September 19

Romans 1

Paul emphasizes the importance of the gospel message.

INSIGHT

According to Romans 1:18-20, all people have two avenues for beginning to learn about God. First, all human beings have an inner awareness of God or conscience (v. 19). Second, they can look at nature and learn several truths about God: (1) His invisible attributes—beauty, intelligence, etc.; (2) His eternal power—what awesome power it takes to put the stars in place!; (3) His divine nature—that there is a God who is higher than man and nature. Whenever anyone looks at nature and honestly searches his own heart, he can know that there is a God.

PRAYER

The righteousness of God has been imputed to you if you are a child of God, and you can praise Him in holiness and truth:
The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty;
The Lord is clothed,
He has girded Himself with strength.
Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.
Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting. (Psalm 93:1-2)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving, and pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
(Psalm 51:16-17)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

The development of an eternal perspective
Your activities for the day
Whatever else is on your heart

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)