God love even Me. even you!

Good morning to all on this first Sunday in September. Waine and I were in Orlando-Miami last weekend to take advantage of the long holiday weekend and of course when we are with the munchkins, very little happens when their little feet hit the ground. We were able to share our home with our staff yesterday for our annual fall celebration and even though it was very hot a good time was had by all. God has blessed Waine and I in ways that are hard to express.

I am continuing my journey in Romans 2 verses 1- 29, "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.  So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?  But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.  (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. 

Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;  if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God." Amen and may God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.

Remember Paul is in Rome preaching the Gospel to the Roman Jews and transitioning them from a mindset of worshiping God through rituals to worshiping God through the Holy Spirit. This is coming from someone who was a Sadducee, a member of the Jewish sect of the time of Jesus Christ that denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of spirits, and the obligation of oral tradition. These Jews emphasized the acceptance of the written Law alone. So for Paul to be preaching of the things of the Spirit is in and of itself a miracle. His conversion on the road to Damascus was complete! Remember Paul used to prosecute Jewish Christians. He had several of them put to death by stoning. He now is preaching the Gospel of true conversion to a group of people who only know how to have a relationship with God through works and rituals. God chose the PERFECT person in Paul to preach to the Jews and the Gentiles. He, God, chose a flawed man to spread His Gospel of repentance and what better person could you chose?  Human nature lines people up with their outward talents--if you are educated then you get the best jobs; if you are a non-minority then people think the best of you; if you are pretty then you are assumed intelligent. God looks on the inward person and judges our heart, mind and soul. He, God, is not concerned only with our actions. He is concerned with our intentions most of all. He is concerned with our commitment to His principles. Not because we always get it right--but because we want to. That's why God stated that David, was man after His own heart. David was flawed beyond belief. He had Jezebel's husband killed just so he could marry her. He lusted after women and had sex with them. He was power hungry and corrupted and yet God declared him a "man after His own Heart". Why you may ask and the answer is simple--God always looks at how tender our hearts are toward Him. He forgives us because He understands our flaws. Remember Christ died for us while WE WERE YET SINNERS! God's kindness has nothing to do with us--it is all about His love and forbearance so others can come to salvation. Hallelujah!


To know Him, truly know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to serve Him. To serve Him is to love you. Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.


Stephanie