14 Thursday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
There are times we do all the right things and people still respond poorly to us. In Acts 22 Paul did everything right, but in the end the people chose to believe something else. This is how it is sometimes. We are called to obedience and to love others. It is not our job to force others into submission or to judge them for their lack of faith in the truth. Love God, love others: that is our calling.
13 Wednesday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
We all face fear in life, but we should all face our fears know God is by our side. Paul faced imprisonment and potential death by going to Jerusalem, but he went anyway. Acts 21:13, The Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Knowing why we are willing to face persecution and struggles helps us to face our fears, but knowing God is with us through it all, makes it all possible.
12 Tuesday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
Today we have reached the end of the book of Romans. Paul takes the time to send greetings to several people and to thank them for their service. Paul also takes the opportunity to warn believers of those who choose to bring divisiveness into their midst. In Romans 16:17-18 Paul warns, 17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause division and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. When someone brings teachings and ideas that are contrary to the teachings of Christ, we should question them. Christ kept it pretty simple; Love God and love others. If it deviates away from this “golden Rule”, then we can be certain it comes from the mouths of men and not from God.
11 Monday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
The hope we receive through our relationship with God is what gives us peace regardless of our circumstances. In Romans 15:13 Paul says, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit living in us we can feel joy and peace no matter what is going on around us if we simply choose to submit to Him. God truly is the God of hope. Everything else comes from the fallen world around us. It is up to us to choose which voice we will listen to.
10 Sunday Jul 2016
Posted in Reflection
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We hope you enjoy today as a day of reflection and worship. This is a great day to catch up on reading and spending time with family and friends.
If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.
09 Saturday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
Let us not waste time arguing about things that matter little in the light of eternity. In Romans 14:1 Paul says, Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable matters. We are all in different places with our faith, and none of us are in a place to judge one another. God calls us to love Him and love others; nothing more.
08 Friday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
After all that has happened in the last few days in Baton Rouge, Minnesota, and Dallas, I found Romans 13:12 very comforting: The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. If we are to survive as a society, we must choose to stay away from the deeds of darkness and have hope in the light that can only come from God.
07 Thursday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
God created each of us for a purpose and we have all been given gifts for that purpose. In Romans 12:6-8 Paul encourages us to fully use the gifts we have been given: 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership. let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. What is important is that God did not give us gifts to be used individually. We are individuals with specific gifts created for the purpose of forming a complete body. We are all members of the Kingdom of God created to glorify Him and bring others closer to a relationship with Him.
06 Wednesday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
How arrogant are we to ever think that God requires anything from us? God gives to us, not the other way around. In Romans 11:35 Paul says, Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? So many people approach their relationship with God trying to give Him their obedience as payment for salvation. Instead, our obedience is supposed to come as a result of Him giving to us. God requires nothing from us other than our faith and trust in Him.
05 Tuesday Jul 2016
Posted in Daily Reading
In today’s reading, Paul stresses the importance of serving God in the pursuit of spreading the good news of the Gospel. In the second half of Romans 10:15, Paul quotes from Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” If we are unwilling to be used by God to spread the Gospel, then who is? The joy of salvation and God’s presence in our lives should be enough to encourage us to serve Him more.
Daily Devotion 