Thoughts & Reflections

"That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome." Romans 1:15. We cannot expect our effort to change anything unless the gospel first creates a passion within us. We must be overcome by the its power before we can ever hope to share it effectively.

"I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish." Romans 1:14 How we human beings define one another does not matter to God. He does not use our categories. We are obligated to love all His children, even those who don't fit in our categories.

"That I might have a harvest among you..." Romans 1:13 God has already done the hard work of saving the world in Christ. Our work then is to share in the harvest, to see the power of His life, sacrifice and resurrection make a difference in the way that people live.

Contagious Faith "that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." Romans 1:12 Genuine faith naturally inspires others, especially when we remember our role as agents of encouragement.

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong...." Romans 1:11. Any empowering gift that we share with others is a gift that God's Spirit has shared with us. #exploring-gods-story #dirkscornerapp

"I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you." Romans 1:10. Praying in God's will saves us a lot of time uselessly chasing our own will.

"𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘮 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘚𝘰𝘯..." 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 1:9 Serving can be a spiritual thing, if we trust the one we serve. Circumstances may sometimes force us to serve unworthy leaders, but leaders who inspire genuine spiritual service are a rare, Godly treasure.

"𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵, 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘮𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥." 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 1:8 What a delightful thought that people would discuss a church's faith rather than their failure. What must we do to change the conversation? #the-story

"𝘛𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦..." 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 1:7 God's love comes with a calling, to live holy lives. Holy people not always perfect, but they are devoted, consecrated to serve the one who calls them into holiness. He defines our life purpose. #the-story