I will take a break from the study today to speak once more of Momma, Nadine Rice Dobbs.  A year ago today, she took here final breath here on earth and drew her first one in heaven.  She was in a lot of pain the last few months here, but that pain is no more.  She had a lot of difficulty even walking, and the last few weeks couldn't even walk at all.  I think about how now she is walking free and easy on the streets of gold, with no back pain and strong legs that easily carry her where she needs to go.  She hated to give up her Sunday School class, but now she can learn at the feet of the Savior.  Time has moved on for those of us left behind, but for her time no longer has meaning.  She was not restored to wholeness only to get old and start suffering again.  Through her faith in her personal Savior, Jesus Christ, she is victorious over not only death but also all the pains of this cruel world.  By the way, that is the only way to victory over death, through a personal relationship by faith with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  Momma traveled more the last few years of her life than even sho would have thought possible.  Yet, all that pales in comparison to the trip she embarked on a year ago.  I cannot tell you exactly where heaven is located, but I can tell you that it is far removed from this old world.  We go by the grave site from time to time.  My wife was there yesterday.  The truth is though, since the first of July last year, momma has never been there.  Since daddy and momma had their graves and headstones already in place, she had seen it before, but not since that day a year ago. She has no need to see that last date inscribed on the head stone, because that is the day her everlasting life started with no barriers, and time ceased to have any bearing.   There were over eleven years of time that passed here between the time that daddy died and momma died, but for them as they stroll around heaven, the time has no meaning.  We have gone through many firsts without momma, but she is always at the first of her everlasting life.   My spell check keeps asking me if I want to add momma to the dictionary, but I choose not to.  It is the name my brother, sister and I always called her by, and it is in my heart, so it doesn't matter if my dictionary acknowledges it.  So, as another day leading into another year begins here, I just want to say that even though you are missed by many, I am glad you are in your home of everlasting joy and peace, Momma.  Love always, from your number two son.

Romans 16:24

Romans 16:24 says, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.  In this verse, Paul states what should be our prayer for everyone at all times, especially our fellow Christians.  We need the grace of God with us each minute of the day if we are to be effective servants of God.  Verse twenty-five adds, Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,   The necessity of Christ coming to die for the sins of humanity was not a new thought.  God knew that this was the only way to redemption from the time of creation.  This was pointed to throughout the Old Testament, but the truth of the fact, the exact details, was still hidden.  Paul tells us how we are to be able to be effective followers of Christ, and that is through the grace of God, present in us through the Holy Spirit.  Paul knew firsthand the power of the gospel to change lives, and if we are followers of Christ, we know this same power of transformation in our lives.  We are new creatures, born again into the kingdom of God. Verse twenty-six continues, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:  This is really a continuation of verse twenty-five.  Paul tells us that what was once hidden is now made manifest.  The death, burial and resurrection of Christ was and is an accomplished fact. Though even the Jews, God's chosen people, were still somewhat in the dark, not to mention the Gentiles, concerning the exact nature of the awaited Messiah, through Christ everything was made manifest.  The coming of Christ was the fulfillment of the Old Testament, but that does not mean that the Old Testament is no longer relevant. We still need to learn what it tells us about God, but we can now understand the Old Testament in light of the accomplished fact of its prophecies in Jesus Christ.  God completed His salvation plan through Christ, and it is the eternal, everlasting plan of redemption.  We do not need to look for a new way or a further revelation.  Verse twenty-seven concludes, To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.  Paul reminds us that God alone is wise enough to know how to redeem us. We cannot do it through our own understanding but must come to God through faith.

Romans 16:17

Romans 16:17 says, Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  After Paul had asked that those he was writing to acknowledge certain individuals for their faithful service to Christ, he then warned them to avoid those who would cause divisions and try to change the gospel.  We today must be the same, uplifting those who are truly proclaiming the gospel and avoiding those who want only to cause divisions in the church.  Verse eighteen adds, For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.  Paul was warning them that some would profess to be followers of Christ simply to benefit themselves materially. Paul also said they would deceive the hearts of the simple with good words and fair speeches.  I believe that this is a warning to us that we must be grounded in the scriptures.  We are not to judge fellow believers, but we are to judge what those who profess to be believers in Christ proclaim.  If anyone presents anything other than forgiveness through the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross as a way to being restored to God, we are to avoid them.  Many people will use fair words, those things that sound good or are maybe simply what we want to believe to draw us away from God.  Verse nineteen continues, For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.  Paul said that their obedience to Christ was noted abroad.  We need to live so that our obedience to Christ will be noted by those around us.  He again warned them about false teachers who would lead them away from the gospel.  We simply must avoid evil to be effective in our witness for Christ.  When we are effective witnesses for Christ, we can expect to come under attack from Satan. That is why we must always remain grounded in the gospel.  Verse twenty concludes, And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Paul reminds us that God is victorious over Satan. God is the God of peace, and as His followers we are to let our lives reflect that peace. Paul said God would bruise Satan under their feet shortly.  We need to remember that with God, any amount of time can be shortly. We are to live by faith in Christ continually and not be overly concerned about when Christ is going to return to claim the church. Verses twenty-one states, Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.  Verse twenty-two adds, I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.  Verse twenty-three continues, Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.  Paul was not the only one who cared about the Roman Christians, nor was he alone in his ministry.  We should note that Tertius was the scribe of Romans, not the author of the book. The author was Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  We today need to care about the welfare of Christians everywhere and to realize that we are not alone in our work for God.

Romans 16:1

Romans 16:1 says, I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:  In these next few verses, Paul begins to single out people who had been a help and a blessing to him and ask his fellow believers to accept and uplift them.  There are most likely people in our lives who have helped us spiritually, and even materially as we follow God's call.  We need to always be thankful for them and concerned for their welfare as well.  In verse one, Paul said he commended to them their sister Phebe.  Paul recognized that even if we don't know each other, we as followers of Christ are all brothers and sisters through our salvation by Him.  We should be able to commend each other to fellow believers.  Paul said Phebe was a servant of the church at Cenchrea.  We don't really know much about this church, but Cenchrea was about twelve miles from Corinth, where there was great opposition to the gospel.  Verse two adds, That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.  Paul asked the believers in Rome to receive her in the Lord and help her any way they could.  She had helped many, including Paul, and now as a woman alone in a new city, she was going to need help.  Paul looked to fellow believers to provide this help.  Verse three continues, Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:  Verse four concludes, Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.  In Corinth, Priscilla and Aquila had helped Paul during his time there.  They were fellow tent makers and stood with Paul in spite of a threat to their own lives. We today need to help help our fellow Christians, even if it costs us. Aquila and Priscilla had been in Corinth because they were exiled from Rome but had evidently now been allowed to return.  Still, even when their lives had been uprooted, they were still serving God.  Not only did they help Paul, but they made their home available for worship services.  Verse five states, Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.  They had evidently continued this practice in Rome.  Paul asked that they salute Epaenetus, one of the first converts to Christ in Achaia.  Paul would remember him especially, since he was proof of the effectiveness of the gospel of Christ to save the lost.  In the next several verse, Paul asked that certain individuals be remembered by the church. Verses six adds, Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Verse seven continues, Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Verse eight says, Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Verse nine adds, Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.  Verse ten continues, Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. Verse eleven states, Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.  Verse twelve adds, Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.  Verse thirteen continues, Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.   Verse fourteen says, Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.  Verse fifteen adds, Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.  Verse sixteen continues, Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.   We may not know a lot about most of those named here, but they were all important to Paul in his spreading of the gospel.  Both men and women were named.  There are many followers of Christ today who are at work spreading the gospel who may never be known to most people, even to fellow believers.  We must be thankful for their service to God, and like Paul acknowledge them when we have the opportunity.  Paul knew that others were working to help him spread the gospel, and we must remember that as well.  Paul reminds us to also salute one another through our love of Christ.

Romans 15:22

Romans 15:22 says, For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.  Paul was writing to the Romans, and he told them it was his desire to come to them and proclaim the gospel.  Paul was one of the greatest men of faith, but he did not get to do everything that he desired to do.  We need to make sure that what we are doing is really for God and not just a fulfillment of our own desires. Verse twenty-three adds, But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;  Paul's desire to come to them was something that he had wanted for many years.  Again, we must put our desires second to following the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Paul had not given up on his desire to go to Rome, but he was not going to put his desires first.  Verse twenty-four continues, Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.  Paul said he was going to Spain, though we don't know if he really made it there.  We may have a desire to do many things today to proclaim the gospel, but we must first make sure that the Holy Spirit is leading us to do whatever we desire to do. Paul did not always get to go where he wanted to go, but he always went where God needed him to be.  Verse twenty-five states, But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.  Paul said was returning to Jerusalem at this time to minister to the saints.  We need to never lose sight of the need to help our fellow believers grow in knowledge of Christ.  Paul did not just reach people with the gospel and forget them once the accepted Christ, but he did all he could to help them grow in faith.  The saints were not those people who were morally superior to other people but they were all the followers of Christ.  They had not been designated such by any earthly group, but were saints by there faith in Christ.  Verse twenty-six adds, For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. Christians in Macedonia and Achaia were sending contributions to the poor saints in Jerusalem.  We might think it would be the other way around, but though Jerusalem was considered the city of God, the saints, the believers there, were poor, at least somewhat because of those who called themselves God's people.  As followers of Christ, we need to do all that we can to help other believers, wherever they are.  Verse twenty-seven continues, It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.  I believe that Paul is telling us that we need to help fellow believers materially as well as spiritually.  Since we receive the free gift of salvation from the witness of others, then if we are better off materially than they are, and they are in need, we need to help them. Verse twenty-eight says, When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. Paul's plan was to deliver the contributions to the believers at Jerusalem then he was going to Spain.  We need to have a plan of how we are going to serve God today, but we need to realize that our plans may be changed by the Holy Spirit. Verse twenty-nine adds, And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.  I believe Paul is telling us that when we carry out our plans, we must make sure that we do so with the full blessing of Christ.  We must go under the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit. Verse thirty continues, Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; Paul asked for their sincere prayers for him as he went to Jerusalem. We today need the sincere prayers, not just empty words, of others as we do whatever God has called us to do.  Paul ask them to strive in prayer, to really feel a burden when they prayed. Verse thirty-one states, That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;  In Jerusalem, there were a lot of Jews who wanted Paul dead and a lot of believers in Christ who didn't trust Paul.  Paul asked for prayers for his safety and acceptance.  Verse thirty-two adds, That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.  Verse thirty-three continues, Now the God of peace be be with you all.  Amen. He wanted to come to them in joy by the will of God. When we go in God's will, it should always bring joy to us. Paul wanted to be refreshed in faith, and we should want the same when we gather in God's will.  When we are doing God's will, we will always go in His peace.

Romans 15:15

Romans 15:15 says, Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, Paul said his boldness in writing to the Romans, who were Gentiles, came from the grace given to him by God.  We today need to be bold in that same grace.  We are to be God's representatives to the world, and the Holy Spirit will empower us to boldly proclaim the gospel.  Verse sixteen adds, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.  Paul was being condemned by the Jews for proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles, but he told them that it was his calling from God.  We need to be led by the Holy Spirit when we proclaim the gospel to the world, but we must never attempt to limit those we will share the gospel with.  We may start to feel like the Jews in Paul's day did, which is that we are somehow morally superior simply because of where we were born.  Paul went where the Holy Spirit led him and proclaimed Christ boldly through the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is what we are to do today.  Verse seventeen continues, I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.  Paul did not say that he gloried in his abilities or heritage, but that he gloried through Christ in all things that pertained to God.   We are to glorify Christ in all that we do, because Christ restored us if we are truly followers of Christ.  Whatever we do in life should glorify God, and when it doesn't, we must ask for forgiveness and once more boldly proclaim Christ to the world.  Verse eighteen states, For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,  Paul was speaking to those around him from experience.  The one thing that no one can deny about our lives as followers of Christ is our salvation and the work that God has done through us.  They may argue about the truth of the Bible, but they cannot argue our about our salvation experience. Verse nineteen adds, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Paul was still sharing how God had worked through his life after he accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord.  The Holy Spirit had performed many signs and wonders through Paul.  Paul had preached the gospel wherever the Holy Spirit led him.  We are to do the same today, proclaiming Christ wherever we are.  Verse twenty continues, Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: Paul was boldly going to preach the gospel where it had never been preached before. Though we could say that was nearly anywhere in Paul's day, he could have stayed close to where others were preaching, but he took the gospel to those who had not been reached before.  Verse twenty-one concludes, But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.  Paul again gave a scriptural reason for doing what he did.  He was led by the Holy Spirit to do what God's word said needed doing.  We today need to make sure that we are doing the same if we are to be successful followers of Christ.

Romans 15:7

Romans 15:7 says, Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.  We are to receive one another, just as Christ received us.  This is to be done for the glory of God.  When we gather together, whether as a small group in everyday life, or as a gathering of the church to worship and learn, we are to do it to the glory of God.  We are not called to occasionally live for God's glory, but to continually live for His glory.  Verse eight adds, Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:  Paul tells us that Christ came first to the Jews, those of the circumcision, because they were the ones He had chosen to work through and had made His covenant with.  The fact that the overwhelming majority refused to accept Christ as the Messiah did not, nor does not today, mean that God rejected them.  What we have to realize though is that the Jews were not special because of their birth into the Jewish nation, but because of a covenant between Abraham and God, based on faith. Verse nine continues, And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. Paul is referring to Psalms 18:49. We, the Gentiles, all those not born into the nation of Israel, are to glorify God, because through Christ, salvation is made available to all who believe.  Had the Jews accepted Jesus as the Messiah, this does not mean that we as Gentiles would have never been able to find salvation through Christ.  We must remember that the nation of Israel was not chosen by God because they were better than anyone else, but because God chose them to proclaim Him to the world.  The intention was never for them to keep God to themselves, but to reach the world for Him.   The same is true for Christians today.  We are saved by faith in Christ and called to reach the world for Him.  Verse ten states,  And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. This is a reference to Psalms 22:22.  This was not some new thought that Paul had, but was God's plan.  We are to be united in worshipping God.  Christ came to save all, not just the Jews with the Gentiles being an alternate plan.  Verse eleven adds, And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. Paul tells us we are to praise God.  I do not believe that had the Jews accepted Christ as Savior that we, the Gentiles, would have been excluded. The Jewish people would have simply been the ones to share the gospel with the world.  Paul was a prime example, being a Jew himself.  If I were to refuse to believe the gospel, that does not doom anyone but me.  Verse twelve continues, And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.  Paul was again referring to the scriptures and said that Isaiah foretold Jesus coming to save the Gentiles as well as the Jews.  Verse thirteen says, Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.  We as followers of Christ are to abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. That power will never wane no matter the condition of the world, so if our hope comes from the Holy Spirit, it should never wane either. Verse fourteen adds, And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.  Paul was certain that his fellow believers were full of goodness and filled with all knowledge and able to correct one another in faith.  We today should be the same. Being full of knowledge does not mean that we know everything, but that we are full of the knowledge of Christ.