TwelveTwelve: The Leader Blog of North Wake Church

Immeasurable in a Good Way Read: Romans 9:30 - 10:4 30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 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.”

Every Christian is a Divine Work of Art Read: Romans 9:14-29 (ESV) 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 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 So then it depends not on human will or exertion,[a] but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever

Read:  Romans 9:1-13 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.  6 But it is not as though the

Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding: "Christ is nigh!" it seems to say, "Cast away the dreams of darkness, O ye children of the day!" Wakened by the solemn warning, Let the Earth-bound soul arise; Christ, the Sun, all ill dispelling, Shines upon the morning skies. Lo! the Lamb, so long-expected, Comes with pardon down from Heav'n; Let us haste, with tears of sorrow, One and all to be forgiv'n. So when next he comes with glory And the world is wrapped in fear, With his mercy he may shield us, And with

Jesus: The Baby That Brings Silence Pinch yourself. Yes, that's right: as you're reading this, please just humor me and pinch yourself. Feel that bit of sting. In stories, people will pinch themselves to prove they're not dreaming, but I want you to pinch yourself to remember that you have a real human body.  What good is a human body exactly? Well, with your body you can enjoy God's creation by seeing a beautiful snowfall with your eyes. With your body, you can use your hands to do work that shows love for someone else. And with your body,

Love Came Down at Christmas By Sinclair Ferguson Read:  I Corinthians 13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude.

The Closing Arguments of All Closing Arguments Read:  Romans 8:31-39 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall

God's Grace and the Spirit's Intercession Read: Romans 8:26-30 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image