The Power of the Gospel and the Predicament of the unrighteous

The Power of the Gospel and the Predicament of the Unrighteous
Romans 1:1-2:11; Psalm 123:1,3-4; Proverbs 23:13-14
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established-that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who "will render to each one according to his deeds": eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.

Romans 1:1-2:11


WORSHIP
Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens.
Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us!
For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
Our soul is exceedingly filled
With the scorn of those who are at ease,
With the contempt of the proud.
Psalm 123:1, 3-4

God Never Forsakes

God Never Forsakes
"For the LORD will not cast off His people, neither will He forsake His inheritance" (Psalm 94:14).

No, nor will He cast even so much as one of them. Man has his castoffs, but God has none; for His choice is unchangeable, and His love is everlasting. None can find out a single person whom God has forsaken after having revealed Himself savingly to him. This grand truth is mentioned in the psalm to cheer the heart of the afflicted. The LORD chastens His own; but He never forsakes them. The result of the double work of the law and the rod is our instruction, and the fruit of that instruction is a quieting of spirit, a sobriety of mind, out of which comes rest. The ungodly are let alone till the pit is digged into which they will fall and be taken; but the godly are sent to school to be prepared for their glorious destiny hereafter. Judgment will return and finish its work upon the rebels, but it will equally return to vindicate the sincere and godly. Hence we may bear the rod of chastisement with calm submission; it means not anger, but love.

God may chasten and correct,
But He never can neglect;
May in faithfulness reprove,
But He ne'er can cease to love.

A LESSON FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil - Proverbs 3:7

Here is a lesson for young people, from a loving and godly parent: "do not think highly of yourself; do not trust your young and inexperienced instincts and emotions; do not trust your own wisdom."

Conversely, fear the Lord and depart from evil. It is perhaps unsurprising and understandable that the writer would pair "fearing God" with "departing from evil." Certainly if we fear the holy and good God then we will automatically be striving to avoid and overcome sin in our lives.

But it is revealing that the author contrasts the wisdom of youth with departing from evil. Rather than being wise in your own eyes, he says, depart from evil. It is as if he assumes there will be a tendency in the young heart to play too closely with sin. So he warns not to trust that deceitful drive behind your emotions and affections but, instead, fear God and avoid sinful situations.

Here is also a lesson for the parent, though. First, you should recognize the same weakness and propensity in your child to rub shoulders with sin and assume it will do no harm. You are to know better, and you are to guide them according to this knowledge.

Also, it is obvious that it is your job, as parents, to teach your children to 1) fear God, and 2) avoid sin. If you are negligent in either of these tasks, then you are clearly not following the biblical model. You cannot expect them to do either on their own.

Children, fear God and depart from evil; parents, teach your children the same.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless!! and thanks for your prayers

A Coice of Hymns

A Choice of Hymns

One Sunday a pastor told his congregation that the church needed
some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider
giving a little extra in the offering plate.

He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out
three hymns.

After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down
and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in offering.
He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his
congregation and said he'd like to personally thank the person
who placed the money in the plate.

A very quiet, elderly, saintly lady all the way in the back
shyly raised her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the
front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how
wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked
her to pick out three hymns.

Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed
to the three handsomest men in the building and said,
"I'll take him and him and him."
God Bless
Jan Bagwell
I ask for your prayers tomorrow for myself

God Will Not ask Me

``God Will Not Ask Me
God is not going to ask me how much I made.
He will ask me how much I gave.

God will not ask me about the size of my house.
He will ask me did I invite Him in.

God will not ask me about the elegance of the neighborhood.
He will ask me how I treated my neighbor.

God will not ask me what kind of car I drove.
He will ask me did I give those with no car a ride.

God will not ask me about the beauty of my wife.
He will ask me did I treat her with love.

God will not ask me about the style of my clothes.
He will ask me did I help clothe others.

God will not ask me the size of my bank account.
He will ask me how much is in my heavenly account.

God will not ask me how many children I fathered.
He will ask me if I was a good father to my children.

God will not ask me did I achieve fame.
He will ask me about my reputation.

God will not ask me if I traveled the world.
He will ask me did I improve the world.

God will not ask me about the troubles that I had.
He will ask me if I helped comfort the troubled.

God will not ask me if I did miracles in the name of His Son.
He will ask me if I really knew Him.

Jan Bagwell
I asked if you would be in prayer for me , [Monday]I have enjoy the fellowship we have had .

Give Them the Flowers now

Give Them the Flowers now

Closed eyes can’t the white roses.
Cold hands can’t hold them , you know .
Breath that is stilled cannot gather
The odors that sweet from them blow.
Its children of earth doth endow;
Life is the time we can help them,
So give them the flowers now!

Here are the struggles and striving.
Here are the cares and the tears;
Now is the time to be smoothing
The frowns and the furrows and fears .
What to closed eyes are kind saying?
What to hushed heart is deep vow?
Naught can avail after parting,
So give them the flowers now!
Just a kind word or a greeting;
Just a warm grasp or a smile –
These are the flowers that will lighten
The burdens for many a mile.
After the journey is over
What is the use of them; how
Can they carry them who must be carried ?
Oh , give them the flowers now!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

Now and Then

Now and Then
Now as through a glass , but darkly ,
Future hopes by faith we trace ;
Then in realms of radiant glory
We shall see our Savior’s face .

Now by faith we see Him only ,
Our reflections may be dim ;
Then when He appears to call us ,
We shall really be like Him .

Now , by scientific findings ,
Men attempt to conquer space ;
Then , our mighty Lord will take us
Where He has prepared our place .

Now , by His command , we spread
His great Gospel Truth abroad ;
Then , we’ll see in His blest presence
Those we lead to Christ our Lord .

Jan Bagwell
God Bless !