DDaily Word

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. “By the mercies of God” is to love the poor and needy, and support those who cannot support themselves in a sinful world. The doctrines of Grace in Chap. 3-11 leads to a life motivated by gratitude. Jew and Gentile now belong together as the people of God for whom the final blood sacrifice has been made. The sacrifice that remains is that of thankful response by presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice. “Bodies” means whole persons as embodied individuals. Spiritual worship is the worship that is appropriate for redeemed creatures to offer. How much more time and effort do you put into presenting yourself to those here in this world then you do in presenting yourself before God?

Daily Word

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever, Amen. Romans 11:33-36 The words of Isa. 40:13 teach that no human being knows the mind of the Lord apart from revelation, and no one can serve as God’s adviser. Likewise the majestic words of Job 41:11 are a reminder that no one ultimately gives anything to God, instead, everything humans have is a gift from God. Today be reminded that everything you have, even the very next breath you take is a gift from God…the creator of heaven and earth.

Daily Word

For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they to have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Romans 11:30-31. Salvation history is structured to feature God’s great mercy. God saved the Gentiles when one would only expect the Jews to be saved, but in the future He will amaze all by His grace again by saving the Jews, so that it will be clear that everyone’s salvation is by mercy alone. The final now in this text does not mean the promise to the Jews in now fulfilled but that the promise of Jewish salvation could be filled anytime. The disobedience of the Jew leads to God’s mercy reaching the Gentile; the mercy of God to the Gentiles leads to the reception of mercy to the Jews. There is no difference…All have sinned, and God has mercy on both. What does “mercy” mean to you exactly, and how does your understanding of it impact your relationship with Christ on a daily basis?

Daily Word

As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards to election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:28-29. The unbelief of Israel has benefited the Gentiles, as this is the period of history in which Gentiles are being saved, while most of Israel remains in unbelief. But God’s electing Promise given to their forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be fulfilled in the future. Israel will be saved because God never revokes His saving promises. “Gifts” means thing freely given by God, and the word can be used to refer to different kinds of gifts. Sometimes the word refers to spiritual gifts for ministry and sometimes to the gift of salvation, but the context here favors yet a third kind of “gifts,” namely, the unique blessings given to Israel which Paul mentioned at the beginning of this long section. “Calling”( same root word in GK) for “election” refers here to calling to salvation. The process of Christian conversion, involving illumination, regeneration, and the transformation of the will. It is a sovereign work of God performed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Today meditate on the depth of your conversion and recognize it is much more than a simple prayer!

Daily Post

And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins. “ Romans 11:26-27. A critical expression at this point in Paul’s argument, and one whose meaning is much debated ( All Israel). It could mean “all (spiritual) Israel,” that is, all elect persons both Jew and Gentile. Alternately, it may mean “all” Israel in the sense of “all Jews destined to be saved throughout history.” Or, as suggested above, it may point to a time of mass conversion among Jewish people.” When I take away their sins,” The salvation of Israel fits with God’s covenantal promise to save his people and forgive their sins. God has always been a God of Grace...be it over sin, disobedience, or unbelief His Grace is sufficient for you! Spend a few moments pondering His Grace over your life…

Daily Word

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Romans 11:25. Paul discloses a mystery to the Gentiles to prevent them from being proud. The “mystery” does not necessarily refer to something puzzling or difficult to grasp, but to something that was previously hidden and is now revealed. The mystery has three elements: 1) at this time in salvation history the majority of Israel has been hardened; 2) during this same time the full number of Gentiles is being saved; and 3) God will do a new work in the future in which he will save all “Israel.” As we go through this book of Romans…Do you see the importance of understanding the riches of biblical history that is foundational to who you are in Christ today?

Daily Word

And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. Romans 11:23-24. The cutting off of Israel is because of their unbelief, and not because the Gentiles were inherently better qualified for life in the olive tree. Moreover, the Gentiles believers should never forget that the gospel came to the Jews first. Has unbelief or lack of commitment hindered the process of your being fully grafted into the body of Christ or are you living your life fully grafted unto His body for His glory?

Daily Word

For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you to will be cut off. Romans 11: 21-22. The Gentile readers must contemplate God’s kindness and severity. His severity has been the portion of the Jews who have not believed, but His kindness has been poured out on the Gentiles. Still , they must persevere in the faith. Other wise they to will be judged as unbelievers. We as Christians should thank God for our conversion, look to Him to keep us in His grace, and wait with confidence for His final triumph, according to His plan.

Daily Word

Do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I may be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. Romans 11:18-20. Gentile believers are warned against arrogance, for its God’s saving promises (root), not their goodness, that saved them. Thus Gentiles might be tempted with pride because God removed the Jewish branches from the olive tree and grafted them in instead. But this should provoke fear and awe, for the Jews were removed because they failed to believe and the Gentiles remain only because of their continued trust. Meditate on this for a few moments…How would your life change today if you could be cut off because of “unbelief”? Just because we claim to be Christian, and attend church once a week does not mean we BELIEVE; does arrogance play any part in your walk with Christ?

Daily Word

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. Paul refers back to OT When Jeremiah speaking to the men of Judea and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He reminded them that the Lord had once referred to them as a “green olive tree, beautiful with good fruit.” Hosea made reference to this as well in Hos. 14:6. The illustration of the root and branches will be elaborated on more in the next few verses. The people of God are portrayed here as the olive tree. When Paul says some branches are removed, he probably has in mind the majority of the Jews in his day. Gentiles as wild shoots were grafted into the olive tree and now share in the root (promises made to the patriarchs). Today meditate on the fact that you to have been grafted in to the body of Christ. Your nourishment comes directly from the root (JESUS). Are you strong enough to maintain and grow with the other branches or are you allowing the disease of life to weaken you becoming the branch that looks like it needs to be trimmed?

Weekend Quote

Prayer for today: Lord, how excellent are your ways, and how devious and dark are the ways of man. Show us how to die, that we may rise again to newness of life. Rend the veil of our self-life from the top down as Thou didst rend the veil of the temple. We would draw near in full assurance of faith. We would dwell with Thee in daily experience here on this earth so that we may be accustomed to the glory when we enter Thy heaven to dwell with Thee there. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (Taken from A.W. Tozer)

Weekend Quote

My Prayer for today: O God, I have tasted thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to know thee; I long to filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (Taken from ~ A.W. Tozer)

Daily Post

For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead. If the dough offered as first fruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. Romans 11:15-16. The Phrase “life from the dead” may simply denote unprecedented blessing. Although the wording is slightly different from Paul’s normal usage (resurrection from the dead), some take the phrase to refer to the general resurrection of the last day, understanding the conversion of the Jews to be an event of end times, an immediate herald of the final resurrection. Paul applies spiritually the principle that the first fruits serve as the pledge of the final harvest as explained in Numbers 15:17-21. Does your idea or understanding of “first fruits” extend beyond your tithe? Why or why not?

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There is much to much to be thankful for that cannot possibly be contained in a single day of celebration. Today I will be surrounded by family, and enjoying great food and watching football (ALL DAY); thinking about all the incredible friends both near and far who bless me through out the year, I will celebrate in my heart as the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 100: Make a Joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us and we are his; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him and bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations! HAPPY THANKSGIVING to one and all...Hope your day is ABUNDANTLY BLESSED!

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Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. Romans 11 13-14. Why Paul singles out the Gentiles in the Roman church is made clear in latter verses (17-24). Paul had a special calling and commission to preach to the good news to the Gentiles. But he uses his ministry to the Gentiles also to benefit the Jews, for he hopes that the more Gentiles come to salvation, the more this will provoke the Jews to jealousy, so that they will be saved. I wonder If my relationship with Christ has ever exampled enough to others that it would provoke a jealousy for what they were missing without Him?

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Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their inclusion mean? Romans 11:12. In the context of Paul’s argument, “full incursion” here can only signify their reception of Christ and their restoration to God. The more difficult question is whether the term “full” points to full restoration of the remnant or to the restoration of the full number of the nation in some sense. The second seems to fit better the general direction of the passage. While this passage speaks of restoration to God for Gentiles and of Jew’s as a nation. Meditate for a moment on your own personal restoration to God…was your restoration to God “full restoration” or ‘ partial restoration”? How does your life in Christ demonstrate His restoration in your life to others around you?

Daily Post

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass “salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Romans 11:11. Once again the form of Paul’s question anticipates (and receives) a negative answer. The Jews’ rejection of Christ is not irreversible. Paul sees a divine pattern and purpose behind the unbelief of which the Jews are guilty. The pattern of his thought in v. 11, therefore, is as follows: a) the transgression of the Jews has led to the justification of the Gentiles, b) the salvation of the Gentiles will cause the Jews to envy; c) the envy of the Jews’ will draw them to the same salvation as the Gentiles. God’s plan is as divine today in your life as it has been throughout the history of time. Trust God no matter what the circumstance you may be facing!

Daily Word

To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances! To seek Him is the greatest of all achievements! To find Him is the greatest human achievement! ~ Raphael Simon

Weekend Quote

God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. ~ C. S. Lewis

Daily Word

What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.” Romans 11:7-10. The passages cited describe a biblical pattern of divine activity in the judicial hardening of hearts- a pattern Paul sees repeated in his own day. Paul then prays for judgment over the Jews of his day who have rejected Christ. I often wonder why it is that most Christians appear today to refuse to believe that One’s heart can be hardened. Perhaps it is that lack of belief or fear that allows compromise to be worn like a second skin?