Do As Paul Did!
BRD REFLECTIONS
Romans 1:1-17 and Psalm 119:129-160 (NIV)
(Philip Oh, Chairperson, Local Church Executive Committee)
READ:
Romans 1:1-17 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Romans has always been a more difficult book for me to read, even though I have read it a good number of times and have studied it in the DISCIPLE Bible Study programme. It requires more concentration and focused attention. It runs through the basis of our faith and offers the key principles of our discipleship, so helpful as we are being encouraged to “take the next step” for our intentional discipleship to become more like Jesus.
As I read this very first portion of Romans, a few passages caught my attention:
- Romans 1:9 – God.….is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times.
- Romans 1:12 – …. that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
- Romans 1:17 – For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
APPLY:
- In verse 9, I observe that Paul constantly prayed for the Roman Christians. He prayed for them “at all times”! It made me bring to mind how infrequently I prayed for my fellow brothers and sisters in WMC and Singapore, let alone those in foreign countries that I do not know. And also those struggling and those being persecuted. That passage also reminded me that God knows.
- In verse 12, as Paul and the Roman churches were mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, I recall who has encouraged me and who I can encourage today!
- In verse 17, I observe the importance placed on faith. That if I want to strive to be righteous, I will have to exercise my faith.
DO:
As an intentional disciple, I must strive to pray for others, regularly and as frequently as I can.
I will strive to encourage others by being faithful in what God has called me to do.
I will exercise my faith more and more, particularly for the areas in my life that appear insurmountable!
PRAY:
Abba Father, we thank you for the overview of Romans that Ps Ray has given us, and we look forward to the Pulpit preaching series. Help us to study Paul’s discipleship diligently, so that we can emulate him and be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen.
