Friday, March 16, 2012
Tell them NOW
A wonderful friend of mine past away this week, and I feel truly blessed that just last week I sent her a card. I told her how wonderful and beautiful she is and how amazing she is, I told her to lean on God for comfort. Little did I know that would be my last communication to her. But I told her what I thought of her and how much I loved her when she was here. I said everything I would have said at her funeral to her when she was still here. I was in denial of her passing. I guess I still kind of am. She was too young, too kind and nice, she was on Facebook last week, she can not be gone. But she is. It breaks my heart, but I have peace that she knows how much I loved her and why. I want to commit to telling people now, today, in this moment, how much I love them and why!!! I challenge you to do the same!! Do not save it for the memorial, tell them NOW!!!!!!
Monday, March 12, 2012
A Living Sacrifice to God - Romans 12
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice to God
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Romans is one of my favorite books of the Bible!! It touches on so many different areas with specific instructions! Don't just pretend to love others! Really love them. Help all people EVEN your enemies. Pray for blessings upon your enemies (really?!? It is very hard, but get creative especially to start, I've prayed for Hearts to be blessed, so the person is transformed or that they were financially blessed so I could be repaid.)
Baby steps, love better the easy people then start working to love the harder people! Fake it till you make it real works. If you do loving acts then you can be changed from the inside out!
Work hard, work enthusiastically, encourage others, follow your gifts and judge yourself fairly! Work for God in everything you do- cleaning house, making dinner, caring for children or aging parents, taking care of your marriage, your day job, and all those insignificant tasks that seem to suck the life and energy from you! Do it for the Lord and see if it changes you! It is a process I have to remind myself continually as I do another load of laundry, dishes or pick up for the twentieth time that day! But I do feel better overall, I feel more peace, rest and joy!
I love you and I pray for you!!
A Living Sacrifice to God
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Romans is one of my favorite books of the Bible!! It touches on so many different areas with specific instructions! Don't just pretend to love others! Really love them. Help all people EVEN your enemies. Pray for blessings upon your enemies (really?!? It is very hard, but get creative especially to start, I've prayed for Hearts to be blessed, so the person is transformed or that they were financially blessed so I could be repaid.)
Baby steps, love better the easy people then start working to love the harder people! Fake it till you make it real works. If you do loving acts then you can be changed from the inside out!
Work hard, work enthusiastically, encourage others, follow your gifts and judge yourself fairly! Work for God in everything you do- cleaning house, making dinner, caring for children or aging parents, taking care of your marriage, your day job, and all those insignificant tasks that seem to suck the life and energy from you! Do it for the Lord and see if it changes you! It is a process I have to remind myself continually as I do another load of laundry, dishes or pick up for the twentieth time that day! But I do feel better overall, I feel more peace, rest and joy!
I love you and I pray for you!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)