OceanSide church of Christ

Read devotionals for August 2026

September 1, 2026

Romans 11:14 – If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Thought: The word “emulation” is not commonly used. Strong defines the word as: “to stimulate alongside” or “to excite to rivalry.” Paul was having great success in his mission of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. It was his hope that this would “provoke to emulation them which are my flesh,” that is, the Jews. Paul thought that seeing the Gentiles accept the Christ would cause the Jews to be exited to rivalry and some would be saved.

Acts 21:17-20

September 2, 2026

Romans 11:15 – For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall be the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

Thought: The gospel was spoken to the Jews first. The gospel was first preached in Jerusalem and then in Judea. However, the Jews did not readily accept the Christ. Thus, the apostles turned to the Gentiles. Paul noted that this “casting away” of the Jews brought reconciliation to the world. Paul now imagined what would happen if the Jews turned to the Christ. “What shall the receiving of them be?” He answers: “…but life from the dead.”

Acts 9:31

September 3, 2026

Romans 11:16 – For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Thought: Paul uses two illustrations to make an important point. The firstfruits were the first yields of a harvest. These were to be dedicated to God as an offering. If the firstfruits were holy, then the lump, that is, the remaining portion of the harvest was holy also. The same was true with a root. If it were holy, the branches were holy as well. The Jews had their fruitsfruits as converts to Christianity. Others could obey and be accepted as well.

Acts 2:41

September 4, 2026

Romans 11:17 – And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, were graffed in among them, and with them partest of the root and fatness of the olive tree.

Thought: Paul describes the conversion of the Gentiles to Christianity in a very unique way. He reveals that they were a wild olive tree. There was a time when they were not the people of God at all. However, after the Jews rejected the gospel, presented here as branches that were broken off, the Gentiles were offered the gospel. Thus, the wild olive tree was graffed into a relationship with God. They became partakers of the root and fatness of the olive tree.

Acts 10:44-48

September 5, 2026

Romans 11:18 – Boast not thyself against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

Thought: Because the Jews rejected the Christ, the Gentiles were given a wonderful opportunity to be grafted into the vine. Their acceptance could cause them to be lifted up and boast against the branches, the Jews. Paul warns them against this. They were blessed, but they were not the source of their blessing. They did not bear the root. The root bore them. That root was Jesus Christ. Self-perspective is important as a child of God.

John 15:5

September 6, 2026

Romans 11:19 – Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

Thought: The Gentiles might continue to point to the fact that the Jews had rejected the Christ and were broken off. Now the Gentiles were the people of God. This was a true statement. However, it was very narrow in its outlook. If this thought alone filled the minds of the Gentiles, they were putting their own salvation at risk. Paul will develop this risk in the verses to follow. At times, God’s people must zoom out to see the entire narrative.

Isaiah 55:8-9

September 7, 2026

Romans 11:20 – Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear.

Thought: At this time in the early church, the Jews were broken off because of unbelief. On the other hand, the Gentiles had been grafted into the church because they accepted Jesus by faith. There was certainly a stark contrast between the two people. Yet, Paul warns the Gentiles, saying: “Be not highminded, but fear.” The Christian life must be lived with alertness and vigilance. Satan is subtle. We must make our calling and election sure.

2 Peter 1:10

September 8, 2026

Romans 11:21 – For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Thought: In the first century, there was hostility between the Jews and Gentiles. Neither had fellowship with the other. When the Jews rejected the Christ, the Gentiles were given the opportunity to obey the gospel. Roles were now reversed. The Gentiles were now the people of God. This could have caused them to become highminded. Therefore, Paul warned them that “if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”

Jude 1:5

September 9, 2026

Romans 11:22 – Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Thought: When the church was established, and the apostles carried out the Great Commission, the goodness and severity of God was manifested. On them that fell, that is, the Jews, the severity of God was demonstrated. On them that put faith in the Christ, that is, the Gentiles, the goodness of God was poured out. However, the Gentiles were to continue in God’s goodness. “…otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” God requires faithfulness.

Colossians 1:21-23

September 10, 2026

Romans 11:23 – And they also, if they abide still not in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in.

Thought: Paul continues to hold out hope to the Jews. He states: “…if they abide still not in unbelief, shall be grafted in.” God’s plan of salvation was designed for both Jews and Gentiles to be branches in the true vine, Jesus Christ. It is interesting that the Jews needed to be “grafted in.” Just because they were the chosen under the Law did not automatically make them children of God under the New Covenant. The Jews had to trust and obey.

2 Corinthians 3:14-16

September 11, 2026

Romans 11:24 – For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

Thought: Paul warned the Gentiles about gloating over their being grafted into the vine while the Jews had been cast off. It was not that God intentionally cut off the Jews. They cut themselves off when they refused to accept the Christ and His righteousness found in the gospel. Even at the time of this writing, it was still possible for the Jews to be grafted in. If the wild olive branches, the Gentiles, were grafted in, the natural branches could be also.

Acts 19:8-10

September 12, 2026

Romans 11:25 – For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, unto the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Thought: The word “mystery” in the Bible is an interesting term. It involves something that had been hidden in the past, but is now revealed. Paul exhorts the Gentiles not to be wise in their own conceits. Yes, the Jews had been blinded to the truth. This blindness did open doors to the Gentiles. However, many Jews would eventually have their spiritual eyes opened, and they would obey the gospel. God often uses unique events in special ways.

Philippians 1:12-13

September 13, 2026

Romans 11:26 – And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.

Thought: The gospel was not prepared for one group of individuals. The good news of salvation in Christ is for all men, including the Jews. Their rejection of the plan did not mean that God would never save them. They could be saved in the same manner the Gentiles were saved, through faith in Christ and obedience to the truth. “And so” (in like manner) all Israel shall be saved. Paul establishes this fact by quoting Isaiah 59:20.

Isaiah 59:20

September 14, 2026

Romans 11:27 – For this is my covenant unto them, I shall take away their sins.

Thought: When a Jew sinned under the Law of Moses, there was no forgiveness under that covenant. The blood of bulls and goats could not remove sin. Each year on the Day of Atonement, their sins were remembered again and again. God, therefore, promised to give them a new covenant. This covenant involved the complete removal of their sins. It was based on the precious blood of the Lamb of God. Truly, God would take away their sins.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

September 15, 2026

Romans 11:28 – As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

Thought: When the Jews rejected the gospel, they put themselves in a very unique position. Paul notes that position in this verse. To the Gentiles, they were still enemies. The refusal of the Jews to accept the Christ put them at odds with all of the Gentiles who did receive Him. The Gentiles were Christians. The Jews were not. However, in times past, the Jews had been elected by God. They were associated with many Bible greats. God truly loved them.

Deuteronomy 10:15

September 16, 2026

Romans 11:29 – For the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance.

Thought: This verse is a little confusing at first due to the use of the word repentance. Repentance can be simply defined as “a change of mind.” Thus, the word can be applied to either man or God. The Jews had rejected God’s call and His precious gifts found in the New Testament. Their rejection, however, did not cause God to change His remind regarding Israel. He would continue to seek them. He would continue to call them to faith in Christ.

Numbers 23:19

September 17, 2026

Romans 11:30 – For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief.

Thought: At the time of the writing of the book of Romans, the Jews were in unbelief about Jesus Christ and the salvation He brought to the world. Paul now reminded the Gentiles that there was a time when they did not believe in God. Romans 1:18-32 describes the thinking and behavior of the Gentiles in times past. But when Paul wrote this epistle, the Gentiles had obtained mercy. The Jews’ unbelief caused the gospel to be delivered to them.

Acts 18:5-6

September 18, 2026

Romans 11:31 – Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

Thought: The actions Paul describes are fascinating. The Jews did not believe in the Christ initially. This opened the door that allowed the Gentiles to obtain mercy. Their reception of God’s mercy, in turn, would eventually cause the Jews to come to the mercy of God found in Christ Jesus. We see God’s providence in this section of Scripture. God did not work miracles to bring these things to pass. He did not violate the freewill of Gentile or Jew.

Acts 15:7-9

September 19, 2026

Romans 11:32 – For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Thought: Salvation is found only in Christ. The only means by which it is obtained is through the gospel of Jesus Christ. For hundreds of years the Jews had been God’s chosen people. They prided themselves in being the children of Abraham. When Christ came and the new covenant was made effective, the Jews rejected the way of salvation. This rejection made them unbelievers who stood in need of Jesus’ blood. Judaism would not save them.

Galatians 3:21-22

September 20, 2026

Romans 11:33 – O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Thought: For hundreds of years God worked to bring His plan of salvation in Christ to pass. Men and angels looked upon God’s labors with a desire to comprehend His plan. When it came to fruition, it made complete sense. Too, it caused both the seen and unseen realms to stand in awe. God’s wisdom and knowledge are deep. Too, His judgments are unsearchable and His ways past finding out. Man should never doubt God, but fully trust His wisdom.

Psalm 37:5

September 21, 2026

Romans 11:34 – For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

Thought: Paul has been discussing the plan God developed to save both Jews and Gentiles. By the casting away of the Jews, the Gentiles could be saved. By the salvation of the Gentiles, the Jew would turn back to God and be saved. It was a plan of great wisdom. In the previous verse Paul acknowledged that. Now, he displays how man could have never devised such a plan. Man does not have the mind of God. No man could be His counsellor!

Isaiah 40:13

September 22, 2026

Romans 11:35 – Or who hath first given him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

Thought: For wise counsel, men will often pay large sums of money. No man, however, has ever provided counsel to God for which God stood in need to recompense. Man often believes he is wiser than God, but he is not. Man asserts he is wiser than God only to be shown his foolishness. Man declares God’s ways to be imbecilic only to see God’s wisdom showcased in the future. Man will never be wiser than God. In fact, God’s foolishness is wiser than man.

1 Corinthians 1:25

September 23, 2026

Romans 11:36 – For of him and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Thought: Everything that exists originated with God. He is the means by which all things were created. And, all of Creation is for Him. This emphasizes again the marvelous mind of God. There is not one aspect of His creation that He does not comprehend. This cannot be said of men. There is much that every human being is extremely ignorant of. God’s wisdom is rich, judgments unsearchable, and ways past finding out. To Him belongs all glory.

1 Corinthians 8:6

September 24, 2026

Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Thought: Paul has been discussing justification, righteousness, freedom, and salvation in the previous chapters. These fall into the classification of “the mercies of God.” Due to their having received these mercies, Paul exhorts the Romans to “present your bodies a living sacrifice.” God wants all of man. He wants a living sacrifice. In addition, He wants those sacrifices to be “holy” and “acceptable” unto Him. Paul notes this is a reasonable service.

Hebrews 13:15-16

September 25, 2026

Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Thought: The Christian must do the positives, but he must also refrain from the negatives. Paul exhorted the saints in Rome not to be poured into the mold of the world. Instead, they needed to transform their lives by renewing their minds. This is done by studying and applying the will of God. Their metamorphosized lives would be evidence that God’s will is good, acceptable, and perfect. Conformed? or, transformed? Those are our options.

1 Peter 1:14-16

September 26, 2026

Romans 12:3 – For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Thought: Each individual has the responsibility of developing himself into the best version of himself he can be. Each Christian is to increase his talents while he is living. Each child of God has the right to examine himself and know who he is and what he is capable of. However, no one should think “more highly” of himself that he ought to think. Instead, we must think soberly. This is done by remembering God has dealt us our “measure of faith.”

Matthew 25:14-15

September 27, 2026

Romans 12:4 – For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office.

Thought: Paul likes to use illustrations when possible. Here, he uses a physical body to illustrate the spiritual body of Jesus Christ. First, he states: “For as we have many members in one body.” How true this is. The body is literally composed of hundreds of members. Second, Paul notes that the members of the body “have not the same office.” Just a glimpse at the outside of our bodies proves this. We have eyes, noses, hands, feet, etc.

1 Corinthians 12:14

September 28, 2026

Romans 12:5 – So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Thought: The church is the body of Christ. In the body of Christ, there are many members. Thousands, even millions, of Christians are part of that body. Paul asserts that all are “members one of another.” We are many. We occupy different positions in the body of Christ, but we are all united as one body. We need each other to function properly. The body might function without one or two members, but it is not as efficient and productive.

1 Corinthians 12:20-25