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Jesus Loves you and so do I!
- dr joe
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Romans 12 NIV
The book of Romans is really a letter from Paul to the church in Rome. Although the content of this chapter is easily applied to all, sometimes in his letters the context of the specific problem is necessary to interpret the passages correctly.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. If I'd have known Jesus was going to live in and use my body I'd have taken better care of my... Wow, this is convicting for me. I have consistently chosen the pleasure of eating over the health of my body. I know God still loves me, but I want to please Him. (2) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Letting God renew your mind is an act of surrendering it to Him. (3) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (4) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (5) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (6) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. (7) If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; (8) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Don't worry about what those around you can do, God has given everyone gifts. He will use you for His great plan and purpose if you let Him. He won't make you work for Him, you have to volunteer yourself. Surrender today to Him and see what happens. (9) Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (10) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. (11) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (12) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (13) Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. GO BECKY! (14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (15) Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (16) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (17) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. Be careful with this one today! What many think is right, is far away from what God says is right. When in doubt: pray, read relevant scripture, ask someone who is a mature Christian. (18) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (19) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. (20) On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This was part of the radical teaching of Jesus. In His day many practiced "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." I can tell you from personal experience how liberating it is to let God deal with enemies. Revenge only eats you up like emotional cancer. God's way seems crazy but it works.
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Questions?
Please e-mail me with any questions about today's scripture message or anything related to the Bible or Christianity.
I might not know the answer but I'll try real hard to find it. | |
 Announcements
Lighthouse Wesleyan Church has MOVED! Sunday service is now held at the previous St. Pauls UCC on the corner of Lackawanna and Washington Streets in Wayland. GOD GAVE US A CHURCH! Service starts at 10am.
I'd love to see you there!Becky is speaking at "Ladies Night Out" at Lighthouse Wesleyan (address above) this Friday, March 19th at 6:30 PM. Ladies, Come laugh and learn about God's hospitality.If you want a signed copy of Becky's book, click below or e-mail me.
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