Romans 1:1-15

Back to daily devo scripture blog. May God's truth transform and renew my soul. Let's go with Epistles. Gotta love that guy, Paul. A new man with a clear and passionate calling ("set apart for the gospel of God" (v 1)). In a sense we are all. Chosen to be God's hands and feet. May we proclaim grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It's very encouraging to read Paul's enthusiasm in his letters. They are always of him wanting bold things for people. Wanting to jump in and fight alongside them, but always restricted by physical distances. What would it look like if the church body was constantly encouraging each other in that way? Then physical distances don't really seem that big. When do we ever want to impart spiritual gifts? Hardly. We just say everyone has different gifts, used in different ways. I think we should start imparting these gifts for others. Capabilities seem plausible. The impact could be greater than we could imagine. Excited to see how these letters can spur my life and the church body I know today.

Jonah

I am remind of Jonah, the prophet who once was used to bring good news of reconciliation only to a man running scared of the truth known as Yahweh. In some ways I feel his anxiety and internal strife. No, I wasn't called to love the people that I hated the most. I was called to love the people who were making me hate them only because I really wanted to love them. Oh the irony. Yet, my selfish pride ran with that hate and I eventually started to run from God himself. Oh the tragic.

Seems like I'm still running. May the sovereignty of the God of the universe reign supreme. Draw me back.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, 

he humbled himself

be becoming obedient to death --

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee show bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11