Easy To Understand, Hard To Live

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope & trust this post finds you having a great day as this glorious new day begins to dawn!

This morning I want to share a few things that came at me over the past week. They are easy to understand - for the most part! :) - however they are hard to live on a consistent basis.

The first thing I want to share is the scripture from last Sunday's sermon at our church, the notes I took and few editorial comments.

The Scripture

Romans 12New International Version (NIV)

A Living Sacrifice
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. 2 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.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ
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. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 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[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 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,”[d] says the Lord. 20 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.”[e]

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Notes

• Romans Chapter 12 is all about living a life under new management.
• Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice = your body and how you live should be a dedication to God.
• It will take all of our lives to give all of our lives to Jesus.
• The way to renew the mind is to read the Bible.

Comments

• Our lives are under management from someone or something...who is it? It is not just in the words we speak, the "Sunday School Answers", but rather in the lives we actually live. I am reminded of the lyric, "Let them see You/In me
• Our bodies and our lives are given to us to perform the works that God has for us, that He planned for us when He created us. Two more quotes come to mind here; "You were given this life to live because you are strong enough to live it" and "Preach a sermon at all times. Use words when necessary."
• It is a process. As much as you & I would like to be perfect TODAY, the reality is it will take the rest of our lives to grow into the fullness of all that God created us to be. Let us enjoy the journey as we constantly learn & grow...and a heavy dose of love, mercy & grace is essential as well! :)
• Now, if you are privileged to have teens or twenty-somethings in your home you know that you have to be part philosopher, part lawyer, part politician, part moderator and it is go time, all the time! :) So when my Beautiful Bride and I talked with our Tender Warriors about this scripture and the sermon notes last Sunday we got to the part about "the way to renew your mind is to read the Bible." We then talked about the things that we pour into ourselves, the music we listen to, etc. One of the young philosophers/lawyers/politicians/moderators offered that they didn't think that listening to certain types of music was that big of a deal, it is just music. Ah, he is his Daddy's son! I remember saying the exact same thing when I was his age! I told him I agreed, music is just music and no, I don't think you have to just listen to Christian music...give me some Cole Swindell! :) I did tell him however that while the type of music doesn't necessarily matter, the only way the renewing of the mind will happen is to read scripture, to let it speak to our Spirit. I asked him if was wrong? With a dumbfounded look on his face he said no! Chalk one up for Dads! Thank you Jesus! :)

I also want to share three other quotes/thoughts I came across this week, offer 'em up to you and let you - and your spirit - decide what to do with them.

This first one came in a tweet from Jon Gordon earlier this week. It said:

"A simple, powerful way to live:

1. Give your all.

2. Trust in God.

3. Love people."

The second one came in an email I received yesterday. I am sorry, I don't know who actually said this:

"You want to change the world...you respect, love, hold on to hope and give others hope."

And the third one was from a tweet by Germany Kent yesterday. It said:

"The world does not need to hear another sermon nearly as much as it needs to see one."

So Friends, I will end with this, What Will Your Influence Be...? Today you & I will influence the lives of every person we cross paths with...for good or bad. The choice and the ramifications of those choices are entirely up to each one of us individually. I pray we all choose life, encouraging, empowering, positive but regardless, you & I will choose.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.

Kev