From: July 12, 2024
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Romans 1:11-12 ESV).
God made us for Himself and fashioned within us a deep need for fellowship. As Christ-followers our spiritual growth and strength is very much connected to coming together with other believers for mutual encouragement. Certainly the apostle Paul knew this and expressed his longing to fellowship with the believers in Rome that both he and they might be spiritually encouraged.
Yet the sin nature tempts us to isolation. Living apart from Christ’s body of believers for any length of time makes us spiritually vulnerable to the evil one’s attack. We need the spiritual gifting of each other to sharpen and strengthen us.
As the Lord said after creating Adam, “It’s not good for man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18). We all need the mutual encouragement of fellowship.
PRAYER: Lord, help us to always share our spiritual gifts with one another, so that we are able to give and receive the spiritual encouragement that they bring. For spiritual gifts are meant for our mutual edification. Thank You Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 12, 2023
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile” (Romans 1:16 NLT).
In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he announced his desire to visit them and preach the gospel. He received his wish towards the end of his life, though not as he probably planned. For he was brought to Rome in chains, having appealed to Caesar. Yet for two years, he faithfully preached to all those who visited him while he was under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial.
Ultimately, the Roman emperor, Nero, had Paul beheaded. Whether it was during Paul’s first trip to Rome, or a later Roman imprisonment is a matter of debate. Yet regardless, Paul was not ashamed to die for preaching the gospel. For he knew that God had given him eternal life and that one day, he would be raised with Christ.
Sometimes we might feel ashamed to talk to others about Jesus. Not because we are in any danger of being executed, but because we fear the rejection of others. We are ashamed because it isn’t popular to talk about Jesus. And we want people to like us.
Instead, let us remember to care more about what Jesus thinks of us than what people think. And to remember that unless people hear the gospel, they have no hope. For “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for all who believe. Strengthen us then to proclaim it fully and faithfully this day and every day that You give us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 12, 2022
PAUL’S PRAYER FOR OPPORTUNITY
Towards the end of 57 AD, on his third missionary journey, Paul penned this letter to the believers in Rome while he was working in Corinth. He probably heard about the believers in Rome from his new friends, Aquila and Priscilla, who had been deported with other Jews by Claudius Caesar (See Acts 18:2). In the letter, he expressed his heartfelt prayer that God might allow him to preach the gospel in Rome, so that he might have “some fruit” (Rom. 1:13) among them as he had in other Gentile cities.
Some three to four years later, Paul’s prayer was answered. Although, it probably wasn’t answered in the way he had visualized, it was answered none the less. For Paul’s journey to Rome was filled with storms, shipwreck, snakebite, and imprisonment. Yet, he spent two years from 61 to 63 AD in Rome under house arrest, but with unhindered freedom (See Acts 28:31) to preach the gospel to all. God gave him the opportunity he had prayed for.
How do you pray? Do you ask the Lord to give you opportunity to share the gospel with others? Try it today. And keep your eyes open. For the opportunity may not appear as you thought it would.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for giving us this calling to proclaim the good news of Jesus. Give us opportunity today to declare Your love. Open our eyes that we might see the opportunities when they appear. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 12, 2016
Paul expressed his longing to see the believers in Rome. He desired to impart spiritual gifts to strengthen them and to be mutually encouraged by being together. The sharing of gifts and encouragement are what we give and receive when we come together in Christ’s name. And I as I celebrate another birthday (thanks for all the “Happy Birthdays”), I long to see you for the same mutual encouragement.
From: July 12, 2015
Today is my 57th birthday. I plan to celebrate it by preaching the gospel at both Sunday services at WCC today. I can’t think of a better way to acknowledge this annual milestone than to offer the gift of eternal life to others. Perhaps someone will hear and believe today, and so this will become their birthday too.