I have started studying the book of Romans during my devotional time. I have preached on various passages from the book of Romans over the years, but I have never done a complete sermon series on this particularly book. As with the other books of the New Testament attributed to the Apostle Paul, this took the form of a letter that Paul wrote to the church. In this case, it was a letter written to Christians in Rome. Paul desired to go to Rome personally to teach and to preach, but because of active threats to his personal safety, Paul knew that the trip he desired to make, may not come to pass. With that in mind, God led Paul to write this letter to the Christians in Rome. As with Paul’s letters to other churches, Paul’s desire was to glorify God and to instruct, inform, and encourage the readers of this letter. This week as I reflected on Paul’s reason for writing this letter, I was reminded of what the Bible says in Proverbs 16:9:

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Sometimes there are things that we desire to do, things that we want to say, and people that we want to see. And although we may make plans to do and say those things at a later time, we cannot be sure when or if those things will come to pass. As James said, “You never know what life will be like tomorrow. This life is like a vapor, it appears for a little while, and then vanishes away.” We never know what tomorrow may bring. If the Lord has placed someone or something on your heart, prayerfully seek God’s direction on the steps He would have you take today in order to begin to fulfill those things which He has placed on your heart.