Daily Reading 7-10-17
Romans 1:18-25 New Living Translation (NLT)
Yesterday morning when I was getting ready to leave the house for church, I saw the most amazing rainbow. As I looked at the beauty before me, I heard myself say, “Thank you, Father, for your promise.” The rainbow is a sign of God’s promise that never again will the world be destroyed by a flood. As in the days of Noah, our sin grieves the heart of our Father, but His grace in Christ covers us and protects us from His wrath. We are free to respond to God’s invitation for relationship. If we are honest, we know God exists because of the beauty and inspiring ways He has revealed Himself through creation. Let’s honor God’s promise by allowing Him to be the Lord of our lives. If you have wandered away from God’s righteous ways, come back today. The God who made the covenant with Noah, is the same God who makes His promise to us. Instead of embracing sin, let’s embrace Christ who helps us overcome sin.
Romans 1:18-25 God’s Anger at Sin
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promise to love me and to work with me so I may grow into spiritual maturity. I hold onto your promise and reach for your heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.