I want to be an encouragement to others, to build others up as Christ rebuilds me every day, but the truth is, I get sad. I get hurt. I get angry. I'm not proud of those things but they are things I am working on every day! I want the Joy of the Lord to always be my Strength but there are those days when I just feel like throwing one big giant pity party, tossing my hands in the air and saying, "WHY ME!?" I'd love to delude myself with the idea that I'm a "good person" and that I don't deserve to suffer but the truth is I'm not a good person, not one of us is! And furthermore, I don't have a "right" to anything, especially a happy and comfortable life. That's a hard pill to swallow but Gods word reminds me of that. This morning, I prayed and asked God to heal my hurt, heal my wounds and show me how to love others as He loves them. Then I read my passage for the day, Romans 12. I was blown away - in a time where I was making it all about me, God reminded me of how I am to act no.matter.what. The truth is, I'm a wretched person. But, by the Grace of God's word and Holy Spirit I have the opportunity to be pleasing and obedient to Him. And so that's what I'm choosing. I want God's light to shine through me and loving others, humbling myself and offering everything I have regardless of what others do to me is exactly what I'll strive to do. Here is Romans 12 - I hope it blesses and encourages you as much as it did me.
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 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. 2 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.Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For 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 faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On 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]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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