Daily Devotion with Greg Laurie “The
Message of Christmas” Tuesday, 3 December 2013
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For God so loved the
world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life.(John 3:16)
When I was a kid, I
always wanted a family but never had one. I remember one Christmas with my mom
when we were living in a hotel. I got up on Christmas morning, excited about
opening my presents, but she was passed out from a night of drinking. I looked
around and thought, It has got to get better than this.
I believed that
Christmas spoke of something greater. What Christmas really speaks of is what
we can have in a relationship with Jesus Christ. The primary message of
Christmas is that God came to us: " 'Behold, the virgin shall be with
child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is
translated, 'God with us' " (Matthew 1:23).
The message of Christmas
is not "Let it snow"; it is "Let us worship" because God is
with us. The first Christmas gifts were not from the wise men to the Child.
Rather, the first gift of Christmas was the gift of Jesus Christ from God to
us: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John
3:16).
The message of Christmas
means this: You will never be alone in life again. Jesus said, "If anyone
loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come
to him and make Our home with him" (John 14:23). That is an amazing
statement. God the Father and God the Son are saying they want to make their
home with you and me.
Jesus said, "Lo, I
am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). That is a
promise to all people. Why? Because of Immanuel—God is with us.
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Romans Being Subject to Authorities
13: Let every person be subject to the
governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those
authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists
authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur
judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you
wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will
receive its approval; 4 for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do
what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority[a] does not bear the
sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. 5
Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of
conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are
God’s servants, busy with this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is due them—taxes
to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect
is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Love for One Another
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one
another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The
commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall
not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in
this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a
neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
An Urgent Appeal
11 Besides this, you know what time it
is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is
nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone, the
day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor
of light; 13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and
drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and
jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for
the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Do Not Judge Another
14: Welcome those who are weak in
faith,[b] but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. 2 Some believe
in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3 Those who eat must
not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on
those who eat; for God has welcomed them. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on
servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And
they will be upheld, for the Lord[c] is able to make them stand.
5 Some judge one day to be better than
another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in
their own minds. 6 Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord.
Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God;
while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.
7 We do not live to ourselves, and we do
not die to ourselves. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die
to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9
For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both
the dead and the living.
10 Why do you pass judgment on your
brother or sister?[d] Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister?[e] For
we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.[f] 11 For it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee
shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to[g] God.”
12 So then, each of us will be
accountable to God.[h]
Do Not Make Another Stumble
13 Let us therefore no longer pass
judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or
hindrance in the way of another.[i] 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord
Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who
thinks it unclean. 15 If your brother or sister[j] is being injured by what you
eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin
of one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let your good be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and
joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God
and has human approval. 19 Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for
mutual upbuilding. 20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God.
Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what
you eat; 21 it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes
your brother or sister[k] stumble.[l] 22 The faith that you have, have as your
own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn
themselves because of what they approve. 23 But those who have doubts are
condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith;[m] for whatever does
not proceed from faith[n] is sin.[o]
Please Others, Not Yourselves
15: We who are strong ought to put up
with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us must
please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. 3 For
Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who
insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was
written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement
of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and
encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with
Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike
7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as
Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has
become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that
he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the
Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will confess[p] you among
the Gentiles,
and sing praises to your name”;
10 and again he says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”;
11 and again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples praise him”;
12 and again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse shall come,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.”
13 May the God of hope fill you with all
joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the
Holy Spirit.
Paul’s Reason for Writing So Boldly
14 I myself feel confident about you, my
brothers and sisters,[q] that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with
all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15 Nevertheless on some points
I have written to you rather boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace
given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the
priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may
be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have
reason to boast of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of
anything except what Christ has accomplished[r] through me to win obedience
from the Gentiles, by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by
the power of the Spirit of God,[s] so that from Jerusalem and as far around as
Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good news[t] of Christ. 20 Thus I make it
my ambition to proclaim the good news,[u] not where Christ has already been
named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is
written,
“Those who have never been told of him
shall see,
and those who have never heard of him shall understand.”
Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome
22 This is the reason that I have so
often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, with no further place for
me in these regions, I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you 24 when
I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you,
once I have enjoyed your company for a little while. 25 At present, however, I
am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; 26 for Macedonia and Achaia
have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at
Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do this, and indeed they owe it to them; for
if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought
also to be of service to them in material things. 28 So, when I have completed
this, and have delivered to them what has been collected,[v] I will set out by
way of you to Spain; 29 and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the
fullness of the blessing[w] of Christ.
30 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[x]
by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in earnest
prayer to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in
Judea, and that my ministry[y] to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32
so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your
company. 33 The God of peace be with all of you.[z] Amen.
Personal Greetings
16: I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a
deacon[aa] of the church at Cenchreae, 2 so that you may welcome her in the
Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require
from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with
me in Christ Jesus, 4 and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only
I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Greet also the
church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first
convert[ab] in Asia for Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among
you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia,[ac] my relatives[ad] who were in prison with
me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I
was. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker
in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.
Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my relative[ae]
Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12
Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved
Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord;
and greet his mother—a mother to me also. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes,
Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters[af] who are with them. 15 Greet
Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who
are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of
Christ greet you.
Final Instructions
17 I urge you, brothers and sisters,[ag]
to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to
the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. 18 For such people do not serve
our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,[ah] and by smooth talk and flattery
they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. 19 For while your obedience is
known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good
and guileless in what is evil. 20 The God of peace will shortly crush Satan
under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.[ai]
21 Timothy, my co-worker, greets you; so
do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.[aj]
22 I Tertius, the writer of this letter,
greet you in the Lord.[ak]
23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the
whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus,
greet you.[al]
Final Doxology
25 Now to God[am] who is able to
strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to
all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the
obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom[an]
be the glory forever! Amen.[ao]
Footnotes:
Romans 13:4 Gk it
Romans 14:1 Or conviction
Romans 14:4 Other ancient authorities
read for God
Romans 14:10 Gk brother
Romans 14:10 Gk brother
Romans 14:10 Other ancient authorities
read of Christ
Romans 14:11 Or confess
Romans 14:12 Other ancient authorities
lack to God
Romans 14:13 Gk of a brother
Romans 14:15 Gk brother
Romans 14:21 Gk brother
Romans 14:21 Other ancient authorities
add or be upset or be weakened
Romans 14:23 Or conviction
Romans 14:23 Or conviction
Romans 14:23 Other authorities, some
ancient, add here 16.25–27
Romans 15:9 Or thank
Romans 15:14 Gk brothers
Romans 15:18 Gk speak of those things
that Christ has not accomplished
Romans 15:19 Other ancient authorities
read of the Spirit or of the Holy Spirit
Romans 15:19 Or gospel
Romans 15:20 Or gospel
Romans 15:28 Gk have sealed to them this
fruit
Romans 15:29 Other ancient authorities
add of the gospel
Romans 15:30 Gk brothers
Romans 15:31 Other ancient authorities
read my bringing of a gift
Romans 15:33 One ancient authority adds
16.25–27 here
Romans 16:1 Or minister
Romans 16:5 Gk first fruits
Romans 16:7 Or Junias; other ancient
authorities read Julia
Romans 16:7 Or compatriots
Romans 16:11 Or compatriot
Romans 16:14 Gk brothers
Romans 16:17 Gk brothers
Romans 16:18 Gk their own belly
Romans 16:20 Other ancient authorities
lack this sentence
Romans 16:21 Or compatriots
Romans 16:22 Or I Tertius, writing this
letter in the Lord, greet you
Romans 16:23 Other ancient authorities
add verse 24, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.
Romans 16:25 Gk the one
Romans 16:27 Other ancient authorities
lack to whom. The verse then reads, to the only wise God be the glory through
Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Romans 16:27 Other ancient authorities
lack 16.25–27 or include it after 14.23 or 15.33; others put verse 24 after
verse 27(NRSV)
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