Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - The Global of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Wednesday, 4 July 2018 "God is not Limited" by William Coker, Jr. - Romans 9:1-13.

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - The Global of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Wednesday, 4 July 2018 "God is not Limited" by William Coker, Jr. - Romans 9:1-13.
Romans 9:1 I am speaking the truth — as one who belongs to the Messiah, I do not lie; and also bearing witness is my conscience, governed by the Ruach HaKodesh: 2 my grief is so great, the pain in my heart so constant, 3 that I could wish myself actually under God’s curse and separated from the Messiah, if it would help my brothers, my own flesh and blood, 4 the people of Isra’el! They were made God’s children, the Sh’khinah has been with them, the covenants are theirs, likewise the giving of the Torah, the Temple service and the promises; 5 the Patriarchs are theirs; and from them, as far as his physical descent is concerned, came the Messiah, who is over all. Praised be Adonai for ever! Amen.
6 But the present condition of Isra’el does not mean that the Word of God has failed.
For not everyone from Isra’el is truly part of Isra’el; 7 indeed, not all the descendants are seed of Avraham;[Romans 9:7 2 Chronicles 20:7, Psalm 105:6] rather, “What is to be called your ‘seed’ will be in Yitz’chak.”[Romans 9:7 Genesis 21:12] 8 In other words, it is not the physical children who are children of God, but the children the promise refers to who are considered seed. 9 For this is what the promise said: “At the time set, I will come; and Sarah will have a son.”[Romans 9:9 Genesis 18:14] 10 And even more to the point is the case of Rivkah; for both her children were conceived in a single act with Yitz’chak, our father; 11 and before they were born, before they had done anything at all, either good or bad (so that God’s plan might remain a matter of his sovereign choice, not dependent on what they did, but on God, who does the calling), 12 it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.”[Romans 9:12 Genesis 25:23] 13 This accords with where it is written, “Ya‘akov I loved, but Esav I hated.”[Romans 9:13 Malachi 1:2–3] (Complete Jewish Bible).
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As a young person, it perplexed me to see children of ministers who were not living as Christians. As a pastor, it is disturbing to know family members of active Christians who are actively disengaged from Christian faith. Then, there are persons who grow up without a Christian family and they become dynamic Christians.
Working with individuals recovering from drug addictions, some will demonstrate a rational understanding of issues regarding their urge to use, how to avoid and counteract urges, and yet they relapse into addictive behaviors. There are people who have no family history of drug addictions, yet they develop a drug addiction; and there are those who grow up influenced by drug addictions, but they never engage in the practice themselves.
We ask the age-old question: "why?"
Paul addressed a Jewish audience who presumed salvation as a birth-right. Sometimes church people presume salvation as a family heritage or result of good works. Although Paul deeply desired his people to know salvation, he clear stated that God is not limited by human perspectives. Salvation is God’s gift to all who receive His promise (see Romans 3:21-26). This is God’s condition, not a limitation on Him.

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Hymn for Today: "Sing with All the Saints in Glory" by William J. Irons.

1. Sing with all the saints in glory;
Sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story,
To the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking,
Soon the storms of time shall cease;
In God’s likeness we awaken,
Knowing everlasting peace.
2. O what glory, far exceeding
All that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts, for ages pleading
Never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it,
There on high our welcome waits.
Ev’ry humble spirit shares it;
Christ has passed the eternal gates.
3. Life eternal! heav’n rejoices:
Jesus lives who once was dead.
Shout with joy, O deathless voices!
Child of God, lift up your head!
Patriarchs from distant ages,
Saints all longing for their heav'n,
Prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages,
All await the glory giv'n.
4. Life eternal! O what wonders
Crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
When, amidst earth's closing thunders,
Saints shall stand before the throne!
Oh, to enter that bright portal,
See that glowing firmament,
Know, with you, O God immortal,
Jesus Christ whom you have sent!

Thought for Today: For God’s grace, which brings deliverance, has appeared to all people. (Titus 2:11) (Complete Jewish Bible)).

Please pray: For faculty and students as they prepare for Christian ministry in Kenya.
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