Romans 2

Verse 4 reminds me how overly patient he is with us. He gives us so much time to repent which in turn will hopefully move me to open up with hidden sins and true change. God's justice will come.

Verse 12-16 implies that the gentiles who didn't follow or were familiar with Jewish law were actually following God's law better than Jewish believers. This was because the total summery of Moses/ Jewish law was to love God above everything else.

Prayer/response:
-love and fear God
- fear myself and what I'm capable of doing if I don't keep myself in check

Romans 1

Romans 1

I notice in V5 how Paul write that we didn't just receive "grace" but also "apostleship". This means that we have an an obligation/responsibility to share what we know and to abide by it. We may not all be called to be missionaries but a byproduct in believing in Him means that we must be our best representation of God we can be. This implies loving others, stewardship.

Acts 28

Acts 28

I've had a long day. Tafe in morning and work straight after, and completing homework. I'm tired and burnt out, it's 2am yet I'm thankful I still ended up reading my Bible despite needing sleep desperately. Finishing the book of Acts reminds me of the amazing credibility God has in not just his promises (whixh I've been reminded of consistent for the past week) but also his grace. Paul was powerfully changed, as well as the Jewish Christians when they broke down the barrier and prejudices agaisnt gentiles. Paul released his true loyalty when he was under pressure, how would I? There were so many situations in which he should have died and yet he didn't . If I'm involved in a bad situation, I should look for ways to make better use of my circumstances. There is always a time to glorify and serve God

Prayer/response:
- Thankyou Lord
- Thankyou Jesus
- Thankyou God

Glory be to you. Always and only

Acts 27

Acts 27

Didn't see a clear out message that sounds unique but I think the overarching theme is to trust in God. God promised Paul that he would preach in Rome and so he just trusted! He encouraged those around him and made clear that his authority and praise was God and not himself. When I'm in times of severe fear, do I still acknowledge God as my hope and strength? Do I accept that my life is not my own, even to the point in which my life is at risk? If I knew I would die slowly and struggling such as drowning, will I glorify God nonetheless.

Prayer/reflection:
- praise God every morning
- I resort to God in times of ease and struggle

Acts 26

Acts 26

Paul's a straight out gangster in this chapter. His message was offensive to Jewish pride and unbelievable to gentile. Paul reminds his audience that God's inheritance was available to everyone dating back to His covenant with Abraham. I think the most to take back from the chapter is Pauls reply to Aggripas sarcastic remark  v28-29 "Do you think in a short time you can pursuade me to be a Christian?" Paul replies "idk but I pray that everyone here could become like I am except for these chains." We see that Paul expresses deep concern for those around him. I hope that I can become at least to whatever Paul had that made him the great missionary in history.

Prayer/response
- seek God's glory,  not my own
- love others
- seek the spiritual needs of others over myself

Acts 25

Acts 25

There isn't really anything new to add since this seems to be a straight continuation of chapter 24 but I guess it's just a straight ass reminder on the faithfulness of God. Paul had an even more impressive audience of Roman officials and soldiers to hear Pauls testimony. My main prayer for the past 1.5years so far has been "Jesus, please let the people I love know you". Currently I've been having to look after 1st year uni students, people I really feel like an obligation to love. God has never directly informed me that my friends be saved like how he told Paul that he will go to Rome 100%. However, maybe just like the Roman officials Paul talked to, God expects me to lead and evangelise to other people first.

Prayer/response:
- accept where God has placed me
- love those I don't care for
- please stamp eternity on my eyeballs

Acts 24

Acts 24

Despite Paul being imprisoned he was utilising every opportunity he could to make Jesus known. Appearently this was proven effective as we find in verse 25 that Governer Felix was becoming concerned with his own eternity. This lasted for 2 years, this has to be the biggest ceebs. Felix self centredness cause Paul to be in prison for 2yrs without trial, I'd be infuriated and anxious at everything if this were to happen to me. How easy would it be for me to turn bitter instead of trusting in God? This might possibly be something that I need to work on, being patient and trusting in God even though He has answered many of my prayers.

Prayer/response:
- submit to God over my own understanding
- reflect on the prayers God has answered in my life