1 Corinthians 1 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul declares that it is the Lord Who will KEEP us safe and strong until the end. Make no mistake … apart from God’s grace and keeping power, our future would be questionable. We don’t always know what the future holds, but we know WHO holds our future.

It’s essential that we maintain our fellowship with the Lord through the reading of scripture, daily prayers, and faithfulness to assembling with the saints at our church or believer’s group. These contribute to our steadfastness in the Christian walk.

I’ve been down this road for a few miles now, and these disciplines have become the backbone of my Christian walk. I want to be an example to others of God’s keeping power and His blessing upon a family.

Romans 15, 16 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Where is Satan? He’s UNDER YOUR FEET.

Too often we give more credit to our enemy than he deserves. Paul says he is crushed, bruised, and defeated under our feet. Don’t let him wiggle out and roar like a lion. He’s no lion. He’s a serpent. He crawls along on his belly and we need to walk all over him.

Jesus said, “Get behind Me, Satan.” That is another position the enemy is confined to. Under and behind us.

Adam and Eve got into trouble when they allowed the serpent to speak and they listened. Let’s not be hoodwinked into the same predicament.

Keep him UNDER and BEHIND!

Romans 13 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The writer gives much instruction on civic duties and responsibilities in this chapter. Among them the admonition to “owe no man anything but to love one another.” [v. 8]

In our marriage, Patty is the more diligent in finances. In 54 years of marriage, she has never been late on a payment. (If it would have been my responsibility, we would have no such record.)

She cleverly uses automatic bill pay for most of our financial obligations. She really should be teaching a class to young married couples on how to “live on less.”

By the way, Shalom peace is achieved when you have your bills paid.

Romans 12 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Think of the things we are faithful in: getting or rest, eating, watching tv etc. Sadly, our commitment to prayer may have trouble making our daily habit list.

Being faithful in prayer has become increasingly important to me. I always knew my dad was praying for me, but he is gone now so the responsibility rests upon me. I refuse to relegate prayer for my loved ones to anyone else. I WILL COVER THEM IN PRAYER. I can’t take a chance on it not getting done. Besides, since upping my prayers for them, I’ve been more aware of God’s favor and blessing in their lives. So, I’m gonna keep it up and increase my faithfulness in prayer.

Romans 10, 11 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Presently, we really have no idea of how great and intelligent God is. One day we will, but for now we take verses such as the following and attempt to understand His greatness.

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes. [Romans 11:33-36, The Message]

Romans 9, 10 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

What we have, we have because we believe in Christ Jesus. If we point to ourselves, the works we do, the goodness we thin we have, we are naively resting in our own works of the flesh. What we accomplish in goodness, we originated in our own will. Bravo! Good job!. Not good enough, though.

When we put our whole trust in Christ, in what He did on the cross, in His right-standing with the Heavenly Father, we are justified by our faith.

Who’s calling the shots in our inner man? Us or the Holy Spirit? (Yes, WE mortify or put to death our evil desires) But we do it because the Word says to … Col. 3:5

The Word and the Spirit are working together to usher us through this life and get us to Heaven. When Christ shall appear, we will be with Him. We will be clothed in HIS righteousness, not ours.

Why take any chances?

Romans 8 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

When my dad passed away, I fulfilled the duty of executor of his estate. I distributed to my brother and two sisters the financial nest egg dad had accumulated. I remember him saying, “It’s not mine any longer, it’s yours. He was focused upon leaving to us as much as he could. Thank the Lord, it has given us more financial security for our future.

It does stimulate in my mind how I can be a similar blessing to my children.

Through Christ, you and I are co-inheritors of EVERYTHING God is giving to Jesus. We primarily rejoice that through Christ we receive the eternal life with the Father in Heaven. Everything in Heaven will make us forget all about the lowly riches of this life. I have heard that there are colors and musical chords in Heaven we’ve never seen or heard. Maybe that’s a good reason NOT to get amped up about earthly riches.

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [1 Cor. 2:9]

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [Col. 3:1,2]

Romans6 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

We are no longer slaves to sin, but to righteousness which leads to holiness. Christ is our Master and He is calling the shots. It’s a wonderful life being led by His Spirit.

The “voice” we obey will become stronger and stronger, and the one we disregard will become weaker and weaker.

Sin is a horrible master. It will beat you up and abuse you. Christ will heal and strengthen you and give you outcomes that you can be proud of. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. [Ps. 84:11]

Romans 6 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Dead men are not tempted. We “reckon” ourselves dead to sin. Consider ourselves, look upon ourselves as dead to sin. This is a real key to victory over sin. We are to let righteousness rule over us, not sinful desires.

Who’s on the throne of our lives? The Lord OR our sinful nature.

Romans 5 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Say this, “Through Christ, His righteousness, and His grace, I can NOW reign in life.”

What is reigning in life over you? Sin or righteousness? Doubt or faith? Poverty or abundance? Fear or hope? We can NOW live in the grace and victory that Christ purchased for us on the cross by giving up His life to redeem ours.

But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own. [1 Jn. 3:2 MSG]