ONE YEAR DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH COMMENTARY

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helpful hints for a daily Quiet Time

The purpose of this Quiet Time is to meet the needs of spiritual growth in the life of the Christian in such a way that they learn the art of conducting

their own personal investigation into the Bible. Consider the following helpful hints:

1 Give priority in choosing your quiet time. This will vary with each individual in accordance with his own circumstances.

The time you choose must: n have top priority over everything else n be the quietest time possible. n be a convenient time of the day or night. n be consistently observed each day.

2 Give attention to the procedure suggested for you to follow. Include the following items. n Read God’s Word.

n Mark your Bible as you read. Here are some suggestions that might be helpful:a. After you read the passage put an exclamation mark next to

the verses you completely understand.b. Put a question mark next to verses you do not understand.c. Put an arrow pointing upward next to encouraging verses.d. Put an arrow pointing downward next to verses which weigh

us down in our spiritual race.e. Put a star next to verses containing important truths or major

points. n Meditate on what you have read (In one sentence, write the main

thought). Here are some suggestions as guidelines for meditating on God’s Word:

my personalprayer journal

daily prayer list date|request date|answer

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Family

Christian Friends

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date|request

date|request

date|answer

date|answer

daydate|request

date|request

date|answer

date|answer

Unsaved Friends

missionaries

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sunday

Some people just can’t get enough! That is why we haveseveral dimensions in the Word of Life Quiet Time.

Along with the daily reading, content and applicationquestions for each day, two reading programs are given tohelp you understand the Bible better. Choose one or both.

Reading Through theNew Testament Four Times In One Year

Turn the page and discover a schedule that takes youthrough the New Testament four times in one year.

This is a great method to help you see the correlationof the Gospels and other New Testament books.

Reading Through theWhole Bible In One Year

Turn another page and find a program of several pages thatwill guide you through a chronological reading of the

entire Bible. Follow this schedule and you will move fromGenesis through Revelation in one year.

The Choice is Up to YouWhether you have a short quiet time, a quiet time withmore scripture reading or one with a mini-Bible studyeach day, we trust your time with God will draw you

closer to Him in every area of your life.

something for everyone

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Read through the new testament four times in one year

o Matthew 1-3o Matthew 4-6o Matthew 7-9o Matt. 10-12o Matt. 13-15o Matt. 16-18o Matt. 19-21o Matt. 22-24o Matt. 25-26o Matt. 27-28o Mark 1-3o Mark 4-5o Mark 6-8o Mark 9-11o Mark 12-14o Mark 15-16o Luke 1-2o Luke 3-5o Luke 6-7o Luke 8-9o Luke 10-11o Luke 12-14o Luke 15-17o Luke 18-20o Luke 21-22o Luke 23-24o John 1-3o John 4-5o John 6-7o John 8-10o John 11-12o John 13-15o John 16-18o John 19-21o Acts 1-3o Acts 4-6o Acts 7-8o Acts 9-11o Acts 12-15o Acts 16-18o Acts 19-21o Acts 22-24o Acts 25-26o Acts 27-28o Romans 1-3

o Romans 4-6o Romans 7-9o Romans 10-12o Romans 13-16o 1 Cor. 1-4o 1 Cor. 5-9o 1 Cor. 10-12o 1 Cor. 13-16o 2 Cor. 1-4o 2 Cor. 5-8o 2 Cor. 9-13o Galatians 1-3o Galatians 4-6o Ephesians 1-3o Ephesians 4-6o Philippians 1-4o Colossians 1-4o 1 Thes. 1-3o 1 Thes. 4-5o 2 Thes. 1-3o 1 Timothy 1-3o 1 Timothy 4-6o 2 Timothy 1-4o Titus 1-3o Philemono Hebrews 1o Hebrews 2-4o Hebrews 5-7o Hebrews 8-10o Hebrews 11-13o James 1-3o James 4-5o 1 Peter 1-3o 1 Peter 4-5o 2 Peter 1-3o 1 John 1-3o 1 John 4-5o 2 Jn, 3 Jn, Judeo Revelation 1-3o Revelation 4-6o Revelation 7-9o Rev. 10-12o Rev. 13-15o Rev. 16-18o Rev. 19-22

o Matthew 1-3o Matthew 4-6o Matthew 7-9o Matt. 10-12o Matt. 13-15o Matt. 16-18o Matt. 19-21o Matt. 22-24o Matt. 25-26o Matt. 27-28o Mark 1-3o Mark 4-5o Mark 6-8o Mark 9-11o Mark 12-14o Mark 15-16o Luke 1-2o Luke 3-5o Luke 6-7o Luke 8-9o Luke 10-11o Luke 12-14o Luke 15-17o Luke 18-20o Luke 21-22o Luke 23-24o John 1-3o John 4-5o John 6-7o John 8-10o John 11-12o John 13-15o John 16-18o John 19-21o Acts 1-3o Acts 4-6o Acts 7-8o Acts 9-11o Acts 12-15o Acts 16-18o Acts 19-21o Acts 22-24o Acts 25-26o Acts 27-28o Romans 1-3

o Romans 4-6o Romans 7-9o Romans 10-12o Romans 13-16o 1 Cor. 1-4o 1 Cor. 5-9o 1 Cor. 10-12o 1 Cor. 13-16o 2 Cor. 1-4o 2 Cor. 5-8o 2 Cor. 9-13o Galatians 1-3o Galatians 4-6o Ephesians 1-3o Ephesians 4-6o Philippians 1-4o Colossians 1-4o 1 Thes. 1-3o 1 Thes. 4-5o 2 Thes. 1-3o 1 Timothy 1-3o 1 Timothy 4-6o 2 Timothy 1-4o Titus 1-3o Philemono Hebrews 1o Hebrews 2-4o Hebrews 5-7o Hebrews 8-10o Hebrews 11-13o James 1-3o James 4-5o 1 Peter 1-3o 1 Peter 4-5o 2 Peter 1-3o 1 John 1-3o 1 John 4-5o 2 Jn, 3 Jn, Judeo Revelation 1-3o Revelation 4-6o Revelation 7-9o Rev. 10-12o Rev. 13-15o Rev. 16-18o Rev. 19-22

Weeks1-13 Weeks14-26

romans

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IntroductionBible Book

The author of Romans is Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. He writes to Gentile believers in the city of Rome, although he had not yet visited Rome, and the people he addresses by name are friends he met elsewhere. The book is dated A.D. 57 and would have been written from Corinth on Paul’s third missionary journey. In the book, we can see Paul’s desire to move his base to Rome for westward expansion (toward Spain). The end of the Book of Acts found Paul under house arrest in Rome. From a few statements in the New Testament and the consistent teachings of the early church fathers, Paul was apparently released from that house imprisonment. Tradition says Paul not only made it to Spain but also to the farthest reaches of the Roman Empire, such as Great Britain. The Book of Romans has been called the “Foundation of Christian Theology,” the “Cathedral of the Christian Faith,” the “Constitution of Christianity,” and the “Masterpiece of the Apostle Paul.” It had a profound impact on Martin Luther and the Reformers. Historian Philip Schaff said, “It is the most remarkable production of the most remarkable man. It is his heart. It contains his theology, theoretical and practical, for which he lived and died. It gives the clearest and fullest exposition of the doctrines of sin and grace and the best possible solution of the universal dominion of sin and death in the universal redemption by the second Adam.” John Calvin testified: “If man understands it, he has a sure road open for him to the understanding of the whole Scripture.”

Romans and Colossians are the only letters written to churches Paul had not visited. In Romans, he quotes extensively from the Old Testament, referring to fifty-six passages, as opposed to forty-seven in his other twelve epistles total (excluding Hebrews, which has thirty-nine and whose authorship is disputed). There is a particular emphasis on Isaiah and the Psalms. Compared to other New Testament books, only Matthew uses more, with sixty-seven in one book, although Luke in his two works (Luke and Acts) quotes sixty-nine. The book of Romans is powerful for its tightly reasoned presentation of salvation. The Greek language (as opposed to the picturesque Hebrew language) was ideally suited to this kind of theological discussion. Paul was also ideally suited, both because of his Jewish training (he would have held the equivalent of a doctorate degree in both religious studies and law and was certainly fluent in at least three languages) and also because he was the man chosen to bring “Jewish” salvation to the Gentile world. In the book, we find the atmosphere of the arena, forged in the heat of debate!

Theme of Romans: “The Righteousness of God” Chapters 1-3: “The need for God’s righteousness”Chapter 4: “The provision of God’s righteousness”Chapters 5-8: “The results of God’s righteousness”Chapters 9-11: “The defense of God’s righteousness”Chapters 12-16: “The application of God’s righteousness.”

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pray

Paul is convinced that we are not only conquerors but “hyper conquerors.” In Latin, that is “super” conquerors. Super men and women in, through, and for Jesus Christ!

In Romans Paul demonstrates that the law is powerless to help us obey God. Since we are also powerless, the result is that instead the law acting as a balloon lifting us to God, the law becomes an anchor sinking us deeper into sin. Once we acknowledge our helpless condition and call out to God for saving grace, the Holy Spirit empowers us, even praying for us when our own prayers fail. “Intercession” in verse 27 means “falls in with while walking for the sake of making a request.” Paul continues with the emphasis that the power of salvation is totally of God. Our responsibility is just to believe that He can and will save us. After that, our daily relationship is one of continuing to believe, and act, that He is the source of our power to overcome sin. Paul logically traces the steps from our unsaved state all the way into the glorification of eternity. In verse 29, the Greek word foreknow is made of two parts: fore means “ahead of time” and

know refers to “intimate knowledge,” such as “Adam knew his wife, and she bore Cain.” In the Greek language foreknow does not mean “know ahead of time” like it could in English, but rather “to set love upon ahead of time.” It is only used of people in the Bible. Acts 2:23 shows God’s decision to love us even when He knew men would crucify His Son. In verse 29, “predestined” means “to mark out boundaries ahead of time.” The goal of this process is that we be “conformed” (the words with and to morph [shape]) into the image of God’s perfect Son.

Netherlands – For those crossing social and cultural barriers trying to spread the Gospel to the lesser reached people.

Romans 8:26-39What is the writer saying?

How can I apply this to my life?

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Theology is fun to discuss, but there comes a point when we have to fall silent and let God be God. Notice Paul’s warning: “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?” We may not understand or see God’s way as fair, but we must honor God and His Word.

God’s election does not force an individual to behave in a certain way. In Exodus, before God hardened his heart, Pharaoh had already hardened his own heart, as 1 Samuel 6:6 explains. Therefore in verses 19-22, Paul argues that man is still fully responsible. In verse 23, he argues that those of us who are elect have been prepared by God for salvation, a positive action. On the other hand, in verse 22, those who demonstrate they are not elect by never getting saved are fitted for destruction, but the verses don’t say this negative action is by God. The verb is in the middle and passive form. If translated as a middle voice, then “they fitted themselves.” If taken as a passive, then “they were fitted.” Thus, it does not specify who did soothe fitting for destruction. In verse 25, Paul refers to the prophet Hosea (Osee), who had a child named

lo-ammi, which is Hebrew for “not my people.” In Hosea, it referred to God’s rejection of unfaithful Israel. However, the “not my people” period will one day become the ammi (“my people”) period. Likewise in Isaiah (Esias) 62:4, Israel was lo-hephzibah in her rebellious state but through God’s saving grace would one day become hephzibah (“beloved”). The concept of the “remnant” (v. 27) occurs frequently in the Old Testament prophets. In Isaiah 7:3, Isaiah had a son symbolically named Shear-jashub—“only a remnant shall return.” Left to themselves, Old Testament Israel (and all men as well) would constantly rebel and end up utterly destroyed by God’s judgment, as were Sodom and Gomorrah. Election, then, is a positive doctrine (unto salvation) not negative (rejected to damnation).

Cuba – Fruitfulness and a greater area of outreach for the Christian radio feeds out of Latin America.

Romans 9:17-33What is the writer saying?

How can I apply this to my life?

49s a t u r d a y

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The centuries seem to roll by lazily, but here we are 2,000 years after Christ, and Israel is still a nation. God is poised to bring them to Himself despite centuries of rejecting Jesus of Nazareth.

Paul identifies himself as the “apostle of the Gentiles.” This is significant, not just for his argument in chapter 11, but also for God’s whole plan for human history. Why did God choose Paul to write thirteen books of the New Testament and explain “the mystery of the church”? Didn’t Christ pray all night before choosing the twelve disciples? Didn’t He spend three and a half years training them? Why would He then choose an outsider and spend another three years training him (as Paul explains in his testimony in Galatians)? Answer: The twelve disciples were trained to offer the Messianic Kingdom. Their message in the Gospels was: “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Paul, on the other hand, was chosen when the Jews rejected the spiritual requirements of the kingdom. He explains and leads a new entity—the church. In verse 15, “life from the dead” implies that although it seems impossible now, eventually the Jews

will come to Christ. In verse 16, the “firstfruit” and “root” refer to the start of the Chosen People with the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). Paul then develops the image of an expert orchard farmer who selects hardy root stock for his fruit trees and then grafts in a different kind of branch to produce sweeter, more prolific, or better fruit. The church, with its Gentiles, is like a “wild” olive tree that has been grafted onto the fat [rich] root of the Jews. We benefit for now, but someday God will remove the church (in the Rapture and then in the ensuing apostasy of the remaining professing church) and will graft back into the rich root the branches He had originally designed for His olive tree.

China – For the failure of all government attempts to impose false doctrine on registered churches.

Romans 11:13-24What is the writer saying?

How can I apply this to my life?

50w e d n e s d a y

It is easy to become a Christian. It is hard to become Christ-like! How can you “build up” other Christians today?

W e d n e s d a y 51Romans 15:1-13What is the writer saying?

How can I apply this to my life?

Paul encourages believers to follow Christ’s example in considering the welfare of others before their own. The “ought” of verse 1 is a moral imperative; we are duty-bound and honor-bound to do this as children of the king, for the “edification” or house-building of fellow believers. Christ should be our example of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others (v. 3). The word “learning” in verse 4 refers to formal learning. “Patience” comes from a compound Greek word that combines under with to abide. Proper edification allows us to hold up under stress. The word for “comfort” (v. 4) is the famous word parakaleo, from which we get a title for the Holy Spirit, Paraclete. “Para” means “alongside of,” as in parallel. “Clete” comes from kaleo which means “to call.” The Holy Spirit and the Scriptures are both one called alongside of another to help.

In verses 9-12, Paul reminds us that he is the apostle to the Gentiles and that he is writing to Gentiles. He quotes four Old Testament passages (2 Samuel 22:50 and Psalm 18:49; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 117:1; Isaiah 11:10). All four are quoted word-for-word from the Greek copy of the Old Testament (as opposed to Paul freely translating the Hebrew into Greek), as these Greek readers would be more familiar with the Greek copy of the Old Testament (this also is a practical illustration that “inspiration” extends to the translations of the original text as well). It is important to Paul for these Gentile Romans to know that God envisioned them coming to Christ even as He chose and worked through the Jews in the Old Testament. In fact, God always intended the Jews to be a missionary force to bring the Gentiles to God (Ex. 19:6).

pray Thailand – For believers to stand strong in a land where more people earn their living through crime than honest labor.

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Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15

Week 16

Week 17

Week 18

Week 19

Week 20

Week 21

Week 22

Week 23

Week 24

Week 25

Week 26

Aug 29 – Sep 4

Sep 5 – Sep 11

Sep 12 – Sep 18

Sep 19 – Sep 25

Sep 26 – Oct 2

Oct 3 – Oct 9

Oct 10 – Oct 16

Oct 17 – Oct 23

Oct 24 – Oct 30

Oct 31 – Nov 6

Nov 7 – Nov 13

Nov 14 – Nov 20

Nov 21 – Nov 27

Nov 28 – Dec 4

Dec 5 – Dec 11

Dec 12 – Dec 18

Dec 19 – Dec 25

Dec 26 – Jan 1

Jan 2 – Jan 8

Jan 9 – Jan 15

Jan 16 – Jan 22

Jan 23 – Jan 29

Jan 30 – Feb 5

Feb 6 – Feb 12

Feb 13 – Feb 19

Feb 20 – Feb 26

Psalms 104:1-105:45

Psalms 106:1-108:13

Psalms 109:1-113:9

2 Corinthians 1:1-4:18

2 Corinthians 5:1-8:24

2 Corinthians 9:1-13:14

1 Samuel 1:1-9:27

1 Samuel 10:1-17:16

1 Samuel 17:17-20:42

2 Samuel 5:1-23:7

James 1:1-3:10

James 3:11-5:20

Proverbs 21:1-23:25

Proverbs 23:26-25:28

1 Peter 1:1-3:7

1 Peter 3:8-5:14

Luke 1:1-2:14

Luke 2:15-4:15

Luke 4:16-6:26

Luke 6:27-8:15

Luke 8:16-9:50

Luke 9:51-11:28

Luke 11:29-13:9

Luke 13:10-15:32

Luke 16:1-18:43

Luke 19:1-21:4

The following chart is provided to enable everyone using Word of Life Quiet Times to stay on the same passages. This list also aligns with the daily radio broadcasts.

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Week 27

Week 28

Week 29

Week 30

Week 31

Week 32

Week 33

Week 34

Week 35

Week 36

Week 37

Week 38

Week 39

Week 40

Week 41

Week 42

Week 43

Week 44

Week 45

Week 46

Week 47

Week 48

Week 49

Week 50

Week 51

Week 52

Feb 27 – Mar 5

Mar 6 – Mar 12

Mar 13 – Mar 19

Mar 20 – Mar 26

Mar 27 – Apr 2

Apr 3 – Apr 9

Apr 10 – Apr 16

Apr 17 – Apr 23

Apr 24 – Apr 30

May 1 – May 7

May 8 – May 14

May 15 – May 21

May 22 – May 28

May 29 – June 4

Jun 5 – Jun 11

Jun 12 – Jun 18

Jun 19 – Jun 25

Jun 26 – Jul 2

Jul 3 – Jul 9

Jul 10 – Jul 16

Jul 17 – Jul 23

Jul 24 – Jul 30

Jul 31- Aug 6

Aug 7 – Aug 13

Aug 14 – Aug 20

Aug 21 – Aug 27

Luke 21:5-23:12

Luke 23:13-24:53

Ezekiel 1:1-11:25

Ezekiel 12:17-20:16

Ezekiel 20:17-33:20

Ezekiel 33:21-37:14

Ezekiel 37:15-47:12

Philippians 1:1-2:23

Philippians 2:24-4:23

Isaiah 1:1-9:7

Isaiah 10:16-26:21

Isaiah 28:5-35:10

Isaiah 40:1-44:24

Isaiah 45:5-49:26

Isaiah 50:1-57:21

Isaiah 58:1-66:24

Psalms 114:1-119:8

Psalms 119:9-119:64

Psalms 119:65-119:120

Psalms 119:121-119:176

Romans 1:1-3:20

Romans 3:21-6:23

Romans 7:1-9:33

Romans 10:1-12:21

Romans 13:1-16:27

Hosea 3:4-14:19