ROMANS 15: LIVING TO PLEASE GOD, NOT OURSELVES

 

Life in the church is not always easy. People are different. Some are strong in faith, some are weak. Some understand more, some understand less. But Paul teaches us in Romans 15 that the strong must carry the weak, just as Christ carried us.

“Christ’s example is the strongest argument for Christian love.” This chapter is a call to unity, patience, and hope. Paul reminds us that we don’t need complicated reasons to love others. The best reason is simply this: Christ loved us first. His life is proof.

Romans 15:1–2: “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

” Do not live for yourself. Live to help others. Christ Himself did not please Himself but bore our sins and shame (v.3).

The church is called to harmony, so that “with one voice” we may glorify God (v.6).

The principle is love that builds up. Christian love means denying ourselves for the good of others. True strength is shown when we carry the burdens of the weak. Unity is not everyone being the same, but everyone being patient and kind in Christ.

· Sharing in worship

You may want to sing your favorite song, but the church sings another. Denying yourself means singing with joy anyway, because worship is for God, not for us.

·Serving in unnoticed roles

Many want to lead, but denying yourself means gladly cleaning the church, arranging chairs, or helping in washing the dishes or cleaning the toilet— work that may not be seen but build up the body.

· Welcoming newcomers

You may want to sit with your close friends. Denying yourself means sitting with a new visitor, making them feel loved and part of the family.

· Forgiving quickly

 Someone may say something that hurts you. Denying yourself means forgiving them fast, so unity in the church is not broken.

Romans 15:7: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” This is a command. We must welcome one another, even when we are different. Christ welcomed us when we were sinners. In the same way, we must welcome others into fellowship.

Warning

The warning is clear: if we live only to please ourselves, we will break unity.  Selfishness destroys Christian love. Division makes the church weak, and the world will not see Christ in us.

As believers

Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

• Encourage, not criticize.
• Welcome differences in culture, age, and maturity.
• Pray for joy, peace, and hope in the Spirit.
• Serve humbly, just as Christ served us.

Romans 15 is a call to live for others, not for ourselves. Christ carried our burdens, so we must carry one another.  May the God of hope fill us with joy, peace, and unity, so that our lives shine for His glory.

Romans 15:33 “May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

 

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PAS MAY - JCRC STEUNG MEANCHEY

ROMANS 14: PURSUE PEACE AND BUILD OTHERS UP

 

¹⁹ So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Romans 14:19

 

Christianity is not only about what we believe or what we are free to do; it is also about how our lives affect other people.

 

I. Pursue the Things That Make for Peace

¹⁹ So then let us pursue what makes for peace

Peace requires intentional effort.

We should avoid arguments and divisions.

Instead of always trying to prove that we are right, we should seek what brings unity.

Jesus calls His followers to be peacemakers.

 

II. Build One Another Up

..and for mutual upbuilding.

Mutual upbuilding means helping, encouraging, and strengthening one another so that everyone grows and becomes better.

Our words can either encourage someone or discourage them.

Encourage people who are struggling

Help others to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We should use our actions responsibly, remembering that other believers may be watching our example

 

III. Put Spiritual Growth Above Personal Preference

Romans 14 deals with differences among believers.

Not every disagreement should become a division.

We should be willing to sacrifice personal preferences for the good of others.

Christian maturity means asking, “How will my choice affect my brother or sister?”

Romans 14:19 gives us two responsibilities: Pursue peace and build others up.

 

Reflection:

“Does my life bring peace? Does my life build others up?”

Let us intentionally choose our words and actions so that the people around us become stronger, encouraged, and closer to Christ because of our example.

 

Prayer:

“Lord, help us to pursue peace and to build one another up. Give us wisdom to speak with love, patience to understand others, and humility to value relationships more than winning arguments. May our words and actions bring unity, encouragement, and peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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PAS PAULA - JCRC CAMBODIA

 

ROMANS 13: WAKE UP FROM SLUMBER: THE DAY IS NEAR

 

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. -Roman 13:11

The Day is Near

The promise of the return of Jesus Christ is written in the word of God. And just as the prophecies of His birth, sacrificial death and resurrection have come to pass, it is sure that this next major event of His return is to come fulfilling God’s salvation.

We are now in the last days, and the coming of Christ is drawing near. Things told in the scriptures has happened and is happening now that the nearness of God’s promise of Christ’s return is felt and anticipated by us believers.

-Acts 2:17  “In the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh”

-2 Peter 3:3  “scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.”

-Hebrews 1:2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  -Matthew 24:44

Wake up from Slumber and Prepare

Slumber means to sleep or be in a state of inactivity. Being inactive does not help us to prepare for Jesus’ return. How would we want to meet Christ our Savior and Lord? Is being the same as in our old ways and in untransformed life be pleasing to Him?

Since the day of His return is getting near, let us be awake and be prepared to meet Him.

How?

a) Make ourselves clean
[Romans 13:12a] The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness.

-after waking up from the darkness where we once held captive and now in the light of Christ, we put aside our deeds of darkness and all things that are unclean and displeasing to God so that we may meet Him clean and pleasing to Him.

b) Be clothe with Christ
[Romans 13:14] Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,

[Romans 13:12b] and put on the armor of light
-we remove our old clothing having dirtied with our old sinful ways and wear our new clothing in Christ washed clean signifying our new identity in Him as someone rescued from darkness and now in His kingdom of light. Be identified in Christ when He returns.

c) Live in newness (saved and transformed life) while we wait for His return
[Romans 13:13] Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

[Romans 13:14] and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

-Looking forward for the day of Christ return then we live today as someone who has been given salvation, a changed and transformed life by Jesus Christ not gratifying the desires of our flesh rather the desire of His Spirit in us thereby continuously being clean and set apart for God until His return.

 

As we anticipate the soon return of Jesus, let us not be inactive/asleep but rather awake, at work, preparing and living right with God until He comes.

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PAS MELODY - JCRC CAMBODIA

ROMANS 12: FROM CONFORMITY TO TRANSFORMATION

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” 

— Romans 12:2

The world's pattern: Conformity
Conformity is allowing the world to shape how we think, live, and make decisions. Paul warns that the world has a pattern—but it is a pattern that leads away from God.
- Rebellion against God
- Driven by feelings and emotions
- Chasing popularity and approval
- Mind shaped by culture

The world says, “Follow your heart.” God says, “Guard your heart and renew your mind.”

God's work: Transformation
- The word “transformed” comes from the Greek metamorphoō, meaning a complete metamorphosis.
- It is the same word used to describe Jesus' glorious Transfiguration in Mark 9:2–3. God does not simply improve us—He changes us from the inside out.

- Paul uses this word again in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
“We all… beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…”

How do we move from conformity to transformation?
- Resist the world's influence - Refuse to let culture dictate your values, identity, or priorities.
- Renew your mind with God's Word - Scripture replaces lies with truth and reshapes the way we think.
- Remain in fellowship with God - Prayer, worship, and communion with Christ allow the Holy Spirit to transform us daily.

Let us reflect:
- Am I being shaped more by social media than by Scripture?
- Are my decisions driven by emotions or by God's truth?
- When people see my life, do they see the image of the world—or the image of Christ?

Conformity changes your behavior to fit the crowd. Transformation changes your heart to reflect Christ. 

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PAS MATET - JCRC HANOI 

Romans 11 —Grace That Keeps Us Humble

 

Romans 11 —Grace That Keeps Us Humble

S — Scripture
“For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” — Romans 11:32 NKJV
Romans 11 is a beautiful reminder that salvation is always rooted in God’s mercy and grace—not in our goodness, background, or accomplishments.
Paul explains God’s plan for Israel and the Gentiles. Some Israelites rejected Christ, and because of their unbelief, the gospel reached the Gentiles. But Paul also warns Gentile believers not to become proud. We are like branches grafted into the olive tree—not because we were better, but because of God’s grace.
And then Paul ends with worship:
“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” — Romans 11:36 NKJV
After explaining God’s sovereignty and mercy, Paul could only respond with awe and worship.

O — Observation

Romans 11 teaches us three important truths.

1. God is faithful even when people are unfaithful.

Israel’s rejection did not cancel God’s promises. God was still working according to His purpose.
Minsan sa buhay natin, may mga bagay na hindi natin maintindihan. We see rejection, delays, closed doors, or people turning away.
But Romans 11 reminds us: God has not lost control.

2. Grace should make us humble, not proud.
Paul warned the Gentile believers not to boast.

We did not earn our place in God’s family.
We were brought in by grace.

Kaya walang lugar ang pride sa ministry.
Hindi tayo ginagamit ni Lord dahil perfect tayo. Hindi dahil mas magaling tayo kaysa iba.
We are here because God showed us mercy.
Every opportunity to preach, serve, worship, teach, give, or reach someone is a privilege of grace.

3. God’s ways are deeper than our understanding.
Paul eventually says:
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” — Romans 11:33 NKJV
There are things God is doing that we cannot fully understand.
And sometimes, faith means saying, “Lord, I may not understand everything, but I trust You.”

A — Application

Remnants, Romans 11 speaks strongly to our hearts, especially when we are serving the Lord.

Stay humble.
Stay grateful.
Stay faithful.

Kapag may ginagamit si Lord sa atin, let us never think, “I deserve this.” Instead, let us say,
“Lord, thank You for allowing me to be part of what You are doing.”

When someone falls away, don’t immediately judge.
Pray for them.

When someone is not yet saved, don’t give up on them.
Keep witnessing.

When God’s plan doesn’t make sense, don’t run away.
Keep trusting.

And when God blesses our ministry, let us remember who deserves the glory.
Hindi tayo ang center ng ministry. Hindi tayo ang source ng salvation. Hindi tayo ang may-ari ng harvest.

God is.

As servants, our role is simply to obey, to remain faithful, and to point people back to Jesus.

Romans 11 also reminds us that God’s mercy is bigger than our limitations.
The person we think is impossible to reach may be the very person God is preparing to touch.

So don’t stop praying. Don’t stop caring. Don’t stop going. Don’t stop speaking about Jesus.

Grace brought us here, and grace should keep us moving.

P — Personal Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your amazing grace. Forgive me whenever I become proud of what I have done for You. Remind me that everything I have—including my salvation, my gifts, my ministry, and every opportunity to serve—is because of Your grace.
Teach me to trust You even when I don’t understand Your ways. Give me a humble heart that will continue to pray, serve, witness, and love people without giving up.
Lord, use my life not for my own recognition but for Your glory. May everything I do point people back to Jesus.

“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” — Romans 11:36

---------------- PASTORA SHERLY - JCRC RIYADH

Romans 9: GOD’S MERCY, NOT OUR EFFORT

GOD’S MERCY, NOT OUR EFFORT

Scripture: Romans 9:16 (NIV)
It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

I.  God's mercy, not  our effort
Sa Romans 9:16, ipinapaalala ni Pablo na ang buhay natin ay hindi lamang nakasalalay sa ating sariling effort, ability, o desire. Sa huli, ang lahat ay nakasalalay sa awa at biyaya ng Diyos. Maaari tayong magsikap, magplano, at gawin ang ating makakaya, pero may mga bagay na hindi natin kayang kontrolin. Kapag hindi nangyayari ang gusto natin, huwag agad isipin na nabigo tayo. Minsan, iba ang sagot ng Diyos sa plano natin dahil mas alam Niya kung ano ang tunay nating kailangan.
Hindi lahat ng hindi nangyayari ayon sa gusto natin ay failure. Minsan, ito ay bahagi ng mas magandang plano ng Diyos.

II. Do your part, trust God with result
Hindi ibig sabihin na wala na tayong gagawin. Tinatawag pa rin tayo ng Diyos na maging faithful, magsikap, manalangin, at gawin ang ating bahagi. Pero pagkatapos nating gawin ang ating makakaya, matuto tayong mag-let go at magtiwala sa Diyos. Hindi mo kailangang kontrolin ang lahat. Hindi mo kailangang pilitin ang lahat. Hindi mo kailangang dalhin ang bigat ng resulta na hindi naman ikaw ang may kontrol. Do your best, then trust God with the rest. Ang responsibility natin ay maging faithful sa ipinagkatiwala ng Diyos. Ang resulta ay nasa Kanyang mga kamay.

III. Rest in God's mercy
May mga pagkakataong pakiramdam natin ay hindi tayo sapat,hindi sapat ang ating galing, lakas, pera, connections, o opportunities.
Pero ang kabutihan ng Diyos ay hindi nakabase sa kung gaano tayo kagaling. God’s mercy is greater than our limitations.vKapag hindi natin alam ang next step, maaari tayong huminto, manalangin, at magtiwala.
Ang Diyos ay hindi limitado sa kung ano lamang ang kaya nating gawin.
Kung kulang ang resources mo, hindi kulang ang Diyos. Kung limitado ang ability mo, hindi limitado ang Diyos. Kung hindi mo nakikita ang daan, nakikita ito ng Diyos. Kaya maaari tayong magpahinga sa Kanyang awa at biyaya.

APPLICATION:
A. Stop comparing
Huwag mong ikumpara ang journey mo sa ibang tao. Iba ang timing, calling, at purpose ng Diyos para sa bawat isa. Ang progress ng ibang tao ay hindi sukatan ng failure mo. May sariling timing ang Diyos para sa iyo.

B. Do your part
Maging faithful sa kung ano ang ipinagkatiwala sa iyo ngayon.
Magtrabaho. Manalangin. Matuto.
Magsikap. Gawin ang iyong makakaya. Hindi natin kontrolado ang lahat, pero kontrolado natin kung paano tayo magiging faithful sa Diyos sa araw na ito.

C. Trust God with the outcome
Kapag hindi naging ayon sa plano mo, huwag mawalan ng pag-asa.
A closed door does not mean a closed future. Minsan, may ibang direksyon ang Diyos dahil may mas magandang alam Siya para sa atin. Hindi natin kailangang maintindihan ang lahat bago tayo magtiwala. Faith means trusting God even when we cannot yet see what He is doing.

REFLECTION:
May bagay ba akong pilit na kinokontrol na kailangan ko nang ipagkatiwala sa Diyos?
Ginagawa ko ba ang aking bahagi habang nagtitiwala sa Diyos sa resulta?
Kaya ko bang magtiwala sa awa ng Diyos kahit hindi ko pa nakikita ang sagot?

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, through Your Son Jesus Christ, salamat dahil hindi nakasalalay sa aming sariling lakas at kakayahan ang lahat ng bagay. Salamat sa iyong mercy at grace na hindi namin kailanman kayang paghirapan o bayaran. Tulungan mo po kaming gawin ang aming bahagi nang may faithfulness, ngunit turuan Mo rin kaming magtiwala sa Iyo sa mga bagay na hindi namin kayang kontrolin.
Kapag hindi nangyayari ang aming plano, tulungan Mo kaming huwag mawalan ng pag-asa. Kapag may closed door, bigyan mo po kami ng faith na maniwala na may mas magandang direksyon kang inihahanda. Alisin mo po ang aming fear, comparison, anxiety, at desire na kontrolin ang lahat. Turuan mo po kaming magpahinga sa Iyong mercy at magtiwala sa iyong perfect timing.

Lord Jesus, we may not understand everything, but we choose to trust you.Tulungan mo po kaming maging faithful sa aming bahagi at ipaubaya sa iyo ang resulta. Sa lahat ng bagay, turuan mo po kaming maniwala na ang iyong grace ay sapat at ang iyong mercy ay higit kaysa sa aming limitations. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

--------ELDER PANGGA - JCRC RIYADH

ROMANS 8 : CHOOSING CHRIST DAILY

 

Choosing Christ Daily 

Romans 8:5 NIV
"5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

In this verse shows  the battle we face  how we live while we are here on earth, to live in the flesh or to live in Spirit. Our flesh direct us to things that pleases us,sinful desires while to live in Spirit is to live a life that Glorifies God.  To live everyday we must make a choice that is not temporary,our choice of living became our lifestyle.

Worldly things are always inviting. 
They attract our eyes, satisfy our desires, and offer temporary pleasure. 

• Going to mall instead of attending Church 
• scrolling social media instead of reading the bible
• attending party instead of fellowshiping
• sleeping instead of attending devotion
• remaining in sin instead of repenting 

In response to those above,sometimes ang ating nagiging escape route  " my Spirit is willing but my flesh is weak."

And when fall short of living in the Spirit, we are quick to blame someone else our circumstances, our struggles, or the people around us.

• Hindi ako nkasimba kasi, sinama ako ng kaibigan ko mag mall.
• nalimutan ko mag pray kasi busy ako sa work.
• nakapag salita ako ng masakit kasi sya naman nauna.
• nakapagsalita ako ng ganun kasi "expression ko lang yun."
• Hindi ako nakapag devotion kasi, late n ako nakatulog.

Weakness explains our struggle, but it should never become our excuse to stay in sin, to stay in flesh. Matthew 26 41 is reminding us to watch and pray that we may not fall into the desires of our flesh but instead to draw closer to God.

Every moment in our life is a conscious decision we make. God is reminding us to always set our minds on the Spirit is to intentionally choose God’s will, listen to the Holy Spirit, and pursue the things that pleases Christ.

Lets reflect:

Am I experiencing this battle ,often?
Is my thoughts or action ,right now pleases the Lord?
Am I following my flesh or am I walking in Spirit?

Lets all be reminded :
Choosing Christ is a daily decision. Let’s intentionally surrender, intentionally obey, intentionally pray, and intentionally walk in the Spirit. 
*All Glory to God*

Prayer
Heavenly Father,In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ we thank you for Your word that reminds us that what shapes our mind direct our life. Forgive us Lord for we always allow the world to consume our mind.Help us Lord to always live a life that pleases You. To always acknowledge Your will than our self desires. Teach us Lord to choose You daily to choose Your Word over worldly distractions. Amen

--------- ELDER SALLY - JCRC RIYADH