Fri.’s Devo - Paul’s Words to the Roman Christians

Today is my husband’s birthday. Happy Birthday Dave! I pray verse 14 over you that you would be full of goodness and all knowledge and able to encourage others today. Read Ro. 15:14-33 Paul speaks this powerful faith statement over his flock that they are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to teach and warn one another, then he defends his ministry. He reminds them that God has given him grace to speak to the Gentiles because it is their time to come in. His calling is to lead them in the truth about what God requires and how to live for God. He did this through a demonstration of miraculous signs and wonders. All through the region of Jerusalem to Illyricum Paul taught the complete gospel. He went to places where they had never heard the name of Jesus to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy (Is. 52:15) that says “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.” And this is the reason Paul has been gone for so long. He has been doing just that… bringing the good news of the gospel to a group of people that have never heard of Jesus. He explains to them that he is not staying this time either but is on his way to Spain. Then he plans to come back through on his way to Jerusalem where he will give the money to the poor in Jerusalem, This offering was given to him by the people of Maceonia and Achaia. They realized that if God accepted the Gentiles, then they needed to accept them as brothers. And if they needed help, then they wanted to help them. Paul prays that he will come back to a church that is walking in the fullness of the gospel of Christ. He also asks for their prayers that he come home well and full of the joy of the Lord to refresh them with. Last of all he blesses them with peace. Lord, may we love the body like Paul did. May we spread your name to people who have never heard or understood.