Romans 8:3-9 (NIV) CONTEXT: Romans 8 is one of the Bible's most powerful chapters. submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8  Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9  

Romans 8:9–11 (NIV) 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit Today: Hebrews 13

Micah 7:8–9 (NIV) CONTEXT: Today's passage comes at the end of a book full of judgment and lament. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. 9   Because I have sinned against him, I will bear

Titus 1:5-9 (NIV) CONTEXT: Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus are referred to as the 'pastoral epistles must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9  

Bible.com 1 Corinthians 1:4–9 (NIV) 4   I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9  

You must fulfill your vows, even if you were swindled into making it. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 101 Q. But may we swear an oath in God’s name if we do it reverently? A. Yes, when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good. Such oaths are approved in God’s Word and were rightly used by Old and New Testament believers. Summary There's a tremendous irony that unfolds in today's passage. The heathen Canaanites, the very people whom God had decreed must be wiped out because of their wickedness, are very much aware of God's mighty power in protecting and providing for His people, which is a concept the Israelites can't seem to remember for long even though they've witnessed this power with their own eyes. Neither group acts admirably in this episode. Imagine how different this story would be if the Gibeonites had submitted themselves in repentance before God. But instead, they attempt to bamboozle Him and His people. They know God's law just as well, and maybe even better than the Israelites. God had forbidden Israel from making treaties with nations within the borders of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 7:2-4), but they could enter into agreements with far off nations (Deuteronomy 20:10-11). So the Gibeonites, who lived only seven miles from the city the Israelites had just destroyed, came up with a ploy to convince Joshua they were from a 'distant country.' The Israelites are so convinced by the ruse that they didn't feel the need to inquire of the Lord for guidance before jumping into a formal peace treaty, ratified in the name of YWHW, the God of Israel. Yet because Israel had bound themselves to that sinful treaty in God's name, they were obligated to abide by it. It mattered not that they'd been lied to and that the premises of the treaty were false. Taking an oath in God's name is a serious commitment. The Israelites found out that day just how serious of a commitment it is. Dig Deeper There's lots of applicable lessons in today's passage. The Gibeonites learned that God's Law is not a tool to manipulate for your own benefit. The Israelites remind us that we should inquire of the Lord even when the path forward seems obvious. But our focus today is to be reminded of the significance of swearing an oath in God's name. This isn't something you face often, but you likely have made such vows at baptisms (either as the parent/recipient, or as a member of the congregation), your profession of faith or even your wedding. There are times, as we noted yesterday, that the government will ask you to invoke God's name to signify your truthfulness. Know that you must do all that you can to fulfill whatever you obligated yourself to in making these oaths, even if you later feel that the other parties misrepresented the premises of the deal. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, whose greatness is seen even by the pagans; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the wisdom to inquire of the Lord no matter how obvious things may seem, and for the strength to fulfill the vows you've made in His name; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - 1 Timothy 2

Revelation 22:8-9 (NIV) 8  I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 

Romans 3:9–20 (NIV) 9  What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all!

Philippians 3:7–9 (ESV) 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 

Even though we're image bearers of God, Hebrews 12:14 says that "without holiness, no one will see the