Christian discipleship | What's The Good Word?

Photo by Wendy Alexander

2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28; Romans 12:1-21; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 20:8-10

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly 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 God’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 everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my 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 heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:1-2, 9-21

Lord Jesus, you lived out your life as a holy and pleasing sacrifice to God–all the way to the Cross where you suffered and died for the sins of the world. You hated what was evil, clung to what was good, sincerely loved, was joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. Your zeal never wavered as you served and obeyed your Father in Heaven. You rejoiced with those who rejoiced and mourned with those who mourned. You shared with those in need and practiced hospitality. You lived in harmony with those around you. You associated with those of lowly positions and were not conceited. Those who did you evil and spoke evil of you you did not repay in kind. You took no revenge. You were not overcome by evil, but overcame evil with good. Today, may I be ever mindful of all that you did for me out of your great love and mercy. And I pray that I may be a living sacrifice acceptable and pleasing in your sight through faith in you, Jesus, my Lord and Savior. In your name I pray, Amen.

Photo by Aaron Burden

Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30

“IF the praise of man elates me and his

blame depresses me;

if I cannot rest under misunderstanding

without defending myself;

if I love to be loved more than to

love,

to be served more than

to serve,

then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

~Amy Carmichael

Lord God, have mercy on me when I think of me, me, me. Forgive me for my self-centeredness and self serving ways. Empty me of me. Let the love of your son Jesus fill me and may the Holy Spirit bear its fruit in me–your love, your peace, your joy, your goodness, your mercy, your kindness, your self-control. Turn me to you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.