Get Up With God
highly caffeinated daily bible doses to help start your morning off right

It’s ROMANS WEEK here on GUWG, where all week we’ll be taking a look at lessons from one of the Bible’s most revolutionary books.

Reading Romans has been a turning point for many Christians. It helped Martin Luther realize that we’re justified by grace through faith alone, sparking the Reformation. John Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed” when he read Luther’s comments on Romans, which triggered another revival. Modern theologians continue to be amazed by the book. N.T. Wright called it the Apostle Paul’s “masterpiece” and “a work of massive substance, presenting a formidable intellectual challenge, while offering a breathtaking theological and spiritual vision.”

Here are just a few of Martin Luther’s famous comments about Romans . . .

It would be quite proper for a Christian, not only to know it by heart word for word, but also to study it daily . . . it can never be read or meditated too much or too well. The more thoroughly it is treated, the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.

Below is our first taste of this great book. Ask God to warm your heart and illuminate each precious word. And then thank Him for His awesome, astounding, amazing grace!

But now a righteousness from God,
apart from the law,
has been made known,
to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
This righteousness from God
comes through faith in Jesus Christ
to all who believe.
There is no difference,
for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God,
and are justified freely by his grace
through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
(3:1-24)

Since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand.
(5:1-2a)

As an added bonus, here’s a selection from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, echoing this theme:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith –
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God –
not by works, so that no one can boast.
(2:8-9)

To read all of Martin Luther’s commentary on Romans, click here.

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you,
and you will suffer persecution . . .
Be faithful, even to the point of death,
and I will give you the crown of life.
(Revelation 2:10)

Don’t read this if you are the least bit squeamish . . .

Ask yourself this question and then read the following true story:

Would I die for my faith?

In the 1500s in England, a Protestant poet named Anne Askew was confronted with that very question. She was imprisoned by the king’s authorities for refusing to deny her faith.

First, she was tortured on the rack, which slowly pulled her bones out of place until she fainted from the pain. But when she came to, she still refused to deny her faith and instead preached for several hours to her persecutors.

Then she was sentenced to death by burning.  She had to be carried to the stake because the torture had left her unable to walk. She was given one last chance to deny Jesus and be set free. Her response?

“I did not come here to deny my Lord and Master.”

The fire was lit. Following Jesus’ example, Anne died praying for her murderers.

Our response should be no different. As another martyr put it:

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
(Paul, Hebrews 12:1b-3)

Don’t let anything in this world scare you out of your faith. Fix your eyes on Jesus and trust him to bring you home.

I’ll leave you with two simple questions to ponder today . . .

Are you ready to live for Jesus? Are you ready to die for him?

As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.
(Ecclesiastes 11:5)

Here’s an interesting little poem for your consideration today. Read through it and think deep thoughts.

I DON’T BELIEVE IN AIR

I don’t believe in air
no one has ever seen it
no one has ever felt it
between finger and thumb
converts talk about
tasting the air
and something in the air
but there’s always another explanation
the nearby sea, a factory’s pipes
a pile of fresh manure
it’s not the so-called air that smells

scientists have complete faith in this air
they say that it upholds
and sustains our world
take away the air, they argue
and we’d go too
meteorologists attribute
signs and wonders to the air
people thrown to the ground
trees uprooted, the landscape rearranged

it sounds like superstition to me
if there is air
who made it?
where does it all go?

why doesn’t it show itself
just one time for proof?

friends ask me why windows rattle
and hair goes awry
but I don’t believe in air

I don’t believe in air
air is just another word
for something that’s not there

–Author Unknown

(Special thanks to Pure Christian Graphic Design for unearthing this gem.)

In SPIRIT WEEK Part 2 here on GUWG, where we’re taking a close look at each fruit of the Spirit.

Today’s featured fruit: FAITHFULNESS.

What exactly is “faith”? Here’s one of my favorite definitions:

Faith means abandoning all trust in one’s own resources. Faith means casting oneself unreservedly on the mercy of God. Faith means laying hold of the promises of God in Christ, relying entirely on the finished work of Christ for salvation, and on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God for daily strength. Faith implies complete reliance on God and full obedience to God. (New Bible Dictionary)

Put another way, faith is remaining in Christ. We cling to Him with all our hearts, abiding in Him and Him in us, trusting Him completely.

Here’s a selection of “faithful” verses. Ask the Holy Spirit to drive ‘em deep down into your soul.

• “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
• “The Lord preserves the faithful.” (Psalm 31:23)
• “Let love and faithfulness never leave you.” (Proverbs 3:3)
• “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
• “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
• “[W[hen the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

May the answer to that last question be a resounding YES!

KEEP THE FAITH

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see.
This is what the ancients were commended for.
(Hebrews 11:1-2)

Hebrews 11 is often called God’s “Hall of Faith.” It’s sort of a Who’s Who of the Old Testament and includes a little bio for each to help us understand how God wants us to live.

At first glance, the list can be intimidating. It includes all these big-time Bible people and describes all these big-time Bible events you heard about way back in Sunday School.

But dig a little deeper and you find something amazing. The list includes a murderer (Moses), an adulterer (David), a serial liar (Abraham), a swindler (Jacob) and a prostitute (Rahab).

What’s the point? God can use seriously messed-up people like you and me to carry his message.

What’s the message? Have faith.

What’s faith? Here are just a few examples . . .

• By faith, Noah “when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family” (Hebrews 11:7).
• By faith, Abraham “when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).
• By faith, “the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land” (Hebrews 11:29).
• By faith, “the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30).
• By faith, others “conquered kingdoms,” “administered justice,” “shut the mouths of lions,” “quenched the fury of the flames,” were “tortured and refused to be released,” were “stoned” and “sawed int two” and went about “destitute, persecuted and mistreated” (Hebrews 11:33-37).

Today’s Big Question: If someone were telling your life story, what would they say after the phrase “By faith, . . .”?

This week, we’re walking in Jesus’ footsteps to the cross and beyond.

It’s Tuesday. Jesus is on his way back into Jerusalem. According to eyewitness reports:

Early in the morning,
as he was on his way back to the city,
he was hungry.
Seeing a fig tree by the road,
he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves.
Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!”
Immediately the tree withered.

When the disciples saw this, they were amazed.
“How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth,
if you have faith and do not doubt,
not only can you do what was done to the fig tree,
but also you can say to to this mountain,
‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’
and it will be done.
If you believe,
you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
(Matthew 21:18-22)

Jesus doesn’t have much time left so he packs two powerful lessons into one.

A tree without fruit is useless. We’re Jesus’ branches in this world (John 15:1-5). Our job is simple: let the Holy Spirit produce fruit through us. What kind of fruit does Jesus want to see growing in our lives? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

Faith and prayer can move mountains. Jesus wants the disciples to understand the incredible power of God unleashed by prayer in the lives of those with faith. As John the disciple put it, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14).

WALK WITH JESUS:
HAVE FAITH, PRAY AND BEAR FRUIT

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world,
yet forfeits his soul? 
(Matthew 16:25-26)

Today’s message is simple . . .

LOSE YOUR LIFE
FOR GOD’S SAKE

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Stop whatever you’re doing right now and memorize this verse. Meditate on it. Live it.

LIVE BY FAITH IN JESUS

This week, we’re walking in Jesus’ footsteps to the cross and beyond.

It’s Tuesday. Jesus is on his way back into Jerusalem. According to eyewitness reports:

Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:18-22)

Jesus doesn’t have much time left so he packs two powerful lessons into one.

A tree without fruit is useless. We’re Jesus’ branches in this world (John 15:1-5). Our job is simple: let the Holy Spirit produce fruit through us. What kind of fruit does Jesus want to see growing in our lives? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

Faith can move mountains. Jesus wants the disciples to understand the incredible power of God unleashed by prayer in the lives of those with faith. As John the disciple put it, ”This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14).

WALK WITH JESUS:
HAVE FAITH, PRAY AND BEAR FRUIT

We’re counting down the top ten Bible verses of all time, based on an exhaustive study conducted by research scientists with very large brains who determined how often each verse appears in print.

Here’s this week’s verse. Read it. Meditate on it. Memorize it. Live it.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)

THANK GOD FOR GRACE