FreshBread

Sorry about the late entry today….O what a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spend some scheduled time with God today….in a special place…..in a special way….it’s something He looks forward to.

Today’s Readings are: Romans 14, Jeremiah 52, Psalm 26

Yesterday I asked an interesting question…..I received these thoughts (as well as many others) from David Wilson, a member of FreshStart and now a missionary/teacher in Malaysia.

I have benefited from reading both Bonheoffer and Neimoller and their thoughts on this. I do have enough sinful arrogance to rebel against properly constituted authority when they have the audacity to disagree with my impeccable logic, but in my better moments I understand that God uses those in authority for the greater good. But, God has given authority as a responsibility to be used for good. When the government rules immorally, that does not allow us to be immoral as well. We have the duty to do what is right when our government requires what is wrong.

Have a great day!

Scott

Spend some scheduled time with God today….in a special place…..in a special way….it’s something He looks forward to.

Today’s Readings are: Romans 13, Jeremiah 51, Psalm 2<5/br>
Key Verse Romans 13:6-7

1Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. 2So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. 3For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong. So do what they say, and you will get along well..

Ok, here is today’s question: You find yourself in a concentration camp in Germany during the 2nd World War…….How would you explain this verse to your fellow prisoners? I’d love to get your thoughts. Send them to me at Scott@freshstartchurch.com

Talk to you in the AM

Spend some scheduled time with God today….in a special place…..in a special way….it’s something He looks forward to.

Today’s Readings are: Romans 12, Jeremiah 50, Psalm 24
Today’s Key verse: Romans 12:!-2 1And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice–the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? 2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

Ever feel like a dog? When I had a dog I would hold a biscuit in the air and I could get the dog to do just about whatever I said. Many people see the end of this verse like a dog biscuit. If we will just give ourselves as a sacrifice, not conform but transform, God will drop us the biscuit of “His Will” or 3 steps to know God’s Will. I am not sure this is what Paul is teaching us here.

Paul is letting us know that discerning/knowing God’s Will, is the result of a lifestyle. A life that is sacrificed to God and continually lives in his transformation power, will know (experience) the will of God! In fact, he takes the rest of the chapter to lay out some of the characteristics of that kind of life. Check some of these out…..have you given yourself to God in this way?

- They live with an Honest evaluation of themselves (vs.3)

- They use the Ability that God has given them for the Kingdom (vs.4-8)

- They Love others….living out that kind of love (vs.9-10)

- They are Glad with God’s Plans and Patient in trouble (vs. 11-13)

- They Live in harmony with others, even with those who disagree with you(vs.14-16)

- They Never pay back Evil for Evil or Avenge yourself (vs. 17-18)

Just some thoughts to ponder this day…Have a Great one, Talk to you in the morning.

Scott