Recently as you may know, I have been reading the scriptures as often as I can. Why? Because I am tired...I am weary of walking in a valley riddled with bones, dry, musty, nasty bones. I have been beaten down by sin, I have been broken as I ran to Christ, I have been lifted up only to give way to pride and fall to be beaten by sin and broken again and yes, I still have risen again. Because I am convinced that my body is dead because of sin but that my spirit lives on because I have been made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ and that to stay down would be to die again. No instead I will press on and if I fall, I will get back up and push forward. It can be hard, it often seems as though I set my eyes on the stars and fall because of a single straw.
Anyways, I digress, I have been reading the scriptures and up until the book of Romans I was doing fine, but Romans I struggled through, I read it and didn't understand it and so I prayed and asked for understanding and re-read it...then my spirit breathed a sigh that told me I had understood it (though maybe not fully, I had a feeling of peace about it that I had not been able to receive when I did not understand).
Recently some of the evil in my heart was revealed to me and I was reminded, in my remorse and disillusionment of Romans 12 which actually, and surprisingly offered comfort to me. So, I leave you with a simple scripture reading. I have nothing to say on it, I just wanted to share my heart with you, to share that I am struggling forward, and that it is indeed a struggle and to share God's word. Enjoy and be blessed.
Romans 12
Living Sacrifices 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Anyways, I digress, I have been reading the scriptures and up until the book of Romans I was doing fine, but Romans I struggled through, I read it and didn't understand it and so I prayed and asked for understanding and re-read it...then my spirit breathed a sigh that told me I had understood it (though maybe not fully, I had a feeling of peace about it that I had not been able to receive when I did not understand).
Recently some of the evil in my heart was revealed to me and I was reminded, in my remorse and disillusionment of Romans 12 which actually, and surprisingly offered comfort to me. So, I leave you with a simple scripture reading. I have nothing to say on it, I just wanted to share my heart with you, to share that I am struggling forward, and that it is indeed a struggle and to share God's word. Enjoy and be blessed.
Romans 12
Living Sacrifices 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
No comments:
Post a Comment