Weekly Reflection and Scripture Tags

By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

"That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith."

We Need One Another

As a servant of Jesus Christ called to share the gospel through the lens of spiritual warfare, I never want to place myself above those I serve.

Paul’s message to the Roman church has taught me so much about humility in my walk with Jesus.

Can you see Paul’s humility in this week’s Scripture?

Paul was an apostle. God had given him

That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

Weekly Scripture Romans 1:12 NIV

By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong…"

Paul’s Desire Was to Strengthen Others

As I study Romans, Paul challenges me again to see my journey with Jesus through Jesus’ eyes.

One of the many lessons I have learned is that Paul’s ministry was focused on the community of faith. His longing to visit the church in Rome stemmed from his desire to help believers grow stronger in their faith.

We see that same

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong…

Weekly Reflection Romans 1:11 NIV

By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

The Power That Saves

Have you ever taken time to consider why the Word of God continually reminds us that Jesus came to save us?

Why do we need the gospel to save us, and from whom?

My friend, when people seek to be saved, it is because they are trapped or in a situation where they are not safe. So

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Weekly Reflection Romans 1:16 NIV

By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

“God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you…”

Notice Paul’s words:

“God, whom I serve in my spirit…”

Paul’s ministry was not merely an occupation, a religious responsibility, or a public platform.

He served God from the depths of who he was.

And what was at the center of his service?

“…preaching the gospel of his Son.”

Jesus Christ was

God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you.

Weekly Reflection Romans 1:9 NIV

By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith."

Deep-Seeded Love

Have you ever loved someone so deeply that your heart longed simply to be with them?

As I read Romans 1:10–14, I am deeply moved by Paul's love for the believers in Rome. Although he had never met many of them, they were continually on his heart. He prayed for them, longed to visit them, and desired to

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

Weekly Reflection Romans 1:11–12 NIV

By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world."

As I reflected on Romans 1:8, two lessons immediately stood out to me.

Gratitude…

Paul did not praise the Roman believers for their wealth, influence, or accomplishments. Instead, he thanked God through Jesus Christ, acknowledging that every good thing in them was the result of God's grace.

What a reminder for us.

How often do we

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

Weekly Reflection Romans 1:8 NIV

By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

"And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ."

Your identity matters

Have you ever wondered if you truly have a place in God's Kingdom?

Romans 1:6 answers that question with beautiful hope. Paul reminds the Gentile believers that they, too, were called to belong to Jesus Christ. They were not forgotten, excluded, or second-class citizens in God's family.

My friend, that same invitation is extended to us today.

And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Weekly Reflection Romans 1:6 NIV

By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God."

Identity Before Ministry

When you hear the word ministry, what comes to mind? Do you immediately think of a church, an organization, or a formal position?

My friend, if you have renounced the enemy and made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, then your life has become a ministry that exists to glorify God.

As we journey through the book of Romans over the coming

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.

Weekly Reflection Romans 1:1 NIV

By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

"We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.  I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.  I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

...

By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Pause for a moment. Let that sink in.

Powerless.
Ungodly.
Sinners.

That is where His love met us.

Not when we had it together.
Not when we were righteous.
Not when we were

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Weekly Reflection Romans 5:6-8 NIV