Romans 2:1 - Passing judgement

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

In general I think of myself as a tolerant person. I accept people where they are, regardless of their life choices and I hope they will accept my choices as well. But the ridiculous thing is that as grand as my ideas are, it's the little things that trip me up. I get angry at my husband for being careless. I get frustrated with co-workers who don't do something exactly as I would do it. And there is more...but you get the idea.

Lord, thank you for speaking the truth to us. Please help us to not be judgemental. Amen,

Romans 15:30 - Join in the struggle

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

I have always wanted to do amazing things for Christ: be a missionary, write a book, be a speaker, etc... but so far those things have not worked out. I serve God everyday in many small ways and occasionally I get a "bigger opportunity" to serve, but generally I don't feel like my service is anything special. The verse above lets me know I can always participate in those "bigger opportunities" by finding someone who is doing them and join in their struggle by praying for them. We can do this anonymously or let them know we feel like God has called us to pray for their ministry. It will be a great encouragement to them!

Lord, thank you for every opportunity to serve, be it large or small. Please help us to look for the places you are working and join in your work. Amen.

Romans 15:17 - Glory in Christ Jesus

Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.

In this verse Paul is talking about his ministry to the Gentiles, but I think we can apply it to whatever we do. I can glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God, be it my job, my ministry, my hobbies, my relaxation time, my exercise or any thing else we do.

Lord, thank you for allowing us to bring glory to you. Please help us to do so in all we do. Amen.

Romans 15:1 - The stronger person

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

I love this verse and the the ones surrounding it because I think it is a great bit of psychology. We all have the opportunity to think of ourselves as the stronger person. The stronger person is the one who is called to bear with the failings of the weak, so anytime anyone does something that bothers us, as the stronger person we need to bear with them and not focus on ourselves and our needs.

Lord, thank you for your wisdom. Help us to bear with each other. Amen

Romans 14:19 - Peace and mutual edification

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

The verses surrounding this passage offer guidance on dealing with difference of opinion in regards to what is acceptable and what is not acceptable for Christians, Essentially the guide line is above, do whatever leads to peace and mutual edification, Arguing our point or parading our beliefs in front of the other does not lead to peace or mutual edification.

Lord, thank you for the wisdom you provide in your word. Please help us to follow that wisdom. Amen.

Romans 14:8 - For the Lord

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

No matter what we do, we do it for the Lord. The context of this passage is that we may not have the exact same ways of expressing our faith, but regardless of those differences, we must do these things for the Lord.

Lord, thank you for loving each of us exactly where we are in our faith. Please help us to do whatever we do, for you. Amen.

Romans 14:4 - Who are you to judge?

Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Not everyone's faith is the same. Just because someone believes a little different from me doesn't mean they are not a servant of the Lord. If they are willing to listen, we can share our truth, but we need to be prepared to listen to them share their truth as well. Each servant will stand or fall independently to their master. If they belong to the Lord, they will stand, regardless of the differences in the way we believe.

Lord, thank you for having a relationship with each and every one of your followers. Please help us to be coworkers with fellow believers, regardless of our differences. Amen.

Romans 13:12 - Armor of light

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

If we live every day with the urgency in this verse, we will be able to withstand Satan's arrows.

Lord, thank you for giving us armor of light. Please help us to put that armor on every day. Amen

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.

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.

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.

Romans 10:14 - Preach!

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

This passage is a reminder that if we are a follower of God, we must teach others about him.

Lord, thank you for giving us the opportunity to learn about you. Please help us to give others the same opportunity. Amen.

Romans 10:8-13 - Begin your faith journey

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If you or someone you know are ready to begin their faith journey, start here.

Lord, thank you for giving us Jesus, who died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Please help those who are beginning their faith journey. Amen.