Final Victory

Thanksgiving is a time for family, lots of food, and football games. Our favorite teams don’t always win but being a part of God’s team always brings the final victory.

All winning teams have a game plan. Let us be thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this Thanksgiving weekend with Him amazing!

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Thanksgiving is a time
For family and food
And an attitude
Of gratitude.

Football games are viewed
And our favorite teams
May not always win
But one team does it seems.

So be grateful
For this mystery
And how our Lord
Brings final victory.

Free from the demands
Of the written code
Because of the Cross
A new Way is showed.

Accepting this new Way
That God has provided
Doing the amazing
By being united.

By Mark Shields – © 11-23-2017
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Questions for Reflection for Study of Romans 9-11

This day with God, know that you have a role to play because you have will and will is more important than skill. Choose to be on God’s side for He is always right. All winning teams have a game plan and the reading plan below will be used as I share over the next few weeks. Let us be thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing!

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Romans 9:1-24
In what ways does Paul establish his truthfulness? What concern do you have for the truthfulness of what you say? Does God exist for our purposes or vice versa?

Romans 9:25-33
What is the relation of human responsibility to the sovereignty of God? What is the ironical situation concerning Jews and Gentiles? Are you yielding to God’s will?

Romans 10:1-10
What is Paul’s action here? Where is true righteousness found? What must a person do to be saved?

Romans 10:11-17
What is the reason God justifies Jews and Gentiles in the same way (See 3:29-30)? What is involved in to call upon the name of the Lord? What is the content of what must be preached?

Romans 10:18-21
How does Paul show that hearing does not produce faith? How are faith and hearing related in your life? To what extent is the gospel heard (See 1:19-20, Ps. 19)?

Romans 11:1-6
What is God’s action on part of the remnant (See Ro 9:27)? Characterize God’s Grace and how is it antithetical to works (See Ro 9:11)? What is your response to our God of Grace?

Romans 11:7-16
Who are the first fruits and root (See v. 28)? Is God’s rejection of Israel total? Final? What qualities of God are revealed here?

Romans 11:17-24
Who are the root and natural branches? What has happened to some of the branches? Why? What is your attitude toward your part in God’s plan? Why?

Romans 11:25-36
What is God’s mystery concerning Jews and Gentiles? In what ways will you share your knowledge of God’s mystery with others today? In the future?

 

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print. 
“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web.  <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.
“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.
Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.
“Google Images.” Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&authuser=0&ei=8IipWNPmOoPBmwHIpZ2ACQ&ved=0EKouCBcoAQ>.
“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.
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Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for family, lots of food, and football games. Our favorite teams don’t always win but being a part of God’s team always brings the final victory.

All winning teams have a game plan. Let us be thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this Thanksgiving Day with Him amazing!

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Something to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving

Over the last few weeks, we’ve studied that we are free from the demands of the written code because of Christ. He has given us a new Way and through Him, we can do some amazing things together. I tell you what that is something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

We’ve also studied that the purpose of the law is to tell us how to live. It reveals right from wrong and initiates proper thoughts and self-discipline as we step ahead. We have a better Way to live our lives and faith that things will fall in place so we get further than ever imagined.

Pointed out was that there is an internal spiritual war inside our soul between good and evil but through Jesus Christ we can be optimistic because the law of God has the advantage. Something amazing is available to us today! With Christ, there are no limits to what we can accomplish.

Within each believer is the same Spiritual power that raised Christ from the dead. A Spiritual power big enough to function at a much higher level that brings joy and freedom. Much more than worldly power, prestige, or possessions. It’s so big that we should desire to share with the world.

Each day, let us think about the things of God and spend time nourishing the Spirit inside. Then our actions will match up to what God wants us to do with our life. Let us not get uptight about things but enjoy each moment, let go of worry, and trust that everything will work out by just doing God’s will.

This world is not perfect and there will be difficulty but even in hard times, we can have joy. Never get down but remember what Jesus went through on the Cross. Remember the many things people have gone through but came out stronger on the other side.

Hope is a major part of the Christian life because it gives patience in time of difficulty. For regardless of circumstance, hope keeps us looking forward to a day when there is no more pain, no more tears, and no more fears.

The Spirit gives insight into how to play our part in a preferred future and gives plans to make a difference in society. First, let us pray for God’s will. Then let us discover the purpose for which God has for each of us and respond with enthusiasm to fulfill that high purpose.

The Spirit will work in our life if we discover our purpose for which God has for us and respond with enthusiasm to fulfill that purpose. As Christians, we can defeat things that bring us down like fear, ridicule, lack of health, or even death. For faith in God’s resources, hope for a bright future, and the love of God that is in Christ leads us to victory. 

Our confidence for victory over problems and obstacles that cause despair and suffering stems from the fact that those who accept Christ as Savior are adopted as His children and led by the Spirit. We are co-heirs with Christ who share difficulties in order that we may also share in His glory. This hope will keep us looking forward to the ultimate victory.

 

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Steadily Towards the Victory

In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. – Romans 8:37 

There may be times when projects are due, bills are due, or for a business … payroll must be met and people start to panic. When people get in panic mode, don’t follow or listen … just keep heading steadily towards Ultimate Victory.

Have the attitude that you’ve been there, done that because when constantly relying on God’s guidance, the challenges in life are handled victoriously on a regular bases. Then non-believers will start to notice and want to make the changes in order to be conquerors too!

This day with God will be amazing because we have the play book to victory. The Bible gives us great advice and victory is assured through Christ. To begin our victorious day, here is a song to get us going: My Victory by Crowder. 
 

 

Index of devotionals

 

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