A GOOD PLACE TO START

 

September 9, 2010

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

1 Peter 4:10

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another”

 

Over the next few days in our One-Anothering series we are going to examine what it means to serve one another. When we think about the act of serving, we need to remember that there are two sides to serving. While it’s important that we serve others, it is equally important to let others serve us. “Sister, Brother, let me be your servant let me be as Christ to you, Pray that I would have the grace to let you be my servant too”, we often sing.

I believe God designed us to need others. We need others in our life to help us grow, think, feel, and do what God has called us to do. I wonder if there are people in our life who we are perfectly designed to bless, encourage, and serve. You bring to their table exactly what they need. On the other hand, there are people in our life that are exactly what we need. They bring to our table exactly what we need. That is a good thing for us to ponder today.

Our verse today says that we each have been given a gift that we are to use in the act of serving others. Our key verse this week is this: “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” We want to reflect together about some basic truths in regard to serving others.

Today, let us think about two things.

First, who is there in your network of relationships that you are “exactly what they need”?

Second, who is there in your network of relationships that are “exactly what you need”?

Take some time with this, some introspection might be required. It will be worthwhile I promise. This week as we look at “serving one another” it is my prayer that we would grow in our relationship with God, and others.

 

LET US PRAY

Give me the heart of a servant,
Tender and faithful and true.
Fill me with love, then use me, O Lord,
So that the world can see You. ..

 

 

 

TO WHOM CAN I SHOW KINDNESS?

 September 06, 2024

Galatians 6:10 

"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, ...."

Our week of Devotions ends with a story I read recently, a true story, I would like to share with you. The author, Jennifer, describes the following event,

I went with our son and daughter to the store to ship some boxes, and I didn’t know then that I wasn’t fine. I felt like the clerk was being aloof and unhelpful, and almost instantaneously — and without empathy — impatience and judgment flashed hot and demanding within me.

And the feeling didn’t repel me; I leaned in.

My tone, an instrument effective in its ability to help and to hurt, switched like a light gone out. It became a twisted comfort–this feeling of power: choosing to be harsh instead of kind.

“You were not nice,” my son tells me when I turn away from the clerk and towards the door. Embarrassment swells in my chest, an icy familiar chill. My first instinct is to defend, reject, and explain. I can feel the wrestling match begin within me, shame feeling like a too-heavy blanket pressing on my chest. Was I unkind? Yeah, and no one deserves unkindness.

Every have an experience like that? After I read Jennifer’s account I was remeinded of something that Mother Teresa said,

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."

That’s very good advice and teaching don’t you think? “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.”

That does not come naturally to us. (Maybe I should be saying that doesn’t come naturally to me.) Don’t you find that lasting change is difficult, I sure do. That is why we so desperately need prayer, healing, and the Holy Spirit alive in our hearts.

Will you pray with me that the Holy Spirit empowers us to do whatever it takes to get better, day by day, at being the living expressions of God’s kindness: kindness in our faces, kindness in our eyes, kindness in our smiles? Amen.

WE REALLY DO NEED EACH OTHER

 

September 5, 2024

 

Oh Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; … lead me, in your righteousness … let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy … for you bless the righteous, oh Lord; you cover them with favor as with a shield. Amen.

Hebrews 10:24 (New Living Translation)

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works”

Hebrews 10:24 (New International Version)

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24 (The Voice)

Let us consider how to inspire each other to greater love and to righteous deeds

Hebrews 10:24 (HCSB)

Let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works.

 

You have perhaps noticed so far this week that motivating one another involves action. Hebrews 10:24 calls to us with this encouragement to action, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (NLT). This verse motivates us, I believe, with two actions in mind.

One, we are motivating one another toward acts of love. This type of love (agape) is the unrestricted, unrestrained, and unconditional love that can only come from God working through us. 

Showing “acts of love” is not always easy and that’s why we are encouraged to motivate one another to acts of love. There will be those times when we need to show an act of love toward someone we don’t like and it will be difficult to sacrifice for them. To say that kind word, to help them, to bless them, and to not say what we know will hurt them. We will need to be motivated to do the right thing and sometimes we will need to do the motivating for someone else.

Loving your enemy, your neighbor, or others in general can be challenging, which is why we require mutual encouragement.

Two, we are motivating one another toward good works. Acts of love and good works overlap. Your good works, like helping someone move, leading a Group, buying groceries for the single mom, serving at the Community Dinner, helping your neighbor with his car, providing a meal for a family during a time of loss, etc. These good works not only bless others, but they say a lot about you and the life of Jesus in you. Both love and good deeds are a witness to God's love for all.

Look at 1 Peter 2:12 says, “Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation” (HCSB). Even when people speak badly of you, your good works will defend your character and bring glory to God.

We live in a world of the instant, of the minute, of action with a quick payoff, but this Bible verse is calling us to love and good deeds and then to wait to realize the outcome of a character that shows God’s glory, even to our worst critiques. That’s a hard ask, isn’t it? We do not do this waiting thing very well and that is why we need the context of a community of people just like us, who know it is hard to love, and to wait for results, to journey with us and to encourage us, to spur us on, to inspire us toward our calling in Jesus as a faith community to show love through righteous acts and leave the impact to God.

So, together “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Amen.

Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; said all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed … as he who called you is holy, be yourselves holy in all your conduct.  I Peter 1:13, 15

 LET US PRAY

Jesus, my savior, let your love rule my heart without a rival, for only then can I fulfill my duty and your command of loving you with all my heart, and mind, and soul, and strength and my neighbor as myself. Amen. 

I WILL HOLD THE CHRIST-LIGHT FOR YOU

 

September 4, 2024

I pause, heavenly father, to commune with you. Help me to be still and know that you are God. Ease any tense muscles or strained nerves or wrought-up emotions. Let me be relaxed in body and calm in spirit so that I may be more responsive to your presence. Amen

Roy E. Dickerson in Daily Prayer Companion

 

Hebrews 10:24

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works”

 

Yesterday, we looked at the idea that motiving one another involves concentration on the person we are called to encourage and inspire. Discovering what drives and makes another individual do the things they do,  can help us in our calling to be motivators and to think of ways to fulfill this role in the lives of others for the glory of God.

Today, let us consider that motivating one another involves inspiration. Look again at Hebrews 10:24, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (NLT). The word “motivate” (paroxusmos) is a strong word which literally means to sharpen and figuratively speaks of sharpening of one’s mind or to stimulate to do some action.

What does “motivate” look like in your life and mine?

To motivate is to support, encourage and inspire.  One translation of our verse says, “Let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works.”  Consider this concept within the framework of our planning experiences; promoting something means shining a spotlight on it. So, if we are placing the spotlight on acts of love and good works, we are wanting that person to demonstrate love and good works in some way. We are spotlighting their attention on something that we believe will bring joy and blessing to them, as well as, result in growth as God’s servant. To motivate is to promote.

No matter how you look at it, motivating one another is about inspiring each other to live for God by loving others and doing good deeds in Christ name. This, of course, is a response of gratitude for what Jeus has done for us. 

That is the wonderful experience of Christian Community, motivating, encouraging, inspiring, promoting each other to growth and maturity. Sometimes we are the “motivators,” and many times, if you are like me,  we need to be the ones that are inspired by our fellow believers toward “love and good works’!!

LET US PRAY

God, we approach you with open hearts, eager to be embraced by your love. May our hearts and minds overflow with your divine love, extending its reach to those we encounter. Teach us to be generous with our love so it may reach further than we can imagine. May we shine the Christ-Light of your love, illuminating the darkness. Amen.

 

BEING MOTIVATED

 

September 3, 2024

Dear God, let me seek and find you in this place of prayer. May your presence become so clear to me that I will also recognize you in all the places I may be today. Amen

Hebrews 10:24 (New Living Translation)

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works”

The last couple of weeks we have been thinking together about the Bible’s teaching regarding “one-anothering”. We want to continue to look at this biblical theme, and let the “searchlight” of God’s Holy Spirit speak to us and give us understanding so that we can be fine examples of “one-Anothering.”



Today we are focusing our attention on Hebrews 10:24 which says as you just read, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (NLT). Acts of love can be challenging and time-consuming, and good deeds may sometimes be emotionally taxing and inconvenient. It's not uncommon to feel weary when loving certain individuals becomes difficult; they may let you down, make poor choices, and seem to take advantage of your kindness. This can lead to a sense of fatigue from continuously showing them love and kindness. Over time, this weariness can extend to a general feeling of exhaustion from loving others and doing good.

This is why the Bible says things like Galatians 6:9, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (NLT). Sometimes doing the right thing, saying the right thing, being kind, forgiving, patient, generous, and loving is hard work. If you haven’t already, you will face a day when you need someone to come along and motivate you to keep “doing what is good.” That’s what I invite us to think about this week as we look at some Biblical principles about motivating one another.


We will start with this, motivating one another involves concentration. The Bible says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (NLT). The term "think" (katanoeo) refers to the act of focusing one's mind on something, to observe or consider with care and attention. It involves studying and examining closely, which requires concentration.

When it comes to effectively motivating others, consider adopting this method that I have found quite beneficial. It's a thoughtful way to become someone who inspires those around them. Reflect on these questions with me.

What motivates her or him?
What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses?
What’s the best way to motivate them?
What discourages them? What encourages them?
Who would be the best person to talk to them?
Why are they not inspired?
How do we inspire them?

With information about the person you are wanting to motivate, you think “of ways” to motivate them.

Talk to them.
Pray for them. Pray with them.
Introduce them to someone who is doing what they need to do.
Do they need something to help them to do what they need to do.

Do not misunderstand what the phrase “let us think of ways” implies. It is really about developing ways or approaches to motivate another believer to experience victory in their life and to grow and experience what God intends for them. 

So, go back over those questions and ask God to speak into your mind and heart who he might have you inspire toward fully experiencing all that God has for them.

LET US PRAY 

God help me to remember that:
We are pilgrims on a journey; we are travelers on the road.
We are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load. Amen.

WORK AT IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART

 

September 2, 2024

Thank you, Lord, for graciously revealing yourself to us in Scripture. The first thing you show us about yourself is that you are the God who created all things. You are a God who worked, and who is working still. May you work in and through my life today. Help me to see all of my work this day as an imitation of your creativity. Amen.



Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Genesis 2:7

Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.



The Bible begins by telling us something about God. The first thing we learn about God is that God worked. He made something. He exercised his creative, visionary, ordering power. Throughout Genesis 1 and 2, We witness God deeply immersed in the act of creation.

“The earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:2).

In Genesis 2, we see God working the “dirt” of his creation.

“The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground” (Gen. 2:7).

What occurs to me in the opening chapters of the Bible is that work isn't some "add on" to the biblical story. No, work comes right at the start. In the beginning, God worked.

Created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27), we were designed with work in mind. From the beginning God intended and created human beings to be his partners in the work of bringing creation to fulfillment. God created a perfect world and then entrusted humanity with the task of continuing the work of creation.

“God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth’” (Gen. 1:28a).

You see, the Creating God could have created everything imaginable and filled the earth himself. When we acknowledge this truth of a God who could do it all, I am overwhelmed by the fact that God chose to create humankind to work alongside him to participate in God’s own work.

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it" (Gen. 2:15).

Through our work, God provides food and drink, products and services, knowledge and beauty, organizations and communities, growth and health, and ultimately, praise and glory to Himself. Our work is designed to fulfill God's intentions. It is primarily through our work that we contribute to the greater good, discover meaning in our everyday lives, and leave a lasting impact on the world. We all desire to make a mark on the world, to ensure our lives have significance. This is because we were created with value and sigificance by our loving creator.

There are two words in Hebrew in Genesis 2:15 regarding human calling, avad (“work” or “till”) and shamar (“keep”). These same words are also used to describe our vocation (work) to worship God and keep his commandments. Work done according to God’s purpose is holy

On this Labor Day, I wonder what it might look like if we believed that our work, no matter what we are doing, is fulfilling God’s purpose and is in fact HOLY.

What might the implications for our work be?

How would God go about doing our job?

What values would God bring to it?

What products would God make?

Which people would God serve?

What organizations would God build?

What standards would God use?

In what ways should our work display the God we represent?

Upon completing a task, can we look at the outcomes and feel grateful, thinking, "Thank you, God, for the opportunity to work alongside you in achieving this"?

LET US PRAY

Oh God, put your grace into my heart so I may praise your great and glorious name. You have made me, and you send me into the world to do your work. Assist me to fulfill the purpose of my creation, and to show my praise by giving myself to your service. Amen.

WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU?

 

August 30, 2024


On this final devotion for our week let us read Romans 15:1-13.
Read our verses for today slowly and stop and reflect when a word or statement stands out to you. 
What does God’s Word seem to be saying to you, in prayer ask God to direct your thoughts toward what you have discovered. Take these thoughts into your weekend.


Romans 15 

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”

10 Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”

12 And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

GRACE to YOU, GRACE to ME

 

August 29, 2024

Honoring one another involves grace. Romans 12 says, “Take delight in honoring each other.” I understand that to mean that “each other” means each other. No exceptions. I’m going to honoring you. You are going to honor me. Remember, what we said about honoring others that we are talking about treating people like they have value and like their life matters.

Honoring one another involves grace in several ways.

• Honor involves grace because of people. People struggle with sin, they also have weaknesses. But that does not disqualify them from being honored. Their life is still important. They are still valuable. And it takes grace to honor one another, especially the people who make it hard to honor them. I think we all have some of those challenging folk in our lives. Even so, what a witness to God’s life in us when we Show honor to others. It is an act of grace.
• You cannot show honor to someone enough. We are told to outdo each other in honor. There is no limit to our placing honor on others. God is saying go all out when it comes to honor. Don’t hold back. So go ahead and honor your spouse. Go ahead and honor your teacher. God ahead and honor your parents. Go ahead and honor your brother or sister. God wants you to do this.

A TAKE AWAY

Let us think about two things:

• Who do you need to honor? Is there someone in your life that God is prompting your heart to honor in some way?  How does God want you to show honor to them? Speaking with more respect,  a word of appreciation, or an act of kindness?
• Is there anyone you have dishonored by the way you spoke to them in front of others or even privately? Is there someone you have been cold toward, rude, and distant when in reality who should have shown honor to them? By speaking with respect toward them.

Those are tough questions aren’t they? Searching questions. They made me uncomfortable wrestling with them. Let’s sit with those a little while today. Let the Holy Spirit direct your thoughts and assist you toward being a person of honor by showing honor.

IT'S AN HONOR

 August 28, 2024

Have thine own way, Lord!
Have thine own way!
Thou art the Potter;
I am the clay
mold me and make me
after thy will,
while I am waiting,
yielded and still. …
AMEN.

 Adelaide A. Pollard

Romans 12:10 (NLT)

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

.... Honor one another above yourselves. (NIV)

Today lets think about honoring one another with enthusiasm. Romans 12 encourages us to "Take delight in honoring each other." This means we should be enthusiastic and strive to excel in showing honor to one another. It suggests a positive kind of rivalry where we aim to surpass each other in giving respect and recognition.

Can you imagine that? Think about this for a moment. What would our life be like if we were driven, motivated, inspired, enjoyed, and enthusiastic about honoring the people in our life? What if they reciprocated? Imagine!!

What would happen in relationships if it was the practice to try to outdo each other in honoring one another?

What would it look like if brothers and sisters enjoyed honoring one another?

What would it look like in our neighborhoods if we were motivated to honor one another?

The power of honoring one another has the potential of revolutionizing every relationship in your life.  So lets take delight in each other and be eager to show honor to others.

LET US PRAY

O God, help me to "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above" myself. Amen

(Philippians 2:3)

RESPECTING ALL

 August 27, 2024

I have one deep, supreme desire.
That I may be like Jesus.
To this I fervently aspire,
That I may be like Jesus . . . .
Amen.

Thomas Chisholm

Romans 12:10 (Good News Version)

Love one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another.

Honoring one another involves respect. The Good News Version you just read says, “Be eager to show respect for one another.” Honor and respect go together. You cannot separate them. It’s the two sides of the same coin. To show respect for someone is to give them your special attention. Respecting someone is to listen to them even if you disagree with them. Respecting someone is to not be rude toward them.

Showing respect to another person is something we rarely encounter these days. Have you noticed how people speak to one another in our culture? How they speak about one another in our culture? If respecting someone is to not be rude toward them, then I feel like our culture has lossed grasp of what it means to show respect. You may not agree, but I can't help but notice the disrespect that opposing politicians have for each other, name calling and "character assassination" is rampent. I have watched, as you have, the disrespect toward Prime Ministers/Opposition Leaders, Presidents/former Presidents, and Law enforcement .... I wish I could point the accusing finger at "the world" and say see how disrespectful they are!! but I cannot because the same disrespect rears its ugly head in the church too. I have watched the way that more conservative christians attack, thats the right word, those who are brothers and sisters in Christ but think differently, and vise versa. All of this troubles me deeply because I too have a difficult time being consistant and living up to 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

1 Peter 2:17 states, "Respect everyone." As followers of Jesus, who believe that God created each person with a purpose and significance, we ought to be the most honoring and respectful individuals around. It is a way of being salt and light in the world. Demeaning others, belittling, or engaging in rude sarcasm should never define us. Matthew 7:12 keeps going through my mind “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

LET US PRAY

Sovereign Lord, in reverence to You, let me honor and respect all that You have created.

I admit that I sometimes fail to respect Your most incredible creations—human beings. 

I ask You to replace my self-centeredness with a loving kindness that allows me to view others as You do—as invaluable treasures deserving of gentle care and respect. 

Remind me to uphold respect in my interactions with my spouse, my children, friends, and neighbors, yes even strangers. Forgive me for the times I've set a poor example of respect. Amen.

YOU TAKE THE SHOT

 

August 26, 2024

Grant me, oh Lord, to know what I ought to know, love what I ought to love, to praise what delights you most, the value what is precious in your sight, to hate what is offensive to you. Amen.

Thomas `A Kempis in Little Book of Prayers

Romans 12:10 

 “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other” 

In last Friday's devotion, we suggested that valuing one another is a key ingredient of honor. Today, let's explore the idea that honoring each other involves humility. One interpretation of Romans 12:10 expresses it as, "Honor one another above yourselves" (NIV). It's about serving others, giving them the place of honor instead of seeking it for ourself, and helping them to succeed .

The other day I read a confession of sorts from a man named Brent. He was an exceptional pianist. He recalled that when he was a young man, he had the honor of accompanying a famous singer at his church. Brent saw this as a chance to showcase his keyboard ability. During a rehearsal, he dazzled everyone by gliding his fingers across the keys in true showman fashion, complementing the opening verses of her song.

After the rehearsal, the singer paused, turned to Brent with a grin, and exclaimed, "You know, Brent, I'm quite the wonderful accompanist for you!" Brent said, with her words something clicked for him . He realized his role – he was the accompanist. His job was to back her vocals, never outshining her or drawing attention to his own talents. Simply put, his mission was to do all he could to enhance her performance and make her shine.

To honor each other is to be each other's "accompanist," helping one another to shine. The Message paraphrase of Romans 12:10 captures this beautifully with the phrase, "Practice playing second fiddle." To mix metaphors, it's about knowing when to pass the ball and let someone else take the shot.

So, let us "take delight in honoring each other."

LET US PRAY

Oh God, I thank you that I can stand before you neither above or below any person. Help me to take that privilege and give it to every other person. Amen.

THAT IS VALUABLE

 

August 23, 2024

Oh God, let me live this whole day for the purpose for which it was intended, in works of mercy and necessity; in prayer, praise and meditation; and let the words of my mouth in the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in your sight. Amen.

Romans 12:10 

 “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other” 

Think about a time you were honored. When someone spoke of your value to the family, how significant you were to the company, or how important you were to the team. Maybe they thanked you for something you did for them.

How did it make you feel? Did it inspire you to do more of the same? Did it make the sacrifice worthwhile? Did it give you confidence? Was it uplifting to you on the inside? That’s what honoring others does.

Honoring others can motivate, inspire, uplift, and energize. It transforms feelings of insignificance into significance, obscurity into remembrance, and the urge to quit into renewed determination.

Honoring each other is a significant act. It holds more importance than we may realize, and God can utilize it to foster profound internal transformation in both our lives and the lives of those around us. This is the reason, I believe, that God instructs us to honor each other.

To help us understand this, let’s start with Romans 12:10 which says, “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other”. Here are some thoughts from the Bible about honoring one another.

Honoring one another is to value one another. One of the ingredients of honor is value. Learning how to place value on people. This is where you see others as important. Significant in some way.

Jesus was teaching His disciples one day when He asked, “What is the price of two sparrows – one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows” (Matt. 10:29-31). Another way of saying this is "you can’t put a price tag on how important people are to God."

Our Heavenly Father regarded all people with such importance that He "gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). What more could God do to drive home to us our value to the creator. Recognizing the worth of others is a core aspect of biblical love.

The first step in honoring others in our life is to see them with value, to see them as important to God and therefore, as important to us too.

To honor someone is to value them through our words and deeds, a practice demonstrated by Jesus. He honored Matthew, a tax collector who was scorned by many, and Nicodemus, who initially misunderstood Him. He even honored Judas, aware of the impending betrayal, and Pilate before His crucifixion. Jesus showed honor to friends and foes alike, setting an example for us to follow in our deeds and speech towards one another.

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, your love for us is more than we could ever imagine. Fill our lives with your love, our minds with your thoughts, our mouths with your truth, so that every part of our living is touched by your grace. Amen.

OUR CHIEF END

 

August 22, 2024

Oh God, fill me with confidence and trust that in knowing your will, I may follow it, and that in following your will, I will find joy, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Romans 15:7

“Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory”.

"That God will be given glory," is a consistent theme in all of scripture. Here are a few examples:

1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

The Westminster Shorter Catechism opens with the question "What is the chief end of humankind?" (Man) The answer given is that our chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. The Heidelberg Catechism says God created us in his own image, so that we might truly know God our creator, love him with all their heart, and live with God in eternal happiness, to praise and glorify him.

Our focus today is that last statement in Romans 15:7 that reminds us what all this One Another-ing, this acceptance of each other is about ... "so that God will be given glory”. 

What the Apostle Paul desires for us to comprehend in this verse is that when we follow the Jesus example in receiving each other in love and without judgment or condescension, you give God glory. You bring honor to His name as one of His followers. When you accept others you are demonstrating God’s acceptance of them. You accept others so that God will be given glory.

When we read the opening chapters of the Book of Acts we see how the spirit powered community glorifies God in many ways. However, for me I am drawn to their unity, their acceptance of each other, their welcome of all people. Remember, on the Day of Pentecost the disciples declared the wonders of God in multiple languages, and many believed. This was a mixed group of people with many differences, language being one of them, we also know that the gathering community was made up of slaves and the free, wealthy and poor, some even sold properties to care for the needs of others. We read in response to this that this community of Jesus followers was well thought of by society at large. They may not have believed what this growing community believed but they were glad they were at work in Jerusalem. They brought glory to God. How? Well who else but God could bring such a mixed group together in unity, acceptance, care and welcome?

That is what Paul is getting at here in Romans 15:7. The acceptance of others, and doing life together, loving on them, and caring about them, is a witness to the culture around us of what God by his spirit can do, and when this occurs God's name is honored, glorified and praised. 

LET US PRAY

God, strengthen the hearts of your church in all your servants. Give us grace to concentrate ourselves faithfully and entirely to your service. Help us to encourage one another in love, and grow together as your people, through the merits of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Amen.