Doses of Faith

     Are we all good?   Yes, we are in our own eyes.   We have our check list of things Christians do: pray, follow the laws in the Bible, tithe, go to church, and the list of laws continue.   This is what Paul is addressing with the Jews in Rome.   Their ancestry does not give them salvation nor does living righteously.   He has already told them that salvation comes with faith in chapter one verses 5, 16, and 17.   It is not the righteous attempt of living Biblically that justifies salvation, but it “is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (2:29)    Salvation comes “by the law of faith” concluding “that a man is justified by faith.” (3:27, 28)      Paul backs up this claim with “As it is written.” (3:10)    Since the Jews live by the law, he quotes the law.    Romans 3:10-18  “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NO...

      Romans 1:18-32 touches on a subject that we like to skip over, homosexuality.   Today, we have to face it and talk about it.   Now, we have moved from homosexuality to transgender.   I’m not a specialist of any kind, so I’m writing my opinion on this subject.   Am I comfortable?   No, I am not, but this is a subject that we must face.   We can’t sweep it under the rug anymore.     First, I can’t explain why people choose this lifestyle.   In days past, many blamed it on an overbearing or domineering mother, mental or physical abuse, or lack of a good father or mother figure in the home.   There are others reasons that one may add to the list.   However, today we are told that people are born this way, but where is the scientific proof?   Can it be proven?   Or, could it be more people choose this lifestyle, because it is the going thing to do?   All I have is questions, and no answers.   ...

“I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are in Rome.”   Romans 1:15 KJV       Paul desired to go to Rome.   He wrote to the Romans, “I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established. That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” (1:11, 12)   Then, in verse 13, “I purposed to come to you, that I might have some fruit among you also.”   Paul wanted to confirm that the church in Rome was established, and he wanted to lead more to faith through Jesus Christ.   This is accomplished through preaching.   Paul was ready to preach the gospel.       I can imagine Paul’s passion to want to preach.   There is no doubt that he wanted to preach the gospel to the whole world.   His words in chapter 1 of Romans give the vision of a preacher who wanted to preach to reach the multitudes.   I’ve seen this kind of passion to ...

“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.”   Romans 1:9       Paul let the Romans know that he prayed for them without ceasing.   Even though they have not met in person, he prayed for them.   He knew of their faith, because it was “spoken of throughout the whole world.” (Romans 1:8)   So, while Paul planned to travel to Rome on day to see them face to face, he prayed.        Prayer is an important part of our faith.   Jesus taught the disciples to pray in Matthew chapter 6, and Jesus taught prayer through his example of finding a place away from the crowds to pray.   Jesus says in Matthew 7:7, “Ask and you shall receive,” and in Matthew 21:22, “All things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.”     Believing, prayer is part of our faith, because prayer draws us to God.   ...

Romans: 1: 1-7          Paul’s introduction to the Romans reveals the purpose of Paul’s life.   I see the apostle Paul as a man of passion.   Before his conversion, Paul passionately pursued to punish and wipe out all Christians.   In Acts 9:1 and 2, “And Saul, yet breathing out threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”    But, he was stopped with the bright light from God, and, after hearing the voice of Jesus, Paul’s passion changed from destroying Christians to spreading the gospel of Christ.   Paul faithfully shared the way to the true gospel to many Gentile nations.  Now , as Paul begins his letter to the Romans, he shares “the way.”     Paul starts the letter with calling himself a “servant of Jesu...