Romans 15:23-33

My memory is not what it used to be; can you relate?.  I love to read books and would never consider reading the same book twice.  Now I am often half way through a book before I realize I have read it before, but I don't remember the ending so I might as well continue.  Sound familiar?

That said, I find that there is always something new for me when I read through Scripture.  A text I have read before, will be new, and not because of my memory issues.  There is never a reason to stop and ask myself, "Have I read this before?"  When in the Word, God always speaks to me where ever I am at this time in my life.  I may have studied this text only 6 months previous, but life has changed me and my view on the world and God.  The Word will be fresh and alive and speaking to me as though I am hearing for the first time.

In the text today I hear Paul asking for prayers for himself.  I love it!  Just today I was at a Bible Study and we were sharing prayer requests and I was struck by the fact that of the 14 women around the table only two asked for prayers for themselves.  I don't know about you, but I am one of my biggest prayer concerns.  I have lots of others I pray for; many whom I love are hurting and need my prayers, but if I don't get myself taken care of I won't have the heart to pray for them.

"I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me." (Romans 15:30)

Read the Romans 15:23-33 text here.  Listen to the Romans 15:23-33 here.

Paul ministers to nations - Romans 15:14-22

"I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:14-16)

I might feel like I have all the answers, but I find that I need reminders once in a while.  There are times in my life when I feel I have my life all together, when I am so sure of myself that I might forget to stop and ask God if I am on the right page.  I might neglect to connect with my accountability partner and share my life and struggles with them.

The Scripture today reminds me I need to have an open mind about everything.  I need to approach life with a teachable heart and a willing spirit.  I use my journal and my devotion time much like the Christians of the early church used the Epistles (letters), as a way to check my motives, regroup and take stock of my behaviors.

God know I am weak and He has provided me with exactly what I need for today.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Read the Romans 15:14-22 text here.  Listen to the text here.

What are you Doing Today? Romans 15:23-33

As a teenager I knew I wanted to participate in foreign mission activities. I studied my Bible, went to talks given by missionaries, and became pen pals to several missionaries. Through the years, opportunities to actually go on a mission trip never materialized. I don't know when it happened, but I realized God was not calling me to serve in the mission field. He changed the desire of my heart by making me aware of other things He wanted me to do. Knowing this helped me get onto the path He had planned for my life.

Paul yearned to go to Rome. He would see His fellow Christians, fellowship with them, and encourage them in their faith. Being with them would be very pleasing and refreshing to Paul. God, however, had work for Paul elsewhere. He was needed to be a messenger of charity for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. Paul, without question, reset his priorities to do the will of God first. He would go to Rome, but the trip was planned for later.

Paul knew that his life, his joy, depended on the will of God, "so that by God's will I may come to you with joy." (v. 32a)

Prayer
Lord, help me make it my heart's desire to please you in what I do today and every day. Help me reset my priorities to get onto the path you have laid out for me today, and for the rest of my life. Amen

Read text on Biblegateway - Romans 15:23-33