Daily Bible Study

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Day 117 Romans 15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles and sing to Your name.” 10 Again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” 11 Again: “Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!” 12 Again, Isaiah says: “There will be a root of Jesse; and He who will rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles will hope.” 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore, I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 So I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; and those who have not heard will understand.” 22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 Now no longer having a place in these parts and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. 25 Now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go by way of you to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. We all need encouragement in the work we do. We need to know how effective it is and helpful to those who receive the fruit of our labor. Paul encouraged the church of Rome, telling them the joy he had in being with them. He told them of his longing to come to them and his desire that they would help him on his way when he went to Spain. Not only did he tell them it was a joy to be with them, but he would come to them with the blessing of the gospel of Christ. As Christians, you are to encourage and build each other up. Let those you minister to know the joy and blessing you have in working with them. When you do, it will please the hearts of those you work with, and they will help you in your endeavors. A good example of people who encourage others through testimonies of the work they do are missionaries when they return home from the field. Their testimonies about the work they do bring hope and a blessing to the church. With joy they are sent back to the field to bring the gospel to more people who haven’t heard about the love of Jesus Christ. You are missionaries where you live. Everywhere you go, the people you talk to, the love you show to them will bring joy to your heart and theirs as you share the love of Jesus Christ. You don’t need to go to a foreign country. Your mission field is your next-door neighbor, your coworker, the person you meet while shopping. Everywhere you go, you can spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let His joy rise in you as you bless others with the gospel. When you do Jesus will open more doors for you to preach the gospel. You preach the gospel in word and action. When you treat others the way you want to be treated, you preach the gospel. You show God’s love to people who need to know there is hope in every circumstance they face. Today, encourage someone with the hope of Jesus Christ. Let joy fill you as you bless others and show them the love of Jesus Christ. Let’s pray: Father, let Your joy fill me as I tell others about Your love. Let me bless others with the blessing You give me when I do Your work. Help me encourage people and give them hope for their lives. Let Your love spill over from me to them so they will know how much You love them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 10 November 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.