In his opening greeting, Paul is identifying his readers. He had not, at the time of this writing, visited the church in Rome. The church had organically grown from those that made their way to the great city after the Pentecost in Jerusalem and those that had come from churches established elsewhere.

Paul doesn’t mention the believer’s love for God but rather that which is far more fundamental – God’s love for the believer. WE ARE LOVED BY GOD! Get used to it.

“Called to be saints” means kept holy by being set aside for dedicated use. As Charles Spurgeon put it, “They were not called because they were saints, but they became saints through that calling.”

This letter to the Romans applies to us today and we should walk in these promises and be thankful that we are loved by God and are “called according to His purpose.”

Set aside for Him,

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw

Christians, being the varied group we are, tend to handle adversity in many different ways. Some really struggle when anything goes wrong. They toss their hands to the sky and list their complaints to Facebook in frustration. Though they know God loves them, they just wonder why that love isn’t more tangible at this point in their lives.

Meanwhile, there are others that seem to handle difficulties with a supernatural calm. Sure they’re having problems, but they’re not going to let this ruin their day. It’s possible the second group has taken the advice of the above verses. They’ve read God’s word, been instructed by it, and it has indeed given them rest during their days of adversity.

We all have to make the choice whether we’re going to be the complainers or the conquerors. God wants to rest in Him and we can do that by applying His word to our hearts and lives.

Resting in Him,

Pastor Ron Kitchell

I know it is God’s will His people are filled with joy. Happiness is circumstance driven, it is affected by outward conditions. Biblical joy, however, is the product of the presence of the Holy Spirit in a life and the truths of God buried in a heart. As such, we can find great joy even in the midst of the worst of times because we know God’s Word and His heart and His promises. Your experience with His joy in your life today will reveal to you how much of His Word dominates your outlook. I pray it will be the most joyful day of the week to date!

Joyfully in Him,

Pastor Jack Abeelen

This does not seem to be a very encouraging verse for a devotional, but let’s dig a little deeper into the story. In the verses that follow, the disciples gathered around Paul, and he rose up and went back into the city, spent the night, and the very next day, departed for Derbe to continue on with his missionary journey.

Paul was someone who led by example and he demonstrated his relentless commitment to the gospel by not missing a beat because of the “setback” he had just encountered. When it came to ministry, Paul was a man of tenacity, purpose, and resolve. In each of the ministries God has called us to, we are going to experience setbacks, diversions, and distractions. However, may we imitate Paul (1 Corinthians 4:16) and by the power of God in our lives, overcome any obstacles that come our way.

Jeff Mericle

As I read this passage, I am reminded of how God made each one of us unique in our own way. We all have different skills that we can train and refine. If practiced enough, that skill will almost appear flawless by others. God gives all of us specific talents and gifts that He can use to bless our lives and be a blessing to others. Unfortunately, it’s easy for man to become “puffed-up” when it comes to status and achievement, as if we had something to do with it.

Pride is defined as arrogance, inordinate or unjustified self-esteem, and models a life apart from the ways of the Lord. The scriptures give us many warnings as to the dangers of pride and the destruction it brings, namely because pride is a by-product of sin. If you notice, the center of both pride and sin is “I”. When man becomes so full of himself, there is no room for the Lord. A man’s pride will only bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor (Proverbs 29:23). But, sometimes confidence and skill can be mistaken for arrogance and pride. Only God knows the intention of our heart. His desire is that we would honor Him, not boasting in works for our own vain glory, but through our works that He would be known. May our lives place Jesus on center stage, being emptied of ourselves and filled with the beauty of His holiness. Lord, may You be seen in me!

In His glory,

Tom Moore

Have you ever given to someone or donated to a charity or church and just had to tell someone the good you just did? Have you done something that you knew would bring recognition? Or do you only do things that would bring you recognition? Jesus here makes it clear. If that is your attitude towards giving, you have your reward. God not only loves a cheerful giver, but He wants all the glory.

Jesus is not at all suggesting that you put on a black hat and dark glasses when you give, but He’s telling us when you give, you don’t need to shout it to the world. Let the only person who knows you gave be the Lord who even sees you in secret. Let Him be the One who rewards you openly.

Joshua Navarro

God had told the people of Israel that the land He had promised to them would someday be theirs to possess. Enemies and giants filled this land, but the Lord said He would give them the land. God’s people needed to trust Him and they needed to patiently wait upon Him to work while they walked forward with their Lord.

Sometimes God brings quick victory to us over a ruinous sin that had previously held us captive. Other times, He leads us in achieving the win in our lives little by little; one battle at a time.

When progress in our lives seems to be frustratingly slow, we can take comfort in knowing that He will complete the good work within us; He will allow us to inherit the land of promise. Rather than being brought down by looking at the land yet to possess, we can rejoice over the territories that we have conquered so far in Him.

Today, let’s press on. Let’s never stop until we have taken the land entirely that He intends for us.

Jeff Deal

Are you in need of some good news today? Are you facing some giant problems — health problems, marriage problems, emotional or financial problems? Does it seem, perhaps, that God is a million miles away in your hour of need? We often feel like that in times of need but rest assured, He is as near to you as the shirt on your back and has not forgotten you for one second.

The prophet Zephaniah wrote from the land of Israel just before they would fall to the Babylonians. But as he prophesied of the trouble that was to come, he also wrote of the faithfulness of God to deliver His people, saying, “The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). What an awesome verse and what good news this is to us from a distant land!

Regardless of what you are facing today, you and I have great reason to rejoice. The Lord is with you, He is mighty to save, He rejoices over you, you can rest in His love, and there is gladness and singing in His presence. Now that’s good news to a weary soul!

Pastor Doug Hardin

Do you know that the Lord delights in you? There are times in our walks with the Lord when we know He loves us, but we feel as though He does not like us. I love this verse because it shows that the Lord rejoices over us with gladness and with singing! When you made Jesus the Lord of your life you were clothed with His righteousness. Now when God looks at you, He sees His perfect Son in you. Because of this, He delights in us and rejoices over us.

If you are like me, you need this reminder often. If you feel the enemy’s lies sneaking in today, allow His love to quiet you and remember He rejoices over you with gladness!

For the King,

Daniel Batistelli

I love that the Bible gives us such specific directions for life. How many times in your day do you go about wondering if you’re making the right choice? If you are saying the right thing? This is why we find the Lord consistently giving us clear directions and how to find the greatest fulfillment in serving Him.

Here, Paul gives us three things to examine. 1) Love in word and in deed. Don’t just say it, do it. Don’t just do it, say it. 2) Hate evil. The word abhor means don’t tolerate, accept, or live with anything that is contrary to God. 3). Kung fu grip or superglue yourself to what is good. The word cling is the same word used when people are married. There is to be a strong connection. As I stated earlier, I love that the Bible gives such specific directions for our life. They aren’t always easy, but praise Him for continually guiding our hearts that we can better glorify Him.

Blessings,

Pastor Sean Boehm