Friday, February 11, 2011

Romans and James: Bible Reading Plan

In about five to ten minutes per day, you can read through the entire New Testament in one year. Stay consistent and make focused Bible reading a daily habit.

Read the selected chapter each day. If you haven’t started—start today!
  • Spend some time in prayer reflecting on how God spoke to you through the reading.
  • Read the study guide for the day you are on to dig a little deeper into a few selected verses.
  • Respond to the questions and prayer guides as you apply the biblical teachings to your life.
By the end of this series we will have read through John, 1 Timothy, 1 Thessalonians, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Romans and James.

Monday, February 14th - Romans 1

Paul writes a letter to the Romans. Note his love for them in verse 8. Because of his love, he prays regularly for them. (verse 9) How are you doing praying for the people you love? Make this a regular habit—it will revolutionize your relationships. Paul feels an obligation to share the Gospel with all people. (verse 14) Who is it that God is placing on your heart to share the Gospel with? Pray for the wisdom and courage to share the Gospel with this person. Paul notes people have been worshipping God’s creation and not God in verses 18 to 23. What idols in your life are competing with God? Spend time giving God thanks for everything He has blessed you with.

Tuesday, February 15th - Romans 2

You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. (verse 23) Paul highlights a foundational truth of Christianity: Being a disciple of Christ is not just a belief, it is a practice. It is not just something we know, it is something we do. Radical obedience to God is a lifestyle that will bless us and allow us to be a blessing to others. Think of an area in your life that you struggle to obey God. Why do you struggle in this area? Commit to following God more closely in this area during the next week.

Wednesday, February 16th - Romans 3

Paul continues his letter by writing that we are not acquitted by obeying the law, but by faith. Paul knows of our imperfection and at times we will fail in our practice of Christiainty: For all have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard. (verse 23) Paul was keenly aware of sin and he was even more keenly aware of grace: we are made right with God through faith. (verse 28) Paul concludes the chapter with his comments on the relationship between faith and works: Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law. (verse 31) The Norwegian word for faith is tro which means trust and confidence. Accepting God’s gift of faith means we have trust and confidence that God’s ways are the ways that lead to abundant and eternal life.

Thursday, February 17th - Romans 4

Not a single verse in the Old Testament means as much for followers of the New Testament as Genesis 15:6 – And Abraham believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Paul restates this in verse 22 - And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. The good news for us is that the promise is not just for Abraham, but for all who have faith. (verses 23 and 24) Rectus is the Latin word for right. It means straight and headed on the right path as opposed to crooked and meandering with no direction. Pray for more faith. Keep praying with simple prayer. Memorize Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do and he will show you which path to take.

Friday, February 18th - Romans 5

In verses 2 to 4 Paul tells us what we will become in the future. Until then we must overcome. Problems we face will help us develop our patience, which will strengthen our character, deepen our trust in God, and give us greater confidence about the future. How do you respond to adversity? Do you suffer or do you see adversity as an opportunity to grow? Pray for the ability to overcome and not be overcome. Commit to memory Romans 5:20 – one of the more profound verses in the Bible: But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.

Saturday, February 19th - Romans 6

In verse 15, Paul notes that God’s grace sets us free, but true freedom does not mean that we keep sinning because we can become slaves to sin which leads to death. Freedom is not found in the lives of the indentured or the dead. In verse 12 Paul urges the Romans to not let sin control the way you live. In verse 14 the encouragement is to live under the freedom of God’s grace. Verse 23 sums up chapter 6: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Think again about sin that is causing you to die in some way: relationally, spiritually, emotionally, or physically. Ask God to replace your sin with grace.

Sunday, February 20th - Romans 7

Paul’s writing on sin and grace continues with raw honesty in chapter 7. His struggle is between right and wrong; just and unjust; and sacred and profane. We have this same struggle as well. The prescription to disease (sin) is found in verse 25: Jesus Christ. The answer isn’t a plan; the answer is a person. Pray to Jesus for the ability, power, and desire to overcome sin.

Monday, February 21st - Romans 8

The reader of the Bible is hard pressed to find a more profound chapter than chapter 8. Paul’s best writing and some of life’s greatest truths are found in these 39 verses. Select a few verses in chapter 8. Write these verses on a sheet of paper and put them in a place where you can see them during the next week.

Tuesday, February 22nd - Romans 9

Verse 24 is an obscure, but important verse. God’s people are no longer the people of Isreal, but the Gentiles as well. The Greek word for Gentile simply means “not from Israel.” The Roman reader reads this and smiles at the universal embrace of God to all people regardless of tribe or tongue. We smile when we read it as well—that God accepts us. Think about two things: First, you are loved and accepted by God. Nothing can change that (revisit Romans 8:39). Second, as you are accepted, God desires for us to be accepting. Pray: Lord, thank you for accepting me. Help me to always remember this and help me be accepting of others.

Wednesday, February 23rd - Romans 10

In verse 13, Paul revisits the words of the prophet, Joel 2:32, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The Greek word σωθησεται for saved means “to be made whole.” In what areas of your life do you need wholeness? Pray (call on God) for wholeness in various areas of your life: spiritually, relationally, emotionally, financially, and physically.

Thursday, February 24th - Romans 11

Verse 36: For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. Substitute the word “I” for the word “everything” in verse 36. Now it reads: I come from him and exist by his power and am intended for his glory. This teaches us three things about ourselves: 1) We are created by God, 2) We are sustained by God’s presence in our lives, and 3) We exist to glorify God. Pray: Lord, thank you for creating me, give me more of our Holy Spirit, and help me glorify you in my thoughts, words, and actions.

Friday, February 25th - Romans 12

Like chapter 8, chapter 12 is one of the richest chapters in Scripture. Select a few verses in chapter 12. Write these verses on a sheet of paper and put them in a place where you can see them during the next week.

Saturday, February 26th - Romans 13

Paul knew the Roman Christians had dual citizenship. They were simultaneously citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven and citizens of the Roman Empire. Paul urges the Romans to live in both worlds. First, they were to respect the government, obey the laws, and pay taxes. Second, he says to obey the biblical law of love: to love each other in the same way we love ourselves. Take some time to pray for your governments. Not with an agenda, but just sharing your feelings with God. Consider how you can obey the biblical command to love others even when you don’t agree with them.

Sunday, February 27th - Romans 14

Verses 17 to 19 are a powerful teaching: For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. As in the early chapters, Paul is emphasizing that Christianity is a practice. Think about what you can do to create harmony in your life and in the lives of others and who you can encourage and build up. Act today to create harmony and / or encourage somebody.

Monday, February 28th - Romans 15

Verses 25 to 27 contain a wonderful story of the Christians in Greece supporting the Christians in Jerusalem who have fallen upon hard times. Paul talks about Christians supporting Christians. The Greek Christians had resources. The Christians in Jerusalem had a need. Both the Greeks and those in Jerusalem were better off because of the gift. Think about the resources you have and think about other people’s needs. Bless somebody in need today with your resources.

Tuesday, March 1st - Romans 16

Paul spends some time early giving thanks for people important to him. Take a few moments and give thanks to people who are important to you. One of Paul’s final appeals is to watch out for people who cause divisions and serve their own interests. (verses 17 and 18) Think about people in your life who are disruptive. Make and follow a plan to not let them be disruptive to your life.

Wednesday, March 2nd - James 1

James offers a fresh and practical approach to Christianity. Verse 19 is excellent advice: Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. This is a great verse to pray over: Lord, I want to be a better listener. Help me to listen before I speak. When I speak, make my words be comforting, encouraging, and wise. When I am frustrated, help me control my temper and make wise choices. Amen. Verse 19 talks about true religion as caring for widows and orphans. Pray for the willingness to serve, love, and care for the marginalized among us.

Thursday, March 3rd - James 2

James connects faith and works in chapter 2. They are not separate to James: works happen as a response to faith. Faith is not just mere belief. Faith is an active lifestyle. Faith makes a difference in the way we live. Verses 22 and 23: You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” Pray for ways to show your faith to the world.

Friday, March 4th - James 3

Have you ever said something you regret? Most of us have. According to James, The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. Contrary to the children’s saying, words can be painful. The things we say can have much more of an impact on our lives and those around us than we intend. Try this exercise for a week a see how much of a difference it makes. Before you speak, pray that the words from your tongue would be true, necessary, and kind. Otherwise, follow your mother’s advice. If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say it at all.

Saturday, March 5th - James 4

How do you react when God steps in and rearranges your plans? James cautions us about making plans without seeking God’s opinion and direction for our lives. In our jobs, with our families, and in our personal lives—we often have goals. Goals can be good. But we can also be disappointed if we forget to include God as we set goals. James encourages us to follow God’s lead. When we put God’s desires first in our planning, we will seldom be disappointed. Pray for God to direct your future.

Sunday, March 6th - James 5

It’s easy to think that God doesn’t hear our prayers. We may use prayer as our last resort. Instead of leaning on God for everything, we turn to God when we are in our most desperate times. James makes it clear in verse 16, The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Do you need God’s healing, forgiveness, or joy? Because God’s power is infinitely greater than our own, it makes sense to rely on God. So Pray. Pray today, pray tomorrow, pray every day!

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