The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs…

And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. —Romans 16:17-18 Water is so powerful when moving. Typhoons, tsunamis, tides, hurricane surges, flooding rivers and torrential downpours all can be so very destructive as told in the tale of The Little Dutch Boy— “Dutch legend has it that there was once a small boy who upon passing…

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. —Romans 15:4 Some people put their hope in money. Others put their hope in good health, a good job, a good life. They are encouraged when their finances make life “easier” and when they are not overcome by some sickness, loss of their job or business or having difficult relational conflict with in the family or with anyone else. But all these things are so temporary and changing… Our hope should rest securely in God’s Word and what He has…

Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. —Romans 13:10 And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. —Romans 13:14 Prisons are filled with people who have unlovingly wronged others. They not only thought about ways to indulge their evil desires toward others but they carried those evil desires out. Murderers, thieves, and those who have committed sexual crimes fill our jails and prisons. But before we get self-righteous about not being in prison for those crimes, let us just remember that Jesus equates hatred with murder (Matthew 5:21-22; I John 3:15) and lusting after a woman (or man) in…

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! “For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?” For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. —Romans 11:33-36 How will we honor God today? In what way will we shine forth His brilliance? Will we live in such a way today to magnify His Name? What can we be or do today that…

And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved. —Romans 11:6 Kind people make such a better day, a better world. I recently heard about people here in our little town, a two country store (one with gas pumps) town, they paid for meals for soldiers eating the only diner and buying food at the other store for soldiers as well. Kindness to others brings joy to them and also encourages others who hear about it. Kindness… when we get somewhat of a grasp on God’s kindness it is…

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” —Romans 10:13-15 Go because you are sent— are you going? You have been sent by Jesus (John 17:18). Tell them so they can hear— are you telling? Faith comes…

And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. —Romans 8:10-11 Death is common to all people. It matters not the social, economic, racial, ethnic, nationality or intelligence of a person. All will die— 1.78 people die per second, 107 per minute, 6,390 per hour, 153,000 per day, 56 million per year, 3.9…

So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God. —Romans 7:4 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh,…

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6:23 A person labors as a construction worker, a doctor, a baker, a nurse, a policeman, fireman, clerk, but each of them has at least one thing in common—they get paid for what they do. The time, energy and expertise that each one invests are rewarded with a wage. In much of the world this wage is paid with money, but in many parts of the world this wage is paid with produce or livestock or some other commodity. But, the worker is paid wages for his work.…