16For I am not ashamed of the...

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

17For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

- P27

11I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—

12that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

- P26

Paul knows that Rome is an influential city, and although he has not yet had a chance to minister there, he thanks God because the faith of the Romans is being reported all over the world! Paul writes his letter to share more about God and to let the Romans know that he prays often for them. - P28

Whether we are in influential cities or remote towns, let us share the gospel freely and confidently, knowing that the Spirit is at work sparking faith in unexpected places and in unexpected ways. - P28

And let us not hesitate to encourage believers—even those we have not met—because we recognize that they are our brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world. - P28

Heavenly Father, You are still at work in this world to make Your gospel spread rapidly. Guide me in doing my part to support my brothers and sisters all around the world, and fill me with Your zeal so that I may boldly proclaim the gospel wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P29

Paul thanks God for the Romans and prays for them continually. He wants tovisit them and strengthen them in their shared faith.  - P27

Paul is eager to preachthe gospel, which is the power of God that brings salvation. The gospel revealsthe righteousness of God, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last. - P27

In the prominent city of Rome where power, wealth, and social class arevalued, the very small minority of Christians could easily have felt ashamedof being followers of Jesus. However, Paul boldly proclaims that he is notashamed of the gospel. He is eager to preach the gospel to all, regardless ofethnic background or level of understanding, because it holds God‘s powerto save and reveals the righteousness He offers to those who believe.  - P28

Theremay be times when we are tempted to hide the fact that we are Christiansout of fear of criticism or judgment. Instead, may we be like Paul, un-ashamedly proclaiming Christ and excited to see the power of God bringingsalvation to everyone who believes in Him. - P28

Despite some negative interactions, I was ultimately proud to study theol-ogy because I knew it was certainly not an easy subject and not a decisionI came to lightly. Some of those who judged me harshly discovered overtime that I was actually a "normal" person and not an intolerant and overlyconservative one. With the Holy Sprit‘s guidance, I was able to representChrist through my character and words. - P29

1Paul, a servant of Christ Je...

1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

3regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David,

4and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

- P22

5Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.

- P23

Paul introduces himself as a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostleand set apart for the gospel of God. This gospel was promised through theprophets and is about Jesus, who was appointed the Son of God in power. Paulwrites to all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be His holy people. - P23

The apostle Paul begins his letter to the Romans by acknowledging his role. He is firstly a servant of Christ Jesus and lives to serve the Lord and do His will. Paul then asserts his calling to spread the gospel message, which was promised through God’s prophets and was fulfilled in Jesus. - P24

Centuries later, we continue in this work of carrying the gospel message as servants of the Lord. We do not have to be pastors or missionaries to spread the gospel. . - P24

All believers are called to represent Christ and to share about the love and grace God extended to us through His work on the cross. Like Paul, let us embrace our roles as servants of the Lord and live to serve Him well - P24

The Christians in Rome are assured that they belong to Jesus Christ. Theiridentity is grounded in Him. They can have confidence that they are lovedby God and called to be His holy people, and that through the Father andthe Son, they receive grace and peace.  - P24

We sometimes base our identity onother things, forgetting that our true identity is in our belonging to Jesus.
However, when we remember that we are loved and cherished by God, ourthoughts and actions begin to shift.  - P24

Being secure in His love prompts us tolikewise respond with love and compels us to live up to our calling to be Hisholy people, resembling His character and following His ways. - P24

We may think that being a faithful servant of Christ requires being an apos-tle like Paul. We may assume that traveling around the world to evangelizeor preaching the gospel from the pulpit are the ultimate forms of service toHim. However, all of us can demonstrate faithful service to God by sharingthe gospel message at any time wherever we go. We can speak about Jesus atour jobs, schools, or even grocery stores. Moreover, faithful service does notneed to be limited to preaching the gospel. Being a good servant of the Lordcan look like parenting children well, being diligent at work, participatingin a local mission project, or even cleaning toilets! - P25

Dear Lord, thank you for making me Yours. When I start to wander or doubt, remind me that I am loved and cherished and that I am called to be a member of Your holy people. I am grateful for the privilege to serve Your kingdom. In Your name I pray, amen. - P25

24Ezekiel will be a sign to y...

24Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.’

25"And you, son of man, on the day I take away their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes, their heart’s desire, and their sons and daughters as well—

26on that day a fugitive will come to tell you the news.

27At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord."

- P161

The Lord tells Ezekiel that He is about to take away his wife, but Ezekiel mustnot visibly mourn. Ezekiel obeys and the people ask him the reason for hisactions. Ezekiel replies that he is a sign to them: When the sanctuary is dese-crated and their children fall by the sword, they will not mourn or weep butwill waste away because of their sins. - P161

The people‘s questioning of Ezekiel‘s unusual and unexpected behaviorprovides an opportunity for him to explain the significance of his silentgrief. When we do things differently than the world, people will ask ques-tions. They will notice that there is something different about this personthat they work, study, or live with. And when they ask you why you live insuch a remarkably different way, you can answer by explaining how Godtransformed you and gives you all that you need to live a life that is pleasingto Him.  - P162

Just as Ezekiel still groaned over the death of his wife even as heobeyed God‘s command to grieve quietly living a life of obedience does notmean we pretend not to be affected by our sorrows in this world. Rather, itis as we respond to those sorrows differently that we embody God‘s wordsfor others to see. - P162

17Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners."

18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.

19Then the people asked me, "Won’t you tell us what these things have to do with us? Why are you acting like this?"

20So I said to them, "The word of the Lord came to me:

21Say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary—the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.


- P160

22And you will do as I have done. You will not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners.

23You will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep but will waste away because of your sins and groan among yourselves.

24Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.’
- P161

The people‘s questioning of Ezekiel‘s unusual and unexpected behaviorprovides an opportunity for him to explain the significance of his silentgrief. When we do things differently than the world, people will asktions. They will notice that there is something different about this personthat they work, study, or live with.  - P162

And when they ask you why you live insuch a remarkably different way, you can answer by explaining how Godtransformed you and gives you all that you need to live a life that is pleasingto Him.  - P162

Just as Ezekiel still groaned over the death of his wife even as heobeyed God‘s command to grieve quietly living a life of obedience does notmean we pretend not to be affected by our sorrows in this world. Rather, itis as we respond to those sorrows differently that we embody God‘s wordsfor others to see. - P162

Dear Jesus, thank you that even in sorrow, You are near to us. Help us trustYou and respond with prayer when things are hard. Make our family faithfulin praying for our church and community. In Your name, amen. - P163

13˝‘Now your impurity is lewd...

13"‘Now your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided.

14"‘I the Lord have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign Lord.’"
- P155

The Lord gives Ezekiel a parable on the day Babylon begins its siege: A pot isset to boil with choice meat and bones, but it is now encrusted and its depositwill not go away. The Lord declares that bloodshed and lewdness have madethe city impure. He will not relent until His wrath is satisfied. Jerusalem will bejudged according to her conduct. - P155

Ezekiel’s parable of the cooking pot portrays Jerusalem’s impending judgment. The pot, filled with choice cuts of meat, represents the city’s privilege and prosperity, while the fire symbolizes God’s purifying judgment. The command to "pile wood beneath it" and "bring it to a boil" emphasizes the intensity and thoroughness of this judgment. - P156

God’s judgment, while painful, ultimately serves a purpose. The people had been living just like the surrounding world; they were no different. This should prompt us to ask ourselves whether we are any different from non-Christians. If we do not see a difference, - P156

what does that say about our relationship with God? Just like with the Israelites, God may try to get our attention by allowing fiery trials to lead us back into the calling He has given us. - P156

The pot burning over an open fire and its rust still clinging to it, symbolizesthe public and inescapable nature of Jerusalem‘s judgment. The empty potrepresents the complete devastation awaiting the city, and the persistentrust highlights the futility of superficial repentance. The seemingly harshimagery underscores the seriousness of unrepentant sin and the necessityof God‘s purifying judgment.  - P156

True transformation requires more than out-ward displays of remorse; it demands a deep inner cleansing. Just feelingbad about our sin but doing nothing else about it is not repentance thatbrings transformation. Repentance that transforms seeks to purge sin fromour lives with the power that God‘s Spirit makes available to all believers. - P156

Holy God, thank You for Your commitment to our purification. Give me the courage to face my sin honestly and welcome Your fire that refines my faith. May I emerge from the crucible of suffering more like You. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P156

"I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand beforeme in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found noone." - Ezekiel 22:30 - P157

48˝So I will put an end to le...

48"So I will put an end to lewdness in the land, that all women may take warning and not imitate you.

49You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord."

- P151

Ezekiel serves as judge to confront Israel and Judah about their detestable practices. The unfaithful people have committed a long list of sordid sins, including adultery, sacrificing their own children, defiling God’s sanctuary, and desecrating the Sabbath. They appear to have no regard for what is sacred as they even misuse the incense and olive oil that belong to God. Israel and Judah took whatever they wanted for their own selfish desires. - P152

We have the opportunity to take what we have been given, including our money, time, talents, and relationships, to be a blessing to others. Thus, we can receive His blessings with gratitude and use them to bring Him glory. - P152

Dear God, You have been generous in the gifts and blessings that You have bestowed upon me. I give thanks and surrender them anew to You. Guide me to utilize them for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P153

The Lord commands Ezekiel to confront both sisters for their adultery andchild sacrifice. They have also defiled the sanctuary and profaned the Lord‘sSabbaths. They sent for men from far away and placed God‘s own incenseand olive oil before them. The Lord calls for a mob against the two sisters anddecrees that they be given over to terror and plunder. - P151

Likened to prostitutes, God‘s people face impending punishment for trust-ing in other nations rather than remaining faithful to the Lord. Judgment ispronounced once again as the people will bear the consequences of idolatry.
- P152

God is holy and just. He cannot tolerate wrongdoing and must deal withlewdness in the land. While it can be terrifying, God‘s justice is good newsfor us. Even though there is great injustice in the world, we do not need tobemoan this reality without any sense of hope. We have reassurance thatGod is committed to our individual and communal good, and one day, Hewill make all things right. - P152