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July 26

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THE STONE IN ZION

From: July 26, 2025

“As it is written, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’” (Romans 9:33 ESV).

The apostle Paul quoted from Isaiah to show that Christ, the promised “stone” laid by God in Zion, had become both a stumbling block and a saving foundation. Israel, pursuing righteousness by works of the law, stumbled over Him. But the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained it by faith. The “stone” is Christ Himself. To those who believe, He is the secure foundation. But to those who reject Him, He becomes a scandal, a cause of falling. Paul used this Scripture to show that Israel’s rejection of Christ was not a failure of God’s Word, but a fulfillment of it.

We often think that religious zeal or moral effort is the pathway to God, but Paul reminds us that righteousness comes only through faith in Christ. Many still stumble over Jesus today, offended by grace, preferring to earn their standing. But the gospel leaves no room for boasting—only belief. Christ is the cornerstone God Himself laid. We must build our lives on Him by faith. As believers, we can rest in the promise that we will not be put to shame. Though the world may reject or ridicule our trust in Christ, God has guaranteed that those who believe will be saved. Let us not stumble in unbelief or self-reliance, but continue to trust in the One who will never fail us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for laying a stone in Zion, a sure foundation in Christ. We believe in Him and rest in Your promised salvation. Keep us from stumbling through pride or unbelief. Help us to proclaim Christ boldly, even when others are offended by Him. For His is the only name by which we may be saved. Let our lives be built on the solid rock of Your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.

HOW TO BE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD

From: July 26, 2024

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 ESV).

The apostle Paul explained that being made right with God could not be achieved through trying to keep the law. For all have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard of righteousness (Rom. 3:23). Yet the righteousness of God has been revealed in Jesus Christ. So although righteousness cannot be achieved through self-effort, it can be received by faith in Jesus, the righteous Son of God.

How is this righteousness received? How can we be made right with God? By faith, by believing in the One whom God has sent (John 6:29). Namely, we must believe in Jesus. So, what does this faith, this believing in Jesus look like?

First, it means to “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.” Confessing means to agree that Jesus is Lord, that He is the Son of God and therefore the King and Master of your life. Confessing with your mouth means to say it aloud, professing Jesus publicly.

Second, it means to “believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead.” This means that you believe the facts of the gospel that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. You believe that as a fact.

Finally, this “righteousness based on faith” (Rom. 10:6) promises that “you will be saved.” Saved from what? The wages of sin, which is death. And not only that, but by faith you receive the free gift of God, which is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:23).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we have confessed and believed and we have received by faith Your salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. You have exchanged our sin for His righteousness and our death for His eternal life. We freely and openly confess and proclaim that Jesus is Lord to everyone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

TEACHING THE WORD TO EVERYONE EVERYWHERE

From: July 26, 2023

“They took copies of the Book of the Law of the Lord and traveled around through all the towns of Judah, teaching the people” (2 Chronicles 17:9 NLT).

In the third year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign, he sent out teachers of God’s Word to teach all the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat took delight in the Lord and led his people to follow Him. And so, the fear of the Lord fell on the surrounding peoples so that they didn’t attack Judah, but instead brought tribute and gifts.

How important it is for a leader (king, president, pastor, or parent) to make sure those under their leadership are taught the Word of God. A family or nation grounded in God’s Word will prosper. One that fails to pass on the knowledge of God’s Word to the next generation, will not prosper.

How many generations must come and go before the knowledge of God’s Word is lost? Only one.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for Your Word. For it is light to our path and food for our souls. Even more, we thank You for Your Living Word, Jesus Christ. For we have received salvation through faith in Him. Strengthen us now to teach Your Word and proclaim Your gospel to everyone, everywhere. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm” (Psalms 20:1 NLT).

From: July 26, 2022

DON’T FACE TROUBLE ALONE

Is anyone in trouble? Cry out to the Lord. You don’t have to face trouble alone. For the Lord will answer those who call on His name.

Yet, we often try to keep our trouble to ourselves. We say, “I got this.” When we know that we don’t. Rather than turning to the Lord, we try to manage things in our own wisdom and strength. And more often than not, we get ourselves even deeper into trouble.

How do we begin to trust the Lord with our troubles? The first step is to admit that we have them. Admitting our trouble to ourselves and to Him is often the most difficult part. But we must admit that we have a problem that we are powerless to overcome.

Next, we call on the Lord. By what name should we call? Call out to Jesus. For as the apostle Peter preached, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Act 4:12). And as the apostle Paul wrote, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13).

We don’t have to face our trouble alone. We can call on Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we need You today. We call upon the name of Jesus today to help us face the trouble of this day. We know that the future is in Your hands, so we don’t worry about that. The trouble of today is enough. Strengthen us and keep us safe in Your arms today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“They taught throughout Judah, having the book of the Lord’s instruction with them. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people” (2 Chronicles 17:9 HCSB).

From: July 26, 2021

TEACHING THE WORD TO EVERYONE

King Jehoshaphat began his reign well by sending out teachers of God’s Word to teach all the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat took delight in the Lord and led his people to follow Him. And so, the fear of the Lord fell on the surrounding peoples so that they didn’t attack Judah, but instead brought tribute and gifts.
 
How important it is for a leader (king, president, pastor, or parent) to make sure those under their leadership are taught the Word of God. A family or nation grounded in God’s Word will prosper. One that fails to pass on the knowledge of God’s Word to the next generation, will not prosper.
 
How many generations must come and go before the knowledge of God’s Word is lost? Only one.
 
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for Your Word. For it is light to our path and food for our souls. Even more, we thank You for Your Living Word, Jesus Christ. For we have received salvation through faith in Him. Strengthen us now to teach Your Word and proclaim Your gospel to everyone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God” (Romans 10:4 NLT).

From: July 26, 2019

CHRIST IS THE CONSUMMATION OF THE LAW (Or how Christ is God’s “10-4” to us)

If God’s law cannot save, what good is it? There are at least three good purposes for God’s law and they all point to Christ:
 
THREE “R”s OF THE LAW: (OR “P”s)
1) Reflect our guilty condition (Like a Perfect mirror).


2) Restrain our sinful behavior (Like a Prison guard).

3) Reveal our need for a Savior (Like a Pedagogue).

 
So, the law is good and useful, but it cannot save. Only faith in Christ saves and empowers us to produce a harvest of righteousness in His name. For Christ is the end goal of the law.
 
In CB parlance, “Ten-Four” means, “affirmative, yes.” In God’s Word, Romans “10:4” says that Christ is God’s “yes” to those that believe.
 
PRAYER: Father, thank You that Jesus is the answer to our sin problem. For Christ has paid the price that the law required on our behalf. Hallelujah! Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death. Christ Jesus is our righteousness, making us right with You, Father, so that we have become Your children. Now, help us to walk in the freedom of Your Spirit today, no longer under the law but under grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God” (Romans 10:4 NLT).

From: July 26, 2018

CHRIST, THE END GOAL OF THE LAW
Romans chapter 9 explained how God chose the Jews according to His own mercy and divine will, not according to any willing or working on their parts (Rom. 9:16). Now in chapter 10, Paul explains that even though God had selected the Jews to receive His law, and even more, that they were selected to be the people to which the Promised Seed, Jesus Christ, was given, this special selection of God did not negate the requirement that they must believe in Christ in order to be saved. Their selection did not negate their responsibility to believe.
 
Now everyone, whether Jew or Gentile, can be made right with God through faith in Christ Jesus, His Son.

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you” (Psalm 20:1 NKJV).

From: July 26, 2017

Is anyone in trouble? Call on the Lord. But by what name should one call? Call out to Jesus. “For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Act 4:12). For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13).

“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1 ESV)

From: July 26, 2016

Paul continued to express his desire that the Jewish people believe in Christ for their salvation. This was his constant prayer. Do you know someone that needs the Lord for which you are moved in such a way? Have you considered praying for an unreached people group that has never heard the gospel? You can find a list here: https://joshuaproject.net

“So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people” (2 Chronicles 17:9 NKJV)

From: July 26, 2015

King Jehoshaphat began his reign well by sending out teachers of God’s Word to teach all the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat took delight in the Lord and led his people to follow Him. And so, the fear of the Lord fell on the surrounding peoples so that they didn’t attack Judah, but instead brought tribute and gifts. How important it is for a leader (king, president, pastor, or parent) to teach those under their care the Word of God. A nation or family grounded in God’s Word will prosper. One that departs from it will end up like King Ahab who did not heed the Word of the Lord.