No Confidence
In Romans 15:13, we read: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (NLT). We know that Jesus Christ is our only hope. We know that He alone is our confidence. The Bible says, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him” (NIV).
If you have put your confidence in a human at any point in your life, it is likely that you have been let down or hurt. Humans are constantly changing. The hearts of humans are deceptive. Being confident in Christ Jesus is different. We are to rely on what He has done for us. We are to trust in the promises of God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
It is when we try to place our confidence in something else that we find ourselves in trouble and we are always let down. Today, consider where you have placed your confidence. Are you relying on human effort? Are you relying on friends or family? Or have you put your confidence in God? Are you relying on the One who was and is and is to come?
“For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort.” – Philippians 3:3 [NLT]
Helping Others
God positions people beside us to help. In a world that tries to teach us to use people and to see what they can do for us, the Bible speaks of a reverse system. Rather than seeking what we can get in this world, and what people can do for us, we are taught that we should seek the best interests of others. We are taught that we are to look out for our fellow man. We are to speak life. We are to encourage, We are to build up.
In Romans 15, the Apostle Paul speaks about people who are strong in the Lord. These spiritually mature are to be considerate to others. We are to recognize what is most important. It isn’t about pleasing ourselves. It is not about us at all. Answering the command of the Lord, we are to love others. We should help others to do what is right. We should invest in people. Build them up in the Lord. This is relationship. This is living intentional. This is reaching outward.
Today, consider who God has placed around you. There are mentors around you, who are being led by the Spirit to help build you up. Then there are people around you who are growing in the Lord. Speak life to them. Walk beside them. Take time with them. Invest in them. Remember that you once were there. Align yourself to them and help them to sink their roots deeper into Christ Jesus.
“We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” – Romans 15:1-2 [NLT]
Glory to His Name
We have been given the privilege and authority to share the Good News. We have a great responsibility and a great opportunity to tell people everywhere what God has done. As we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what He has done in our own lives, the Spirit will grow the kingdom of God. When people believe, they will obey. In doing so, God will be glorified.
We have a great role in the Kingdom. It is not something to take lightly. God has sent us to go to the nations and this requires dedication and sacrifice. We have been given everything we need to do what He has called us to accomplish. We simply need to walk in faithful obedience.
Today, embrace the privilege and authority He has given you. Ask the Spirit how you can share what God has done for you. You are a chosen vessel, but remember the Spirit does the rest. Pray that those who hear about Jesus will open their hearts, believe, and obey. To God be the glory.
“Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to His name.” – Romans 1:5 [NLT]
Made for More
Did you know you were made for more? Jesus said that we would do greater things than even He did during His earthly ministry. It’s true. Sadly, many of us never step into what God has prepared long ago. We allow our fears to dictate our steps. We make up excuses for not stepping out. We think that others have a ministry, but we don’t have our own ministry. For others, it simply is a matter of not being all in when it comes to walking with Jesus.
Each of us has a ministry. If you think you don’t have a ministry because your spouse is in ministry, that’s incorrect. You each have a ministry role. Each of you have important roles. If you don’t reach out in faith because you believe you are limited, realize that you have the Spirit of God living within you. That is the MOST POWERFUL FORCE in the world inside you! The Holy Spirit with equip you and empower you (Romans 15:13). Simply show up. You have an important ministry.
If you have a list of excuses as to why you don’t do something, consider the reason for the excuses. Are these excuses justified? Maybe you don’t show up to Bible study because you don’t feel like you know enough about the Bible. Guess where you should be then? Bible study. Maybe you don’t help out with the mission work because you feel unqualified. Who is qualified? No one is qualified by their own merits. God alone qualifies (2 Corinthians 3:5). Perhaps you don’t attend church because you feel unworthy. Everyone who attends church is unworthy. We all fall short (Romans 3:23). It is only because Jesus died on the Cross that we can approach God.
Today, remember you were made for more. Reach out for the more. Don’t stand for less. God is a big God and He has big plans. Embrace them.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” – John 14:12 [NIV]
Singing in Harmony
I can sing but I cannot sing well. I am not even sure what a key is or if I am hitting a note. I just sing. I’ve been told to pipe down on numerous occasions and I have accepted that it is not a gift of mine. However we each have a voice with which to sing and Paul talks about us being a choir. Yep, all of us joined together can be a beautiful choir.
Today’s passage says that not only will our voices sing, our very lives will sing in harmony. But how is this possible? Paul says we each “should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up” (v.2 NIV). We should accept each other just as Christ has accepted us. Paul also says that God gives endurance and encouragement and He is able to give each of us the same attitude of mind.
It is not a small task, but God gives us what we need to get it accomplished. As we seek God for endurance and encouragement, as we continue to accept others as He has accepted us, we will grow in Christ and our spiritual maturity will bring us together with one mind and one voice so we can praise the God, singing in harmony—not only with our voices but with our very lives.
“May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!” – Romans 15:5-6 [MSG]
How Can I Help
How often do you wake up and say, “How can I help”? It’s not something we always want to do because helping can be an inconvenience. Helping can be uncomfortable. Helping may cause us to sacrifice. But if you wake up each morning and ask God how you can help, don’t be surprised when you get lots and lots of answers.
There was a time when I woke up and thinking of others was far from my mind. Even today there are days when I wake up and I want to live for me. But God has been helping me to see how awesome it is to ask how I can help when I start my day. So on a normal day I wake up and thank God for the opportunity to serve Him another day. Then I ask how I can help. And when there’s someone struggling, I don’t pray only for them to find relief, be healed, receive direction, etc., but I ask God how I can be used in the situation.
Watch out when you ask this question. God may open your eyes to many people in need. God may place before you people who need rides, who need a shoulder to cry upon, who are going to pull you out of your comfort zone. You might have to change your routine so you can help someone. You may have to leave early to pick up someone for a ride. There may be a phone call when you wanted to watch television and veg. Paul wrote to “not just do what is most convenient.” There are people who falter. There are people in need. We “are strong and able in the faith” so that we can “step in and lend a hand.” So how can YOU help today?
“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?’” – Romans 15:1-2 [MSG]
In One Voice
I love to take an early morning walk with Max; the earliest the better. When the sun is first coming up and there is still dew on the grass, there is a great peace that embraces you. The sweet melody of birds chirping is so beautiful. This morning I heard a chorus of different birds chirping together. I spotted cardinals, blue jays, hummingbirds, robins, black birds and others. They came together in one song, one voice that was pleasant to my ears.
As I finished walking home, Max and I continued to hear these birds. I thought of Romans 15 – I considered the harmony we are to live in, and the voice that we are to sing with together—with one voice. These birds were different types of birds, all different sizes, all different voices. They gather together in harmony this morning to have their morning meal and sing. It was so peaceful to my ears.
Paul spoke of us living as Christ desired, in complete harmony together. He wrote, “Then all of you can join together with ONE VOICE, giving PRAISE AND GLORY TO GOD.” We each sound different. Some of us are altos, some sopranos. Some of us have raspy voices, others can reach high pitches. Some of us use our voice to express different opinions than others. Some of us speak loud; some of us are quiet spoken. But Paul says we can all unite together with one voice. How? Through Christ Jesus. God gives “patience and encouragement” to us. It’s possible. Too often we spend our time trying to argue our stance, trying to be heard, trying to be seen, trying to make a point. It should all be about Jesus. If we each make it all about Jesus, and we gather together with the same heart for Jesus, then it doesn’t matter if we are from different denominations, different backgrounds, different cultures—it doesn’t matter our opinions, how we dress or anything else. Only Jesus matters. And with one voice, may we sing. May we sing praises to our great Father.
“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” – Romans 15:5-7 [NLT]
Privilege and Authority
Privilege and authority are two words most people would like to have associated with their names. We often work diligently to gain the privilege of certain opportunities. We work just as hard to gain authority. We might not like the responsibility that comes with authority, but being in the position has its perks.
When we receive Christ into our lives, not only do we get the free gift of salvation and an open door to a beautiful and satisfying relationship with God Almighty, but we also receive privilege and authority. We are called to “go” and take the Message. We are commanded to share Jesus with those that cross our path. Some of us are even directed to new paths in uncharted territory.
We have the privilege. We have the authority. The question is what are you doing with it? Do you see the Great Commission as a privilege? Do you live and speak as one with authority?
“Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.” – Romans 1:5 [NLT]
