Romans 14:13-23 ~ Proceed from faith

Romans 14:13-23

13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up building.

20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.


And


1 John 3
3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.





Mike Pickard's Blog says "This verse, about Abram's faith, helps us understand how God can use an imperfect man like Abram to bring about his good purposes. Abram is counted as “righteous,” not because he is worthy (he clearly is not) but because he has faith in God who declares him worthy.



How are we going to obtain God? Creator of All Things, Ancient of Days, Shepherd and Captain of our Souls. Father of the Righteous in Jesus Christ. Father of All. He has named the Heavens. The Heavenly Host are His.

We connect with God only because our Father lives to Love and have Mercy. Father God bends far down to hear our souls connect to heart and mind. With belief and sincerity - God is going to be part of us. And when we believe God - He is going to help us continue each day to have a meaningful life of Joy. To take what is difficult and make Love. To give mercy and dignity to those around us.

Consider what we know of each day of Jesus. Jesus could hear the willingness of His Father, and our Father, each day and Jesus traveled to do the Will of God. Jesus tells us when we have seen Jesus, we have seen the Father.

If we do not hear the willingness of God and yet we are willing, God will do the impossible to make the willingness of Father God's Love come to us. Jesus went all over in the Willingness of God. And a few times Jesus told people to do things like go to the Pool of Siloam (Sent) (we want to be sent!) and stay out of the Village. Sounds like advice we'd all like to have from time to time. And when we didn't hear - God is going to sweep all things together for Good. As long as we Believe Him. Looking to see what is Good in Life.



We can't walk the same path as Father God of the Universe. God is Amazing and Astonishing. And Jesus demonstrated this path-walking, very thing, with Paul, reaching down immediately to help Paul walk securely with Jesus.

Jesus speaks to the Sea and the waters immediately cease. The Wind halts. And Jesus is recorded as bringing the boat immediately to shore in John 4.



When we Believe God is at work - we have given God the motivation to be at Work. God Himself commended His Beloved in the Great Chapter of Hebrews 11.

Because

Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.



Abba,

We love to remember Jesus as Grace upon Grace. From His fullness we have received.

We recall Jesus aided the father who professed his belief with far more compassion than His own Disciples who said "Teach us to pray."

Mark 9:23-24
23“If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

We believe in Your Word's the prayer of a righteous man availeth much. We pray for those who have asked us to pray for them, body, mind and soul. The overwhelming Love and Power of Jesus give healing, Love and hope. Remembering Jesus told us and healing ministries agree - more prayer the better. Praying with expectation.

And with Joy and Verve - we pray for those we Love and thank God for their blessings. We pray for those who display courage in their patience wait for the solution. We bless those who lead with Courage and Mercy. We continue daily to pray for the prayers that have been asked of us. With great expectation and great Comfort the Holy Spirit provides the strength and joy of You - to do our lives.

Blessing Father God for the summer providing more time to visit family and be there. Asking blessings on the elderly for fortitude, health and clarity. Giving thanks for opportunities for ourselves and our Children. The blessings of Home and Hearth and Education. Seeing the new season of summer with Profound Joy.

Carrying these prayers up to our work, our needs, our communities, our Churches. Knowing God will bless us for far away prayers like praying for the national government and our elected officials. Asking God to bring Truth to the news, more Good News and balance. And refusing to be discouraged. Instead letting God have room to show He is God and God is not worried. Blessing Abba for covering us in the Name of Jesus.

Amen in Jesus for today and tomorrow!

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †