Romans 8: Do You Have The Love Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V39) “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is n Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1. The Spirit Of God (V1-15)
V9 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

God sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts once we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. This was why Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, commanded the Christians in Rome as well as all of us today that we must be led by the Spirit of God, and not by our flesh or own understanding. When we are led by the Spirit, we shall live a victorious life, and conversely, when we are led by our flesh, we shall live a defeated life.

V15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
 
2. The Will Of God (V16-30)
V27 “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit work together in the life of a Christian so that we shall always be in the centre of God’s perfect will. Indeed, the most dangerous place is the safest place when we are in the will of God, and conversely, the safest place is the most dangerous place when we are out of the will of God. This is why it is not all things work together for good to the unbeliever, because ultimately he shall be condemned to fiery hell, if he refuses to renounce his wrongdoings, and accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. All things, including bad things, only work together for good, to those who believe in God, love Him, and are called by Him, according to His purpose and will.

V28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

3. The Love Of God (V31-39)
V37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

We are more than conquerors once we become Christians, because God loves us so much that He shall protect and preserve us from all evil, and nothing can stop His love for us.

V39 “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your love and leadership!

Romans 7: Are You Serving The Law Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V25) “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

1. Dead To The Law (V1-5)
V4 “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”

Apostle Paul shared three stages of his life. The first stage was when he was an unbeliever. Though Paul knew the law of God, yet he did not believe in Christ and instead he persecuted the Christians. Paul then described one’s life as that of a woman married to her husband, who represented the law. However, the law could never save us, and it was when her husband died, and she married another, who was Jesus, that Jesus could save our souls. Indeed, Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, and whosoever believes in Him should never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.

V5 “For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.”
 
2. Warring Against The Law (V6-23)
V18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

The second stage of Paul’s life was when he believed and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, and yet he had great struggle with his Christian life. The good things that he was to do for God, he failed to do, and the sins that he was not to do, yet he committed them. Paul’s Holy Spirit in him and his own flesh of sins were warring against each other, and the only way to overcome this intense fight was for him to fully yield to the Holy Spirit of God.

V23 “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”
 
3. Serve The Law (V24-25)
V24 “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

The third stage of Paul’s life is when he realised that in order for him to have a victorious Christian life he must fully yield himself to God and serve His law, instead of letting his flesh take control of his life. Indeed, we need to let go of self, and let God be in control.

V25 “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to serve Your law by yielding to You and You alone.

Romans 6: Are You Free From Sin?
Verse of the Day: (V23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

1. Dead To Sin (V1-13)
V2 “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

God through Apostle Paul commanded the Christians to yield themselves to God as instruments of righteousness, and be dead to their sin. If the Christian does not fully yield to God, he will then yield to instruments of unrighteousness which are the lusts of his eyes, the lusts of his flesh and the pride of life, and subsequently sins against the holy God. This is why the Christians must continue to yield or surrender to God every day of our lives, so that we can live holy and victorious lives for His glory, honour and praise!

V13 “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
 
2. Free From Sin (V14-21)
V17 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”

Let us thank God, the Father, who sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die and shed His blood on the cruel cross for the sins of the whole world. Whosoever therefore believes in Jesus, his soul shall never perish in hell, but shall have everlasting life with Him in heaven, and from the servant of sins, he becomes the servant of righteousness.

V18 “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

3. Wages Of Sin (V22-23)
V22 “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

Once we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Lord and personal Saviour, we are free from sin and spiritual death, and become the servants of God. Though we shall all die, yet for the Christians, our souls shall live forever with God in the portals of heaven, because we have the gift of God through Jesus Christ. However, those who ultimately reject Jesus Christ shall reap the consequences of their sin, which is the eternal condemnation of their souls in the fiery pits of hell, forever separated from God.

V23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to yield to You and be free from the wages of sin.

Romans 5: Do You Hope In The Glory Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

1. The Glory Of God (V1-2)
V1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Apostle Paul by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit encouraged the Christians in Rome to have the hope in the glory of God in spite of the heavy persecution by the Romans. Though the Christians suffered much yet they had the peace with God and the faith in God, that God was with them to comfort and encourage them through all their sufferings.

V2 “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
 
2. The Love Of God (V3-13)
V3 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”

The Christians rejoice and glory in our suffering for Christ’s sake because we believe that through suffering our faith and patience shall be strengthened. Indeed, when we believe, trust and hope in God, the love of God immediately sends His Holy Ghost into each of our hearts to comfort and encourage us as we go through life storms and struggles.

V5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

3. The Grace Of God (V14-21)
V15 “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”

In the beginning when God created Adam, He commanded Adam that he could eat all the fruits of the trees except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Yet Adam chose to eat the forbidden fruit, and as a result, the entire human race fell into sin. However God has a redemption plan for mankind. As one man had offended God, by God’s love and grace, He sent another man, His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Whosoever believes in Jesus shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.

V16 “And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, I trust and obey You and hope in Your glory now and forever.

Romans 4: Do You Have The Faith Of Abraham?
Verse of the Day: (V16) “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,”

1. Steps Of Faith (V1-12)
V2 “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”

Abraham would never be justified by his works before God because there was nothing perfect in his works. He was justified before God because he walked the steps of faith in God. It was also not his circumcision that justified him, as he was justified before his circumcision. It was his faith in God that truly justified him. Therefore everyone whether we are Jews or Gentiles is justified before God when we believe and have faith in God.

V12 “And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.”
 
2. Righteousness Of Faith (V13-15)
V13 “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”

Abraham was righteous before God because he had faith in God and not because he obeyed God’s law. Man can never be righteous because he can never obey the entire law. God’s law is meant only to point man to his sins and man is only justified by faith in God.

V15 “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.”

3. Strong In Faith (V16-25)
V16 “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,”

God chose Abraham as the father of all nations because he was strong in faith. When God promised Abraham that he would have a child, he believed in God. Though he waited for many years until he and his wife were too old to have a child, yet he still believed in God. Finally God gave him and his wife a son. Indeed, there is nothing impossible with God. 

V20 “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to have the faith of Abraham.

Romans 3: Do You Have Faith In God?
Verse of the Day: (V3) “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”

1. The Faith Of God (V1-8)
V1 “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?”

Apostle Paul explained to the Jews that even though they were supposedly God’s chosen people and practised circumcision, yet they could never be God’s chosen people if they had no faith in God. In fact, God would freely accept the Gentiles as His chosen people if they had faith in Him. Hence, though the Jews had an advantage over the Gentiles, because they were chosen of God to be a testimony for Him, yet they would still be condemned to fiery hell, if they had no faith in God, and chose to rebel and disobey God.

V3 “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”
 
2. The Fear Of God (V9-20)
V9 “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;”

Paul reiterated that even though God chose the Jews to be His people, and gave them His law to lead and guide them, yet they feared not God. However, God never gives up on them as He has a redemption plan through His Son, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. During the Old Testament, God saved the people, whether they were Jews or Gentiles, when they repented their sins and believed by faith the coming of the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, who would die for their sins. During the New Testament, and until today, God saves us, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, when we repent our sins and believe by faith that the Messiah came and died and shed His precious blood for our sins.
 
V18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

3. The Glory Of God (V21-31)
V23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

We are imperfect, unholy and we can never fully obey God’s law, and we certainly come short of God’s glory, holiness and perfection. It is God’s amazing grace, abundant mercy and everlasting love, and not our work or obedience to His law, which saves us from fiery hell and promotes us to pearly heaven, if we truly repent our sins and have faith in Him.

V24 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I have faith in You, and that I shall live for Your glory.

Romans 2: Who Is Our Judge?
Verse of the Day: (V3) “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”

1. The Judgment Of God (V1-3)
V1 “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”

Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit warned the Christians never to judge one another because they were all sinners saved by God’s grace. Only the perfect God can judge His imperfect people. No one, not even the Jews, can escape God’s judgment, unless he repents of his sins, and believes and receives the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour.

V3 “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”
 
2. The Goodness Of God (V4-23)
V4 “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

Paul reminded the Jews that even though they were supposedly God’s people, yet God could still condemn them to fiery hell, if they refused to repent of their sins and believed in Him. God’s salvation is extended to anyone whether he is a Jew or a Gentile when he repents his sins and receives the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour. Indeed it is not man’s goodness or work, or just hearing God’s Word, but it is God’s goodness and mercy, and obeying His Word, that leads a man to true repentance, and God’s great salvation.

V13 “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”

3. The Name Of God (V24-29)
V24 “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”

Paul sharply rebuked the Jews that they had failed to be God’s holy people in witnessing to the Gentiles. Instead they lived in sins and blasphemed God’s holy name. This is why God only justify the faith of those whose hearts are inwardly circumcised and purified by His Word, and not the outwardly circumcised Jews who refuse to repent of their sins.

V29 “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that only You are my Judge as You are my perfect Saviour.

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.

Acts 27: Who Do You Serve?
Verse of the Day: (V23) “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,”

1. Sail (V1-20)
V1 “And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.”

Apostle Paul, a Roman prisoner, together with other prisoners, set sail to Italy, under the command of Julius, a centurion. The prisoners would be in Italy to be judged and sentenced by Caesar, the Roman emperor. Whenever Paul went, God was with him. Even though Paul was a prisoner yet Julius treated him well and Paul was refreshed during the voyage. However, they met a terrible storm, and they had to cast out everything on board the ship. The storm continued, and all hope vanished, and they all thought they would die.

V20 “And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”
 
2. Serve (V21-40)
V22 “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.”

In the midst of hopelessness, Paul stood up, and encouraged them that God was with them. Paul shared his testimony that he belonged to God and he served the true God. He assured them that God’s angel had spoken to him, and that they should not fear for their lives, for they would all be saved on an island, though the ship would be badly damaged.

V23 “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,”

3. Save (V41-44)
V43 “But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:”

Indeed, God never fails in His promises as God brought all of them safely onto an island. In fact, as the badly damaged ship anchored near the island, the soldiers decided to kill all the prisoners as they thought that they would swim to shore and then escaped. However, the centurion desiring to save Paul, commanded the soldiers to spare all the prisoners.

V44 “And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I serve You, the true and living God.