Good day and praise the Lord for another day on the path to Him. What a great day this is going to be. I don’t know about where you are but where I live its lovely. I think it’s an extended Summer.
Today’s Prayer
Father, today let us consider Your revelation to Your Apostle Paul which is recorded in the twelfth verse of the sixth chapter of his letter to the Ephesian church: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against powers, against world forces of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.” Oh Lord, save us from ourselves! Open our eyes before we become mesmerized by those who would try to lead us astray for their own purposes. Help us to realize that Satan often comes disguised as a seducer or temptress, a pretender, a deceiver, or a charming liar. Oh Lord, help us recognize the enemy, for fear that we be easily taken in. Help us stand firmly on Your Word and to trust You to put protective angels around us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Living to Please Others
Romans 15:1-13
1 We may know that these things make no difference, but we cannot just go ahead and do them to please ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and fears of those who think these things are wrong. 2 We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t please himself. As the Scriptures say, “Those who insult you are also insulting me.” 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises. 5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other–each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified. 8 Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. 9 And he came so the Gentiles might also give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:
“I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing praises to your name.”
10 And in another place it is written, “Rejoice, O you Gentiles, along with his people, the Jews.” 11 And yet again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise him, all you people of the earth.” 12 And the prophet Isaiah said, “The heir to David’s throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hopes on him.” 13 So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Quote of the Day
Christians are like the several flowers in a garden that have each of them the dew of heaven, which, being shaken with the wind, they let fall at each other’s roots, whereby they are jointly nourished, and become nourishers of each other. ~John Bunyan~