Romans 13:9 - Love your neighbor as yourself

The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

If we simply treat others the way we want to be treated, mercy would abound and forgiveness would be immediate.

Lord, thank you for being the best example of love we could ask for. Help us to love as you love. Amen.

Romans 13:3 - Do what is right

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.

I think Joseph is a great example of this. He gets sent to prison for something he didn't to. If he had fought and been angry about it, he would probably not have ended up being given the positions of authority he was given.

Lord, thank you for giving us people to protect us. Help us to trust you and follow their rules. Amen.

Romans 13:1 - Governing authorities, established by God

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

In this election year and always, let's remember that God is in control of everything, even politics.

Lord, thank you for establishing governing authorities. Please help us to be subject and respectful, regardless of our political opinions. Amen.

Romans 12:21 - Choose goodness

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

It is so easy to be over come by evil. From road rage to peer pressure, evil can lurk close to the surface. It is our job as Christians to not allow that evil to overcome us, but instead choose goodness. Be merciful, kind, and loving. Remain convicted and faithful. God always provides a way out.

Lord, thank you for giving us your goodness. Help us to overcome evil. Amen.

Romans 12:5-6 - What is your gift?

so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

What is your gift? God has given each of us gifts to use as a part of  the body of Christ. Each of us has a purpose. If we aren't using our gift, the body is missing something. Not sure what your gift is? Ask God. Sometimes when I ask God about something, I let him know I need to hear the answer loud and clear. I usually ask for three signs to make it obvious to me. Once you know...USE IT!

Lord, thank you for making us a valuable part of your body. Please help us to know and use our gift. Amen.

Romans 12:2 - Seeking God's will

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

If we are ever unsure what God's will is for our lives, I think this verse gives us the answer. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, which we do by going counter culture (against the pattern of this world) and allowing our minds to reset to his mind set, We can do this through prayer and Bible study. Then sit and listen quietly for the Lord to show you his will.

Lord, thank you for showing us your will for our lives. Help us to seek your will. Amen.

Philippians 3:20-21 - The pursuit of perfection

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Ultimately, we know that we will sin. While our goal is perfection, this physical body limits that perfection. Without sin we would not need God. Without God there is only death, but with God and his Spirit living inside us and salvation through his Son, there is life. This passage offers even greater hope: one day we will no longer live in these physical bodies, but will be at home with the Lord. We will be completely free of our physical, sinful selves.

Lord, thank you for the hope of heaven we have in you. Please help us to constantly seek your perfection while here on earth. Amen.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Honor God with your bodies

This is the quintessential passage about sins of the flesh. Whether it be sexual sin or sins with our eyes, mouth, hands, heart or feet, our bodies belong to God and the fruit our bodies produce reflect on the true nature of that body. Is this a body purchased by God? Does the Spirit of God live at it's root?

Lord, thank you for purchasing my body and having your Spirit live in me. Please help me to honor that gift by being pure and holy, as you are holy. Amen.

Proverbs 6:16-19 - Offensive and defensive lines against sin

There are six things the Lord hates,
     seven that are detestable to him:
         haughty eyes,
         a lying tongue,
         hands that shed innocent blood,
         a heart that devises wicked schemes,
         feet that are quick to rush into evil,
         a false witness who pours out lies
         and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

I am preparing my lesson for our Wednesday night ladies Bible class. This week I will cover the first five of these "rotten fruit" (we've been covering the fruit of the Spirit). They are all physical in nature, acts of the physical body. Sin is in our physical nature. We have a predisposition to sin because of our body. Our best defense is a good offense. The fruit of the Spirit is that offensive line to help us reach our goals of sinless perfection. But one way to run defense is to know and understand sins of the flesh.

Lord, thank you for teaching us how we are to live. Please help us to use all the tools you give us to reach that goal. Amen.

I Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is...

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Lord, thank you for showing is what love is. Please help us to demonstrate love to others. Amen.

Romans 12:1 - Moment by moment worship

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Worship is so much more than going to church. By turning our bodies over to God, every little thing we do every moment of every day constitutes an act of worship. Even if you're doing something you don't want to be doing: work, study, etc..., those things with the proper mindset become worship.

Lord,  Thank you for your mercy. Please help us to sacrifice ourselves to you and worship you always. Amen.

Romans 11:33 - God's path

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
     How unsearchable his judgments,
     and his paths beyond tracing out!

God is omnipotent. He sees the big picture, so much more than we could ever see. It is so easy to get caught up in this life and our situation, but our desires are not always part of the Lord's plan, We have to trust God in all things, at all times.

Lord, thank you for being in control. Please help us to accept the path you place us on. Amen.

Romans 11:16 - Holy infiltration

If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

I think this verse has lots of meanings but right now for me it means that if I offer the first part of my day to God then it is easier for the rest of my day to fall in line and be offered to God as well.

Lord,  thank you for your gifts so that we may in turn offer them back to you. Amen.

1 Peter 3:3-4 - The gentle woman

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 

Ladies, we are called to a gentle and quiet spirit. This is where we display our beauty. This is of great worth in God's sight. It is so easy to rough and loud, especially when it comes to our families and those closest to us.   

Lord, thank you for telling us where real beauty comes from. Please help us to live up to that gentle and quiet spirit. Amen.

Matthew 11:28-30 - Gentleness from Jesus

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

In this verse, Jesus provides an example of gentleness. It is not only reassuring for his followers, but an model for them to imitate. 

Lord, thank you for your son and his example of gentleness. Please help us to rest from our burdens as we take up the yoke of Christ.  Amen.

1 Kings 19:11-12 - A whisper from God

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 

There is gentleness in silence and whispers. In our relationship with God, we don't hear him audibly, but the connection is still there. He hears us and knows everything about us.

Lord, thank you for being so powerful, yet so gentle with us. Please help us to feel that you are there and connected to us. Amen.

Proverbs 15:1-2 - Gentle speech

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
  but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
  but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

This weeks fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. The tongue is a very good indicator of the gentleness of a person. Someone who is quick to speak up without first thinking about what they are saying is likely to say something hurtful. Think of the gentle people in your life, Do they speak with wisdom? Are they able to diffuse anger filled situations with a few carefully spoken words?

Lord, thank you for giving us the ability to use our speech in wise and gentle ways. Please help us to do so. Amen.

Romans 11:5-6 - Grace

So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

Grace...there is nothing a person can do to earn salvation. It is only a gift they can accept and be thankful for. Thankfulness is shown through our obedience and service.

Lord, thank you for the gift of salivation. Help us to accept it and show our thankfulness. Amen.