Wellspring of Joy
Psalm 150:1-2
Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Pondering Point
Wednesdays will revolve around rejoicing that we are HIS in Christ – we are God’s. Each week celebrates a different facet of our relationship with God, such as a shepherd-and-sheep image or a potter-and-clay analogy. We’ll acknowledge God’s work in our lives, praising Him for who He is and for what He has done. This week we rejoice over this truth:
We are recipients of His mercy.
Romans 12:1a
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy…
~ Apostle Paul
Rejoice that you are a recipient of God’s mercy through Jesus Christ. Romans chapters 1-11 are a precursor to the emphatic “therefore” of chapter 12:1. As Romans 3:24 says, we are freely justified by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
I am HIS recipient of mercy thanks to Jesus. Amen!
If you want to know some appropriate responses to such grace, read Romans 12 – it has plenty of practical suggestions. More tomorrow.
Prayer
Father God, thank for You for the mercies that come my way, that come our way through Jesus Christ our Lord, and for Your goodness that comes to us through Him. May I bring You praise by the way I live my life – a spiritual act of worship in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Footnotes:
Romans 12:6 Or the
Romans 12:8 Or to provide for others
Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22