Mar 30: Cape Verde Islands, Cayman Islands | Operation World
Click on the link to get more information.
Click on the link to get more information.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 72
Romans 14; Romans 15; Romans 16:1-27
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment
on disputable matters. 2 One man's faith allows him to eat
everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The
man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who
does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted
him. 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own
master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him
stand. 5 One man considers one day more sacred than another;
another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in
his own mind. 6 He who regards one day as special, does so to
the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and
he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For
none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8 If
we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we
live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason,
Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead
and the living. 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother?
Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's
judgment seat. 11 It is written: " 'As surely as I live,'
says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to
God.' " 12 So then, each of us will give an account of
himself to God. 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on
one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or
obstacle in your brother's way. 14 As one who is in the Lord
Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone
regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If
your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in
love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do
not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For
the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of
righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because
anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.19 Let
us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual
edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of
food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes
someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or
drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. 22 So
whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed
is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But
the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from
faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the
weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please
his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ
did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who
insult you have fallen on me." 4 For everything that was
written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the
encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the
God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among
yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one
heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept
one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to
God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the
Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9 so
that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your
name." 10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with
his people." 11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you
Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples." 12 And
again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise
to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."13 May
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that
you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 14 I
myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness,
complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 I
have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them
again, because of the grace God gave me16 to be a minister of
Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel
of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God,
sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus
in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of
anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles
to obey God by what I have said and done-- 19 by the power of
signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the
way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It
has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so
that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 21 Rather,
as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those
who have not heard will understand." 22 This is why I
have often been hindered from coming to you.23 But now that there
is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing
for many years to see you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to
Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on
my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.25 Now,
however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. 26 For
Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the
saints in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed
they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual
blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So
after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received
this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I
know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing
of Christ. 30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ
and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for
me. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in
Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so
that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be
refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the
church in Cenchrea. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in
a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for
she has been a great help to many people, including me. 3 Greet
Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They
risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are
grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their
house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in
the province of Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for
you.7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in
prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in
Christ before I was. 8 Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the
Lord.9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear
friend Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, tested and approved in
Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus 11 Greet
Herodion, my relative. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the
Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work
hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked
very hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and
his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. 14 Greet
Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them. 15 Greet
Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with
them. 16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of
Christ send greetings. 17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out
for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary
to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For
such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth
talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone
has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to
be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. 20 The
God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus
be with you. 21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings
to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives. 22 I,
Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23Gaius,
whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.
Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus
send you their greetings. 25 Now to him who is able to
establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to
the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but
now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of
the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him-- 27 to
the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Revelation 18
Revelation 18 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 18
Lament Over Fallen Babylon
1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted:
"'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!'[a] She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."
Warning to Escape Babylon's Judgment
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:
"'Come out of her, my people,'[b] so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
7 Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts, 'I sit enthroned as queen.
I am not a widow;[c] I will never mourn.'
8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
Threefold Woe Over Babylon's Fall
9 "When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:
"'Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon!
In one hour your doom has come!'
11 "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
14 "They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.' 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!' "Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?' 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!'
20 "Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you."
The Finality of Babylon's Doom
21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:
"With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.
22 The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again.
No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.
23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again.
The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again.
Your merchants were the world's important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of God's holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth."
Revelation 18
Lament Over Fallen Babylon
1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted:
"'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!'[a] She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."
Warning to Escape Babylon's Judgment
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:
"'Come out of her, my people,'[b] so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
7 Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts, 'I sit enthroned as queen.
I am not a widow;[c] I will never mourn.'
8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
Threefold Woe Over Babylon's Fall
9 "When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:
"'Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon!
In one hour your doom has come!'
11 "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
14 "They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.' 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!' "Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?' 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: "'Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!'
20 "Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you."
The Finality of Babylon's Doom
21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:
"With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.
22 The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again.
No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.
23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again.
The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again.
Your merchants were the world's important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of God's holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)