Day 608 - Romans 7:7 - 8 & Psalm 50

 Julie

I think that this was a very complicated way of saying that we are saved from sin by Christ but if we live in the flesh we are still sinful. If we live in the spirit we are forgiven of our sins.

God is the only one that can place judgment. We have not right to judge others. 

Michelle

I did not understand the beginning of this section, chapter 7.  But I could assume what you are stating is what it is about.  What I did get as I read on, we should live our lives according to the spirit and what the spirit wants and not live in the flesh and be slaves to the desires of our flesh.  If we are followers of Christ, we need to be followers of the desires of the spirit and be mindful of what our flesh wants verses what the spirit wants. It's basically a daily struggle to maintain our focus on God and how we are to live our lives according to his purpose.  

What stood out in this psalm is when he says that God has no need for animal sacrifices as all the animals are God's anyway.  If he wanted them, he would just take them.  

Day 607 - Romans 6 - 7:6 & Psalm 49

 Julie

Paul is explaining the Jesus' death saved us and that we now have eternal life. We are free from sin and that we are saved by grace. He does have to make sure that we understand that it doesn't mean that we can just go about sinning whenever we want and we will be forgiven, but that if we fall or make a mistake and we repent that the Grace of God will work in our lives. 

I am not sure I really understand this psalm. I read it a couple of times, but didn't really get a feel for it.

Michelle

It seems that most people think that way, that they can continue intentionally sinning and then be forgiven over and over.  I feel like this is saying that we need to stop being slaves to whatever takes us away from God and righteousness.  That because Christ died for us, we are given new life and should make the most of it.  

I feel like it's saying not to be jealous of those that have riches or fame, for they will die and have nothing on the other side.  That we should be redeemed by God alone.  It speaks of a proverb at the beginning but I am not sure which it is referring to.  But the verse that stood out was, "Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them."  It says only God will redeem him from the realm of the dead.  

Day 606 - Romans 5:12-21 & Psalm 48

 Julie

Paul explains that our sin came into the world because of one man and our sin was taken away because of one man. Adam brought us sin and Jesus saved us from it. I think that was the take away in this reading.

This psalm is celebrating Zion which it says is considered to be God's special city.

Michelle

This reading seemed a little cryptic.  But what you stated is what I got from it as well.  

Sometimes when we read about Zion, it seems like this is God's city, or a reference to heaven.  

Day 605 - Romans 4 - 5:11 & Psalm 47

 Julie

Paul is using the story of Abraham to show how our faithfulness to God will save us. Explaining that he wasn't a perfect man but he trusted in God and had faith that God would do what he promised. It took many years, but Abraham was patient and waited and showed great trust and strength. Of course he questioned the timing as we all do, but God showed him that he would stand by his Word. Paul is showing that God does that for all of us and that we should remember these things and remember what God has shown to have done in the past. He also shows how even the unrighteous have been saved by the blood of Christ and that death has saved us all if we are willing to receive.

Praise God for all that he has done. Shout to the world the glory of his name.

Michelle

I couldn't have said it better.  That is exactly what I got out of this reading as well.  We need to remember how if we maintain faithfulness through time, God will be there.

Sing praise to God for all he has done.

Day 604 - Romans 3 & Psalm 46

 Julie

Again, some powerful words. Paul seems to be telling them that just because they are Jews doesn't meant that they are righteous. He is telling them that everyone is sinful...everyone. He is trying to show them that they are no better than those they are trying to condemn and that God loves all and accepts that show in their faithfulness to God and being a certain nationality and "following law" doesn't make that so. You actually have to show that faithfulness in multiple ways. They are stuck on specific laws that they believe make them better than everyone else. 

God is our refuge and strength. One of my favorite verses is in this psalm, "Be still and know that I am God." I did a devotional on that once and it talked about how we need to really stop and listen, not just go through the motions. 

Michelle

Paul tells of an argument, or justification for people's bad behavior.  That just because the bad behavior shows us God's grace and forgiveness, doesn't mean we should live doing bad things.  We should still strive to do good, no matter what.  We should be doing bad and then asking forgiveness or using that as an excuse to do bad things.  We are supposed to show faithfulness and obedience no matter the circumstance and stop using God and his willingness to forgive as an excuse.

God is with us through it all.

Day 603 - Romans 1:18 - 2 & Psalm 45

 Julie

These are some powerful words today. Our world currently seems to be experiencing all of these things that are mentioned here as reasons for condemnation by God. Every day it seems to just get worse and people are going further down that rabbit hole. However, the reminder that we are not the judges of others is highly important here. We, ourselves, should not be condemning others when we may be guilty of the same sins. However, we should be condemning even if we aren't. We should really stop and thinking about what we are saying about others and make sure that we are not just seeing ourselves in them.

God will be forever and we continue that by sharing his good works with those we meet.

Michelle

That is a good point, about stopping to think if we are seeing our own traits in others.  I could see how this could be the case for people.  We all do tend to judge others, even when we just see it as observations.  It is still judgement.  There are alot of things in this reading that seem to speak to sins of today.  As we have said before, these same sins keep repeating themselves, and we are in the midst of one of those times now.

I was distracted while reading this psalm.  My mind keeps straying to things going on right now.  

Day 602 - Romans 1:1-7 & Psalm 44

 Julie

Paul is finding his way into Rome and as he does he praying for the people. His prayer sounded as if he was praying for all people including us. It's as if he was talking directly to us. The righteous shall live by faith.

This sounds like some of the Godly people in one of the nations that God is punishing because of all of the evil they are doing. They are wondering why they are being included in the punishments that are happening as they have been faithful. They are asking God not to forget them and asking when they will be saved.

Michelle

The preface in my bible says that this is a letter to the Romans from Paul prior to him visiting Rome.  He starts by saying "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ", as if he is blessing those he will be visiting.

It does sound as you say.  They are saying the remember what happened with their ancestors and they are wondering why God seems absent in their lives and are praying for him to return to them.