Daily Bible Study

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Day 12 Romans 12 Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Negativity is a widespread evil in our society. People look at the bad side of life rather than the good, resulting in crime of hate, jealousy, and widespread murder. People would rather get even than to seek diplomacy and work out their differences. Paul saw the same traits taking place among the churches and wrote to them telling them how they were to behave among each other and those around them. As Christians, when you apply these same principles to your daily life, treating people the way you want to be treated, you will find joy and satisfaction filling your days. You will go to bed at night knowing you made a difference in someone’s life even if the only thing you could do was give them a smile instead of a harsh comment. Give every situation into God’s hands and let Him take care of those who spread hate and discord. God told the children of Israel they were to love God and love their neighbor. Jesus said the same thing. Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (KJV) Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD. Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Paul said when you treat others the way you want to be treated you heap coals on their heads. Doing so is not mean and spiteful, but loving and caring. Proverbs 25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. (KJV) In many cultures people carry household necessities in baskets on their heads. One of those things carried in baskets was coal to light their morning fires. When people would heap coal on people’s heads, it was giving them the means to heat their homes and cook their food. Everything you do is to be without vengeance, but out of kindness. Paul said you are to be kindly affectioned one to another. Set your differences aside and work through your problems and God will reward you, first with a good night’s sleep, and then as people get to know the kind of person you are, you will find favor from God and man. Isn’t that worth a good night’s sleep? Let’s pray: Father, help me lay my differences aside and show compassion to everyone I encounter. Help me give every situation into Your hands. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 9 March 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay