Romans 12:16-17 - Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
Message: Do not be self-focused, but thing about others and what is best for them.
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome
What the Lord is Saying:
I continue to walk rather slowly through these marks of what it means to be a Christian. As is Paul's custom throughout this book, he repeats. There are similar ideas here in some of these phrases, and yet differences.
Be of the same mind toward one another
This is an interesting phrase to me. I am to live in harmony with other people. If Paul is mentioning this here, like this, then my guess is this is not necessarily natural. It is tragic because, on the surface, it appears that many Christians do not live like this toward other people. Instead, I see a policeman mentality so much of the time with ministers of the gospel policing what is truth. It seems like Christians become the judge in society for what should be right and wrong. Is that our role? Are we to take on an offensive attitude? Yes, we are to defend our faith, but it seems that defense takes on the form of separation.
Could it be that we are not of the same mind because we are not bathing ourselves in the Word of God like he expects of Christians? And so being of the same mind is harder.
I just think this is a hard principle. I feel like in this section of scripture Paul is writing characteristics of the Christian and what it means to be a Christian. He has gone through the Law and Grace and the theology of Grace, but now he gets to direct application.
To be honest, I think this is a phrase that is easy to say, but hard to extrapolate the exact meaning. Yes, it is important for me to live in harmony with other people. There should be peace, kindness, unity in feeling, interests and objection. I mean, in some ways, Pamela and I had to leave Hoffmantown because we started to realize that we were having a really hard time with this idea. We were not of the same mind with the people in that church. It was like they were at one place and we were some place very different. I do not think that I was just trying to get my way. But, I did feel like because there was such a separation of thought that it was not doing any good for us to be there. It was doing more harm than good.
In marriage, I see that Pamela and I are of the same mind. Do we agree on everything? No. Do we do things the same way? No. But, we believe in the marriage and our children. We are focused on making it all work. We have the same objective and so we can work through all the situations. We are not giving up even though at times we feel like giving up. I think the Spirit is alive in our marriage. I think the unity we share in Christ allows the Spirit of God to work through both of us and cements us together. Being of the same mind is possible, but it is definitely only possible when God's Spirit is at the helm and is allowed to work.
Do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly
I am not to be arrogant in actions, but even in my mind. I am not to conduct myself in such a way as to make myself out to be more important than others. The Christian should not put forth the idea that because they are saved, because God has rescued them and made them holy, that they are somehow better than others.
I think this is a real danger of a believer. I think because of their understanding they make themselves out to be superior to other people. But that misses a right understanding of the gospel because we are not in the faith we are because of our righteousness, but God has grafted us in, and so we are to give Him all the glory.
And the complement of this thought is I am to associate with the lowly. Boy, this is hard when you are not accustomed to this. That I should go out of my way to associate with the lowly and who would be the lowly? If it is the homeless guy on the corner, asking for money ("Will work for food") then how do I associate with him? Do I take him out to eat? Could I spend more time with the lowly and bring them into my home?
Do not be wise in your own estimation
I should not put myself up on a pedestal. I am not to uphold myself as being the wise one. In this statement is an attitude of boasting in myself. Proverbs 3:7 states something similar: "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil." A part of this is don't think that you know what other people are going through when you haven't gone through what they are going through. Don't assume that you know another person's perspective.
I think I make assumptions about people's faith sometimes because of the label I place on them. I am learning to not do this. Every person has a different story. Each person has a different testimony of how they came to Christ and so each person will also have a different story as to how they have not come to Christ.
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone
I am never to pay back evil for evil. To me, this is a statement that separates Christians from other major religions. I see this statement, but I admit, it is a hard one to follow, even in my own household. When I have been wronged or even when evil has been committed against me; when I have been shunned at work; when I am made to look like a fool; when I am not respected; when my authority is questioned; my natural inclination is to do something or say something toward that other person that discredits them. Again, Paul doesn't give commands that are natural to follow. He recognizes here that it is somewhat normal to pay back evil for evil.
How often have I heard the phrase, "I am going to get even with you?" As I watch movies and TV shows it is most often the reason behind the show. In crime shows, it is not just that a person will be caught for a crime they committed, but someone how something will happen to them that will try to equal the evil that they did.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:39, "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."
Matthew 5:44, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
So, what is my response to evil? It is to continue doing good. I think the mark of a Christian is his response to circumstances. My faith is not to waiver. I am to stand trusting in God no matter what. Romans 12:21 says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Good is to rein in my life. As trials come, as hard times appear, as things occur that I don't understand, and when things well up inside of me, my response is simple, I am to remain doing the things that I do on any other day. I am to rise and surrender myself to the Lord and accept what He provides. I need to re-train myself in this way. I am too quickly trained to react and respond based upon what the world is training me.
Respect what is right in the sight of all men
The word respect is an interesting one. I think there is an idea in this word that means to "stop." I think there is this idea that before you respond or react in a way that is natural to you, I am to think before. I am to observe in advance. I am to notice beforehand or plan before. Again, I see a big failure in my life in this over and over. The moment I feel attacked I immediately respond. I don't think. And yet this is what I need to do. I need to stop and think about how to respond and then do it in a way, that if I were to line up a string of people from all walks of life and ask them all what they would do, there would be a right way of doing things and the majority would respond to that situation in that way. I am to do what is right in the sight of all men.
Promise: I must live my life God's way. I am not live in a way that is natural to me.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Romans 12:14-15 - Rejoicing with Others
Romans 12:14-15 - 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Message: Thinking of others as more important than yourself
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
Thus far
I continue to walk through these admonitions in Romans 12; Paul is encouraging me to walk in the Light. The life of a Christian is not an easy road. God asks me to do things that are against my nature. As trials come my way, I am not to immediately seek an escape route, but instead persevere (verse 12); I am to look to serve those in the Body (verse 13); and I am to go out of my way to show love to strangers (verse 13); I am to share a brotherly love with people of all different walks of life (verse 10); I am to continue to hate what is evil (verse 9). God is tasking me to live a different way. As a Christian I should stand out and be distinct. I am to be in the world, but not of the world (John 17).
The response to being persecuted
These words are of the same thought of Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount that when an evil person slaps us on the cheek, we are to turn the other cheek to him also. We are not to fight fire with fire. Jesus also said in Matthew 5:44 to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Jesus on the cross said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
In some ways, it is hard to see myself experiencing persecution because of my faith, but I do receive persecution at times. Sometimes it is not from an enemy, but I do have unwelcome things happen in my life. I may have a boss or leader that makes me look foolish or calls out my sin in public. At home, I have a child that talks back to me or a wife that doesn't respect my words. At the mall, I may have a person that doesn't agree with me. I have entitled this section, "The response." My response many times to people is out of anger. I feel attacked. People don't place importance on things like I do. My kids don't listen to my words. They don't respect my view nor my rules or parameters. And yet they expect what is important to them to be important to me. It hurts and often my words in response to them are cutting and demeaning and not kind. I belittle them. I exasperate them. I do not bless them. I am receiving a curse often and I am not responding correctly.
I wish I could turn a switch and have people be more responsive. I think this is often why I like work. People want to do a good job at work, for the most part. They want to do a good job for me. They want to please me. They want me to think highly of them. I get respect at work. I have a title as a manager and that means something to my employees.
I do not have a title at home and I don't feel like my children desire to please me. I think when they do well, they look for my approval or praise, but they don't seek out my joy. It is the not the reason they do things. That is hard. And that response by them often moves me to curse them and belittle them and be sarcastic. And yet, they are the most important people in my life and I am to bless them, even when they don't bless me. I am to respond to them correctly. I am not to feel attacked.
I just don't live in that world much. I do not get respect much at home. I feel often like I am just an innocent bystander and that I just live in my world and do things that I like and should not try to make what is important to me important to others. I am very weak and I need God's strength if I am going to make it.
Rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep
On the same tone, Paul encourages me to celebrate other people's victories. And when a person weeps, I am to weep. I am to come alongside others. I don't mind weeping with those that weep because none of us want to weep and to see someone hurting, I want to naturally help them. But, boy is it hard to rejoice when someone else is rejoicing. It is a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am always in competition mode, with family members, with neighbors, with co-workers, with everyone. I am in this mode of good things happening to me and not to others. Often, when another person gets a new car, it hurts. Why not me? When a person has a nice yard, I wonder why I don't. Even when their grass is growing nicely, I am bothered mine doesn't. I hear of the victories and accomplishments of their children and wonder why mine are not star performers. It is hard to rejoice with others that are rejoicing. It is hard to hear about someone getting an amazing deal on a car. With this too, I don't have the strength and I need God's help.
Promise: I must cultivate a joyful attitude that celebrates when others succeed and receive the things I most want for ourselves. Only the Holy Spirit can enable me to do this, and He will do so as I call upon His assistance.
Message: Thinking of others as more important than yourself
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
Thus far
I continue to walk through these admonitions in Romans 12; Paul is encouraging me to walk in the Light. The life of a Christian is not an easy road. God asks me to do things that are against my nature. As trials come my way, I am not to immediately seek an escape route, but instead persevere (verse 12); I am to look to serve those in the Body (verse 13); and I am to go out of my way to show love to strangers (verse 13); I am to share a brotherly love with people of all different walks of life (verse 10); I am to continue to hate what is evil (verse 9). God is tasking me to live a different way. As a Christian I should stand out and be distinct. I am to be in the world, but not of the world (John 17).
The response to being persecuted
These words are of the same thought of Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount that when an evil person slaps us on the cheek, we are to turn the other cheek to him also. We are not to fight fire with fire. Jesus also said in Matthew 5:44 to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Jesus on the cross said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
In some ways, it is hard to see myself experiencing persecution because of my faith, but I do receive persecution at times. Sometimes it is not from an enemy, but I do have unwelcome things happen in my life. I may have a boss or leader that makes me look foolish or calls out my sin in public. At home, I have a child that talks back to me or a wife that doesn't respect my words. At the mall, I may have a person that doesn't agree with me. I have entitled this section, "The response." My response many times to people is out of anger. I feel attacked. People don't place importance on things like I do. My kids don't listen to my words. They don't respect my view nor my rules or parameters. And yet they expect what is important to them to be important to me. It hurts and often my words in response to them are cutting and demeaning and not kind. I belittle them. I exasperate them. I do not bless them. I am receiving a curse often and I am not responding correctly.
I wish I could turn a switch and have people be more responsive. I think this is often why I like work. People want to do a good job at work, for the most part. They want to do a good job for me. They want to please me. They want me to think highly of them. I get respect at work. I have a title as a manager and that means something to my employees.
I do not have a title at home and I don't feel like my children desire to please me. I think when they do well, they look for my approval or praise, but they don't seek out my joy. It is the not the reason they do things. That is hard. And that response by them often moves me to curse them and belittle them and be sarcastic. And yet, they are the most important people in my life and I am to bless them, even when they don't bless me. I am to respond to them correctly. I am not to feel attacked.
I just don't live in that world much. I do not get respect much at home. I feel often like I am just an innocent bystander and that I just live in my world and do things that I like and should not try to make what is important to me important to others. I am very weak and I need God's strength if I am going to make it.
Rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep
On the same tone, Paul encourages me to celebrate other people's victories. And when a person weeps, I am to weep. I am to come alongside others. I don't mind weeping with those that weep because none of us want to weep and to see someone hurting, I want to naturally help them. But, boy is it hard to rejoice when someone else is rejoicing. It is a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am always in competition mode, with family members, with neighbors, with co-workers, with everyone. I am in this mode of good things happening to me and not to others. Often, when another person gets a new car, it hurts. Why not me? When a person has a nice yard, I wonder why I don't. Even when their grass is growing nicely, I am bothered mine doesn't. I hear of the victories and accomplishments of their children and wonder why mine are not star performers. It is hard to rejoice with others that are rejoicing. It is hard to hear about someone getting an amazing deal on a car. With this too, I don't have the strength and I need God's help.
Promise: I must cultivate a joyful attitude that celebrates when others succeed and receive the things I most want for ourselves. Only the Holy Spirit can enable me to do this, and He will do so as I call upon His assistance.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Jesus Calling: March 17
Come to Me for understanding, since I know you far better than you know yourself. I comprehend you in all your complexity; no detail of your life is hidden from Me. I view you through eyes of grace, so don't be afraid of My intimate awareness. Allow the light of My healing Presence to shine into the deepest recesses of your being--cleansing, healing, refreshing, and renewing you. Trust Me enough to fully accept the full forgiveness that I offer you continually. This great gift, which cost Me My Life, is yours for all eternity. Forgiveness is at the very core of My abiding Presence. I will never leave you or forsake you.
When no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Me. Rejoice in the One who understands you completely and loves you perfectly. As I fill you with My Love, you become a reservoir of love, overflowing into the lives of other people.
Psalm 139:1-4
English Standard Version
English Standard Version
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
English Standard Version
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
Joshua 1:5
English Standard Version
English Standard Version
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
My Prayer
You know me better than I know Myself. That is a comfort and tells me I can trust You. You know everything about me. Nothing ever changes.
(3/17/18) Lord, the way in which you know me actually makes me nervous. I suppose I don't understand how you love me and accept me and why you chose me because I know me. I know my selfishness and I know how much I love it when I get things my way. But, Lord, because of this You remind me here Lord that if there is anyone I can run to in my life, it is You. For instance, Lord, right now I am struggling at work, as a manager of 10 people, there are several people that are just not getting along. It feels like a power struggle. They are different people with different personalities and Lord, it seems that every thing I try does not work out. I find myself asking the HR person, asking other managers I know, thinking a book will help -- perhaps those things will help, but today, reading this, it reminds me that I have not talked to You about it. And yet, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. You know me. I see that now. Forgive me for now coming to you as a last resort. But, I know now you only want me to come to you. Lord, help me. I want your wisdom first. I want to be guided by You first. Lord, I do not know what to do, but You know me. You know the person I am and so I come to You. Direct my path and direct my words. I depend on You, Jesus.
Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.
(3/17/18) Lord, the way in which you know me actually makes me nervous. I suppose I don't understand how you love me and accept me and why you chose me because I know me. I know my selfishness and I know how much I love it when I get things my way. But, Lord, because of this You remind me here Lord that if there is anyone I can run to in my life, it is You. For instance, Lord, right now I am struggling at work, as a manager of 10 people, there are several people that are just not getting along. It feels like a power struggle. They are different people with different personalities and Lord, it seems that every thing I try does not work out. I find myself asking the HR person, asking other managers I know, thinking a book will help -- perhaps those things will help, but today, reading this, it reminds me that I have not talked to You about it. And yet, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. You know me. I see that now. Forgive me for now coming to you as a last resort. But, I know now you only want me to come to you. Lord, help me. I want your wisdom first. I want to be guided by You first. Lord, I do not know what to do, but You know me. You know the person I am and so I come to You. Direct my path and direct my words. I depend on You, Jesus.
Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Jesus Calling: March 16
It is good that you recognize your weakness. That keeps you looking to Me, your Strength. Abundant life is not necessarily health and wealth; it is living in continual dependence on Me. Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold, relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing. This mind-set will free you to enjoy Me and to find what I have planned for you to do. This is far better than trying to make things go according to your own plan.
Don't take yourself so seriously. Lighten up and laugh with Me. You have Me on your side, so what are you worried about? I can equip you to do absolutely anything, as long as it is My will. The more difficult your day, the more I yearn to help you. Anxiety wraps you up in yourself, trapping you in your own thoughts. When you look to Me and whisper My Name, you break free and receive My Help. Focus on Me, and you will find Peace in My Presence.Philippians 4:13
Amplified Bible
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
Proverbs 17:22
English Standard Version
A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
My Prayer
Lord, you remind me that it is in my weakness You are strong. Living in the world, I tend to define a great life by being healthy and/or being wealthy, but rather it is being In Christ and living my life depending on You Lord. It is in my weakness Lord that you are more clearly seen. Help me to not think that I should flee from things that make me uncomfortable. Lord, I don't want to live in fear, so impress on Me the victory I have in You. Lord, I can accept any situation and be content in it, not because I am special or have great peace of mind, but because You give me strength.
Lord, help me to laugh more and not to take each moment so serious. There is joy in you. You tell me not to worry about anything, but rejoice always. Help me to get my focus on You and not on my circumstances. You are a great God and I can find Peace in Your Presence.
Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.
Lord, help me to laugh more and not to take each moment so serious. There is joy in you. You tell me not to worry about anything, but rejoice always. Help me to get my focus on You and not on my circumstances. You are a great God and I can find Peace in Your Presence.
Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.
Jesus Calling: March 14
Do not hesitate to receive Joy from Me, for I bestow it on you abundantly. The more you rest in My Presence, the more freely My blessings flow into you. In the Light of My Love, you are gradually transformed from glory to glory. It is through spending time with Me that you realize how wide and long and high and deep is My Love for you.2 Corinthians 3:18
Sometimes the relationship I offer you seems too good to be true. I pour My very Life into you, and all you have to do is receive Me. In a world characterized by working and taking, the admonition to rest and receive seems too easy. There is an intricate connection between receiving and believing: As you trust Me more and more, you are able to receive Me and My blessings abundantly. Be still, and know that I am God.
New American Standard Bible
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Ephesians 3:17-19
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Ephesians 3:17-19
English Standard Version
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Psalm 46:10
English Standard Version
“Be still, and know that I am God.
What the Lord is Saying to Me
Life is redefined when we walk in the Presence of the Lord. The key here that is mentioned is a life that is in Christ sees life different and experiences life differently. As we spend time in His word we get to know the Lord more and become stronger with Him. And so life is defined not so much by what we experience day by day living in the world, but by who we are in Christ.
It is a true that the life in Christ seems too easy at times. In this world everything comes with a price and with hard work. And what Christ offers He offers as a free gift. And He tells us to rest. Yes, we are to work and live daily with Him, but we are also to rest and trust Him with the toils of that day we are resting.
My Prayer
Lord, you remind me of the importance each day of knowing simply that you are God. You want me to know this each day. You are God. I am not. And because of this I can overcome the world. I can be exalted. There is a desire in me to be great, but my greatness is in relation to who I am in Christ. This is the fulness of God. Let my goal in life be You and living in You.
Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.
Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.
English Standard Version
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
I will be exalted in the earth!”
What the Lord is Saying to Me
Life is redefined when we walk in the Presence of the Lord. The key here that is mentioned is a life that is in Christ sees life different and experiences life differently. As we spend time in His word we get to know the Lord more and become stronger with Him. And so life is defined not so much by what we experience day by day living in the world, but by who we are in Christ.
It is a true that the life in Christ seems too easy at times. In this world everything comes with a price and with hard work. And what Christ offers He offers as a free gift. And He tells us to rest. Yes, we are to work and live daily with Him, but we are also to rest and trust Him with the toils of that day we are resting.
My Prayer
Lord, you remind me of the importance each day of knowing simply that you are God. You want me to know this each day. You are God. I am not. And because of this I can overcome the world. I can be exalted. There is a desire in me to be great, but my greatness is in relation to who I am in Christ. This is the fulness of God. Let my goal in life be You and living in You.
Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.
Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Romans 12:12-13 - Hope and Hospitality
Romans 12:12-13 - 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Message: We have hope; we can persevere in trials, being devoted to prayer and serving one another.
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
Background
And the life of the Christian continues. But remember, this chapter begins with me presenting myself to God, as holy. And this presentation, I am deemed acceptable. And my life presented to Him is a life of being transformed by the renewing of My mind. It is the life of the Christian, before God, that has a transformed mind. In Christ, I am to be renewed. And I need this daily renewal in my life for the ways of the world are contrary to the ways of God. The way of the world is the way of man. I must remember always that my focus is not to be on myself and what I want, but it is to be focused on others and their needs. I am to have the right perspective in life and that is a perspective of seeing myself the way the Lord sees me.
I am to be a member of the Body of Christ and be focused on using the Gift the God has given me.
Thus far, I am encouraged to
I have hope. God promises that we will have hope. I think the great thing about hope is realizing that God has a plan for my life. He sees beyond my circumstances. One of the challenges of raising children that I see more and more is that our children live each moment, in the moment. They struggle with any foresight. They don't see nor understand consequences. They only know "right now." It is a challenge each day to help them see beyond the moment. My youngest son, Derek, has such great difficulty with this. All that he can see is right now and whatever "right now" is presenting to himself, that is what he wants. Right now could be a friend calling and wanting him around, even though he has a school assignment due. Right now could be church that we as a family have committed to go to, but he had some late nights and wants to just sleep. Right now can at times be a school project or assignment that is due tomorrow and so everything must be put aside to complete it tonight. His world is so focused on the now and he can't see beyond that. What a comfort it is that God sees beyond our circumstances. We may be caught up in the momentary problems of "now," and in the trials that we are facing that seem larger than life, but he wants us to rejoice in Hope.
[My one big concern with my children right now is how much of their life is focused on themselves and pleasing their own needs. There lives are lived more and more as "me-focused" people. There seems to be an even greater of focus in their lives of entertaining themselves and that life is simply about having fun.]
This is interesting about these commandments or life instructions that Paul is giving. So far, the focus of them has been about not thinking about me and my needs and my current circumstances, but to focus on others. I am to love others with a love that is focused on them. I am to think more high highly of other people and to serve them.
Hope is the lifeline of the Christian..
Persevering in Tribulation
Trials are often longer than momentary. Trials often have tenure. And so we need perseverance. Once again, we can look at the world and we can see how we are trained now to end trials as soon as they happen. When we have a hurt, we go to urgent care or we go the emergency room. When I was a kid, going to the emergency room never happened. If we had a serious problem, we would just go to the doctor or wait for our doctor appointment, but now we go to the emergency room or urgent care for immediate response. No longer can we wait to be seen the next morning or next day, if something occurs in the middle of the night we can be seen immediately.
In addition, we have medicines to care for any sort of ailment that may come our way. We take these medicines in large quantities so that we can continue on in our lives and in our normal routines. We have become completely adverse to experiencing trials and if they come, we try to get them to end ASAP.
But trials are still inevitable. They still come our way. And Paul lets us know that we need to persevere through those trials. Here in these verses Paul links our rejoicing in hope with our persevering in trials. The way we make it through the trial is by having hope. It is to rejoice in our future. See, even here, in the trials we experience, we are being trained by the world to instead have self-reliance. That we make it through these times through self-effort. We are obsessed with diagnosing problems now so that life can continue uninterrupted.
It really makes me thing what are the trials that I am experiencing right now in my life. What am I doing right now that would allow me to have hope and focus me on perseverance?
Hope, Perseverance and Prayer
Paul once again shows a link between these three disciplines of our lives. Romans 5:3-5, "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." I remember this passage and Paul reminding us that the Christian actually has a sort of privilege in life for being about to have tribulations. It is actually a special thing and not something we are to run or flee from in our life. In trials, we have perseverance, which builds our character and focuses us on hope.
And then he groups these three together again in Romans 8:24-26, "For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Hope and perseverance and once again inter-woven. They work together and this also moves us to pray with the Spirit interceding for us.
Contributing to the Needs of the Saints
Galatians 6:10 expresses, "So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." The cry of my heart is to be crying out for others in my life. Recently, I have been spending time helping out with the meals at home. My wife feels bad though I remind her she has done it for the last 23 years and now I am just doing it for the last 2 weeks. I am getting into it. It takes time. And I guess it takes time from other things, but it is enjoyable because there is the knowledge that I am serving others.
I was reminded of this yesterday in the message I heard. How are we opening our lives to others? Are we having people over to eat? Who are we including in our lives? I notice how Pete and Schea do this with international students. We have opportunities. We need to make opportunities. We are too focused on just surviving.
Practicing Hospitality
This is literally the love of strangers. This one really stretches the comfort zone because we often, or at least I often, flee from strangers. I have people in my circle of influence that I may give the time of day, but reaching out to strangers and then thinking about the extra step of practicing hospitality and having warmth and love for them is something quite different. Yet, this is my calling. As I spoke to friends about earlier this morning, we are to look for opportunities to share God's truth with others. Lord, I need your help. Show me these opportunities and give me the strength to talk to people and then take the extra step of showing them love.
Promise: God will give me the strength to persevere through trials and show me how I can be an encouragement to others and show hospitality to friends and strangers.
Message: We have hope; we can persevere in trials, being devoted to prayer and serving one another.
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
Background
And the life of the Christian continues. But remember, this chapter begins with me presenting myself to God, as holy. And this presentation, I am deemed acceptable. And my life presented to Him is a life of being transformed by the renewing of My mind. It is the life of the Christian, before God, that has a transformed mind. In Christ, I am to be renewed. And I need this daily renewal in my life for the ways of the world are contrary to the ways of God. The way of the world is the way of man. I must remember always that my focus is not to be on myself and what I want, but it is to be focused on others and their needs. I am to have the right perspective in life and that is a perspective of seeing myself the way the Lord sees me.
I am to be a member of the Body of Christ and be focused on using the Gift the God has given me.
Thus far, I am encouraged to
- Have a love without hypocrisy. My love is not to be two-faced or self-seeking.
- I am to hate what is evil. I am to abhor it and to have a rotten taste in my mouth from it.
- I am to cling to what is good.
- I am to think more of others, loving my fellow man, and honoring that person.
- I am to be a servant
I have hope. God promises that we will have hope. I think the great thing about hope is realizing that God has a plan for my life. He sees beyond my circumstances. One of the challenges of raising children that I see more and more is that our children live each moment, in the moment. They struggle with any foresight. They don't see nor understand consequences. They only know "right now." It is a challenge each day to help them see beyond the moment. My youngest son, Derek, has such great difficulty with this. All that he can see is right now and whatever "right now" is presenting to himself, that is what he wants. Right now could be a friend calling and wanting him around, even though he has a school assignment due. Right now could be church that we as a family have committed to go to, but he had some late nights and wants to just sleep. Right now can at times be a school project or assignment that is due tomorrow and so everything must be put aside to complete it tonight. His world is so focused on the now and he can't see beyond that. What a comfort it is that God sees beyond our circumstances. We may be caught up in the momentary problems of "now," and in the trials that we are facing that seem larger than life, but he wants us to rejoice in Hope.
[My one big concern with my children right now is how much of their life is focused on themselves and pleasing their own needs. There lives are lived more and more as "me-focused" people. There seems to be an even greater of focus in their lives of entertaining themselves and that life is simply about having fun.]
This is interesting about these commandments or life instructions that Paul is giving. So far, the focus of them has been about not thinking about me and my needs and my current circumstances, but to focus on others. I am to love others with a love that is focused on them. I am to think more high highly of other people and to serve them.
Hope is the lifeline of the Christian..
Persevering in Tribulation
Trials are often longer than momentary. Trials often have tenure. And so we need perseverance. Once again, we can look at the world and we can see how we are trained now to end trials as soon as they happen. When we have a hurt, we go to urgent care or we go the emergency room. When I was a kid, going to the emergency room never happened. If we had a serious problem, we would just go to the doctor or wait for our doctor appointment, but now we go to the emergency room or urgent care for immediate response. No longer can we wait to be seen the next morning or next day, if something occurs in the middle of the night we can be seen immediately.
In addition, we have medicines to care for any sort of ailment that may come our way. We take these medicines in large quantities so that we can continue on in our lives and in our normal routines. We have become completely adverse to experiencing trials and if they come, we try to get them to end ASAP.
But trials are still inevitable. They still come our way. And Paul lets us know that we need to persevere through those trials. Here in these verses Paul links our rejoicing in hope with our persevering in trials. The way we make it through the trial is by having hope. It is to rejoice in our future. See, even here, in the trials we experience, we are being trained by the world to instead have self-reliance. That we make it through these times through self-effort. We are obsessed with diagnosing problems now so that life can continue uninterrupted.
It really makes me thing what are the trials that I am experiencing right now in my life. What am I doing right now that would allow me to have hope and focus me on perseverance?
- There are financial woes at the moment. It seems we go from expense to expense. Right now, it is medical expenses and ACT prep. We aren't giving nor saving right now. And I'm working hard to make sure we spend a small amount of money each week on groceries.
- Work is a constant trial. I feel so overloaded with all the work I have to do. And with Dawn's status being uncertain, it is creating further stress.
Devoted to Prayer
This is obviously a believer's continual ambition to have this attitude. Can anyone say they are completely satisfied with their prayer life? The more it is done, the more it is seen it needs to be done. This is one of those disciplines where I have no idea what it means to have success. I guess you could say I am committed to prayer and devoted to the notion that prayer changes lives. But, I cannot say my life mirrors a lot of praying.
I know there are evenings when I think that we could be praying as a family or as a couple. I have tried this at times and it meant other things in the evening had to be temporarily set aside. But that time of praying didn't remain a part of our evenings. I get discouraged when I think I am the only one that wants it to happen. I get discouraged because urgent matters are always arising and taking the place of that time.
I took a moment to pray today as I drove in to work. I didn't cover a lot of subjects, but I did take the time to pray. So, it just seems that there is a move from taking time to praying being a continual attitude and part of my lifestyle.
I think the reason prayer is important is it gets our focus off of ourselves and the belief that our plans or how we spend our time daily is what is most important and it shifts our life over to God so that we can begin to see that He is most important. It is a time of surrendering to God and recognizing that only He can help.
And maybe the real focus here is that tribulation should drive me to prayer. I do hear this from a lot of people. I hear often from people that when they are experiencing something difficult they say, "Would you pray for me?" I hope this means that we believe God will help and not simply be one of many assists in the ordeal. God should be it.
Hope, Perseverance and Prayer
Paul once again shows a link between these three disciplines of our lives. Romans 5:3-5, "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." I remember this passage and Paul reminding us that the Christian actually has a sort of privilege in life for being about to have tribulations. It is actually a special thing and not something we are to run or flee from in our life. In trials, we have perseverance, which builds our character and focuses us on hope.
And then he groups these three together again in Romans 8:24-26, "For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Hope and perseverance and once again inter-woven. They work together and this also moves us to pray with the Spirit interceding for us.
Contributing to the Needs of the Saints
Galatians 6:10 expresses, "So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." The cry of my heart is to be crying out for others in my life. Recently, I have been spending time helping out with the meals at home. My wife feels bad though I remind her she has done it for the last 23 years and now I am just doing it for the last 2 weeks. I am getting into it. It takes time. And I guess it takes time from other things, but it is enjoyable because there is the knowledge that I am serving others.
I was reminded of this yesterday in the message I heard. How are we opening our lives to others? Are we having people over to eat? Who are we including in our lives? I notice how Pete and Schea do this with international students. We have opportunities. We need to make opportunities. We are too focused on just surviving.
Practicing Hospitality
This is literally the love of strangers. This one really stretches the comfort zone because we often, or at least I often, flee from strangers. I have people in my circle of influence that I may give the time of day, but reaching out to strangers and then thinking about the extra step of practicing hospitality and having warmth and love for them is something quite different. Yet, this is my calling. As I spoke to friends about earlier this morning, we are to look for opportunities to share God's truth with others. Lord, I need your help. Show me these opportunities and give me the strength to talk to people and then take the extra step of showing them love.
Promise: God will give me the strength to persevere through trials and show me how I can be an encouragement to others and show hospitality to friends and strangers.
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