Day 41: The Weak and The Strong

Romans 14, 15, 16

I can admit that I used to be one of those people who said, “I’m not sure how the stories of the Bible relate to my life and problems now.”  In the little time that I have spent in the Word, I realize now that anyone who says this has yet to read their “owner’s manual”.  I used to wonder, “How am I supposed to apply this story to {present situation}?”

As I read Romans 14 & 15, I couldn’t help but realize that the Bible is filled with practical applications.  I may not be able to understand what is different about being able to figure out application but I do know that it is all due to God.  I realized that I am a culmination of both the weak and the strong.  It has essentially become harder – because I now have the knowledge.

As I read about the instructions that Paul gave to the Romans as far as the weak and the strong go, I could easily see myself in both classifications.

¹Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. Romans 14:1

⁴Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4

⁸If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.  ⁹For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. ¹⁰You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. Romans 14:8-10

¹We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. ²Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”^{[a] 4}For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:1-4

¹³May 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. Romans 15:13

Dear Lord, as I deepen my relationship with You, let your Spirit fill me with joy and peace.  The joy and peace that you bestowed on all of us – though undeserved. may it serve as a reminder of our weakness and of your great strength.  I pray that you may humble any desire of boasting for earthly reasons, let it be boasting for you and that I may seek Your truth. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 40: Love Is The Way

Romans 11, 12, 13

Have you ever struggled with showing love?  Love is not just for those you get along with.  Love is not just for those you want to love.  True love is for all to give & receive.  I’ve lately been struggling with not being able to love and loving just those that I want to love.  As I struggle to find which way is right, I reflect on Romans 12.  Paul writes to the Romans on what love is.

⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[b]says the Lord. ²⁰On 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.”^{[c] 21}Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21

As a sense of guilt washed over me, I couldn’t help but feel confused.  How can one hate what is evil but also live at peace with everyone?  I am hurt and confused.  I am angry and bitter.  I am upset that she hasn’t asked for forgiveness.  I pray that I may receive a clearer answer – so that I may truly be able to approach this sensitive matter in the most Christ-like fashion.

Dear Lord, I humbly ask for your forgiveness in my hate and anger.  Spitefully, I seek revenge.  You have however, instructed us to overcome evil with good.  I pray that the Words I have read and the love that I know you have shown to all (whether it was deserved or asked) will soften my anger.  I beseech your wisdom on how to handle this petty matter of men. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 39: Through The Spirit

Romans 8, 9, 19

Thoughts of my weakness plague me through and through.  Watching myself commit my sins over and over confirm how imperfect of a person that I truly am.  I get discouraged at times, seeing the lack of growth in my spiritual self.  As I read chapter 8, I was reminded that it is through the spirit that I am able to do these things.

¹⁰But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. Romans 8:10

¹³For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, ¹⁴because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ¹⁵For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.^[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[b] Father.” Romans 8:13-15

²⁶In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26

Lost? Defeated?  Turn to prayer – even if you don’t know what to pray for or even how to pray, let the Holy Spirit guide you.  Submit to the Spirit, your worries and anxieties, for He knows how to intercede on our behalf.

Dear Lord: Your Holy Spirit is what makes all things possible.  When I struggle to make sense of it all, I slowly start to ask the Spirit for guidance.  In my frail beliefs, I’m afraid of acting on my own accord and against Your will.  Help me to truly understand my relationship with the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 38: Peace & Joy

Romans 5, 6, 7

By being justified in our faith, we have the luxury of being granted peace and joy.  Think of it.  Regardless of what we’ve done, by coming and repenting before God and truly abiding by His instructions – we get to experience peace.  This, however, does not mean that we will be free of stress, pain and hurt.  Why?  Being saved does not reflect on the ease of life.  It means quite the contrary.

³Not only so, but we^[a] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

Is this not true?  Isn’t suffering the root of becoming a stronger person – to persevere – to build character?  It draws upon your trust and faith in Him.  I realized this just recently.  When I had what I thought I needed (job, money, love, friends), it was hard for me to grasp the concept of complete trust and faith.  It made me quite the sad believer.  I wasn’t sure why I felt this way.  When my stability was taken away from me, my inner faith had to burst through.  It was then, that I realized that God does provide.  He provided me with a peace and joy that I will never be able explain – but will forever be grateful.

Dear Lord: Thank you for granting me peace and joy through the marvelous sacrifice of your Son’s blood.  I realize more and more that it isn’t the earthly things that provide me with peace and joy, but your grace, forgiveness and the gift of my salvation.  Thank you for loving me, even though I am a sinner, enough to sacrifice your one and only Son. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 37: Righteous Judgment

Romans 2, 3, 4

As humans, we place judgment on everything.  We may do it for a myriad of reasons, good and bad.  However, no one should judge – we are not fit to.  Who are we to impose our opinion of someone or something when we ourselves are weak and sinners?  As Paul speaks in Romans, he explains God’s righteous judgment.

¹You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1

⁶God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”^{[a] 7}To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. ⁸But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. ⁹There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; ¹⁰but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Romans 2:6-10

¹³For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. Romans 2:13

Let’s not talk about what we do or what we’re called to do – let’s actually do them – live our lives according to.  Knowing & hearing provide us no benefit if we don’t apply it to our lives.

We are all alike, under sin.

¹⁰As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
¹¹there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
¹²All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”^[a]
13“Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.”^[b]
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”^[c]
14“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”^[d]
15“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
¹⁶ruin and misery mark their ways,
¹⁷and the way of peace they do not know.”^[e]
18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”^[f]

Dear Lord – I ask that as I develop a deeper relationship with you, that I will learn to apply your lessons and laws – and not just know of them.  What good does it do if I speak one thing and do another?  I completely submit myself to your mercy and ask that you judge my heart.  Soften and stir my heart so that I can free myself of my earthly sins and pleasures.  Help me to trust in your divine being. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Day 36: It Takes Courage

Acts 27, 28; Romans 1

Faith takes courage.  I know this to be true.  It is also the hardest thing to muster up in the face of hard times.  When things go awry – I admit, cowering in my fear and uncertainty seems easiest.  However, this is exactly what we need to stray from – learn how to channel the fear of unknown and to beat that fear through perseverance.

²²But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Acts 27:22

When you think that all is lost, do you turn to panic and fear or to the comfort of His promise?

²⁵So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Acts 27:25

The next doubt that I follow in thought is “How do I know that this is what God wanted to happen?”  As I read Paul’s final statement to the Romans, I was ashamed that this is how I approached my faith as well.

²⁵They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
²⁶” ‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
²⁷For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’^[a]

²⁸“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”^[b] Acts 28:25-28

Dear Lord, Soften my heart so that I may see with my eyes, listen with ears and understand with my heart.  I realize so many of weaknesses and I humbly submit them to you for guidance.  I struggle in overcoming these man made doubts in exchange of your glory.  I seek your name and your promise.  Thank you for all that you provide. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.