Live in Harmony With One Another

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. — Romans 12:16 

God calls us to live in harmony with others.

Even when we disagree with them.

Even when our opinions differ.

He commands us not to be haughty.

And to associate with the lowly.

And not to be conceited.

We can't do that without His help.

So grateful that He is our guide.

Be Enthusiastic

Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer. — Romans 12:11 

On this memorial day, we remember those who have served our country and gave their lives for our freedom.

God calls us to be enthusiastic in spirit as we serve Him.

To endure in suffering and rejoice in hope.

When we go through tough times, God helps us to endure in suffering.

And to persist in prayer.

So that we can continue in zeal for the Lord.

Be Devoted to One Another

Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. — Romans 12:10 

God calls us to be devoted to one another.

To love each other mutually.

And to honor each other.

Showing eagerness in honoring others.

This weekend we honor those who have given their lives for our country.

Remembering their sacrifice.

Thanking God for their service.

Showing our appreciation by honoring one another.

Rejoice!

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. — Romans 12:15

This month we rejoiced with our relatives and friends who had babies.

And with those who discovered they are expecting their first baby!

What a grand celebration.

We wept with those friends who are having to care for elderly parents in hospice.

And for those friends who lost relatives suddenly.

We wept with those whose children were struggling with illnesses.

And with friends suffering from COVID.

We rejoiced with those who found new jobs and graduated from college.

God calls us to rejoice with those who rejoice.

And to weep with those who weep.

He has planned a time for everything - both rejoicing and weeping.

Thank You, Lord!

So That I May Finish My Task and Ministry

But I do not consider my life worth anything to myself, so that I may finish my task and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace. — Acts 20:24

Daily I ask God to help me finish my task and serve Him in ministry.

And to guide me in the ministry I've received from Jesus.

To share the good news of God's grace with others.

To encourage those around me.

To love others.

And to consider my life as a sacrifice to God.

To follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

This week I spoke with my surgeon who removed the melanoma on my knee.

She is very pleased with the way it is healing.

There was no cancer left - the margins were clear.

I can swim again, so I'll go after work tonight.

Praise the Lord!

Understand This!

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. — James 1:19

It's sometimes hard to listen to the people around us.

Even when we care about them.

They can sound like so much noise and it can be easy to tune them out.

I may want to speak over them or interrupt them.

But God calls me to listen first.

He commands me to bite my tongue and stifle my anger rather than letting emotions get the best of me.

My mom used to say, "I just bite my tongue until it's bloody" so I don't speak too quickly or at all.

Very good advice.

You Were Called to Freedom

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. — Galatians 5:13

God calls us to freedom.

And that freedom gives us the opportunity to love each other.

And to serve one another in love.
 

Not for selfish reasons, but because God loved us.

While were still unlovable.

Before we ever knew Him.

God adopted us into His family.

And now calls us His son and daughter.

Amazing grace!