Category - Devotionals

01/16          Romans 13:11-14 

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

TIME

We never have more time, it is running out.  Remember Jesus is coming back.  

01/15          Romans 13:10 

Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. 

SUCCEED
To succeed you will have to learn to love others.  Love is one of the greatest of requirements for a Christian.  If you do not love one another, you will need to get with the Lord in prayer and ask him to change you.  Love one another. 

01/14          Romans 13:9 

For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

KEY

One of the keys to daily living is to maintain the habit of loving those around you and care for all you meet.  Jesus is Lord.  

01/13          Romans 13:8

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 

LOVE

Love covers a multitude of sin.  Love one another as the has directed.  

01/12          Romans 13:4-7 

The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.  5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.  6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.  7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. 

CHANGE

We must change the way we deal with authority.  It is the World in us that causes us to rebel against authority.  Tragically when we do rebel we may find ourselves working against God.  This is an area that at times is complicated to discern but God’s Word is true and we are called to follow the Lord.  This isn’t a final word.  There are times we need to stand against evil authority.  Pray.  

01/11          Romans 13:1-3 

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.  3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 

PRAY

Pray for those in authority.  Pray for their work, their families and God’s use of them in the community and society.  God is the Lord and there is not other. 

01/10          Romans 12:19-21

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD .20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

LISTEN

Listen to God’s plan and set aside your anger.  The Lord will deal with it and you will conquer evil by doing good.  

01/09          Romans 12:16-18 

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.  18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 

BE

We are called to be more like Jesus.  He is our example.  His very nature is Love.  He calls us to love one another, loving others the way we would love ourselves.  We represent God if we are a Christian.  God loves and calls us to be His love in the world.  

01/08          Romans 12:14-15 

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 

BLESS

We are God’s children because we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  He is Lord.  He calls us to care for people-all people.  Every person you meet has value therefore as God’s children we are called to value them. 

01/07          Romans 12:13 

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

NOTE

Note I said earlier the people count with the Lord.  You and I are called to care for the people we come into contact with.  We are the hands and feet of Jesus.  We go and do what he calls us to do.  That includes treating everyone the same way we want to be treated.  Love the unlovely and care for those who cannot pay you back.