Wednesday, June 17, 2009

06/18/09 Romans 12:9-21

Which verse speaks to you?


SCRIPTURE - Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 1f it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 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. 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." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV)


OBSERVATION - The guide for relationships with love. It appears to me to be straight forward, with little room for interpretation.


APPLICATION - In order to follow the items above, it's important to keep the Lord close to your heart in prayer. Knowing your own feelings and knowing what your "buttons" are that people can push to get a reaction will help you keep the negative responses supressed. Don't allow others to affect your emotions, but take them to the Lord in prayer and then act in the way that Christ would want you to.


PRAYER - Lord, forgive me for not teating everyone with love and respect. Be with me to see you in everyone regardless of how they live. Keep my responses that of love instead of knee jerk reacations that would not reflect the love of Jesus Christ.

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