Romans 8 is a rich chapter. In fact the entire book of Romans is rich, showing us clearly the freedom and life we have because of the justification (just as if I had never sinned) that Christ has accomplished for us. We are free from the bondage of sin and from slavery to our flesh, and from the fear of death (and condemnation).

      Well, this whole chapter is a bit much for one day, so let’s meditate on three verses from the chapter. 

 
    Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you.”

                  When we came to Jesus in faith we were “born of the Spirit” and He began to dwell in us. Now there are greater depths of the Spirit we encounter in our walk with Him, but that “indwelling” of the Spirit makes life, power, and victory ours on a daily basis. Remember, this is the SAME Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave. He has more than enough power to quicken (give life to, instead of death) our bodies even in the face of strong temptation.

This week we will be dealing with two well known Old Testament characters.  Let's see what we can learn from Daniel and Jehoshaphat.

There is a subtle war that is taking place right before our eyes; only a few have taken notice.  Incredibly this war will determine the efficacy of our churches, rather, our very lives.  It is a power struggle taking place within the structure of what we call the church, and the side we choose may determine whether we are actually fighting on the side that we claim.

First let me say that I do not suppose myself to be an expert or even a qualified professional voice who is able to grade the great worshippers of the Bible.  Like most of us still on this spinning ball, I have merely scratched the surface of what true Biblical worship is.  As the hymn says, “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing His praise than when we first begun.”

Near the end of the book of Acts (see Acts 27) we find Paul parceled off to Rome to preach the gospel before Caesar, but this was no island hopping pleasure cruise.  The Lord made it clear to Paul that their boat should winter at Fair Havens.  Even with Paul's jet setting experience on missionary journeys, his petitioning lost out to the "expert advice" of the ship's pilot and captain.

Are you an MRE Christian?  When was the last time you cracked open your Bible or spent enough time listening during prayer that you actually received something from the Holy Spirit?  Do you only get spiritual nourishment through the latest mapped out plan from that hot new Christian author?