Germantown UMC Devotionals

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Opening: Have you ever had a bad habit that you were eventually able to break? How did you do it? Did it take a long time or did you break “cold turkey?”

Scripture: Read Romans 7:1-6.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

Another day talking about sin. Today, Paul uses a different metaphor: death. And this is a difficult passage. The basic thought of the passage is founded on the legal maxim that death cancels all contracts. He could still have put the thing quite simply. He could have said that we were married to the law; that the law was killed by the work of Christ; and that now we are free to be married to God. But, quite suddenly, he puts it the other way, and, in his suddenly changed picture, it is we who die to the law. How can that be? By baptism we share in the death of Christ. That means that, having died, we are discharged from all obligations to the law and become free to marry again. This time we marry, not the law, but Christ. When that happens, Christian obedience becomes, not an externally imposed obedience to some written code of laws, but an inner allegiance of the spirit to Jesus Christ.[1]
When Paul talks about being “released” from the obligations of the law, is he discouraging religious living or spiritual disciplines?

Prayer Focus: That we would “serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.”[2]

[1] Barclay's Daily Study Bible, Romans 7:1-6

[2] Romans 7:6 (NLT)

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Opening: Who was your first “boss”? Was this person easy to work for or a slave driver?

Scripture: Read Romans 6:15-23.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

Paul continues his discourse on the affect of sin, this time introducing a new term: “slave.” Much of our concept and impressions of slavery come from our country’s history. Slavery was common place in Paul’s day, yet he tells his readers to be slaves of God (see verse 22) and righteous living (see verse 16). What does that mean historically and culturally? What does it mean to you?
To "wholeheartedly obey" (verse 17) means to give yourself fully to God, to love him "with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind" (see Matthew 22:37). And yet so often our efforts to know and obey God's commands can best be described as "halfhearted." How do you rate your heart's obedience?[1]
We have yet another step on “The Romans Road:” verse 23. This verse usually follows Romans 3:23 in this simple, yet powerful explanation of the Gospel. Memorize Romans 6:23 along with 3:23. We will encounter a few more as we continue to walk through Romans together.

Prayer Focus: That we would choose our master(s) wisely.

[1] Life Application Study Bible, Romans 6:17

Monday, November 12, 2012

Opening: What is the closest you have come to losing your life?

Scripture: Read Romans 6:1-14.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

Sounds like Paul is arguing with someone from the 21^st Century. “Keep on doing whatever it is you want to do; God will still forgive you.” Have you ever seen this in someone’s life? In your own? Where does this mindset lead? How about in the Christian? How does it reflect upon Christ and the church?
What part of your “old self” still hangs around? How does the knowledge of your death to sin affect your struggle with sin, or how can it?

Prayer Focus: That we would consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (see verse 11).

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Opening: Who do you take after? Whose eyes do you have? Which parent or relative is your temperament most like? How about musical ability or mechanical skills?

Scripture: Read Romans 5:12-21.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

Before we discovered the role of DNA, Paul was saying that the disease of sin came from a single source: Adam. What was Adam and Eve’s first sin? How has their sin affected their present day descendants? How would you describe it in medical terms: a disease? An epidemic? An infection that attacks the immune system?
The main theme of this section continues to be the future hope of those who have trusted in Christ. Adam brought sin and death into the world, but those who have believed in Christ are full of hope, for Christ has reversed the consequences of Adam’s sin and has given his own life and righteousness to secure their eternal glory. What are the sources of hope for you? List as many as you can.
Paul wrote, “But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.”[1] What a wonderful gift: grace and forgiveness! Why don’t you write a prayer of thanksgiving.

Prayer Focus: That we, like Christ, would be obedient to God, so that many will be made righteous (see verse 19)

[1] Romans 5:15 (NLT)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Opening: What is one lesson about money you can recall learning from your parents?

Scripture: Sunday’s message comes from today’s text. Read Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:6-9, and Luke 9:23-24.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

How have you benefited from the self-denial and generosity of others? What have you reaped by being generous to others? How can God’s promise in 2 Corinthians 9:8 enable you to be more generous?
Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”[1] What does this mean? Remember that Peter denied his Lord; that is to say, he said of Jesus, “I do not know the man.” To deny ourselves is to say, “I do not know myself.” It is to ignore the very existence of oneself. It is to treat the self as if it did not exist. Usually we treat ourselves as if our self was far and away the most important thing in the world. If we are to follow Jesus, we must forget that self exists.[2]

Prayer Focus: For tomorrow’s worship celebration, that we would trying desire to be Jesus’ disciples in all facets of our lives, including our finances.

Message Series: “A Living Sacrifice”

Tomorrow’s Message Title: “Self-Denial”

[1] Luke 9:23-24 (NLT)

[2] Barclay’s Daily Study Bible, Luke 9:23-27.