Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

In Chapter 11, Paul gives us the depiction of an olive tree. The natural branches represent the chosen nation of Israel. The wild olive branches grafted into this tree represent the Gentiles. Paul explains God’s mercy through this visual. This olive tree stems from a holy root, thereby making the branches holy. It is important to remember that the branches are insignificant without the nourishment provided by the holy root. It is through God’s rich mercies that we have access to His holiness and righteousness.

I am the oldest of three boys. My younger brothers were friends with a kid named Tony who grew up in a Buddhist home. Through an invitation, he started coming to church, and he became a part of our lives. It was not unusual to come home and see little Tony sitting on your couch, eating your food. It was not uncommon to wake up in the morning and go to the bathroom only to find the door locked because Tony was in there. It was not uncommon across several families in the Dixie community to find Tony in that home as a guest. I would venture to say he was more beloved in my own home than I was. Tony would later go on to accept Christ and have a huge impact on his circle of friends, youth in the church, and generally, everyone he now encounters on a daily basis. He is a branch that has been grafted into the family. I am grateful for his testimony, my own, and many others, and I am thankful for God’s mercy and grace.

Verse 35-36 says “Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” As I experience gratitude for the stories of my brothers and sisters in Christ as well as my own, it is not merely my gratitude for what He has done that motivates my obedience. I find that my gratitude for what is to be done is just as important, if not more so. We can ask ourselves the question, “God has done so much in your life, but what have I done lately to repay Him?” We couldn’t possibly begin to repay Him because he already owns all we have to give Him. Grace is not a business transaction. It is given freely to us. GRATITUDE looks back to the grace that has been given to us while FAITH looks forward to the grace promised in the future. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.” Our obedience to Him comes from gratitude for what He has done but also in trusting God for more grace. Lord knows we need it.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Take a few moments to reflect on the grace God has given you in your life which you are grateful for. Meditate on the promises of grace to come.
• Prayer: God, we are thankful to have been grafted into Your love and mercy. Thank You for Your mercies that are new every day. Help the grace You’ve given us to motivate and fuel our conversations with those who don’t know You. Let the stories of our lives that You’ve written help author the stories of those to whom you are still writing. We love You. Amen.

Family Devo: Romans 11

By: Cody Smith

When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.

Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset

Head:

In Romans Chapter 11, we discover more about God's plan for both the Jewish people and the Gentiles. The apostle Paul explains that even though some of the Jewish people did not believe in Jesus, it doesn't mean that God has rejected them. Paul uses the example of the prophet Elijah to show that there are still faithful followers of God among the Jewish people. He tells us that God has a plan to bring both Jews and Gentiles together in faith.

Heart:

As we read about God's plan for the Jewish people and the Gentiles, our hearts should be filled with gratitude and awe. We can see that God's love and mercy extend to all people. Just like God was faithful to the Jewish people throughout history, He is also faithful to us. It reminds us that God's plans are perfect, and we can trust Him completely. We can appreciate the diversity of God's family, made up of people from different backgrounds and cultures, all united through faith in Jesus Christ.

Hands:

Knowing that God's love and mercy are for everyone, let's live with open hearts and open hands. We can show love and kindness to people from different backgrounds, treating them with respect and acceptance. Let's also pray for the salvation of the Jewish people, that they may come to know Jesus as their Savior. We can actively participate in God's mission by sharing the Good News of Jesus with others, including our Jewish friends and neighbors. By doing so, we become ambassadors of reconciliation and love, reflecting God's heart to the world.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your plan to bring all people together in faith through Jesus Christ. Help us to appreciate the diversity of Your family and treat others with love and respect. We pray for the salvation of the Jewish people, that they may come to know Jesus as their Messiah. Guide us as we share the Good News with others, that Your kingdom may grow. In Jesus' name, amen.