Romans 1: Do You Have The Power Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

1. The Power Of God (V1-19)
V15 “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.”

Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit boldly declared that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ even though at that time the Romans were heavily persecuting Christianity and the Christians. Paul was ready not only to preach the gospel but he was ready to suffer and even die for the gospel’s sake. He knew that only the gospel of Christ, which was the power of God could save precious souls, whether they were Jews or Greeks, from fiery hell to pearly heaven, if these souls would truly believe in Jesus Christ.

V16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
 
2. The Truth Of God (V20-25)
V24 “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:”

Even though God creates man, yet man refuses to acknowledge the truth of God that God is his Creator, and he is a creature created to conform God’s image and holiness. Instead man deceives himself, and abuses his own body, and chooses to worship himself than God. He commits all kinds of evil deeds and immorality to satisfy his own lust and depravity. Therefore the holy God has to judge man for all his sins and wickedness.

V25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

3. The Judgment Of God (V26-32)
V30 “Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.”

There is nothing new under the sun. As in the time of Apostle Paul, today we also witness all kinds of evil and wickedness, including children disobeying their parents. Man not only commits these evil deeds but he commits them with pleasure. Hence the judgment of God shall be upon man unless and until he repents of his sins, and believes in Jesus Christ.

V32 “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I have Your power as I believe and trust in You.

Acts 28: Will You Preach To The End?
Verse of the Day: (V31) “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”

1. Prayed (V1-16)
V3 “And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.”

All in the shipwreck including Paul managed to swim to shore on an island called Melita. There they were well treated by the natives. However, while Paul was gathering sticks and putting them on the fire, he was bitten by a viper. But God saved his life, and they thought that he was a god. So when the father of their leader was sick, they called Paul to heal him. Paul prayed to God, and God indeed healed the leader’s father. Paul then prayed and healed many who were sick before he departed with the rest of them to Rome.

V8 “And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
 
2. Persuading (V17-29)
V23 “And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.”

When Paul was in Rome, though he was under house arrest, he managed to speak to the chief of the Jews as well as the Jewish community. Paul persuaded them in great length that the Way or the Christians were truly Christ’s followers who believed that Christ is the Son of God. However, some chose to believe in Christ, while others rejected Christ.

V24 “And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.”

3. Preaching (V30-31)
V30 “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,”

Before God allowed the Roman emperor to behead Paul because he was a Christian (though he was innocent), yet Paul did not waver but kept preaching God’s kingdom and gospel during his house arrest as well as in the Roman prison to the very end of his life.

V31 “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to preach Your kingdom and gospel to the end.