Click here to go to Romans 11
I guess I'm excited to get to Romans 12 I didn't have a lot that jumped out at me, but I did enjoy verse 17 and 18. I love the imagery of the wild olive tree.
17 But
some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of
Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a
wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the
blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich
nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
Romans 11
ReplyDelete6 If they were chosen by God’s kindness, they weren’t chosen because of anything they did.
33 God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep that it is impossible to explain his decisions or to understand his ways.
So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the LORD Almighty. -- Zechariah 4:6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVcBye7-WFQ
Song: "Not By Might (By My Spirit)" 5:36
Artist: Eden's Bridge
"By My Spirit" - Words & Music originally by Leslie Phillips, 1984.
Not by might
Not by power
But by My Spirit says the Lord
~*~(Repeat)
Sometimes fears can hide your vision
The loss of purpose chains you down
You think I've forgotten all you're dreaming of
But how could I forget the one I love?
And it's ... ~*~(Repeat)
These mountains shall be removed
I'll build My temple in you
And what I've promised shall be done
And it's ... ~*~
I can see your heart is tired
And your courage has worn thin
You wonder how long you will have to hang on
But when My love comes in, you'll be strong again
And it's ... ~*~(Repeat)
These mountains shall be removed
I'll build My temple in you
And what I've promised shall be done
Not by might
Not by power
But by My Spirit says the Lord
~*~(Repeat)
Thank You, Lord, that You call us to be Your own.
"23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. 24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong."
ReplyDeleteWe have a presentation from someone from the "Jews for Jesus" each year at our church. These people come and share their heritage and culture and their struggles as they bring the message of Christ to their fellow Jews. It is always very enlightening and informative. I give them a lot of credit because they are often looked down upon by their own families.
Sorry I've been so silent these last couple weeks--crazy around here, but I've been following along and LOVE Romans!
ReplyDeleteI was struck by the verse Paul quotes in verse 4, that the Lord had reserved men for Himself...I love that idea, of God always preserving a remnant. That no matter how terrible is the world around us, there is always an oasis in Him, a people set apart that will serve Him forever. So beautiful.