Romans: Grace and Peace to You

Romans starts off with Paul sending grace and peace to you! Even though this book was written to Christians over 2000 years ago, it is also directly written to you.

We are studying Romans through Bible Journaling. That means that we are utilizing creativity to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to us today. You don’t have to be all that creative or artistic at all.

We will look at six passages from the Romans Bible Reading Plan. I’ll share a creative illustration and devotional from each day on the plan.

I invite you to journal along with me. You might do some Scripture Writing one or two verses, write out what is happening in the passage, and then share how you can apply it to yourself.

Lastly, you might want to try your hand at creative journaling. You might even try copying my pictures or let them inspire you to draw your own version.

Remember that my creative side lay dormant for years and years. I never drew anything since I was in grade school! You can do this too!

6 Creative Journaling Art Examples

Here are 6 creative journaling art examples. My intention is that these examples are pretty simple for you to duplicate or find your own inspiration.

The ‘font’ of my Scripture Writing is mostly my own handwriting except for the first example. I want to encourage you to use your own style . . . even if you feel that your handwriting is messy. That’s OK. Many fonts are sort of messy.

Did you miss Studying Romans Through Bible Journaling? Download the Romans Bible Reading Plan!!

Are you studying Romans along with us? I hope so! You’ll find six devotionals below to challenge you to walk and spend time with Jesus.

GRACE and PEACE to YOU

To ALL who are in Rome BELOVED of God, CALLED to be SAINTS:

Grace to YOU and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7 *emphasis are mine*

I love how many (or all?) of Paul’s epistles start by using the words grace and peace. I often read these two words over and over as I start a new book.

I will be sharing from the wonderful book of Romans. I always feel inadequate to express my thoughts about my time with Jesus.

I hope my journaling art and short devotionals will encourage you to search for God with all your heart along with me.

Grace and peace from me to YOU!

PRAYING for YOU WITHOUT CEASING!

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, Romans 1:8-9

Paul had never met those who lived in Rome but he longed to go and meet them. He prayed for them without ceasing.

Do you pray for missionaries whom you have never met?

Do you tell your children, grandkids, or children in your life about those who live in other countries and who reach out to those who are lost? (Romans 8:8-9)

I probably have never met you! I have only met a few in Jesus Journaling at some point in my life. I pray for you often and hope you pray for me also.

Do you tell others about Jesus in the ‘world’ where you live?

We all live in different towns and many of you live in different continents and countries.

We can all share Christ with those around us. Even Facebook can be our mission field (whether Facebook likes it or not)!

Do you share graphics or your journaling on Facebook occasionally?

It can be a way for you to be a digital missionary when you are unable to leave your home out due to in-climate weather, health, living in the country as I do, or because you are at home with your children.

Today:

• Pray for your sisters in Christ!
• Share Christ with your world!

THERE IS NO EXCUSE!

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans :24-25

Also Read: Romans 1:18-32

This is a very sobering passage and not the kind I normally like to journal about. I’d prefer more joyful ones with a happy ending.

If you’ve ever wondered why someone will go to hell when it is possible that they might not know the redemptive truth about Jesus . . . this passage will give you a clear answer.

Each person who has ever lived has seen evidence of God in nature. Even His invisible attributes are clearly seen.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Romans 1:20

Do you agree?

Do you feel more compelled to tell others about Jesus and what He did for them?

Is God’s FAITHFULNESS Without EFFECT?

CERTAINLY NOT!

For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:

“That You may be justified in Your words,
And may overcome when You are judged.” Romans 3:3-4

Some people do not believe in God at all. Maybe there have been times when you’ve struggled with doubt and your belief in God.

Even if someone does not believe in God, it doesn’t change that what His Word says is true.

What God did for us by dying on the cross is true whether a person disbelieves he ever died for their sin.

When you struggle with doubt, go to verses like this one in Romans or John 3:16 and be reassured that he indeed did die for you!!

My explanation of these verses is simple and not in detail like some who are more able to expound on the Bible.

God wanted the Bible to be simple enough for you and me to grasp as the Holy Spirit opens our hearts to receive it.

What can you add to Romans 3:1-8? Do you see anything else that you’d like to share?

All Because of Grace!

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

If this verse stood alone we would be forever lost and headed for an eternal hell.

Instead, if you accept what Jesus did for you on the cross, there is redemptive grace in the presence of God for all eternity in heaven with Jesus!

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Romans 3:24

We have grace and peace because God sent Jesus to die for our sins!

Believe As Abraham Did!

What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.  For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”  Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. Romans 4:1-4

Do you believe as Abraham did?

Read these verses and insert YOUR NAME where it says, Abraham.

Ask God to help your faith to grow so it is like Abraham’s faith.

Write the verse on a few Sticky Notes and put them on a few mirrors in your home. This will remind you to have faith like Abraham when you see yourself in the mirror!

I’ll be sharing about Romans each week. Stay tuned!

How can I pray for you?

Did you miss Studying Romans Through Bible Journaling? Download the Romans Bible Reading Plan!!