“Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God (Romans 15:7, ESV).

What did you do to deserve Jesus’ love and acceptance? The answer is “nothing”. You did nothing to earn God’s approval. In the same way, we receive each other not because of any benefit to ourselves, but simply because we recognize value the same way God does. Each person we meet is created in the image and likeness of God. Each person we meet is filled with potential to impact the world in some significant way. Each person we meet was of such value that Jesus died on the cross for them. Each person you meet is immortal—made to live forever in the presence of God. The only exceptions are those who rebelliously refuse God’s gift of salvation. And God tasks us with the role of begging them to join Jesus, lest they spend eternity apart from God in the hell prepared for the devil and his angels. We love them with the love that comes from God. We grace them with His grace. We bless them with His blessing. We call them with His calling. We welcome them even as God has welcomed us.

“If we truly understood the depth of Christ’s acceptance of us, our own petty disagreements and judgments of one another would completely vanish.” –Francis Chan
 
Today and every day, welcome and receive at least one person, in the same way that your Father in Heaven has welcomed and received you.

Dave Samples

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up” (Romans 15:1-2, ESV).

I learned about this while training with the Marine Corps as a Chaplain. Our unit’s performance was judged as whole—not as individual members. This meant encouraging the slow members to increase their pace and picking up the slack of the weaker members. This sometimes meant literally pushing someone over a wall that they were struggling to climb so that the unit could finish an obstacle course quicker. We were judged as one.

This is a good picture to have of the church. The strong help the weak. Those who are healthy help those who are sick and broken. We don’t throw anyone away. We carry each other’s burdens.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
 
“Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

“God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.” –John Henry Jowett (1863-1923).

How can you practice this verse today and every day?

Dave Samples

“Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19, ESV).

To pursue is to chase or run after. It is to aggressively use all of our energy to go after someone or something. In this case, we are to use all of our ability to chase down peace. And we are to aggressively build each other up. This is no passive exercise—it’s a focused pursuit.

I think this verse also gives us the recipe for peace—"Aggressively pursue building each other up”. Peace naturally breaks out when people feel affirmed, valued, wanted, and appreciated. This will work in your marriage, your home, your workplace, and in your church.

We go wrong when we think that the ultimate purpose of the church is to build us up individually. That will happen—but it’s not the primary focus. We join a church so that we can contribute to the mutual building up of one another. And when we do it well—peace happens—both within us and around us.

“To add value to others, one must first value others.” –John Maxwell

“When you choose to intentionally add value to other people, you begin to live a life that matters” –John Maxwell

Today, seek to add value to every person you encounter.

Dave Samples

“Let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother (Romans 14:13, ESV).

Our goal should be to help each other move further along in the kingdom of God. That said, it is possible to do the opposite and actually cause someone to stumble or trip. For example, someone might believe that there is nothing wrong with having a drink from time to time. And it’s true—there is no biblical prohibition. However, within our church are many who are recovering from alcohol addiction. Love would motivate us to not drink in front of someone who has had an issue with alcohol. It’s not about rights or even freedom—it’s about love.

Doing life together as a church means that we are always concerned with how our actions, our attitudes, and our arguments impact each other. We exist for the benefit of each other. “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Let’s together pursue whatever promotes righteousness, peace, and joy.

“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” –Augustine (354-430).

Have you ever done or said something that diminished the faith of someone else? What in your life could the enemy use as a hindrance?

Dave Samples

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions” (Romans 14:1, ESV).

This verse serves as a summary of Romans 14:1-12. Let me encourage you to stop here and go ahead and read all twelve verses.

One of the dangers that we face as a church is that we would become divided over opinions. And we have a lot of opinions. Romans 14 highlights things like food, drink, and which days are set apart for worship. We could add some issues to the list, things like which songs are best for worship, which Bible translation is best, and I’m sure you can come up with a few.
 
Let’s list some general principles from the text that we can use for personal application.

1. Welcome each other (v1).
2. Don’t quarrel with each other (v1).
3. Don’t despise each other (v3).
4. Don’t pass judgment on each other (v3).
5. Know what you believe (v5).
6. Do all for the honor of the Lord (v6).
7. Don’t live just for yourself (v7).
8. Live for Jesus (v8).
9. You will give account of yourself to God (v12).

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” –Carl Jung
 

“Thinking is difficult, that’s why most people judge.” –Carl Jung
 
This is a great list to remember before you begin your day. How might this list change your relationships?

Dave Samples

“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires (Romans 13:14, ESV).

A few days ago, in Romans 13:12, we were instructed to put on the armor of light, in the same way that we might dress for the day. Today we’re told to put on (to wear) Jesus. Still thinking of Romans 13:12, He is our armor of light. He is THE weapon of righteousness. When we display Jesus, we are choosing righteousness over selfishness. “Provision” carries the idea of foresight or planning. It’s pre-deciding to do what Jesus would do and to think what Jesus would think.

The practical application is that, as the day begins, I imagine multiple ways in which I might be tempted to serve my flesh instead of Jesus. Here is an acrostic I use to both confess sin and to prepare for the day by pre-deciding to live for Jesus.

• Control – I know that I will want to control the events and the people that I will encounter today. I’m pre-deciding to let God be in control of everyone and everything. If I have meetings or events already set up, I imagine what it looks like for Jesus to be in control.

• Heart – I have had a life-long battle to not worry too much about what people think about me. I pre-decide that Jesus is the only opinion that matters today. To the best of my ability, I will do what He desires today.

• Emotions – I’ve come a long way, but my emotions can sometimes get away from me. This can look like frustration, anger, hurt feelings, disappointment, and even depression. I pre-decide that the fruit of the Spirit is what I will display (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).

• Selfishness – I pre-decide to listen well, to serve well, and to avoid putting my interests first.

• Spirit – I pre-decide to listen and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit, no matter how insignificant they may seem. This is often picking up a piece of trash or asking a stranger how I can pray for them.

“Your quality of life is determined by the quality of your decisions and your decisions are determined by your pre-decisions” –Craig Groeschel

Prayerfully work through the CHESS process as you prepare for your day today.

Dave Samples

“Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy (Romans 13:13, ESV).

Let us walk properly, orderly, and in a way that is fitting for the children of God. We are not ruled by our passions, our appetites, or our ambitions. We are led by the Spirit! One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), which means that we are not merely subject to instinctive reactions. We are self-controlled as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit that indwells all believers. A true Christians can never say, “I just couldn’t help myself”. Let us walk properly.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response” –Viktor Frankl (Holocaust survivor who was imprisoned in four different concentration camps over a four-year period).

Today, spend ten minutes inviting the Holy Spirit to fill you with His self-control, that you might walk properly.

Dave Samples

“Let us cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12b, ESV).

Everyday I make a decision about which clothes I want to wear. I have a variety of jeans, slacks, t-shirts, button down shirts, and polos. I have wide selection of colors and styles. There are many choices to be made.

This verse is about choices. Take off what belongs to the darkness and put on what belongs to the day.
 
Other scriptures tell us to take off:
• Your old self (Ephesians 4:22).
• Falsehood (Ephesians 4:25).
• Anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk (Col 3:8).
• Every weight and sin (Hebrews 12:1).
• Filthiness and rampant wickedness (James 1:21).
• Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander (1 Peter 2:1).

The word translated “armor” here is the Greek word “hoplon”, which literally means an implement, tool, or a weapon. “Armor” makes sense because it’s a weapon that we’re putting on. To be sure, this is about dressing for battle with the weapons of light. Other places this word is used as, “instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:13), “weapons of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 6:7), and “weapons of our warfare” (2 Corinthians 10:4).

“Keep your eyes on the Light, and the shadows of darkness will fall behind you.” –Mother Teresa

Today, decide to pursue spiritual success. Take off the “works of darkness” and put on the “weapons of light”. What are you wearing today?

Dave Samples

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other” (Romans 13:8, ESV).

As we shared yesterday, we are to pay our bills, pay our taxes, and pay respect and honor (value) to those in our lives who have positively contributed to our well-being. The result is that we owe nothing to anyone. . . except love. The verses that follow declare three things:

• Love fulfills the law (v8).
• Love summarizes the law (v9).
• Love does no wrong (v10).

Jewish tradition identified exactly 613 commandments in the Old Testament. One word, one act, and one expression fulfills all 613 of them—love! Imagine that—nothing is as important as love. Nothing should take more of our focus than developing and practicing acts and attitudes of love.
 
Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians insists, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

In 1 John 4, love for each other is equated with love for God. One is not possible without the other (v7-21).
 
And the source of love is revealed as God Himself, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

“Our modern concept of love is largely sentimental. Biblical love is a rugged commitment to the well-being of others.” –Richard Foster

Practice this prayer exercise for few minutes: Close your eyes and imagine God filling you with His love. See Him filling you. Feel what it feels like as He fills you. Get so full of God’s love that it can’t help but leak out.

Dave Samples

“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:7, ESV).

We are to pay our taxes, pay our bills, and pay our respect to those whom it is due. Maybe I don’t have to say this but Christians are supposed to be good people—the kind of people that make homes, communities, churches, and nations great. Don’t be a strain on those around you but contribute your time, your talent, and your treasure, in order to bless the communities in which you belong.

The word translated “respect” is actually the word, “fear”. Think of it as a “healthy fear”—like respecting electricity, or a growling dog. It’s the attitude that we should have when pulled over by law enforcement—respect knowing that this person has the power to write a ticket, or even arrest us, if circumstances warrant it. Certainly, we are to respect and fear God.

The word “honor” should be thought of as “value”. We honor those individuals that we value—either because of what they add to our lives, or because of what they have done with their life. For example, we honor our parents, we honor our leaders, and we honor those that have provided spiritual guidance. We honor veterans, we honor heroes, and we honor those who have sacrificed to make the world a better place.

“Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.” –Daniel Webster (1782-1852)

Thinking about your finances and your relationships—what do you owe? Make a list of people who have influenced and helped you. If possible, send them a note of thanks.

Dave Samples 

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1, ESV).

This verse summarizes the first five verses of Romans 13. I’ll summarize the other verses for you but it would be worth the effort to go ahead and read Romans 13:1-5. Go ahead and I’ll wait. Here’s my outline:

1. All authority comes from God (v1).
2. All authorities are established by God (v1).
3. To resist authority is to resist God (v2).
4. Those who resist God will be judged (v2).
5. Those who do good have nothing to fear (v3).
6. Those who do wrong should be very afraid (v4).

The clear and basic teaching of this passage is that we are to obey the laws of our country. We should not be known as rebellious but rather as good citizens. If we are unjustly targeted by law enforcement, then we have the courts as a remedy. In America, we have the right and privilege to elect and pray for our leaders. We have the ability to petition our leaders when we have grievances or when we believe mistakes are being made. We have the ability to elect new leaders when warranted. When authority must be questioned—there is a right and humble approach that must be exercised.

“It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey.” –Ignatius of Antioch (1491-1556)

Are there areas of your life where adjustments need to be made? (obeying the speed limit for example).

Dave Samples

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21, ESV).

Whenever you see the word “evil”, translate it detrimental. And when you see the word “good” translate it beneficial. This is a more accurate understanding of the intended meaning of the biblical words. Thus, we are not to be overcome by detrimental things and detrimental people, but rather we are to overcome the detrimental with the beneficial. We are not people who curse—we are people who bless! And our blessings are always more powerful than a curse.

Now let’s better understand the word translated here as “overcome”. It is a Greek word that you are already familiar with—NIKE. You may not know that this popular shoe brand actually means “Victory”. It refers to triumph in any form of conflict—battle, athletic, contests, and legal disputes.

Our verse today is telling us, “Do not allow detrimental people and detrimental circumstances to have victory in your life. Don’t allow them to conquer you. But rather, conquer them by doing what is right and beneficial.”

“Right is right even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.” –Augustine of Hippo (354-430).

How can you conquer evil by doing good today?

Dave Samples

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; or by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head” (Romans 12:20, ESV).

This verse is a direct quote of Proverbs 25:21-22. The clear message is that we are to overcome hurtful evil with blessed good by meeting practical needs in the life of our antagonist. As Christians, we don’t curse or attempt to get even, we forgive and we bless.

The “burning coals on his head” reference lends itself to a few different interpretations:

1. One perspective relates to the importance of fire in the ancient biblical world. If you had no fire in your home for cooking or for heat, you would ask your neighbor for live coals in order to quickly relight your fire. In those days, just about everything was carried on one’s head—and these burning coals would also be carried in a container on top of the head. Sharing coals was an expected responsibility within the community. Next time, it might be you that needs the burning coals, and thus it was an act of community interdependence.

2. A second perspective is that this is metaphorically speaking of the shame that one might feel when their hurtful word of act is responded to with grace and love. Our blessing causes them to reconsider their ways and hopefully repent. This idea parrots Romans 2:4, “The kindness of God leads you to repentance.”

This is a core indicator of one’s relationship with Jesus. The way we respond to hardship, indicates the strength and maturity of our soul. We act like the world because we are of the world. We only act like Jesus when we are truly of Jesus.

“Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much” –Oscar Wilde

Who comes to mind as you read this devotional? How can you bless enemies? Will you do it?

Dave Samples

“Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19, ESV).

This echoes the devotion from two days ago, “Repay no one evil for evil” (Rom 12:17). Instead of seeking revenge, we are to leave it up to God. If punishment is to dealt out—God is the one to do it. Leave it up to Him.
 
This message is confirmed in four other passages:

“Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them” (Deuteronomy 32:35, NASB).
“O Lord, God of vengeance, God of vengeance, shine forth!” (Psalm 94:1).
“The Lord is the avenger in all these things” (1 Thessalonians 4:6).
“For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay’. It is a terrifying thing to fall in the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:30-31).
“Living well is the best revenge.” –George Herbert (1593-1633).

If someone has harmed you, let me suggest writing down their name and the wrongs that they have done. Then prayerfully tear up the piece of paper into little pieces and throw it away. Be done with it.

Dave Samples

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18, ESV).

This verse suggests that it is not always possible to live peaceably with everyone. It doesn’t always depend on you. Sometimes the people and the circumstances are beyond your influence. It can be emotionally draining to have a conflict or a broken relationship and not be able to resolve it. Sometimes you just have to prayerfully wait from a distance.

The instruction here is to do everything in our power to promote peace. What might that look like?

P—rayer: This is the first and best step. Pray blessing and peace into people with whom you are having conflict.
E—mpathy: Feel what they feel. Listen and understand their perspective. If you don’t understand their perspective—then you haven’t yet listened.
A—cceptance: Conflict can happen because we are trying to control what isn’t ours to control. Accept that God is ultimately the only one in control. Learn to let it go.
C—ompassion: Love like God loves. Practice feeling love and compassion. Reject feelings of hurt and frustration.
E—ffort: Peace may require sharing acts of kindness, thoughtful gifts, looking past faults, and investing time and energy.

“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
Practice the PEACE outline with those whom you may be in conflict. Really try it and see what happens.

Dave Samples

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all” (Romans 12:17, ESV).

We might be tempted to hurt someone who has hurt us—to exercise revenge. But God tells us to do just the opposite—to do the righteous thing and discover ways to provide benefit to them instead. To be sure, following Jesus is not for the faint of heart. That angry note or derogatory Facebook post (or something far worse) may feel good for a moment, but when we show Spiritual Christian maturity and bless those who make our lives difficult (v14), God is honored and He chooses to bless us.
 
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. . .  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great” (Luke 6:27-28, 35).

“But the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your God loves you” (Deuteronomy 23:5).

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” –Mark Twain

This is difficult teaching because it forces us to overcome our natural tendencies—our flesh. With that said, who has come against you that you need to release into God’s control? What is one thing you can do to bless them?

Dave Samples

“Never be wise in your own sight” (Romans 12:16c, ESV).

This continues yesterday’s instruction, “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly” (16b). The wisest among us do not know that they are wise. They will not allow themselves to believe it. It’s their humility that gives them a step up in wisdom.
 
The Bible tells us what a wise person looks like, “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). This is a good way to test our thoughts and opinions:

1. Pure: Are your thoughts and words sincere, full of integrity, lacking an agenda?
2. Peaceable: Do your thoughts and words result in peace or in conflict?
3. Gentle: Are your thoughts and words tender, fair-minded, and willing to yield?
4. Reasonable: Are your thoughts and words cooperative and approachable?
5. Full of Mercy: Are your thoughts and words full of compassion and restoration?
6. Good Fruits: Are your thoughts and words backed by consistent and spiritual action?
7. Unwavering: Are your thoughts and words without bias, or people-pleasing? 
8. Without Hypocrisy: Are your thoughts and words real and genuine?

This is a good list to print out and tape to the refrigerator. You can refer to it often—when you are having an argument, when you are upset with someone, and when you have a strong opinion.

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing” –Socrates (470-399 BC).

Which of the above eight points do you most need to address in your life? How can you begin to practice this biblical list every day?

Dave Samples

“Do not be haughty (high, lofty, esteemed), but associate with the lowly” (Romans 12:16b, ESV).

“Haughty” is a state of mind. It is a belief that you are better than others, that you are farther along, and that you are more accomplished in your life, than perhaps others. I’ve lived at this address more than once in my life, and I have been wrecked every time.
 
Instead, God calls us to “associate with the lowly”. I don’t think this verse is talking about people as much as it is referring to our thoughts. Yes, we must value all people as we, “live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:16a). But the opposite of a haughty mind is a humble mind. And a humble mind values everyone as better than themselves. Associate with lowly (humble) thoughts, and you will have no problem associating with lowly (humble) people.

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (lowly)” (James 4:6).

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (lowly)” (1 Peter 5:5).

Jesus says that He is, “gentle and humble (lowly) in heart” (Matthew 11:29).

“God sends no one away empty, except those who are full of themselves.” –D.L. Moody (1837-1899)

Begin to imagine that every person you encounter is smarter, better, and more talented than yourself. Instead of assuming you are right, humbly take a step back, and listen and learn.

Dave Samples

“Live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:16a, ESV).

The idea translated as harmony in the ESV means literally, “to have the same mind” or “to have the same thoughts about one another”. Harmony naturally develops about when we value each other equally. Voices in a choir are all unique and yet they blend together in one beautiful sound. The sound that TBC can make in worship is different from any other church because our voices are unique and thus their blend is original and unlike any other. Consequently, we need every voice to accomplish our God-given potential. Imagine a marching band with no drums, or a quartet with no bass. It’s just not going to be the best.

To take it further, we are told that, “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16b). We, as Christians, have been given the mind (the thoughts, values, plans) of Christ towards each other. We can see each other as God sees each other—His perspective.

Two ideas are easily applied form this verse: #1—We need you. #2—You need everyone else.
 
Together we are more than the sum of our parts—we are an original creation, made by God Himself. We are diverse in our unity. We are the representation of God. We are the Body of Christ.

“If the genius of Shakespeare could come and live in me, then I could write plays like his. And if the Holy Spirit could come and live in me, then I could live a life like His.” –William Temple

Is there anyone whom you are not properly valuing? If so, what changes can you make?

Dave Samples

“Weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15b, ESV).

This is much deeper than just having a tear run down your cheek. This is grief. This is mourning. This is loss. And the biblical mandate is to grieve with those who are suffering loss. We are to feel their pain, share their burden, walk with them through the valley of the shadow of death.
 
Note, that it’s not our role to make them feel better, but rather it is our task to feel what they feel—to mourn even as they are mourning. The contemporary word is “empathy”—to feel what they feel—to see what they see—to understand what they understand.

Most people don’t want advice—nothing we say will help ease the brokenness they feel. In fact, our attempts to encourage often come across as insensitive and shallow. The best gift we can give is our quiet and steady presence.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” –C.S. Lewis (1898-1963).

How have others helped you during times of loss? How have they hurt you?

Dave Samples

“Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15a, ESV).

“Celebrate with those who are celebrating”, “Feel the joy that others are experiencing”, “Be blessed by other people’s blessing”. Joy is contagious and when someone in our family is winning—we feel it too!
 
Both of my sons played sports and as a family, we experienced the highs and the lows of competition. We experience this with our local high school sports teams as well as professional teams. Just this week, I experienced pride and joy as I read more than one proud parent post on Facebook celebrating children who are excelling.

But let’s be honest, this can sometimes be difficult. Like when you can’t afford a vacation, and someone is sharing about their elaborate trip. Or someone gets a great promotion and you’re still stuck in your dead-end job. You get the idea. This verse calls us to a sacrificial love that compels us to feel what another is feeling—even if our natural instinct is something different. We’re not told to pretend that we’re rejoicing. Rejoicing has to be real. Love has to be genuine (Romans 12:9). We have to move past ourselves and into Spirit-filled, Spirit-fruited, Spirit feelings.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness . . . He will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

“Not to regard with joy the happiness of a brother is envy.” –John Calvin (1509-1564).

When is a time that it has been difficult to “rejoice with those who rejoice”? How can your love stay authentic when your feelings are conflicted?

Dave Samples

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them” (v14).

As we look to apply this verse, let’s remember that these words are written to the church in Rome—not the unchurched unbelievers. It is unfortunate and a grievous wrong when brothers and sisters are persecuted by their own church family. But it sometimes happens.

The word translated “persecute” here carries the meaning of running someone off. It means to harass, trouble, and mistreat. It goes without saying that we should never persecute each other—especially in the church.
 
The biblical response to persecution is to bless the persecutor. The Greek word is “eulogeo”, where we get our word eulogy. It means to praise someone—to ask God to cause them to prosper—and to desire that they be favored of God. Let’s be clear, when someone is coming against you, instead of standing up for yourself and defending yourself--speak well of them. That’s right--say only good things about the one who is making your life difficult.

The more natural inclination would be to curse them—but we’re told not to do that. To curse is to wish detrimental things upon someone. God, instead, wants us to bless them. Jesus said in Luke 6:28, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” If this seems impossible, then welcome to biblical Christianity. It’s not easy and it’s never natural. But it’s always right!

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.

Have you ever been persecuted at church? How did you handle it? Based on this Scripture, what is the correct way to handle persecution?

Dave Samples

“Seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13b, ESV).

“Hospitality” is literally “loving strangers in the same way that one love’s their brothers”. Included within the word is an expansive inclusiveness—strangers, acquaintances, friends, family, coworkers, church members, and even those we meet for the very first time—all are included in our hospitality. All are worthy to receive our love and care.
 
I’ve been around long enough to have observed that some of us receive better care than others. My illnesses are treated with great concern and much prayer by the church. I am truly grateful for these expressions of love. However, everyone in our body should get the same kind of treatment. This requires our love to stretch so that we can love even those we don’t know very well with the deepest of love.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).

“Be hospitable to one another without complaint” (1 Peter 4:9).

“Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and again and bring their friends.” –Walt Disney

What are some ways that you can show hospitality today? What should hospitality look like on Sunday mornings at TBC? What will you do to make it happen?

Dave Samples

“Contribute to the needs of the saints” (Romans 12:13a, ESV).

This is much more than just giving money. “Contribute” is the Greek word “koinoneo”, which is the verb form of “koinonia” which means fellowship. So, the idea here is to partner or join with those in our church family who have needs. We walk together with each other in our struggles. We are to share the burden, understand the pressure, and see their need as our need. It’s not just giving—it’s doing the difficult parts of life together.

And of course, needs are often things other than finances. There are health needs, relational needs, spiritual needs, and so much more. We are to walk with each other through the storms of life—one day it may be your storm—and the next it may be my storm.
 
“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

“Nothing could be more destructive to Christian koinonia (fellowship) than the common practice today of pretending not to have any problems.” –Ray C. Stedman

Who are you walking with in their needs? Who is walking with you?

Dave Samples

“Be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12c, ESV).

What is the longest time that you have ever prayed? An hour? Maybe two? Here we are told to pray constantly—to never stop. To help us, lets reframe prayer from, “talking to God”, to “being with God”.
 
Allow me to share some teaching from Brother Lawrence (1614-1691), a French monk who attempted to walk in God’s presence continually.  He worked in the monastery’s kitchen and discovered that he could pursue God’s presence in his everyday mundane work.

“The most holy and necessary practice in our spiritual life is the presence of God. That means finding constant pleasure in His divine company, speaking humbly and lovingly with him in all seasons, at every moment, without limiting the conversation in any way.”

“Prayer is nothing else than a sense of God’s presence.”
“It is not the greatness of the work which matters to God but the love with which it is done.”

“In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure.”

“We can do little things for God; I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of him.”

Today, attempt to always have God in mind. Do your work for Him and with Him. Talk to Him and listen as if He were right beside you. Practice the Presence of God.

Dave Samples