God and GPS

Do you know what one of my favorite inventions is?  GPS.  I have no sense of direction.  I can get lost going a few blocks away from my house.  I am not exaggerating, I am hopeless to get places on my own and in my own ability. I love GPS.  It can get me exactly where I need to go and if I do make a wrong turn it will recalculate.  It is amazing.

Today’s scripture reminds me of GPS.  Romans 12 is talking about loving and serving our enemy.  It tells us not to seek revenge, to bless those who persecute us.  This is hard.  I am not naturally inclined to react with blessing when I feel persecuted.  

God is like GPS.  He can get me where I need to go.  As I read Romans 12 and see no way for me to live like that.  I can ask God for direction.  I can rely on his word to guide me along the path to my destination.  If I mess up and get off track, he will recalculate and get me back on track.

So if this scripture passage, or any other is hard for you to live out.  Rely on God to get you where you need to be.  He is so much more than GPS!

Read today's passage here Romans 12:14-21

Prepare to love

God on the Move Lenten Devotional                                                                                March 2

Read Romans 12:9-20 and reflect on the passage.

Lent gives us a dedicated time for self-examination and reflection. When asked by a scribe about the greatest commandment for us to follow, Jesus responded (1) “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and(2)“love your neighbor as yourself” (cf. Matt. 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 10:25-28). In your time of self-examination, is this “Greatest Commandment” important to you? Do you understand what it looks like to be a Christ-follower in this way?

Perhaps, like us, the early church in Rome needed help understanding this concept as well. That’s why Paul goes into great detail about what the marks of a true Christian really are by writing a list of over a dozen Christian virtues that can demonstrate our love for the Lord as well as our love for our neighbors.

If you are at all like me, you might look at this list and instantly identify your own shortcomings and failures. The good news is that not only is it impossible for us to change and be transformed on our own, but we aren’t expected to! The glorious undertaking of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us is working to conform us to Christ’s image. As Martin Luther writes in the Small Catechism, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” Let’s commit together toward growing in these virtues and confessing our weaknesses during this Lenten season!

Questions

1. Which of these virtues did you identify as your greatest weakness?

2. Are you afraid of asking for the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance? Why or why not?

Prayer

Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou hast given us; for all the pains and insults which Thou hast borne for us. O most merciful redeemer, may we know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly; for Thine own sake (St. Richard of Chichester).

—andrew fuller

Hospitality To Go

Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:13)

From time to time, I marvel at friends of ours, a couple who are particularly good at hospitality. They have a special knack for putting their guests at ease and drawing them into an atmosphere of acceptance, peace, and inclusion.

We typically think of hospitality as hosting others in our own space, such as in our home, our office, or even a hospitality suite. And rightfully so, for opening to others our place of peace is a gift thoughtfully offered and refreshingly received. Yet the longing to be welcome, warm, and wanted follows people wherever they go, and, unfortunately, public places where we know no one can be the loneliest locations on earth. I know it’s not just me, because I see isolation on faces wherever I go—in the bakery-cafe, in the grocery store, or at the gym. It can be especially pronounced in church, where people seek hope, only to come and go, untouched.

So I’ve decided to respond to “alone in a crowd” when I see it. Often it takes no more than a genuine, purposeful smile that says, “You matter.” Sometimes, it is a helping hand elicits the silent shout, “Someone cares about me!” And we may never know the impact of stepping away from the comfort of our group and into the life of the uncomfortable stranger.

Hospitality can be served up at home, or we can make it to go. For people savor “You are welcome here” wherever it is found. May they find it in us. 

Lord, today help me see people in need of a touch of hospitality, and grace me to know how best to extend it. Amen.

[Read today's Scripture in Romans 12:9-16.]

Romans 12:9-21

             LOVE

It seems that “love” has different meanings depending on the person and circumstances. Certainly we love our spouses differently than our children and we love our parents in a way unlike how we love the elderly man across the street. These people however are not generally difficult to love. They typically contribute positively to our lives and are no threat to us.

Paul, in his wisdom, wrote this book of Romans to Christians in Rome. He especially attempted to outline what the relationship should be between the Jew and the non-Jew. Appealing to the heart Paul urged them to live life in the power of the Holy Spirit. Should we not do the same?

This passage is powerful as it challenges us to do the will of God in spite of our human-ness.

All taken from Romans 12:

“Love must be sincere.”

“Honor one another above yourselves.”

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.”

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Love means looking beyond ourselves and at times wrestling within ourselves to do the will of God. This beloved book we call the Bible speaks to us again and again about how to follow God’s will. It also tells us it will not be easy, but the Lord will be with us to see it through.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Read/Listen to Romans 12:9-21

E Pluribus Unum

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.  Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  Romans 12:3-5

It took me a long time to really understand “team.”  My natural tendency was to take everything onto my shoulders because I knew it would get done – and get done to my liking.  I thought of myself “more highly than [I] ought” and missed the wonder of “team.”

No one can go it alone.  The percussionist cannot provide the orchestra’s melody and the bassoonist cannot carry its tempo.  The infantry cannot long survive beyond its supply line, and logistics cannot function without cover.  The placekicker won’t put the ball through the uprights without the holder; but for the protection of the linemen, the holder would get flattened!  And let’s face it:  neither John, Paul, George nor Ringo on his own ever came close to the phenomenon that was The Beatles!

We weren’t designed for mere independence.  We were fashioned for something far greater, far more mature, far more effective and far more beautiful.  We were built for interdependence … oneness … team.  Strong enough to stand tall, yes, but stronger still to know we need each other … and even stronger to trust in the way Christ functions in each and every member of his body.

Are you carrying a heavy load in your soul?  Find an intercessor, someone who eagerly prays for others.  Struggling to make sense of a Bible passage?  Find a mature believer who has a gift for teaching.  And if you are an encourager, know that even those with the strongest faith need you!  If you are a leader, create an environment in which each believer can flourish in the functions for which he or she were called and gifted.

It is Jesus' deep desire that his people live and act as one body, each with his or her own function, with Christ as the head.  Let us recognize Christ in every believer, appreciate Christ in every believer, and rely on Christ in every believer.

In America, “We, the people” understand the “E Pluribus Unum” of our government.  In Christ, may “We, God’s people” truly understand and embrace the “out of many, one” that is his church.