Vacation Time

30. June 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Hello Everyone:

 

I am about to head out of the country for a much needed “shut down” (vacation).   I am so excited I can hardly breathe.   I will not be posting during this time off unless it is to show you some of the beautiful scenery from my vacation. 

 

I am going to use this time to rest and I intend to come back and really focus on the second half of this year and really begin to stretch myself concerning the things of God. 

There is so much in my head that I want to do so I am going to take this time to get re-focused along with resting my mind and body.

 

I will return posting on Monday, July 18 and with a new format.  I want to change the format of my daily devotional just slightly in order to help you in your endeavors to learn the word of God.  I intend to launch that new plan on July 18.   We will still be in the book of Romans but with a new format.   I’m excited.    I think you’ll love the change and it will also help you with your personal study life.

 

For all of us in the states, I want to wish you a happy 4^th of July weekend and to all my friends in other countries, I wish you a peaceful and safe weekend. 

 

I am so excited about this vacation.  This one is going to be different than anyone that I have been on before.  I’m excited.  I know that I will be returning home refreshed in the things of God.   

 

Take care of yourselves.  I know three weeks is a long time to not visit my website but I hope you will remember to join me again for an exciting new devotional on July 18.   Also, if you have not connected with me on facebook, please friend me at Bernice Norman Davis or Bernice Davis Ministries.   I look forward to staying connected with you.

 

I really do appreciate each and every one of you that follow me daily and that donate to my minister.  I also just recently signed up for twitter so you can follow me at bernice_davis.   I look forward to seeing you again in web land real soon. 

 

Take care everyone and be blessed.

 

 

Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

 

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Plans to Visit Rome

28. June 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  

As we close out Chapter 15 of the book of Romans, Paul discusses his plans to visit Rome.

Here is our text:

Romans 15:23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. 30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

 

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Desire for Rome

27. June 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Hello Everyone:

 

Welcome back from the weekend.  In today’s lesson, Paul writes to the saints at Rome about his reason for coming to them.  He encourages them that he is convinced that  they are capable to teach one another but his writing with boldness concerning certain points is based on his calling to minister to the Gentiles.

 

Paul also states that it is his ambition to preach the gospel where it is not known so that he is not building on someone else’s foundation and Paul explains that this has been a part of why he has been hindered from coming to them.

 

Romans 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done– 19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” 22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

 

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Encourage One Another

24. June 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Hello Everyone:

 

Today we begin chapter 15.  In yesterdays lesson, we talked about the weak versus the strong Christian and in today’s lesson, Paul starts off by saying those of us who are strong should bear the infirmities of the weak.

 

Here is our text:

 

 

Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.” 10 Again, it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples.” 12 And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

 

 

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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Strong verses Weak

23. June 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Hello Everyone:

 

Today we begin chapter 14 and I will list it in its entirety. 

 

The subject matter is about the strong verses the weak Christian in terms of what is and is not lawful.   You will see in the text concerning food and holy days, Paul has no restrictions but yet if a weaker person in the faith refrains from eating meats or honors sacred days then they should not be condemned nor should the person that chooses not to honor those traditions.   Paul states that we should not judge one another and the context is concerning keeping holy days and dietary laws.  So many people use this text out of context to say that we should not judge any matter but Paul is clearly talking about certain issues and not making a mandatory “non judgment” command on all matters.   

 

Here is our text:

 

1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

 

6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

7 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: ” ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ “ 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

 

14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. 19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

 

20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. 22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

 

We will continue our journey on tomorrow.

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

 

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Love

22. June 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Hello Everyone:

 

We are concluding chapter 13 of the book of Romans.  Making Progress…. 

 

Here is our text:

 

Romans 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

 

In our text today, Paul sums up the fulfillment of the law by one phrase “Love thy neighbor as thyself” and one word “love.” 

 

Paul teaches that if you love then you won’t commit adultery, steal, kill, covet, or disobey any of the commandments.

 

Paul admonishes us not to engage in the works of darkness.  He specifically names orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, and debauchery which were very common among the Roman world.    The word debauchery here means unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageous, or insolent behavior.

 

Paul teaches us to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ or in other words consume ourselves with the things of God such as reading the word, praying, attending church for edification, encouragement and growth, giving (not only to your local ministry but to others), helping the needy, serving, etc.  All these things will help you in your walk with God and will help you avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh as Paul closes out this chapter by instructing us to do so.

 

We will continue our journey on tomorrow.

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

 

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Obeying the Powers that Be

20. June 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Hello Everyone:

 

Welcome back from the weekend.  Whooh… Church was so good on yesterday; just simply amazing.   Sorry for not posting on Thursday and Friday but it was Father’s Day week at the Spa and those of you that follow me know that I own a spa in Atlanta and I work there full time so my days just got away from me.  I do appreciate you checking in everyday and I thank you for your support in donations and buying materials from the website.  You have been such a blessing to my life and in advancing the kingdom. 

 

Today we start our reading in Chapter thirteen.

 

Here is our text:

 

Romans 13: 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.

 

 

In our text today, it talks about the authority of this world and how all powers that be are ordained of God.  Whenever this issue comes up, people are always asked me about corrupt leadership and our obligations to obey them.

 

We are supposed to obey the laws of the land “unless” the laws instruct us to do something that is contrary to our faith.

 

Fortunately in America, we have religious rights and are free to practice our faith without persecution, but there are saints in other countries who are being persecuted for the gospel’s sake because there are laws in place that forbid practicing Christianity.   As with any law whether just or unjust, there are consequences when they are broken. 

 

God gave us authorities for order and to protect the innocent but we know that even though the office is ordained of God, there are sometimes corrupt people that fill them.

 

There are several examples in the bible where the children of God broke the laws of the land for “conscious sake” and to honor their faith.  The disciples were beaten because they continued to preach the name of Jesus though the authorities forbid it.   Daniel was thrown in a lion’s den and the three Hebrew boys in a fiery furnace for their opposition in not bowing down to another god.  

 

We should always obey our authorities and pay our taxes to support them but when there is a law that contradicts our faith then we have biblical evidence that refused to obey yet still suffer grave consequences but we must be true to our faith.

 

We will continue our journey on tomorrow.

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

 

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Love is Sincere

15. June 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Hello Everyone:

 

In our reading today, we conclude the 12^th chapter of Romans.

 

Here is our text:

 

Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

 

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

Paul closes out this chapter on the power of love.  Love must be sincere.  Wow…  Love…  Do we really love?  Here is a list from Paul’s writings that are examples of sincere love.

 

1.    Love is to Hate what is evil and cling to what is good.

2.   Be devoted to each other as brothers.

3.   Honor people above yourself.

4.   Never be lacking in excitement but stay on fire spiritually.

5.   Be joyful.

6.   Be patient in affliction.

7.   Be faithful in prayer.

8.   Share with God’s people who are in need.

9.   Practice hospitality.

10.               Bless those who persecute you.

11.               Rejoice with those who rejoice.

12.               Mourn with those who mourn.

13.               Live in peace with one another.

14.               Do not be proud.

15.               Do not be conceited.

16.               Be willing to associate with people of low status.

17.               Do not repay evil with evil.

18.               Do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

19.               Live at peace with everyone.

20.               Do not take revenge.

 

I would like to highlight the part where it says Do not take revenge.   The text says something so powerful to me.  Not only does it say, do not take revenge, but it says, Leave space for God’s wrath for the scriptures declare that vengeance belongs to the Lord.

 

I tell people all the time during counseling sessions that no matter how bad you have been hurt and no matter how mad you are be careful not to plot revenge against the offender for it will only hurt you.   God will take any revenge that is necessary on someone who has wronged you and when you take it upon yourself to get even with someone it only causes that pain to come back on you.  You will reap in this life what you sow. 

 

While you may feel some temporary satisfaction to see someone who has wronged you in pain, you will also suffer for the consequences of your actions.  There is no greater justice than the wrath of God on your enemies.  The text teaches us to do good to our enemies and it will be like heaping coals of fire on their head.

 

 

We will continue our journey on tomorrow.

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

 

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Out all Day

14. June 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:I have been away from my computer all day.   I am so sorry that I did not get a chance to post but I will resume our Study on tomorrow.Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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Renewed Mind

13. June 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Hello Everyone:

 

Welcome back from the weekend.   You know I love my weekends and all around the world, churches were celebrating Pentecost Sunday (the birth of the church). 

 

I am hanging out today with my friend TP on the filming of his new sitcom “ For Better or Worse” but I sneaked away for a minute to may sure I do my daily post.   I am so proud of him.  He is an amazing person who really loves the Lord and this new show is going to be really, really, good.

 

So far in the book of Romans, Paul has talked a lot about the righteousness of God being accepted through faith and not works.  Paul was also clear that once you receive this righteousness by faith that works would follow.  He was simply emphasizing that it was impossible to do enough works to obtain it; it is a gift of God.  

 

Paul has warned the church to not be boastful or prideful in our election and that our works must conform to holiness.  We recently just closed out chapter eleven with Paul telling us about the fate of Israel.

 

As we move to Chapter 12, we come across a very familiar text often quoted in the life of the church.  The Roman church was starting to look like the world and Paul writes these passages to admonish them not to conform to this world’s standard and he tells us that we should actually allow the word of God to transform us through the renewing of our mind.

 

Here is the text:

 

Romans 12:1 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. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

 

 

The cry of the church is to know the “will of God.” I hear it all the time.  “How do I know the will of God for my life.”  Most people want another answer rather than the simplicity of a consistent word and prayer life.  So many people run from conference to conference, from prophet to prophet depending on someone else to reveal to you the will of God when Paul writes that it can be discovered by living holy (not being conformed to this world) and having our minds renewed.  The mind can only be renewed through the word.  When you get in the word, then you will learn that you have to add prayer and worship.

 

We will continue our journey on tomorrow.

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

 

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