Archive for category: GAMEtime Sharing

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Romans 13:1-7.  Let’s go!

Romans 13:1-7 (NIV)
1  Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
4  For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
5  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
6  This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
7  Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

On verses 1-7:  Perhaps you read these verses from Paul telling the Christians in Rome to submit to their governing authorities and a part of you thinks, “Isn’t this being a bit idealistic?”  

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Romans 12:1-8.  Let’s go!
 
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
1  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
 
Verse 1:  “This is your spiritual act of worship”.  What is worship really?  At its heart true worship is not simply singing songs or going to church.  Don’t get me wrong.  God commands us to sing worship songs and go to church regularly as part of a healthy life of worship.  However, true worship is bigger than that.  It’s about offering your entire life to God as a response to who God is and what God has done.  
 
True worship happens when you surrender your heart, mind and body to God to be used for His purposes and His glory.  Worship is an attitude as much as it is an action.  So make every moment of your life a moment to worship God.  Whatever you do, do it with the goal of wanting to honor and please God.  As 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Romans 11:11-24.  Let’s go!
 
Romans 11:11-24 (NIV)
11  Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
12  But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!
13  I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry
14  in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.
15  For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
16  If the part of the dough offered as firs fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

On verses 11-24:  Occasionally you will meet people who say they used to follow Jesus but do so no longer. Some of these people may have been Christians earlier than you. They may even have played a part in your coming to faith. But for whatever reason, they have stopped following Jesus. What should your attitude be towards such people?

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Romans 10:12-21.  Let’s go!

Romans 10:12-13 (NIV)
12  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
 
On verses 12-13:  “There is no difference” – in other words, regardless of your background, as long as you call on Jesus’ name to save you, you will be saved.  That is why Jesus is Lord over the largest and most racially, culturally, linguistically, economically and demographically diverse family that has ever existed: His church.  The moment you receive Jesus, in the grand scheme of things, you have more in common with your brothers and sisters in Christ living in other parts of the world than your unsaved next door neighbour. 

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Romans 9:22-33.  Let’s go!

Romans 9:22-23 (NIV)
22  What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath–prepared for destruction?
23  What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—
 
On verses 22-23:  According to Paul, God doesn’t wipe out instantly those whom He didn’t choose for salvation (“the objects of his wrath”); rather “with great patience” (v22) God bears with them and allows them to live for a while.  Why does God do that?  Paul suggests God does this “to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy”; in other words, somehow by bearing with those who are not His people for a while, God is showing to those who are His people how great and glorious He is.  How so?  Maybe it’s that by not coming down in wrath right away on those God has not chosen, God is showing His people that He is patient, tolerant, not in a rush, and still willing to use those who are not chosen for at least some good, so that their existence is not completely for naught.