Apr 12: China, People’s Republic, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Nei Mongol), Jiangsu Province | Operation World
Click on the link to get more information.
Click on the link to get more information.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Romans 8
Romans 8 New International Version (NIV)
Life Through the Spirit
8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerlessto do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you,then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness.11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f]And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirithimself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Footnotes:
- Romans 8:2 The Greek is singular; some manuscripts me
- Romans 8:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 4-13.
- Romans 8:3 Or flesh, for sin
- Romans 8:10 Or you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive
- Romans 8:11 Some manuscripts bodies through
- Romans 8:15 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
- Romans 8:15 Aramaic for father
- Romans 8:21 Or subjected it in hope. 21 For
- Romans 8:28 Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who
- Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:22
- Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers
Chronological New Testament Study Day 81
1 Peter 1; 1 Peter 2;
1 Peter 3; 1 Peter 4; 1 Peter 5
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect,
strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia
and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,
for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be
yours in abundance. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and
into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for
you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the
coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In
this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to
suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that
your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by
fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when
Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you
love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are
filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are
receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.10 Concerning
this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you,
searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to
find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was
pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would
follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving
themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you
by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from
heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. 13 Therefore,
prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the
grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As
obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in
ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be
holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy,
because I am holy." 17 Since you call on a Father who
judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in
reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable
things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life
handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the
precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He
was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last
times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised
him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 22 Now
that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere
love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For
you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through
the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, "All men are
like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass
withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord
stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit,
hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies,
crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now
that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to
him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you
also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy
priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus
Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone
in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will
never be put to shame." 7 Now to you who believe, this
stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the
builders rejected has become the capstone, " 8 and,
"A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were
destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the
praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once
you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not
received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Dear
friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from
sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good
lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may
see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 13 Submit
yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether
to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who
are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For
it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of
foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom
as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show
proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor
the king. 18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with
all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those
who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up
under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But
how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure
it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable
before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ
suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 "He
committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When
they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he
made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He
himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and
live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For
you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and
Overseer of your souls.
1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so
that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without
words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the
purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not
come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold
jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your
inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great
worth in God's sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of
the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were
submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed
Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is
right and do not give way to fear. 7 Husbands, in the same way
be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the
weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that
nothing will hinder your prayers. 8 Finally, all of you, live
in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate
and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with
insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may
inherit a blessing. 10 For, "Whoever would love life and
see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful
speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek
peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the
righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord
is against those who do evil." 13 Who is going to harm
you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should
suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do
not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart
Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and
respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who
speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their
slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for
doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ died for sins once
for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to
death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also
he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed
long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being
built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and
this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt
from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by
the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven
and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission
to him.
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm
yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body
is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of
his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For
you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living
in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They
think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of
dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have
to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For
this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so
that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live
according to God in regard to the spirit. 7 The end of all
things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can
pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers
over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another
without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has
received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various
forms.11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very
words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides,
so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the
glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 12 Dear friends,
do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something
strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate
in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is
revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of
Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If
you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of
criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a
Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For
it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with
us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the
ungodly and the sinner?" 19 So then, those who suffer
according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and
continue to do good.
1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a
witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be
revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your
care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing,
as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not
lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And
when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will
never fade away. 5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to
those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one
another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the
humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's
mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.7 Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled
and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith,
because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the
same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who
called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little
while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To
him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 12 With the help of
Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly,
encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast
in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you,
sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one
another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Revelation 8
Revelation 8 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 8
The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer
1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God's people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God's people, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
The Trumpets
6 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.
7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11 the name of the star is Wormwood.[a] A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.
12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.
13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"
Revelation 8
The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer
1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God's people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God's people, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
The Trumpets
6 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.
7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11 the name of the star is Wormwood.[a] A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.
12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.
13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)