Christ Church Daily Devotion May 10 2024

In Romans 12, the chapter provides practical advice for Christians. It emphasizes offering oneself as a living sacrifice to God and not conforming to the ways of the world. Each person has different gifts and abilities, and they should use them to serve others. Love should be sincere, and believers should be devoted to one another. They should live in harmony, not being proud or seeking revenge. Instead, they should overcome evil with good. The chapter encourages Christians to make a difference by using their gifts to love and help others. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for May 10th, 2024. Today, we will be reading from Romans, Chapter 12. 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. 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. 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. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith. If it is serving, then serve. If it is teaching, then teach. If it is to encourage, then give encouragement. If it is giving, then give generously. If it is to lead, do it diligently. If it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope. Patient in affliction. Faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 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, says the Lord. On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will keep burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This chapter gives some very practical advice and guidance on living as a Christian. The first step in this journey with Christ is to give ourselves as living sacrifices. But what does this look like? It is going to God with empty hands. No hidden agendas. No crossed fingers. Nothing behind your back. It is going to Him with a willingness to do whatever He says. God desires that we surrender every part of our lives to Him. He has gifted each one of His children with abilities to bless others and illuminate God's love on earth. That is love in action. God calls us to authenticate in genuine love, which requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money, and personal involvement. No individual has the capacity to express love to a whole community but the body of Christ. Together, we can make a huge difference. Your personal worship option today? Look for people who need your love today. Use the gifts and abilities that God has given you to make a difference.