Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - The Potter and the Clay by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 9:20-30 KJV

Key Verse:  "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" - Romans 9:20 KJV

Romans 9 brings us face-to-face with one of the great truths of Scripture: God is the Creator, and we are His creation. Paul has been explaining God's sovereign purposes concerning Israel, and now he anticipates the questions that naturally arise. If God is sovereign, what right does a human being have to question Him?

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - God's Faithfulness and His Purpose by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 9:1-16 KJV 

Key Verse:  "(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)" - Romans 9:11 KJV

Paul's heart is heavy as Romans 9 begins. He has just finished declaring that nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Now he turns his attention to his fellow Israelites, his own people, and expresses an extraordinary burden for them. Paul writes: “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,” Romans 9:1

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - Nothing Can Separate Us by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 8:32-39 KJV

Key Verse:  "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come," - Romans 8:38 KJV

Paul began Romans 8 with one of the greatest declarations of freedom in Scripture: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 And now, at the end of the chapter, he gives us another great declaration: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come…” Romans 8:38

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - If God Be for Us by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 8:31-39 KJV 

Key Verse:  "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31 KJV

Paul has taken us through an extraordinary journey in Romans 8. We began with “no condemnation” for those who are in Christ. We learned that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. We saw that God works all things together for good. Now Paul brings these truths together and asks a powerful question: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” 

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - God Works All Things for Good by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 8:23-30 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 KJV

Few verses in the Bible have brought more comfort to God's people than Romans 8:28. But notice carefully what Paul actually says. He does not say that all things are good. He says that all things work together for good. There is a great difference.

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - The Spirit Helps Our Weakness by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 8:19-26 KJV

Key Verse:  "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." - Romans 8:26 KJV

There are times in every believer's life when we simply do not know what to pray. Sometimes the circumstances are so difficult that words fail us. Sometimes there are competing needs, uncertain decisions, deep sorrow, or burdens that are difficult even to understand ourselves. Romans 8 gives us tremendous encouragement: our weakness does not prevent God from working. The Holy Spirit helps us precisely where we are weak.

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - No Condemnation in Christ by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 8:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." - Romans 8:1 KJV

There is a difference between conviction and condemnation. The Holy Spirit may convict us when we sin. He may show us something that needs to change. He may lead us to repentance and obedience. But condemnation tells us that we are hopeless, rejected, and beyond God's grace. Romans 8 tells us that for those who are in Christ Jesus and walk after the spirit, they will not be condemned by God.