Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home1/heartof6/public_html/blog/wp-content/themes/responsive-mobile/includes/functions-extentions.php on line 35
Home › Posts tagged Romans

Romans

Break The Cycle

Posted on by

In order to gain victory over temptations and the vexing nature of sin we must begin to break the cycle; the constant repetition of the same mistakes while knowing to do otherwise. To begin and start trusting God with what we cannot change by replacing and changing our behavior with the instruction of God. Taking the discipline we receive from our lives and learning to turn it into discipleship.

  1. Stop hiding. We must stop living in denial from the fact that we have failed. Repenting from our mistakes is the only door we can go through to getting our lives back together again.

Proverbs 28:13

13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

  1. Get rid of it and get something new. We must get rid of old habits and be renewed in the spirit of God and put into our lives new things. Get rid of stuff from your past and bring in new things to take your mind away from the person you once were.
    1. Media you watch, listen to or interact with that leads you into temptation
    2. Replacing your bad habits with good ones (less junk food, eat better food)
    3. Praying for God’s spirit to help you when you feel like you cannot continue

Ephesians 4:22-24

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Colossians 3:5-10

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

  1. Don’t give the enemy a chance. Present yourself to God daily so that you may understand better what you can do to improve how you not only handle temptation but ultimately breaking the sin cycle.

Ephesians 4:27

27 Neither give place to the devil.

Romans 12:1-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

  1. Remember that you can do it with God and cannot without Him. Without divine supernatural power to rebuke Satan then we are more susceptible to temptations only working through our own strength.

1 Corinthians 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Philippians 4:13

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me

Hope Renewed Through Christ

Posted on by

 

Click To Play     

 

Click To Play     

Matthew 17:24-27

[24] And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
[25] He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
[26] Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
[27] Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Hebrews 11:1-3

[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
[2] For by it the elders obtained a good report.
[3] Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Romans 5:2 – 5:5 

[2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 8:24-25

[24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
[25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Romans 12:8-15

[8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
[15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Romans 15:4-13

[4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
[5] Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
[6] That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[7] Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
[8] Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
[9] And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
[10] And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
[11] And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
[12] And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

If we are to realize the full potential of the promises we have received from God (whether by scripture or through prophetic exhortation) we must learn what is the substance that drives us as well as the determination that takes the substance and puts it into action.

Faith without action is dead for it is faith that brings the substance or energy to take action and uses it for its intended purpose. Faith is empty without hope. Taking action with faith and without hope in your life leads to no fruit (unprofitable). Without hope our faith is without substance…a vision…a final destination.

To take a shot on throwing your hook out there for 1 fish in a million would not only take hope that you would get the money…but hope that that you would hook that 1 fish.

To grow in God you must take action. To take action means you have got to be moving and not just be idle in the last days.

To save a lost world you must go after them. To rekindle hope in your brothers and sisters you must show it. To keep hope abounding in you the spirit must continually abide. The spirit will abide in a heart whom repents and is humble, believing in the propitiation for all of our sin.

So we know the money is in the fish. We know the fish is in the water. We know that we have the rod, reel and hook to go get it. That part in between is the very thing that is keeping you or has kept you from a deeper walk in God.

Such is the same of our pursuit for blessings in our lives. The money was enough for the tax, and god’s provision will be enough for you!

Finding Your Spiritual Identity

Posted on by

 

Click To Play     

 

Click To Play     

I Corinthians 2:14-16

[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
[15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
[16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

This was Paul’s message to the natural person. It was the type of person that Paul was most concerned over.

A Natural person

–        Has not been born again

–        Cannot understand spiritual things

–        Thinks the spiritual things are foolish

–        Turns away from the bible with thoughts and imaginations

The destiny of the natural human being without Jesus Christ is destruction. The need that all mankind has is salvation.

Romans 3:23

[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

All people are naturally lost

John 6:37

[37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

All people can be saved

Once we are saved we are no longer without hope. Something amazing happens!

I Corinthians 2:11-13

[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

The Spiritual person

–        Was once a natural person

–        Salvation through faith in Christ has transformed them

–        Was once doomed, now delivered

–        Was once lost, now found

–        Was once bound for hell, now bound for Heaven

–        The spirit teaches the spiritual person

–        The spirit discerns (understands) all things

–        Sees the work of God in the world and in their personal lives

–        Spiritual things are not easily understood by others

Jesus warned of these things: John 15:18-20

[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

V 16 – As we become spiritual we put on the mind of Christ

I Corinthians 3:1-4

[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
[2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
[3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
[4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The Carnal person

–        Is confused

–        Knows what is right but does not do it

–        Knows the world is lost but clings to it

–        Is like Lot lingering in Sodom

–        Needs full commitment to Christ

The natural person lives for the moment. The spiritual person lays up treasures in Heaven. The carnal person tries looking in both directions. Finding the balance in your life is done successfully when the spiritual part of you leads.

Remember God Is Able

Posted on by

We all know the classic phrase: “I’ve Tried and I’ve Failed”.

With a few pieces of scripture, I hope that we can remember the general phrase that God is able!

We have to remember that he is able:

To Deliver – Daniel 3:16-17

[16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
[17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

They believed! They clung to the promise of God, even without the guarantee of victory. And that is something that we have to remember to do. We can’t always have the clause that it is always going to be easy and without conflict. Going through the fire means that we have to face a little heat sometimes. However, in the end we all know who is the great and mighty deliverer, the one who is able to bring us through all that we must endure!

To Fulfil The Promise – Romans 4:20-21

[20] He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
[21] And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Abraham Believed! Belief is the difference that separates churches that succeed and churches that fail. It separates when you see mountains move or when you see them stand there and always tower over you with no change. If God has promised you something through spoken word or by the word of God itself, then it is SO! Do not be persuaded by anyone or anything otherwise! Discouragement comes in many forms, and tries to change the belief of the children of God every single day. Stay true to the promise, and God will stay true to you!

To Guard Your Treasure – 2 Timothy 1:11-12

[11] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
[12] For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul Believed! And by his words even today that I am still persuaded! I am also going to press on and not be ashamed. Why should we be? We are such a blessed people, and we have nothing to hide! Guard the wonderful treasures and gifts that God has given you by taking a stand for what you believe. Have some standards, live right, and show it to others each day. Let them know in whom you are fully persuaded to trust with your life!

To Keep You From Failing – Jude 1:21-24

[21] Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
[22] And of some have compassion, making a difference:
[23] And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
[24] Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

Jude was exhorting to people to be reassured! And I come to you today to give that same assurance! We are going to be okay! We will make the difference! Leaders are born from hanging tough and enduring the tests. Followers are drawn from leaders. I urge you church leaders don’t give up, just endure. Numbers might come and go, but God will not change. It’s not in the numbers anyway. God will still be the same even if you were not able to attend church! Stay encouraged!

What Do We Partake Of

Posted on by
Click To Play     

Romans 14:14-21

[14] I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
[15] But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
[16] Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
[17] For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
[18] For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
[19] Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
[20] For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
[21] It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

It is so easy to get caught up in the wrong conversation, or caught up starting one. It’s easy to get caught up taking the wrong actions, or being around others doing this also. Whether we realize it or not, we become appointed responsible witnesses when we are saved and transformed through and through. And I don’t know how it is for others, but as for me, there are moments in my life when I am shown by God personally and am guided in areas of my personal life when things need to change. I am always reminded each day of what not to do, when to not say, etc. God is wonderful like that, presenting a voice of accountability. To make a long story short, we cannot be caught up in flesh, partaking in meat of the world, or those things that will make our brothers and sisters stumble and fall. The kingdom of God is not flesh, but all things manifested in the Holy Ghost! We cannot have it both ways and think that life can be stable. We cannot serve two masters (have two lifestyles or life choices) and think we’ll ever find happiness. And as it ties to the scriptures above, we cannot eat of both meats and ever expect to find peace and joy in our lives!

Proverbs 16:16

[16] How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

How much better to gain knowledge of God than to have the wealth and favor of man! So sweet is God’s wisdom! God’s wisdom to you is power! Coming through the trials of life will reward you so much more than wisdom of people most of the time. For then you will know rather than just assume that you do. You are made as an overcomer by the Blood of the Lamb AND the words of your testimony. Testimonies bear more of an impact than you think!

Proverbs 16:24

[24] Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

I read a phrase once that a person could live for months off of one good compliment. And those words could not be more true when it comes to encouraging and edifying the church. I’m not telling everyone to go and give worldly compliments to everyone. I’m not talking about flattery. I’m talking about being encouraged in a tough time in my life, when I am feeling hopeless and I don’t feel like I have anyone. You can almost guarantee that about 25 percent of the church always feels like that at any given time. A little encouragement goes a long way!

Proverbs 17:14

[14] The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Why does this all matter? Have you ever seen something with a leak? What about the feeling of disappointment that you get when everything that was in it runs out? So true it is when we sit idly by and let the spirit of God not be stirred and eventually leak out of the church. And yet we begin to wonder why it just disappeared one day! God never leaves, and is always there and ready. However, WE have to stir up the gifts within. WE have to come together!

Proverbs 18:19

[19] A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

People need to always remember before they go to do anything that they have to follow what God is leading them to do in something, and that they do not need to ever try and cross someone that tries to come against them. Every person that you try and witness to isn’t going to receive it; in fact, they might reject you and try to hurt you in the process. The point I am trying to make is that we cannot push people to the point of lowering our standards to worldly standards, and trying to reason with reason. Spirit works conviction, and that work will take place following your obedience. You won’t have to fight for it, and if it seems like one, walk away and pray for another day. God will open the doors.

Romans 15:17

[17] I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

Why do all this for them? To lift up the weak!

I feel like in my personal life that God spared me and kept me here to deliver his word and to witness my testimony that others like myself might find hope and believe that they have a way out and can find a new life. And if we do not begin to start having more compassion and bear the infirmities of others, all of our suffering neighbors will continue to die out without hope.

Remember what was written in the Bible was for our learning! Also remember that we through patience (our part) and comfort of the scriptures (what we’re given) might have hope (your choice). And finally beginning to be likeminded one toward another (one mind and one mouth) and glorifying God will breathe new life into the church!

As I have personally learned, life was never promised as an easy burden, but as we near the end of each trial, the promise begins to come to a truth in our heart. God intends for our lives and our witness to be fruitful. That is, what people see of us as ripe and good and what they taste and partake and get to know as even better.

A Place For Me

Posted on by

The word place can be defined as an area set aside for a particular purpose, a stead, a location, a home, a space, a position, a dwelling or a room. Some examples of usage are: A place where I can go, He took my place, He made a place for me at the table, this is my place!

At a previous service a while back my heart was stirred by the testimony and scripture that was given by Brother John Vanover. He talked about a special “place” that was made for Moses. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: (Exodus 33:21) He said this place was not just for Moses but exists for all of God’s children. It is a secure place, on a solid foundation. A place of refuge.

I have been so blessed by this scripture over the last several days. I thought about the place that God has made for me to stand in. It is a place that was given to me without money and without price. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: (John 19:7) Jesus took my place so I could have a place.

Not just any place, not stuck back in a corner, or in a dard basement but I have a front row seat. Hallelujah! I can’t help but get excited when I start to describe my place. I know I don’t deserve to be here but I am so very glad to be right beside my Father. If I need something to eat, I can just reach out to the table that is spread with the very best. If I need to talk to my Father, I just have to turn toward Him and He inclines His ear to hear what my petitions are. If I am hurt or sick or down hearted, He is so close by that He can just wipe my tears away, touch me with His healing hand, or just reach out and lift up my head so that I can see all of His goodness. Again I have to say Hallelujah how wonderful it is to be part of God’s family.

If you are reading this and thinking I would like feel that way, I have good news for you. You have a “place” right beside God, too. When God gave His only begotten Son to die on Calvary he made a “place” for whosoever will. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

If you turn aside the place that Jesus made for you then you will have to go to a place that was made for the devil and his angels. A place called Hell. A place of eternal torment where the fire is not quenched. Choose that good “place” that was made for you.

That if thou shalt confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raise him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:8)

Patience, Patience, Patience

Posted on by

One of the toughest pieces that we have to learn about our character and our witness to this world as a Christian is our patience. It is the most single tested value within your core, and without it, we won’t last long before we want to give up and throw in the towel on everything we stand for.

A thought that came in my mind when I was praying to God about working a greater patience in me was that proven faith shows demonstrated patience, which brings wisdom from the experience, and hope from knowing you made it through all of it.

To try and bring this point of view out little by little, I have various scriptures that I want to tie all together. I hope these bring out a point of view that helps you like it did me. Please, by all means, comment and give input! It is all welcome!

For starters, patience is defined as the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.

With that said, wow. I have found myself more often then not being weak when I should be strong in many situations in my life.

  • The God of Patience

Romans 15:5

“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus”

So in other words, show it towards one another! That did not have any clauses to leave it out from anyone! It is neither selective to who we prefer, nor who we do not. We must open our hearts and have a greater understanding to everyone and everything. That shows a stronger witness inside and out. Publicly and privately.

  • Christ’s Demonstrated Patience And Mercy

Isaiah 53:7

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”

Matthew 27:14

“And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governer marvelled greatly.”

Hold the phone for a sec. Let’s take away the wonderful from this for a second and be real. Just the fact that Jesus Christ faced all of the persecution that he did and saying nothing is enough to show the demonstrated patience. We can’t even hear a mean word from someone without rising up inside and wanting to speak our peace, or feel like that we need to feel like justification has been delivered to them. Now, let’s put back in the best part. He opened not his mouth and endured the suffering so that we could have a place in Heaven eternal. That makes my heart soar!

  • More Mentions

2 Peter 1:6

“And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;”

James 1:3-4

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing”

Romans 5:3-4

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience, and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Isn’t that just amazing, when we begin to dig in and read all of the pieces for yourself and put them all together? I love the word of God! I just hope as we all continue to be molded each and every day, that we can learn from our tried patience and experiences to raise ourselves up with encouragement from hope, and not be ashamed of what God has brought us from!