We are told in Romans that we need to think of others first. Giving love, preference, being diligent. This passage definitely tells us to put others first, but in the middle of this passage we see the reason. Serving the Lord. While we should definitely put others first. It is ultimately for the sake of Christ.
I have found no better purpose in life than to serve God. I have fulfillment, hope in dark times, and a purpose greater than my desires. Praise the Lord!
Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to put others first for the sake of Christ. Thank You for giving direction about how we serve Christ and love others.
Christmas this year was bittersweet for me. I love the opportunity to spend time with family, but this year my 100 year old grandmother’s health declined. We spent some days sitting in her apartment and at her bedside. Watching loved ones fade is a hard thing to do. Hospice workers can tell you that dying is hard work.
For my grandmother to live 100 years is an amazing lifespan. And yet according to the Bible that is a fleeting or short amount of time. Knowing that life after death is for all eternity (also in the Bible) puts our lives here on a different scale. 100 years isn’t even a full drop in the bucket in comparison.
While watching my grandmother die was a hard thing to do, I am so thankful that she trusted in Jesus to save her from her sins. I am confident she is in heaven. I know without a doubt that my soul will be in heaven when my body dies. I think that we will have some fun conversations again some day.
If you haven’t trusted in Jesus Christ, I pray you will today. It doesn’t matter how long you live, death comes all to quickly. Please find out Who God truly is and accept His way. I truly believe you will find God’s way is worth it.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love of my precious grandmother. Thank You that Christ’s love is offered to all. Please guide those of us who have accepted Christ’s love to share the truth with others.
These verses are short and simple…to read. Being watchful and standing firm require continued effort. This isn’t a simple one and done. The other challenge is doing everything in love. We can get a mixed up understanding of what love really is. Too often we want love to be happy-go-lucky. Sometimes love is living through pain. Sometimes love seems tough when we have to stand against wrong. That requires lots of being watchful and standing firm.
The one thing I can say, is that if God gives a command, He also gives the strength to obey. God will not fail us.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the instructions we need to live. Please help us to discern through watchfulness, stand firm, and act in love.
I enjoy the 4th of July in the United States. I get the day off work, sometimes spending time with friends, and maybe enjoy some fun fireworks. I am thankful to have so much freedom in the country of my birth.
God provides freedom. We are free from the bondage of sin (unless we choose to give in). We have many choices in life that God allows us to make. Unfortunately, we sometimes use our God given freedom selfishly. Our freedom according to this verse is to be used to serve others. Some days that can be difficult. Others are not always fun to serve. However, I have learned that doing what God commands brings intense satisfaction. There is an internal freedom when my selfish wishes are not dictating my life. I’m not saying it is easy, but I know it is worth it.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the freedom You provide. Please help us to use that to serve others.
This concept can be a bit of a double edged sword. Sometimes people are too prideful to ask for help. There are times others are too prideful to give help. There are times don’t know what to ask for or what to give. Sounds pretty tough doesn’t it.
This is why I am grateful for prayer. This can help me figure out what help to ask for or give. Praying helps us focus on the neediness of humanity and reminds us of the the glory of God.
So pray about how to live this verse . Helping and being helped is honoring to God.
Dear Heavenly Father, please give us the wisdom to know how to help and be helped. Please guide us as we seek to live this verse.
I am so thankful for God’s love. I believe this is a huge concept that we cannot fully understand. However, reading God’s Word and seeking to live it helps move us towards a deeper knowledge of God’s love. In today’s verses, we see that God’s love should move us to love others. This can be challenging since flawed human beings can be hard to love. However, God gives us many verses to help us through the challenges.
As we spend time in the Bible and in prayer, we will gain the help we need to learn more about God’s love and sharing it with others.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us even though we don’t deserve it. Please help us to work towards a deeper knowledge of Your love and the best way to show love to others.
Pleading in Prayer 