Listening to God with Pastor Richard

Read Romans 15:23-33 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 30-33 God says through St Paul I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there,  so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: Jesus and His grace is for all people...Jews and Gentiles = all people we are not called to do ministry alone but with the support of others we should aim to bless those who have ble...

Read Romans 15:14-22 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 15-16 God says through St Paul Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me  to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me 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. In this reading we are encouraged to see that: To see the goodness and abilities in other believers God's grace be our prime motivator for what we do and how go about life That God's Gospel is for everyone We are called to dedicate our lives in sharing the Gospel of Jesus to all whom we encounter Some stuff to contemplate: How does Ro...

  Read Romans 15:1-13 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 7-9 God says through St Paul Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.  For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;     I will sing the praises of your name.”[c] In this reading we are encouraged to see that: Our focus in living is not to live for ourselves but for others so they may connect with Jesus This focus comes from Christ's focus in coming to earth to serve and bring blessings to u...

Read Romans 14:11-23 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 15-18 God says through St Paul If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. In this reading we are encouraged to see that: Christ died for all people salvation is not dependent on our actions however how we live should be to bless and encourage others in their relationship with Jesus because Christ l...

Read Romans 14:1-10 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 8-9 God says through St Paul If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for 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.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: Christ died for all people there can be a wide variety of acceptable Christian practices, even practices that appear to contradict each other the focus of our Christian practices are to praise God and dedicate ourselves to God rather than judge others we should thank God for them and appreciate them  Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 14:1-10 affect how you see ...

Read Romans 13:8-14 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 9-11 God says through St Paul The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.   In this reading we are encouraged to see that: our call to love comes first because we are saved and already loved by God the focus of our lives is to love as Jesus has love...

  Read Romans 13:1-7 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 1 God says through St Paul Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: all authorities have been established by God and therefore a gift to us authorities are there to serve us, as God serves us through them our natural response should be to submit to authorities Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 13:1-7 affect how you see God, yourself, and how you see and will interact with others? What does Romans 13:1-7 call you to talk to God (pray) about?  (Thanksgiving, more insight, help, forgivenes...

Read Romans 12:9-21 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 9-16 God says through St Paul 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in 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 the Lord’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. In this reading we are encouraged to see that: as recei...

Read Romans 12:1-8 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 1-2 God says through St Paul Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: our lives today should be shaped by God's mercy  true worship is living a life of being transformed by God, His grace, His love and His mercy we have a role to play in God's family/kingdom, but it may be different from someone else we are called...

   Read Romans 11:25-36 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 26-27 God says through St Paul and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:           “The deliverer will come from Zion;           he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.           And this is my covenant with them           when I take away their sins.”  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: disobedience to God does not have to be the end of our story  God's mercy is more powerful than our disobedience when God makes promises He keeps them Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 11:25-36 affect how you see God, yoursel...

   Read Romans 11:11-24 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 22 God says through St Paul Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. In this reading we are encouraged to see that: we can cut ourselves off from God or be connected to God  God continues to be for all people God is the one who connects us into His family,  If we have broken connection with God, God is always willing to reconnect us into His family Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 11:11-24 affect how you see God, yourself, and how you see and will interact with others? What does Romans 11:11-24 call you to talk to G...

  Read Romans 11:1-10 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 5-6 God says through St Paul So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.  And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: God does not reject people....but rather people reject God when people reject God they harden their hearts against God those who are saved are because of God's grace Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 11:1-10 affect how you see God, yourself, and how you see and will interact with others? What does Romans 11:1-10 call you to talk to God (pray) about?  (Thanksgiving, more insight, help, forgiveness...) What do you think is worthw...

  Read Romans 10:10-21 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 6-9 God says through St Paul 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” In this reading we are encouraged to see that: all people, irrespective of who they are, are set right with God and save by the actions of Jesus faith in people comes about by people hearing Jesus being preached we are to preach the Good News of Jesus some may not accept what is preached Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 10:10-21 affect how you see God, yourself, and how you see and will interact with others? What does Romans 10:10-21 c...

Read Romans 10:1-9 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 6-9 God says through St Paul But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ”  (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’ ”  (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  Im this reading we are encouraged to see that: being right with God does not come about by what we do, but what Christ has done, is doing and will do for u...

  Read Romans 9:30-33 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 30-32 God says through St Paul What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;  but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: being religious and spiritual is about receiving the gift of righteousness from God through the actions of Jesus  no work we do will make us righteous  Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 9:30-33 affect how you see God, yourself, and how...

  Read Romans 9:6-29 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 4-5 God says through St Paul the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised!   Amen In this reading we are encouraged to see that: being being part of God's family is not dependent on our earthly family but on God's promise and mercy God's family is for all people God has power over all things including our salvation, which depends not on us but on God God will display both wrath against sin and mercy and compassion on sinners Some stuff to co...

Read Romans 9:1-5 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 4-5 God says through St Paul the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised!   Amen In this reading we are encouraged to see that: what we speak should be shaped by Christ, as the truth is seen only through Jesus  Jesus is the promised Messiah  all that God promises comes through Jesus Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 9:1-5 affect how you see God, yourself, and how you see and will interact with others? What does Romans 9:1-5 call ...

  Read Romans 8:31-39 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 38-39 God says through St Paul 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: God is always for us, has our interests at hearts and always loves us the troubles we experience in life are not because God has deserted us God is loving us even amongst the troubles we face Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 8:31-39 affect how you see God, yourself, and how you see and will interact with others? What do...

Read Romans 8:18-30 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 28-30 God says through St Paul 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: suffering as a Christian is minimal compared to the glory we will experience with God and others in eternity we can be assured of living in eternity with God and others because of the actions of Jesus we are encourage...

  Read Romans 8:10-19 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 14-17 God says through St Paul 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: Jesus death and resurrection gives us life we are children of God because God wants us to be his child...

Read Romans 8:1-9 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 1-2 God says through St Paul Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,  because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. In this reading we are encouraged to see that: as followers of Jesus we are not condemned by God as followers of Jesus we are given life by God if we have our minds and hearts set on what is important to God we are living according to His Spirit and life will be our gift If we have our minds and hearts set on what is important to humans and others but not God we are disconnected from Christ and the life He gives Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 8:1-9 affect how y...

  Read Romans 7:7-25 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 21-25 God says through St Paul 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: the law helps us to see what is sinful as Christians we are often conflicted we are drawn to disobeying the law and drawn to following the law following the law will not save ...

Read Romans 7:1-6 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 4 God says through St Paul So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. In this reading we are encouraged to see that: we are free from our future being determined by the law our future is determined by Christ as followers of Jesus our life is one influenced and guided by God's Spirit  Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 7:1-6 affect how you see God, yourself, and how you see and will interact with others? What does Romans 7:1-6 call you to talk to God (pray) about?  (Thanksgiving, more insight, help, forgiveness...) What do yo...