Are You Growing? In His Word 5-4-2020
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. Do not
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. Romans 12:1-2
As
Christians we are not to remain how we were in the world, but instead we are to
grow more like Him, more kind, more loving, more helpful in Him and for His glory
not our own. Sometimes it is not easy to see a gift God gives us and think that
there is no way we can walk in that gift. I see in His Word that He tells us He
gives us the gifts!
So, take a new grip with your tired hands
and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out
a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak, and lame will not
fall but become strong. Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at
living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look
after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch
out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting
many. Hebrews 12:12-15
The world
of people may go wild and break out of the bonds that we have been placed in,
as we begin to be set free we need to be cautious in where we go and what we
do. We need to remember not to be like dogs running back to their vomit but
instead walk a new walk! Follow the example Paul put before us in Romans 12 and
also Hebrews 12. Put God first in all you do, do not run into the fire but
allow the Lord to guide you in the newness of normal as you see it laid out
before you.
Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in
time of trouble and never stop praying. (Romans 12:12)
As our
governments around the world begin to define what our new normal will be let’s
not forget to pray for them, as well as the other people out there who may not
have the integrity or the hope in Jesus to help us thorugh it. Pray that things will run smoothly and that
all things will work according to Him plan. Don’t get mad when you see ignorant
people running amuck and not doing what they are told, whether its not wearing
a mask, or being rude to workers who are putting themselves out there for our
needs; be kind hearted and pray for those people to be blessed by God. Why? Because
when we pray for someone to be blessed, they get blessed by God and they will
see the error of their ways without someone like us telling them, they will
make things right in His way. His way works better than ours! If we try to correct people thinking that we
are helping in a time of trouble we can add to someone’s anxiety over the situation
in the first place, but if we encourage them with the love of God they may calm
and walk peacefully too!
I think
it is so important to be kind to those around you anywhere you go, not just
now, but all times. Even when someone is rude and mean to you if you pray for
them, (Romans 12:14) God will also give you a compassion for them and believe
me that helps a ton! When you have
compassion for the lost, or even the rude, and realize there is a reason they
are the way they are, you can pray for their deliverance or healing from the
injuries that put them in that attitude to start with. If all you do is crab
back or grumble, then you are the one who is walking in sin! (James 4:17) We
are told to do everything without complaining or arguing so that we will be
blameless and pure children of God! (Philippians 2:14) We are also told in the
Word that if we know to do good and do not then to us it is sin! Do the right
thing today! Grow more like Jesus in doing the right thing!
Remember
WWJD? Put it into action today as cliché as it has become, doing what He would do
in any situation is always the best choice! Even when it seems contrary to your
human nature! Love unconditionally, that is not a man-made thing! Only with
God, who is Love itself can you love others as Jesus, Himself!
Heavenly
Father help us today to get closer to You. Guide us through Your word to show
us how to behave, how to live, and how to love as You would love, as we live in
this world on earth in such a time as this. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Suggested
Reads: Romans 12:1-29 , Hebrews 12:1-21 , James 4:1-17 and Philippians 2:1-30.