Romans 14 - 10.21.24
Scripture
Romans 14:21
“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.”
Observation
Paul is talking about Christian liberty and not using our freedoms as a means to make another brother or sister in the faith stumble (based on individual conscience). For example, some of the meat that the believers ate were apparently sacrificed to idols. The believers who did not eat the meat felt that it shouldn’t have been eaten because it was sacrificed to idols and therefore, unclean. (Drinking wine was also mentioned, as unclean for some believers, but clean for others—that’s still a matter of dispute today!)
Verse 5 is another matter in the church that Paul had to address, which is also current to today. It had to do with thinking that one day was more sacred than another day, while some believers believed that all days were alike! That reminds me of the Sabbath. Some people think that it must be Sunday, while others think it should be Saturday, yet others treat all days alike, so it could be any day in the week!
Paul says, “Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food (Verse 5).” Basically, the church of God and our relationship with our brothers and sisters in the faith should not be destroyed over secondary issues!
Application
Our liberties should be used to build each other up, not tear each other down. (David Guzik on enduringword.com)
We all have liberties in the faith. Based on Scripture, that includes what we eat, what we drink (aka alcohol) and what day we consider holy. Regardless of our liberties in the faith, we are not called to be judgmental towards someone who takes a differing stance than we do on these issues. In verse 22, it says, “So whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God.”
There are so many other secondary issues that have caused division among brothers and sisters in the faith. At the end of the day, we need to operate in love towards each other and humbly serve one another in love by what we choose to do with our “freedoms.”
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.” (Verses 17-18)
Prayer
Dear Lord, I know that the enemy uses so many tactics to separate Christ followers and the Church. Many of these are secondary issues, unrelated to You, salvation or sin. I pray that we would not judge one another based on what we believe, but rather serve each other humbly in love and consider each other better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). Please reveal to me how I could better serve my brothers and sisters in Christ. May I always use my freedoms to build others up, instead of tear them down. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Joshua 8 - 10.18.24
Scripture Joshua 8:1-2; 34-35 NIV
”Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.”“
”Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.“
Observation:
Joshua has been told over and over again to be strong and courageous. I am thankful God knows our weakness and reminds us of the actions we need to take. In this instance he had a reason to be discouraged, Israel had lost a battle resulting in lives lost. The cause was discovered and dealt with, more death.
God told Joshua to go and fight Ai; they would be victorious. He also added another instruction, this time they could take items and livestock for themselves. So sad that Achin could not have waited. God planned to bless them when the time was right. He gave a Joshua a plan. They were to set an ambush behind the city. Joshua bravely carried out this plan and they were victorious. Soon after he built an alter, inscribed the 10 Commandments in stone for all to see, and read all the words of the law to the people. He recognized the importance of the people knowing God’s Word.
Application:
God wants me and you to be strong and courageous. One mix up does not nullify God’s plan. There will be consequences if we disobey, but we can repent and move forward in victory. God is there waiting to give us direction. It is vital that we hear and know God’s word. I want to seek God first for His will. Struggles will come, but He has a plan to defeat the enemy.
What a great reminder as we journey through the 3-day Ascent how Joshua brought Israel together to hear the Word. God gives us all we need to be successful. It is important to take time out to seek Him.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I am in a season where I need to be strong and courageous. There are things I’m facing that seem impossible. Thank you for your words of encouragement. As I seek you, you give me a plan. Help me learn from your creativity. Sometimes the key is to ambush from behind.
Be with the DSC church family as they fast and pray. Help all who need direction from you. Give us wisdom to follow your Word and correction where needed to get on the right track. You have so many good things ahead. Thank you! Amen
- Cindy Howard
Romans 10 - 10.17.24
SCRIPTURE -Romans 10:13-15 TLB
ANYONE who CALLS upon the NAME of THE LORD—WILL be SAVED.
But HOW shall they ask HIM to SAVE them unless they BELIEVE in HIM?
And how can they BELIEVE in HIM if they have never HEARD about HIM?
And how can they HEAR about HIM unless someone TELLS them?
And how will anyone GO and TELL them unless someone SENDS him?
That is what the Scriptures are talking about when they say,
“How beautiful are the feet of those who come preaching God’s Good News!”
OBSERVATION
Paul goes over the “How” Steps that Lead to Salvation:
Coming to a Saving Faith IN Jesus does not happen in a Vacuum.
There are intentional steps that take place AND these steps Are Part of God’s Plan.
We need to be willing to GO and TELL wherever “Go” is. Go can be at the Grocery, Work, Restaurant, our Neighborhood OR halfway around the World. Jesus is the ONE who SENDS-we are ALL SENT.
God gives every Believer at least one and sometimes multiple circle (s) of influence.
God’s word tells us, within these relationships, we will have opportunities to give a reason for the HOPE we have. If we pay attention-there are probably many more opportunities available than we realize to glorify God.
“Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.” (1 Peter 3:15 TLB)
Jesus has SENT us —Every single believer.
We are the ONES who are SENT.
So..what are we doing about it? Do we have—beautiful feet?
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who bring the Good News of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns. The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for right before their eyes they see the Lord God bring his people home again.” (Isaiah 52:7-8 TLB)
APPLICATION
Spend Time at the Feet of Jesus
THEN-GO with Your Beautiful Feet and Share The GOOD NEWS -
Feet are Vital for pretty much everything we do in life.
The average person will walk between 75,000 to 100,000 miles in their lifetime.
Our feet take us where we go and tell the story of our lives.
Where are your feet taking you?
Spend TIME at the FEET of Jesus
“…Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what HE taught.
But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing.
She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you
that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?
Tell her to come and help me.”
But the Lord said to her,
“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!
There is only —ONE thing—worth being concerned about.
Mary has DISCOVERED it, and it will not be taken away from her.””
(Luke 10:39-42 NLT)
Then Get UP on Your Feet and GO
Beautiful Feet GO tell others the Good News about Jesus!
Beautiful Feet bring the encouragement of Jesus Good News and ALL that Comes with it:
· Complete Forgiveness for every single sin you have ever committed
· Intimate and immediate Relationship with Jesus
· Permanent access to Jesus 24/7
· Promise of Heaven for an Eternity with Jesus…and
· His Holy Spirit Given to us as a down payment Guarantee that HE will do all HE has Promised
“How beautiful are the feet of those who come preaching God’s Good News!”
“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT)
PRAYER
Lord Jesus
Thank YOU for sending Suzie who brought me to Church where I heard the Gospel Message. Thank YOU for teaching me LORD that we are ALL Sent ones. LORD, Give me Your guidance, strength, and filling to be all that You have called us to be in this season we are living in. A time when people are in such desperate need to Hear about the Love of Jesus. Your forgiveness, healing, deliverance. Give me a new fresh approach to reach people with this important message, Lord. Give me Your eyes AND Your heart. Here I am Lord, Send me. In Jesus Holy Name.
Amen.
Tina L Kudelka