SCRIPTURE: Romans 9 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last.” [John 15:16] God does what He does for a purpose. Why does God seem to choose the least likely, and overlook the ones who expect to be favoured? Why did Jesus bypass the…
nothing, no one, nada!
SCRIPTURE: Romans 8 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” [John 10:28-29] According to Jesus, we are totally secure. No matter what….
the new me, set free
SCRIPTURE: Romans 7 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.” [Matthew 12:33]. Jesus pointed out that in order to change the fruit of a tree, you have to change the tree. As long a…
set free from sin
SCRIPTURE: Romans 6 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” [John 8:34-36] Am I a slave to sin, or…
new identity, new life!
SCRIPTURE: Romans 5 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “’Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’” [John 8:10-11] Jesus removes the barriers between God and us, and removes the label “condemned” from over us. No condemnation, as far as…
sincere, humble faith
SCRIPTURE: Romans 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” [Luke 7:50] This is what Jesus says to a sinful woman who came to Jesus with deep sorrow, and anointed His feet with her tears and perfume, wiping them with her hair. Jesus saw into her heart, and there He saw humility, honesty, sincerity… love….
the only way to be righteous
SCRIPTURE: Romans 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 5:20]. How do we do better than the Pharisees? The answer – we don’t, we can’t. The answer, Jesus helps us. Paul is making…
I need mercy too
SCRIPTURE: Romans 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” [Matthew 7:1-2]. Paul, like Jesus, warns us against judging others. He exposes the judgmental person, showing that they need God’s…
the way to real life
SCRIPTURE: Romans 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” [John 10:9-10] Believing in Jesus as God’s human-divine…
Zelophedad’s daughters
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 36 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, ‘What do you want?’ or ‘Why are you talking with her?’” [John 4:27] We see in Jesus, Who embodies the heart and love of God, a different way of relating to women and children….