I liked this statement because it reminded me that complaining is on the same level with any other vice. People give up smoking. Sweets. Watching too much TV. Alcohol. Drugs.
But how many of us think about giving up complaining?
I’d like to give up complaining. I think I’ll work on it a bit harder.
I’ve never been a big fan of change.
I came across a good definition of change when I was reading an article from Joyce Meyer’s magazine (not sure who wrote it, since I ripped out the page).
It says: “Change means we stop doing something we’re doing and start doing something we aren’t doing. It’s letting go of something we like–to take hold of something we’re not sure about. This can also happen even if we haven’t enjoyed what we’ve been doing for the past 100 years. We can still be afraid to let go because even if we don’t like it, we at least know what it is. This fear of change can cause us to feel ripped apart and have a divided heart.
“Faith propels us to take a chance–to step out and find out. We need to be willing to try and risk being wrong–if that’s what it takes to find out what God has for us.”
It sometimes shocks me how new and fresh the Word can be. I’ve been studying Romans 12, verse by verse. Today I found a gem that is really applicable to my life and my relationships.
“Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want to yourselves.” Romans 12:10
How do I love my brother and sister? With fondness, patience, and positive expectations. I love them because of who they are, not because of what they do. I go out of my way for them.
But it was the second part of this verse, that really caused me to pause. Give each other more honor than you want for yourself. Giving honor? I’ve given a lot of gifts, but what does it mean to give honor to others? Is it respect? Appreciation? Value? Kudos? The dictionary says, “Treat someone with great respect” and it says respect is “great admiration.”
I think I might need to study what actions equal respect. Our world has been filled with so many shady people and bad leaders, that sometimes I think I have traded in admiration for skepticism. Maybe God’s word is telling me its time for a change.
According to the Bible, I should be clothed in mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Col. 3:12 “God has chosen you and made you his Holy people. He loves you. So you should always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
I really liked this verse. I liked the challenge inherit in it.
“Your love must be real. Hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good.”
–Romans 12:9 (NCV)
I’m not sure I have much to add to this verse, except, how do I hold on to what is good? Why do the evil things get so much of our attention while the good things slip away unnoticed?
How do we make our love real?
Can we know real love without God (who is love)?
2 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him.”
A nice thought to chew on when life can be mundane. We can’t even imagine what God has prepared for us. Is there anything that you can’t imagine here on earth? Anything that brings true wonder to you?
Get ready for God.
Romans 12: 6 - 8
“We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace which God gave us. The person who has the gift of prophesy should use that gift in agreement with the faith. Anyone who has the gift of serving should serve. Anyone who has the gift of teaching should teach. Whoever has the gift of encouragement should encourage. Whoever has the gift of giving to others should give freely. Anyone who has th gift of being a leader should try hard when he leads. Whoever has the gift of showing mercy to others should do so with joy.” NCV
Here’s what I get out of these verses: God has given everyone a gift. Be satisifed with what you have been given and use it! No where does it imply that we all have the same gifts or that one gift is better than another.
Romans 12:4 - 5
“Each one of us has a body with many parts, and these parts all have different uses. In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body, and each part belongs to all the other parts.”
We’ve all heard that we’re the body of Christ, and it always bears repeating. We are all on the same team!
But the other idea that each part of the body belongs to all of the other parts really intrigues me. What does that really mean? Is it just that each Christian is responsible to other Christians or something more?
Hmmm…