God’s Good News (PART 2)

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

⁸ Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. ⁹ God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.
¹⁰ One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. ¹¹ For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. ¹² When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
¹³ I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles.¹⁴ For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike.¹⁵ So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.
¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. ¹⁷ This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” Romans 1:8-17 (NLT)
Yesterday, I spoke about Romans 1:8-9. As I continued to read this chapter, I found that Paul desperately wanted to meet the Roman Church.  He’s been praying for it! What’s his motivation? Fellowship.  He wants to support them and help them grow, but he also desires the encouragement that comes from being with the family of God. Don’t we need that too? (v. 10-12) More questions followed.
1) How do I support other Gospel workers?
2) How am I supporting other Christians?
3) Pride check: Am I being selfish with support? Am I
a) receiving support and encouragement, but keeping it all to myself? Or am I
b) Giving without receiving? If I am, it’s not God’s Spirit that’s pouring out of me, it’s me, and that’s not what people need.
4) Do I limit God’s ability to speak or am I willing to receive encouragement whenever, wherever and from whomever He chooses? Apparently, I need a lot of work. How about you?
Caitlin
Caitlin Culleny is a graduate of Stockton University and has served on staff for 3 years as a Soul Care worker at Barbara’s Place. She is thrilled to be participating in writing Victory Calls for her sisters in Christ!