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One thing I enjoy doing is asking people what their favorite Bible verse is.  Today I asked the new associate pastor.  His favorite is Proverbs 2:1-5.  I would have asked a few more deeper theological questions but alas there was an older couple next to him that resumed their discussion.  So I departed.  It was amusing listening to some recount the story of the first time they met me and how that was what I asked them.  I am not sure that refraining is something I can do at this point.  The memories I have are not the greatest but I will share a few more.

Galatians 2:20 – I pray it is real and more desperate for you each day.

Philippians 4 – I pray you lift him up and keep him strong.

Hebrews 13:5 – I hope you continue to seek and build up those around you.

Romans 10:14-15 – I hope your dreams are God’s will.  Lord, may Your will be done.

This gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning his Son who was a descendant of David with reference to the flesh, who was appointed the Son-of-God-in-power according to the Holy Spirit by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 1:2-4

This gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures.  Yes he promsed salvation.  Yes the prophets wrote about it centuries before it happened.  Most of the books I have read discuss the 48 main prophecies that Jesus fulfills.  Amazing.

Concerning his Son who was a descendant of David with reference to the flesh.  A descendant of David. A man like me.  A man that cried when he saw the pain the sisters of Lazarus felt over their brother’s death.  A man that was tempted by Satan just like I am.  A man who though tempted did not give in to that temptation.

Who was appointed the Son-of-God-in-power according to the Holy Spirit.  The Son of God.  No mere man could live a sinless life.  No mere man could make the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.  Only the Son of God.  I think about this sacrifice less often than I should.  Why?  Because it makes me cry.  Because it makes me regret every sin in my life.  Because I know without this sacrifice my Lord would not be able to look upon me.

By the resurrection from the dead.  The resurrection.  How casually I use this word.  But the power it contains.  The power to realize that death, that sin was defeated with His resurrection.  Yes how casual this seems.  And yet it is not casual at all.

Jesus Christ our Lord. A few months ago the kids and I discussed the word Christ.  The Anointed One.  The Messiah.  His name was Jesus and He was the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah.  Our Lord.  How quickly I forget the goal of the gospel is to make much of God and yet I go on trying to make much of myself.  So I see another hope in the only word not worth capitalization.  Our.  Yes our Lord.  Mine and yours.

This gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning his Son who was a descendant of David with reference to the flesh, who was appointed the Son-of-God-in-power according to the Holy Spirit by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 1:2-4