that has not been my gut reaction during the past two weeks.

Paul taught the church at Rome that in our tribulations and sufferings, God’s glory will be revealed through our endurance which will then be producing and maturing our character. This transformation process is like purifying gold and ends up in the hope of the glory of God, as we wait for the love of God being poured into our heart. It is certain but may not be fully realized yet. Christ Jesus is our hope (1 Tim.1:1), and as we abide in Him He fills us with joy (Jn. 15:11 & Gal. 5:22).

Have you felt like you were going through a time of sufferings? The NASB uses the word “tribulations” in Rom. 5:3. Warren Wiersbe has said that the English word tribulations comes from the Latin word tribulum. In Paul’s day, a tribulum was a massive peace of timber with spikes in it, used for threshing the grain. The tribulum was drawn over the grain, and it separated the wheat from the chaff. As we go through tribulations, sufferings, afflictions, and depend on God’s grace, these trials purify us and help to get rid of the chaff.

As we wait for God’s love to be poured into our heart, to fill up the holes of defeat, disdain, loneliness, rejection, intimidation, maybe frustrations of failures and various heartaches, God will sustain us with His love, joy, and peace, while we are dealing with the stress and feeling hemmed in on every side for God is faithful. Have hope.

How has God shown His love to you this week?

“The weaker the human instrument, the more clearly God’s grace shines through.” John MacArthur.

Listen to Mercy Me’s Even If (Official Lyric Video).

Romans 4:18-20: “In hope he (Abraham) believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

Have you ever had to make a decision that had longtime repercussions or effects? Abraham faced that back in the book of Genesis. His obedience affected the history of the world.

Lessons we can learn from Abraham’s life:

• His faith was tested is shown in Romans 4:19. He was old, and so was Sarah. Beyond standard physical years to be able to become pregnant and have children. He was 99 yrs. old and Sarah was 89! Yet he believed God for what He said-promised.
• Faith was unwavering and matured –“grew strong in his faith,” Verses 20 and 21. Abraham never doubted – “was fully convinced.”
• As Abraham grew strong in his faith He gave glory to God.
• Jesus was born through the line of Abraham. God’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
• Key reference verse about Abraham – Gen. 15:6: “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Remember, the Hebrew word translated for “believed” means to say Amen – truly, it is certain!

As Abraham believed God, how I want to have faith in God like Abraham had! No doubts – no but and -what-ifs and being constrained by human constraints of perspective.  There are over 60 references to faith or unbelief in Romans. The phrase, “by faith” is said 21 times in Hebrews 11. Sure and certain are two words that describe the word faith. It is having hope against all hope.

Yes, Abraham made mistakes. Under direct pressure, he distorted the truth but was also known for his wisdom and faithfulness and consistently trusted in God’s provisions. The obstacles he faced strengthened his faith, and God rewarded Him for it. Don’t we all learn from our mistakes more than our successes? What obstacles are strengthening your faith recently?

God spoke to Abraham back in Gen. 15:1 when He said: “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward.” God gave Abraham a reason to have courage – that God would be his shield. A shield protects us from harm or being hurt. It blocks out what is harmful. It is a person or thing that protects against danger. I had to remind myself of that this past week.

As God was a shield to Abraham, He will be a shield to you through your complete faith in God’s promises and power. God will stay with you through any trial. God will reward you by Him being glorified in you. He wants to make you holy and pure.

May you put your name in this blank today: “I, _______________, will put my hope against hope in God alone. I will not waiver. I will not fret. My abilities are useless in comparison to the power of God, and I believe that God has the power to do as He promised, just as Abraham believed. I will have hope against all hope for God is faithful!

Listen to Danny Gokey’s Lyric Video – Hope In Front Of Me.

Romans 4:7-8: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

GOD’S WORD Translation states Romans 4:7 this way: “Blessed are those whose disobedience is forgiven and whose sins are pardoned.”

My HCSB Life Essential Bible’s wording of these two verses is all in caps: “HOW JOYFUL ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS ACTS ARE FORGIVEN AND WHOSE SINS ARE COVERED! HOW JOYFUL IS THE MAN THE LORD WILL NEVER CHARGE WITH SIN!”

In Romans 4:7-8, Paul quoted from one of David’s psalms of confession after his sin with Bathsheba, Psalm 32:1-2: “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” Warren Wieresbe has said: “God does keep a record of our works, so that He might reward us when Jesus comes, but He is not keeping a record of our sins.” Amen!

When you get up in the morning, look in the mirror and say: “God blesses me. My sins that I have confessed to God, He has forgiven and covered it all by God’s grace and mercy. My identity is in God alone. He does not measure me by my position, abilities, skills, or personality. He accepts me and knows my potential. God, You are working things out for my good. That is a fact declared by Paul in Romans 8:28. You have called me to You for your excellent purpose for me. May I see the power of the gospel transforming lives as I help give out Your love to others as you have abundantly forgiven and pardoned me.”

Has your life taken a sudden detour unexpectedly?

Has your dream suddenly vanished?

Is your job going in a different direction than you had anticipated? Does it seem stability is no longer present?

Has a door suddenly closed? God will use both open doors and closed doors. He has no limitations. He has the winning plan. Dive deep into your perseverance mode. God is faithful. As a Christian, you are blessed and forgiven in your position before the Lord.

The Hebrew word translated for “believed” (think of Abraham-his faith was the root of his obedience-Rom. 4:3) means to “say Amen” – truly, it is certain. Believe that your sins have been forgiven. Stay faithful. You are declared righteous (justification) through Christ’s death on the cross and are being sanctified (on-going process) for His purpose, and say truly, it is certain! Amen!

Listen to The Afters – Well Done (Official Lyric Video).

Romans 3:10-12: “As it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

Paul quoted from the Psalms in Romans 3:10-12. Ps. 14:3: declares: “The fool hath said in his heart “There is no God.” Then again Ps. 53:1 also states: “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God”. They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is no one who does good.” Ps. 53:3 also states: “They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” Paul is asserting that everyone has personal guilt. We all have sinned and deserve God’s judgment. It all started in the garden. Today’s news is filled with debauchery going on, but it was going on during Paul’s time in the New Testament, and David’s time in the Old Testament too. They both wrote about it –and they didn’t have the internet back then! People are bent to deviate or bend away from God’s way – that is not new. Romans 3:12 says “they have become worthless.” Think of a pitcher of sour milk or rotten fruit. This is quoted from Psalm 14:3 and 54:3 and the Hebrew meaning for the word “corrupt” means useless or worthless –  “to go bad  ” or to become like sour milk or rotten fruit – it has gone bad and is thoroughly useless in regards to works of righteousness. Warren Wiersbe calls Romans 3:13-18 “an X-ray study of the lost sinner, from head to foot.”

I was in a business meeting in my industry this past week. A particular “term” was used by the speaker at the platform. She said to the laughing audience, “If you don’t know what that means, look it up on Google after the meeting.” So I did, and I was horrified! It was immoral, and I felt disgusted and dirty. Have you had that happen to you too when you were innocently looking up information on the web, and something else pops up on the screen that is sinful?

But Paul tells all of us in the book of Romans that there is hope in the gospel. There is a solution. Paul had proved in Romans 3:1-20, that all men are sinners; next, he explained how sinners can be saved and have eternal life. Romans 3:24-25a states that we “Are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” Propitiation means the removal of God’s punishment for sin through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

“Justification is an act, not a process. There are no degrees of justification; each believer has the same right standing before God. Also, justification is something God does, not man . . . Most important, justification does not mean that God makes us righteous, but that he declares us righteous.” Warren Wiersbe.

As believers, we need to ask ourselves the following questions:

• Have you ever said a misspoken word that caused someone’s feelings to be hurt or maybe it was from your tone of voice?
• Do you have any bitterness toward anyone?
• Have you become angry when anyone strongly disagrees with you?
• Has your need for the sense of approval become your idol emotionally?
• Has the pursuit of happiness become the utmost importance in your life?

We all have sinned. We all have taken steps backward and have to ask for God’s forgiveness and move forward. Our desperate needs point us toward Christ. The following verses reflect and lead us to where our joy comes from:

• Romans 4:7: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sin is covered.”
• John 15:11: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
• Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness (graciousness, HCSB) be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”
• Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Bask in the joy the Holy Spirit gives you from spending time with Jesus today. Ask God to provide you with new things to laugh about which will fill you with an abundance of joy and give you peace in His love of protection over you today. You never know how the light of the gospel within you will be a stepping stone to someone else seeing their need of salvation and realizing the foolishness and vanity of this life without God is futile – there is no meaning – just despair. It is like sour milk or rotten fruit – worthless. But through Christ’s death and resurrection, we can enjoy a relationship with God that gives fulfillment of joy and purpose to life. Let your light shine.

Listen to Jordan Feliz Changed (Lyric Video).

Romans 2:15-16: They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”

The definition of the word conscience is: An inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one’s behavior. It gives a sense of obligation to do right or be good. It has to do with the mind and one’s morals. Our conscience makes us feel bad when we have spoken words we wish we could take back. However, Paul is telling the Romans that conscience is not always in line with God’s moral law.

 The conscience is believed to be located in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. It is the part of our brain that helps us make decisions. It records what we learn is right and wrong. But the problem is our conscience learns by experience, our biology, and our background.

Our conscience is composed of our upbringing and is reported to be set by the time a child is six years of age. Our conscience can accuse or excuse as Romans 2:15 states. The rules we had growing up mainly formed our conscience about right and wrong. But it is also developed by the Holy Spirit convicting our heart and mind while reading God’s Word. However, our conscience and the Holy Spirit are not the same thing. Romans 12:2  admonishes us: “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.” That is why it is so important to guard our hearts. We must memorize God’s Word, so it penetrates our thought processes and travels from our mind down into our heart, so we make decisions based on the truth found in Scripture. Paul declares that “the gospel is the power of God for salvation.” Romans 1:16. It is the message of truth that transforms lives.

“Every person, whether believer or nonbeliever, has a conscience that is part of the soul. The conscience is not the voice of God. When you think the Holy Spirit is leading you, look for the witness of the Holy
Spirit, the illumination of the Scripture, and the confirmation of God’s hand in the circumstances.” Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God.

So, how do you recognize God’s voice in your own life leading and guiding you to be aligned with His will? Dr. Blackberry, who wrote the book,  Experiencing God,  was asked this question and his response was: “It’s really very simple. I always read the Word of God. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to bring me the mind and heart of God. When the Holy Spirit speaks through the Word of God, I always know that I have the will of God and can proceed.”

Kay Arthur also has stated: “I know the Lord is speaking to me when it is confirmed by Scripture. God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness in His Word (2 Pet. 1:3). He never contradicts Himself and never acts contrary to His character.”

What forms your boundaries in life?

What verses in Scripture has God used to personalize the decisions you have needed to make in your life?

I need to ask myself daily how does God’s truth found in scripture show in my thoughts, actions, and speech? What changes do I need to make? I also have no excuse. I need to echo God’s yes and His no in my boundaries.

God will one day bring every deed into judgment whether it is good or evil (Ecc. 12:14). That day no one will escape or have an excuse. Acts 10:42b declares: “He is the one (Jesus Christ) whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.” Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins saves us from the penalty and power of sin. God judges according to the truth (Rom. 2:2), and according to man’s works or deeds (Rom. 2:6), but he also judges “the secrets of men” (Rom. 2:16). God sees what is in the heart and judges righteously. May our conscience be aligned deep within us that echoes God’s yes and no, in the boundaries we set, as we live in pursuing obedience, spiritually aligned to our Savior, before our world today.

Listen to Casting Crowns YouTube video, Voice of Truth. May these words in song give you courage today as you listen and believe God’s voice of truth found in His Word.