December 7-13, 2025

Heart Preparation:  Looking forward to your readings this week, I want to point to a verse that might get glazed over while reading through Romans. Though I think it is hope-filled and beautiful. It's Romans 4:17. "As it is written, 'I have made you the father of many nations' - in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist." Remember those underlined words. Here, Paul is using the example of Abraham fathering Isaac. But this isn't the only time God did this. We are in the season of Advent, that time of year the church anticipates the coming of Jesus. How God once appeared in the flesh where he was not before. How he will appear again. That is our God.
 Reading Plan:

• Sunday, December 7 — Acts 20:1-3; Romans 1-3
• Monday, December 8 — Romans 4-7
• Tuesday, December 9 — Romans 8-10
• Wednesday, December 10 — Romans 11-13
• Thursday, December 11 — Romans 14-16
• Friday, December 12 — Acts 20:4-23:35
• Saturday, December 13 — Acts 24-26

 What to Expect:Paul has wanted to get to Rome for some time. You hear his desire when reading through Romans and you see the attempt when you read through Acts. It just had not worked out for him to get there. He has his motivation. But up until now the way has been blocked. It did not exist. But in the letter to the Romans God brings into existence words that have helped shape the course of history for the gospel. Had Paul found a way to get there before that maybe the letter would not have been written. And if I were going to take a trip to Rome I would not get myself arrested, beaten up, almost killed, jailed, used for entertainment by the powerful, and shipwrecked before walking into town. But there it is. This is how God got Paul to Rome. This is how God brought this into existence.
 Personal Insight:I am going to try and be short. You just never know what God might bring into existence when you think on what He has written. And there are not many places better for surprising love and worship to rise up out of us while doing this than in Romans. Remembering that God is both just and justifier (3:26); how Christ died for us in our weakness (5:6); that in Christ we are not condemned (8:1); when we have no words to speak to God for sorrow God speaks for us (8:26); how nothing can separate us from the love of God (8:39). I could go on. But there is far too much to list here. Yet, consider the great sweep of the plan of God to justify sinners by faith and to make one people from all nations, tribes, and tongues through the gospel of Jesus Christ that Paul lays out in Romans. Listen to what rises up in you. What is God growing up in your heart and mind? What is God causing to exist that did not in you before?
 Prayer:Merciful Father, Just and Justifier, One who causes to exist what did not before, create in me what was not there before. Grow up in me what you have planted and cause your fruit to witness to Your great love for me in Jesus. Amen.

This week's devotion was prepared by Justin Coberley.