Scripture:
Romans 11:25-36; 9:4-8
Thu, 22 September 2022

The Salvation of Israel

Observation:

Who was the Apostle Paul referring to when he wrote concerning “Israel” (vv.25, 26. Cf. Rom 9:4-8)?

Deeper Reflection
THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS ADDRESSING GENTILE CHRISTIANS regarding the right attitude and perspective concerning the people of Israel. The Gospel has gone out to the Gentiles for a period due to the “partial hardening” (v.25) of the hearts of the Israelites. “Partial” because there have been many Jews who have turned to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ since His First Coming. Before the Lord’s Second Coming, the hearts of many more Jews will no longer be hardened and they will believe the Gospel. The full number of Jewish Christians will thus enter the Kingdom of God through faith in Jesus Christ: “In this way, all Israel will be saved” (v.26). Paul refers to “all Israel” because with his Godgiven perspective he understood that “not all who are descended from Israel [the patriarch Jacob] belong to Israel [the group of redeemed descendants]” (Rom 9:6). Just because a person is a physical offspring of Abraham does not automatically make him or her a spiritual offspring of Abraham (Rom 9:7). One is a spiritual offspring of Abraham if one shares Abraham’s faith in the Word of God, and is thereby a child of the promise and a child of God.32 “It is not the children of the flesh [of Abraham] who are the children of God” (Rom 9:8). It is the children of the promise who are counted as Abraham’s spiritual offspring and who are in fact the children of God (Rom 9:8).Therefore, let the Church not neglect to pray and work for the salvation of Abraham’s descendants – for their hearts to be softened and believe in the Gospel.
32 See also Romans 4; Galatians 3.
Application:

How can I pray for and reach out to the people of Israel?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To show and tell of the mercy of God to all people that they may receive it
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
John 20:19-21; Luke 4:14-21
Mon, 2 October 2023

Sent by the Lord

Observation:

What is the analogy that Jesus used in sending forth His disciples (v.21)?

Deeper Reflection
As we enter the month of October with our upcoming two Missions Sundays, let us focus our attention and prayers on Covenant EFC’s third Faith Exploit, “Disciple the Nations”. In today’s Scripture, verse 21 is a very significant statement that Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection. And it applies equally to all those who are Jesus’ disciples today. There are three key observations we can make.First, the analogy that Jesus used – His having been sent by the Father – points us to Jesus’ foundational teachings that He came to accomplish the very will and works of the Father (Jn 4:34; 5:30, 36; cf. Lk 4:14-21). Second, the idea of Jesus’ disciples being “sent” reminds us that world missions is not a result of human initiative, but is God-initiated and God-directed. It is God’s mission in the world. Third, verse 21 reminds us that Jesus is not merely calling us to join God in His mission, but to relate to Him as our heavenly Father – in love, obedience and dependence.1Therefore, the more fundamental question is not “Are we being sent?” or “What must we do?”. Rather, it is “To what extent do we understand and treasure our sonship in relation to God our Father (Jn 20:17)?” So that, as beloved children of God, we will respond rightly to our heavenly Father who created us in His image, redeemed us in Jesus Christ, and called us to join Him in His mission. Out of gratitude and love towards God, we joyfully walk in the Lord’s will for us, and fully rely on His resources as we faithfully serve Him.
1 This is consistent with John’s emphasis in his writings on the Father-Son relationship that anchored and motivated Jesus in all that He did in submission and obedience to the Father’s will.
Application:

How do the purposes for which Jesus sends forth His disciples impact the
way I plan and live out the years of my life?

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, what manner of love You have bestowed on me that I should be called Your child! Every opportunity given to me to carry out Your will is a privilege for me to participate in Your glorious purposes. Help me to clearly discern the things that You want me to accomplish and to faithfully work at them with a heart that loves and depends on You and always seeks Your glory. Amen.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Download this General Fund for BPJ QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

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