Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Romans 12:9-16 (CSB)
May we read these words and let them inform the way we live out our faith. May we become more and more like Jesus as we do so, letting love define us to the world.
May we become more and more like Jesus, letting love define us to the world. Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Amen–and thank you for all the ways in which this clinging and honoring and loving and fervency and patience and hospitality and blessing and rejoicing happens here!
I agree Michele! Thanking God for you tonight!
My morning’s devotion was very on point with this-
Proverbs 11- mainly 1-3, but really the whole proverb.
Isn’t God timely??
I love checking in to incourage every night before I go to sleep. It’s our evening when it’s your morning and read the new post. I always find encouragement here not just from the ‘sermons’ but from the invisible community that I am apart of yet we are from all over the world. It gives me guidance, love and connection in community of my sisters in Christ. It’s so so valuable on a deeper level…thank you!
Totally agree with you on this Jas. I get mine every lunchtime. And many days I am so expectant for what it will say! Bless you
I love having friends on the other side of the world. It reminds me of my limited perception when I realize that you are entering a different season and are already well into the next day before I open my eyes in the morning!
God has kept giving me this very passage of His word for many years. He has taught me through the hardest times and most painful experiences what THIS really looks like for me. What He wants from me. Been in a very difficult place past couple of months purely because I listened to what God has told and asked me to do& be in a situation. I’ve suffered because of this..and my heart is broken. But I thank God for His love which knows no bounds. Thank you Jesus for allowing us to share in your great love for those around us. Even when the reject our love as they have rejected yours, please help us to keep on loving. Just like You
I like this version of the passage -New Living Translation
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 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!
This is a great reminder and I think our country needs to read this every day and soak it all in….thank you all at Incourage and I hope the person reading this has a blessed day
God says we are not to judge or talk about either. I had a very good older Christian sister in Lord who is Glory now. She used to say. Which is so true Bidden or no Bidden God is watching. Meaning God is watching everything we do. So we are not to judge or talk about anyone . Love them like Jesus does. As we would not like Jesus to decide not to like us. Even though he never do that. We have to love them no matter what. Even if they hurt us and forgive them as his word tell us too. We are to as Christian hate no one. We are not to talk about them. My friend that is now in glory would have said too me Dawn don’t talk about them even though you might not get on with them or not like them that much. We are to do what Jesus would want you to do. That is keep your mouth closed and pray for them especially if what they are doing is wrong or annoying you. So true. It hard too do. But with Jesus help we can do it and be the Christian he want us to be. If nothing good to say about anyone don’t say anything at all. Good reading. As usual. Love Dawn God Bless xxx
In Courage,
I never thought much about what my ministry was or how I could spread the word of God. God has been tenderly showing me that the way I live is a ministry unto itself. Every chance I get I make food for others. Love getting meals for the elderly, sick or less fortunate. For about 10 years I was main caregiver/helper for my aging parents. I would visit every Monday after work & see what needed to be done or errand ran. When dad moved to assisted living I continued the same routine. There were many days/nights I would go to hospital with him & then take him back home. He had tremors so bad he couldn’t hardly feed himself so I did that a lot. One day at lunch there were three men at the table (dad was in middle). The man on my right saw me feeding my dad & told me “you will get jewels in your crown for this”. Talk about hearing straight from God. Many days I didn’t feel like doing the work, but did it anyway. I even quit a good job to continue caring for him.
I see now that by doing these little acts of kindness I am spreading the love of God to the world. They see my testimony through these selfless acts. I do this without judging people. You never know what someone else is going through at the time. They may have lost a job, got a difficult diagnosis & spent tons of money finding it. We should love everyone regardless of race, color, sex or creed. That doesn’t mean we have to like the way they choose to live. Maybe by showering love on them we can turn them towards God.
Blessings 🙂