Category: Romans

Romans 12:4-5 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. 

Last night I had to pinch-hit writing a devo for my church about trust and mourning. I stink at both. But I’m pretty decent at writing, and I have a knack for organizing things so I can (mostly) remember to do them all. And I like to think I’m good at encouragement, but I can’t always identify what I’m good at….or what I’m not.

Romans 12:6 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; 

We all have different skills, different gifts, different things we are good at. We need each other–not only to help balance one’s differences with another’s strengths, but also to help each other see what those strengths are. We are not always adept at seeing our strengths. That is the message of today’s verses.

Romans 12:7 …if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;

Precious Savior, Thank You for this reminder that we need each other for so many reasons–to help each other, to balance each other, to remind each other of what we are good at–because we are all good in some areas, and we all struggle in some areas. But together, we balance. Help us to lift each other up and to shine Your light. Amen.

Romans 12:8 …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.

Have a blessed day.

Romans 12:1 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. 

How can I offer my body as a living sacrifice to God? I think that if I follow what Jesus tells me to do–love as He loves, forgive as He forgives–instead of following my natural tendencies to judge and hold grudges, that’s a step in the right direction.

Romans 12:2a Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…. 

I think if I can be a safe haven of acceptance, a place where folks can catch their breath, not feel the sting of judgment, a place where they can find their feet, that’s a step in the right direction. I strive to do these things…with varying degrees of success. But I’ll keep trying to be more like Jesus in my thoughts, words, and deeds. I think that pleases Him.

Romans 12:2b …Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Precious Savior, the world calls us to judge others. The world says that we need to put ourselves first, tear others down, lift ourselves up. You have called me to another path, a difficult path, a loving path. Help me to love as You love. Help me to put aside the ways of this world and offer myself, my words, my actions as a living sacrifice to You. Amen.

Romans 12:3 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. 

Have a blessed day.

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Lord, To be more than a conqueror, to be more than victorious, that in and of itself is amazing. Thank You that because of You the trials of life don’t define me, can’t contain me. Thank You that I am more than a conqueror in You.

Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 

Savior, Nothing can separate me from You, nothing except my own pigheadedness, and even that can’t separate us–it just makes me feel isolated. Thank You that Your love for me is so fierce, so unconditional, so unequivocal that nothing can stop it. Help me never forget that powerful love for me.

Romans 8:39a neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, 

Jesus, Life can be so tough, and it’s easy for me to feel defeated. Thank You that I am more than a conqueror with You in my corner. Thank You that no force, internal or external, can separate me from You. Thank You for Your fierce love and amazing grace. Help me to be more like You every day. Amen.

Romans 8:39b will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Have a blessed day.

Romans 8:35a Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 

I have come to realize that I am the person who can most effectively, most efficiently separate myself from Christ. My attitude, my anger, my bitterness, my sadness–these things can separate me more quickly than anything else on earth.

Romans 8:35b Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

But even when I throw up barrier after barrier, His love is still with me. He loves me fiercely, deeply, unconditionally. Whether I feel like I deserve it or not, whether I am angry at Him or not, He still loves me completely. No matter what. Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ.

Romans 8:36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your unconditional, unequivocal, unending love. Thank You that the barriers I place between us can’t stop Your love. Thank You for that surety and that peace. Amen.

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  

Have a blessed day.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

I often paraphrase Romans 8:28 as “God can use all things for our good and His glory.” And while I doubt I’ll change that paraphrase (I’ve been using it a loooong time), as I look at the verse this morning, I notice a lot more nuance.

Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 

For one, God is working “for the good of those who love Him.” He is WORKING in all things, no matter what. And He’s working for OUR good. But our hearts must belong to Him. “…for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:30a And those he predestined, he also called; 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that our focus must remain on You. That as long as You are at our core, You are our compass, our center, our focus, You will work for our good in all things. No matter what. Thank You. Amen.

Romans 8:30b …those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Have a blessed day.

Romans 8:26a In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  

I’ll admit that the Spirit is the part of the Trinity that I understand the least, which is ironic, I guess, because I also think the Spirit is Jesus IN me, that little voice that reminds me of His presence, His love, His peace.

Romans 8:26b …We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

The fact that the Spirit knows how to intercede on our behalf even when we don’t know how to pray, what to pray…that fact brings me great comfort. The fact that my prayers of “Jesus. Jesus. Jesus” or “Please. Please. Please” become an articulate plea to my Savior’s ears, that fact brings me great comfort.

Romans 8:27a And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit… 

Precious Savior, Thank You that Your Spirit is IN me, always, that I am never without You because of Your Spirit. Thank You that You know my heart, even when I can’t be articulate with my words. Thank You that I don’t have to understand the mysteries of You to draw closer to You. Thank You. Amen.

Romans 8:27b …because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Have a blessed day.

Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.   

Precious Savior, Thank You for the gift of hope, which is so incredibly important. Help me, daily, find ways to hold on to hope, no matter my circumstances, my doubts, my fears.

Romans 8:23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

Lord, Thank You for the gift of Your blessings. You lavish me with blessings daily–sunshine, friendship, hope, joy. Help me to always be on the lookout for Your blessings as they are always around me.

Romans 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?

Jesus, Thank You for the gift of renewal. I’m tired. So tired. But I know I don’t have to shoulder my burdens alone. I know that You are with me. I know that You love me. I know that I have hope through You, with You, in You. Thank You. Amen.

Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Have a blessed day.

Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 

When I read verse 18, I am filled with a sense of anticipation of what’s to come. Yes, there is suffering now, but it pales in comparison to the glory that will be revealed in us. Which brings me to a second point, that glory won’t be delivered to us eventually, it will be revealed, meaning it is already IN us now, waiting to be made known.

Romans 8:19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 

Think about that…. God’s glory is already IN us. It’s ALREADY there. We currently possess within us God’s glory. We just can’t see it yet. It’s not been revealed. The chaos and noise of reality is loud and insistent and distracting. But God’s glory is already there, and it is waiting to be revealed.

Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 

Lord, Thank You for the hope that comes with joyful anticipation. Thank You that Your glory is already within me, even if I can’t see it. Even if I can’t fathom it, it’s there. It’s waiting. It WILL be revealed. And when it is, all my present sufferings will be a distant memory, and Your glory will shine brightly. Thank You. Amen.

Romans 8:21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

Have a blessed day.

Romans 8:15a The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;  

Bethel Music has a song entitled “No Longer a Slave to Fear.” That song came to mind as I read these verses as it has to be where the song originated. And as I read these verses and read the song lyrics, it hits home that I am still shackled by fear, by doubt, by longing and regret.

Romans 8:15b …rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

And I know, I KNOW, that’s not what God wants for me. God has called me His beloved child. He loves me deeply, fiercely. He doesn’t want me to be afraid, to doubt, and yet, fear hounds me.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 

Precious Savior, I long to be able to truthfully and fully say that I am no longer a slave to fear. I pin my hopes on “one day” being able to live without doubt and fear, but You call me Your beloved child, which means that day is today. Help me to lay my doubts and fears at Your feet so that I can go boldly into this day for You. Amen.

Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Have a blessed day.