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Lord, thank you for blessing me with this opportunity to reflect on your great love for me and on your Holy Word. Please take away any sort of distraction that would keep me from giving you my full attention these next few minutes. I ask that you open my heart and my mind to what you have for me today. Amen!
Romans 12: 9 – 16
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in 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 the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
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.[a]Do not be conceited.
Today’s reading strikes me as a summary of what the Christian life is all about. At first, it seems like a pretty overwhelming list of “do this” and “don’t do that”. Where do we begin?
We need to remember that it is the Holy Spirit who empowers us for holy living. On our own, we are powerless to do any of what is written in Romans 12. It is important that we are praying for God to fuel us for holy living. It might even be helpful for us to pray the words of the scripture:
“Lord, help us to love you and others sincerely. May we hate all that is evil in your sight and cling to what is good…
I encourage you to pray the words of Romans 12: 9 – 16. May these words guide and direct our thoughts, words, and deeds today!
Mark