Romans 9:10-24 (NIV) CONTEXT: We began this passage yesterday.  not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What then shall we say? 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

Deuteronomy 7:7-10 (NIV) 7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. 10 Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 16: The Doctrine of Election We believe Question & answer 11 says, God is certainly merciful, but he is also just. Make sure, by the profession of your mouth and the belief in your heart (Romans 10:9) that you are in

Romans 7:18-25 (ESV) 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 15: The Doctrine of Original Sin

Colossians 2:13-14 (NIV) 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 15: The Doctrine of Original Sin

Romans 5:12-15 (NIV) 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin , and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— 13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. 15 Today: Matthew 18

Paul quotes a series of Old Testament passages from the Psalms, Proverbs, and Isaiah which together show

Genesis 2:15–17 (ESV) 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 14: The Creation and Fall of Man

Summary In this parable, Jesus picks up on the shepherd theme that David used so powerfully in Psalm Today: Revelation 16

John 10:22–30 (NIV) 22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 13: The Doctrine of God’s Providence

Job 12 (NIV) CONTEXT: Job has lost his family and his health. 10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. 11 Does not the ear test 12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? 13 “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. 14 What he tears down cannot be deceiver are his. 17 He leads rulers away stripped and makes fools of judges. 18 He takes off the shackles