Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Romans 12:9-13: “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

In the whole chapter of Romans 12, Paul packs a full punch of what is required in the life of all Christians and has practical application for those in leadership, in our work, in our ministry, and how we treat one another. Paul’s topic sentence in this section is his first sentence: “Let love be genuine.” We must practice Christ’s love with sincere and genuine intensity and oppose any compromise of immorality. Our speech and behavior must model Christ’s example in our integrity.

Paul states the marks of a true Christian in Romans 12:9-13 should be:

1. Genuine love for others.
2. Abhor what is evil – flee from it; hold fast to what is right.
3. Love one another with brotherly affection.
4. Outdo one another in showing honor and appreciation because they have been made in the image of God and because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
5. Be spunky and not lazy – have a spiritual zeal for the Lord.
6. Be fervent in spirit. Use your spiritual gifts passionately and enthusiastically.
7. Serve the Lord.
8. Rejoice in hope.
9. Patient in tribulation.
10. Constant in prayer.
11. Meet others needs.
12. Show hospitality.

When you ask someone how they are doing, you need to give full attention to their answer. If they say, “I’m hanging in there,” then ask what is going on? Tell me more! Show genuine concern and tell them you will pray for their needs. Warren Wiersbe states it so well: “Paul reminded them that they must enter into the feelings of others. Christian fellowship is much more than a pat on the back and a handshake. It means sharing the burdens and blessings of others so that we all grow together and glorify the Lord.”

In Romans 12:9, Paul talks about leading “with zeal.” Then in verse 11, he states: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit.” We are to have great passion, vigor, enthusiasm, and diligence for the cause of Christ. When life becomes challenging, we cannot allow our zeal for Christ, to grow cold due to discouragement. All of the great leaders in the Old Testament – Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and others were warned by God not to be afraid and not give in to discouragement and despair. “Moses reminded the people (Deut. 1:21ff) that God had told them not to be scared, afraid, anxious, distressed, intimidated, discouraged, hopeless, disheartened, or depressed in their situation regarding entering the hill country of the Amorites. The word afraid is used 122 times in the Bible; fear is used 90 times; discouraged has 13 occurrences; dismayed has 9 occurrences, and terrified has 8 occurrences (p.8 Taming the Lion’s Roar. Handling Fear in the Midst of a Trial).” Having grit, determination, steadfastness, perseverance (Rom. 12:12), trust and hope, must be held onto tightly. We have to continually look to God to be in charge of our crisis management.

Laziness would be the opposite of having a fervent spirit and having zeal. I think of the word – “spunky” – one who has high intensity, and a particular friend of mine comes to my mind when I think of the word “spunky.” I love her enthusiasm for everything she does! This is the type of model Paul is telling the people one needs to emulate in their actions of love for one another – be that in our workplace, people we interact with at church, and in our community. This type of testimony shines the truth of the gospel into the hearts of others.

Who can you seek out to show love to today to help encourage and promote that needs affirmation and appreciation? Do it with spunk. Be spunky – they may just need your humble and sincere love, and cheerfulness showed to them today just by you. Lead with zeal and be fervent in Spirit for God’s glory.

Two songs on YouTube to listen to today: Chris Tomlin – Nobody Loves Me Like You (Lyrics). Then listen to Lauren Daigle – Everything (Lyrics).

Romans 12:1-2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

I can remember memorizing Romans 12:1-2, when I was in sixth grade and I was in our youth group in the church I grew up in, in Sheldon, Iowa. The Youth Group was supposed to be for those in junior high and high school, but I was allowed to come as a sixth grader due to the small size of attendees in that age bracket within our church. It was a big deal for me as a sixth grader. I remember these verses that we each memorized made an impression on me, as Romans 12:1-2 is an encapsulation of what it means to live in a way that pleases God, which is:

• Embrace what God is doing and working in your life.
• Use discernment in not being merely a follower of our current culture without examining it against God’s laws, for God’s laws do not change. Test it for approval.
• Let God change the way you think. Let His Word transform you into being progressively changed for His glory. Ask God to help you see things as He sees them.
• Renew your mind by feeding on His Word so you can determine what God’s will is for you.
• Let the Holy Spirit be your counselor; give you courage, comfort, hope, and a positive perspective.

I love The Message version of Romans 12:1-2: “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

Our every day, typical, familiar, prevailing, regular routine, day in and day out needs to honor God’s character. I had to think about my sleeping being placed before God as an offering. When I wake up at night I should use that time to pray for the needs of others more. I also want my workplace skills, to be of benefit for the company and people I work alongside and mentor. That is also a means of worshipping God. If you are a person in the workplace you can use your professional skills to meet the needs of others. People learn about Jesus from someone who cares deeply about them.

Every morning when I get up, I write down on a piece of paper: “My Plans For Today. God?” I am amazed when I read the following morning, yesterday’s list, how my day changed from what I initially thought was important. Some tasks didn’t get done, and others popped up unexpectedly. But I know it is all under God’s control, as I place it up to God as an offering, for my heavenly Father to decide what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Every day is a worship experience with God when your whole ordinary life is yielded to the Lord. Warren Wiersbe has said: “If the world controls your thinking, you are a conformer; if God controls your thinking you are a transformer.” God will bring out the best in you in the end as you present to Him your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, and will develop maturity in ways you hadn’t expected. You will then have developed a stronger faith and trust in God, learning wisdom, knowledge of God, endurance, perseverance, and hope.

How has God helped you to trust Him more this past month?

Listen to Newsboys YouTube song Symphony from their new album United.

Romans 11:33: “Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

Paul has been teaching about God’s grace and mercy in Romans 9-11, the importance of Israel accepting the gospel, and how much Paul’s heart’s desire and prayer was for them to receive this free gift of salvation. Paul frequently quoted from Isaiah throughout the book of Romans, because the Jews would have quickly understood those points. He equally preached to the Gentiles this gospel message that righteousness is not based on following the law of Moses, but in faith in Christ. Paul states the gospel is available for all and that no one is exempt. The responsibility lies on each person to respond to God’s mercy and grace.  He also talks about the foolishness of Pharoah’s hardened heart, and yet God’s sovereign plan still ruled. Paul quoted (Rom. 9:17,18)  from Exodus 9:16: “But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” God used rebellious and stubborn Pharoah to show His power and Pharoah’s rebellion against God would be his own punishment. This is still true for mankind today. This choice could come to an end at any moment.

Romans 11:33 is Paul’s doxology and prayer of praise to God for the wisdom of His plan. God’s sovereignty and human responsibility go together. We are to be steadfast in our faith in Christ and be faithful in sharing the gospel with others. God is responsible for the results.

I am going for a visit to see family. This will be a different visit than the previous ones. It will be bitter-sweet. I know my dad especially will look much different than when I last saw him a year ago. His body is weak. Memories of growing up in Northwest Iowa are flooding my mind. My love for writing and teaching came from my Dad. He was the best makeup story creator and storyteller! He always told a makeup story every night before saying our prayers before my brother and I went to sleep for the evening. Those are happy memories.

My Dad had a passionate desire for God’s Word. He wanted everyone he came in contact with to know that Christ died for all and that there is nothing one can do to earn their salvation in Christ. Just repent, accept, and believe in Christ’s free gift of salvation, while my Mom is the prayer warrior between the two of them. Her prayers helped transform my life. I know my Dad, and my Mom has read the Bible through from Genesis to Revelation almost every year. But recently, my Dad more than ever is yearning to walk the streets of gold in Heaven with Jesus without pain, and without needing a walker. My Mom is looking forward to being able to hear when she gets to heaven and then won’t be missing out on anything anymore.

Paul’s doxology declaration in Romans 11:33, my Dad will be singing up in Heaven soon. He sees the wonder of God’s riches and wisdom as something he always wanted to learn more about. God’s sovereign plan knows it all. His mercy is abundant and cannot be measured. His justice is perfect and beyond our ability to comprehend. God is in control has unmeasurable wisdom, grace, compassion, and truth, and love for all. He is the great I am. He is simply God.

Do you have a Pharoah in the way in your life today? What you cannot figure out, whatever doesn’t make sense, know that God has no limitations. Job never received an explanation of logical reasons he went through the trials he experienced. It was part of God’s plan and he encountered God Himself and that met his need in the end. Paul could identify with Job. He tried to explain the magnificence of the Holy Spirit and to reveal the plans of God, but his explanations came up short. Gramarly.com would not have been able to assist Paul in finding just the right words of descriptive vocabulary. Human reasoning has limitations. God does not. Paul then stood silent before the supremity and abundance of God’s sophisticated majesty in the doxology of Romans 11:33-36 – the benefits of God’s sovereignty.

This reading may seem a bit rambling compared to my other devotional writings. I feel a little like spaghetti right now. Do you ever feel that way too? But I do know God’s Word speaks truth, and God is my shelter, my shield, and protector. Many things are out of my control and won’t make sense. Remember what happened to Pharoah in the end. God always wins! This I do know!

Listen to the Newsboys – Symphony (Official Lyric Video) YouTube song and This I Know (Audio). Let the words bring joy to your heart over all the chaos.

Romans 8:38-39: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I do not know what you have been going through this week, or will go through, but Romans 8:38-39 gives us the hope and reassurance that God’s power is not confined to any problem or situation. Nothing in the whole universe is outside of God’s control. Paul had experienced being in prison, persecution, famine, affliction, and the threat of martyrdom by the sword. Yet he viewed it all with an eternal perspective (Rom. 8:28), because He was secure in Christ, despite all the evil around him. That was Paul’s weapon against fear.

There is no circumstance God is not already aware of and didn’t already know was going to happen. He has a definite purpose for you as a wife, as a mother, as a woman in the business world, that no one else can do. You are it. God has given you talents and gifts to be of benefit. Your skills will glorify God right where He has placed you, as you use your God-given abilities to praise Him. Ask God to make you of benefit to your employer and to those you come into contact with daily and watch what a difference that makes!

When you are subjected to yet another trial, a problem that may at first seem overwhelming, you go through several emotional stations:

• Rejection – You feel shocked. How could this happen to me? How could they treat me like this? You question if this is at all part of God’s sovereign plan and then you might feel guilt and shame for thinking those thoughts. I have.
• Enduring toleration – You ask for a miraculous intervention. You ask how long do I have to endure this? Despair may take up residence. You try and suck it up, and you start to pray more.
• A light bulb turns on – As Jesus has been interceding for you all along, and as the Holy Spirit has been interceding for you according to the will of God (Rom. 8:26-27), you surrender and accept God’s providential control, little by little – baby steps. Jesus is our advocate and defender. Remember, it is Satan, not God, that accuses us.
• Fears dispelled by resting in God’s love. We are freed from defeat due to the security of God’s abiding love for us – nothing can separate us from God’s love, because of the way that Jesus our heavenly Father, has lavishly poured His love within our hearts to the point of overflowing (Rom. 5:5). Our path had a detour. Affliction has changed us and was a vital addition to our story.

Don’t we try to shelter our children in whatever way we can? There is this fine line in the parenting responsibility of figuring out when to let our children learn from their mistakes and when to keep them from happening at all. I often wished I could keep bad things from ever happening to our children. “But God does not shelter us from the difficulties of life because we need them for our spiritual growth (endurance, character, and hope. Rom. 5:3-5). In Romans 8:28, God assures us that the difficulties of life are working for us and not against us. God permits trials to come that we might use them for our good and His glory.” Warren Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary.

Have these verses written down on a card or in a journal, and highlight them in your Bible. The next time you hit a roadblock, reach for Romans 8:38-39. Write down your problem and date it next to these verses. As you continue to pray every day, keep looking down at these words. Pray that the promises and the truth of Romans 8:38-39 will penetrate your mind and rule in your heart. Pray that the Holy Spirit will heal all your wounds and that He will teach you what God wants you to know. The book of Romans is a letter of comfort addressed just to you. Trust Him. Praise God for the profit that will come from enduring this hardship. When God does work out the answer, write it down, date it, so you can reflect back on it later and realize God has been glorified in you! Celebrate that! Look how far you now have come!

Listen to Lauren Daigle Look Up Child (Audio) from her album Look Up Child.

Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Isn’t Romans 8:28 one of those verses you know, but when going through a failure of expectations, or when your dream has died, or a new family or employment problem comes into your life, and anxiety creeps in, you wonder how can any good can come out of this? You wish things were back to normal. But did you know “normal” is just a setting on your dryer? There was a book written several years ago by Patsy Clairmont, with that very title! I still have that book.

Ezra was a scribe commissioned by King Artaxerxes to establish the Law of Moses, to the Jewish community. Ezra studied the Law of the Lord; he was skilled at it and taught its statutes and rules in Israel. He knew the law inside and out. Ezra was leading a band of new Jewish returnees, exiles, back to Jerusalem, bearing royal gifts for the temple. Ezra 8:22,  states: “For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him. So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” God’s sovereign hand in the events of history for the Jews, is recorded throughout the book of Ezra. There were tremendous odds against them, yet repopulation of the ancient Promised Land was a fulfillment of prophecy. Ezra’s prayer about the peoples trust in God in Ezra 8:22-23, told about wanting to show the reality of God to the Persian king. Their long journey was going to be dangerous, for the roads were often frequented by thieves who robbed for survival. Prayers and fasting for protection prepared them spiritually. They recognized that God was in control and that they were not strong enough to make the trip without Him. The king’s ongoing support for them, they knew, would depend on his belief in the power and existence of the God of Israel. Ezra and the people then made it safely without being ambushed in their journey back to Jerusalem. God honored their prayers of faith with His protection. Ezra 8:22 is a parallel verse to Romans 8:28.

The word “all” means “all” – everything. There are no doubts – the verse does not say we hope or wish – no, we have a promise and it is a reality founded in the character of our Creator. The Greek language is essential to note that it places great importance on the word order – Paul put at the beginning of the verse – “for those who love God.” This promise stresses it is intended exclusively for believers – for you – for me.

“Does this mean that all things in the world are good? They are not. The world is unfair, brutal, shocking, and demoralizing, and it contains people who relentlessly oppose God’s created order. Nevertheless, as evil tries to destroy, the Lord turns the world’s destruction into our gain.” Charles Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary. Romans.

This verse is not saying that everything will turn out in our life to make us happy. God’s purpose is always eternally minded. Satan cannot overpower God’s plan. No sinful person can ruin God’s plan for your life. That will never happen.

Remember Joseph? He had not been treated fairly or well by his brothers. Have you ever been in a place where you could identify with him in that? Joseph later got to acknowledge to his brothers that he knew they “had planned evil against him” but “God planned it for good.” Joseph’s brother’s sin could not obstruct God’s greater purpose for His people.

Are you and God having closer fellowship recently due to a particular situation you are dealing with? Look at John 14:25:31 when you are feeling anxious. Jesus is speaking with his disciples before His crucifixion. Jesus is telling them that the Holy Spirit will be sent to comfort them, teach them “all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (v. 27).” Then Jesus states: “For the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.” The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, according to the will of God, (Romans 8:26-27) when we don’t know what words to use to pray. The more we focus on our issue the bigger it becomes. But Jesus said not to be afraid. He gives peace. Ask the Holy Spirit to refresh in your mind the specific verse you need that will give you the peace in your heart that you so desperately need. Then ask Him to show you a sign of His favor (Psalm 86:17).

Once God gives you that verse that gives you more hope and comfort share it. Don’t let it go to waste. He means it just for you, but you never know who God wants you to encourage and show love and kindness to that may be going through something similar. You just may be the person that helps turn on the lightbulb for someone in their need.

Here is a hug from me to you today! Stand up with shoulders straight, head held high, and go from here. God, the heavenly Father, is saying, “I’ve got this. I know the end of your story, and I am right here with you! Now go make me proud! You can do this!”

Listen to Danny Gokey’s Haven’t Seen It Yet (Lyric Video). Perfect words for when you haven’t seen a Romans 8:28 in what you are struggling through.

Romans 8:26-27: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Do you feel like you need a hug today? Is it just one of those days or weeks where you feel you need extra understanding and consolation and it doesn’t seem to be coming your way? When someone gives you a smile and it suddenly meets a deep insecure need they don’t even know you are struggling with when you make eye contact, and you feel appreciated and loved – just like a hug. I have at times. But it goes back to being willing to surrender it all to our heavenly Father as difficulties drag on. But whatever struggle and turmoil you might be going through right now, be comforted in knowing that the Holy Spirit will give comfort, instruction through God’s Word as you read it, and be your advocate. “Today, the Holy Spirit groans with us and feels the burdens of our weaknesses and suffering. But the Spirit does more than groan. He prays for us in His groaning so that we might be led into the will of God. We do not always know God’s will. We do not always know how to pray, but the Spirit intercedes so that we might live in the will of God in spite of suffering. The Spirit “shares the burden.” Warren Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT.

When all you can do is sigh or groan inwardly over a burden as you pray and lift it to God, remember what is also going on in your behalf:

• The Holy Spirit groans with us – “groanings too deep for words.” He has wisdom we do not possess.
• Jesus Christ, God’s son, is interceding for us.
• God the Father will do what’s right concerning us.

The Bible tells us God works through the vehicle of prayer.

When you are tempted with discouragement, remember you have two intercessors. The Holy Spirit dwells within us and “intercedes for us with groanings (Rom. 8:26) and Jesus Christ, is at the “right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us (Rom. 8:34),” in heaven.

Dwell on this:

• No matter how deep the pain we suffer, there will be an ending, and one’s joy will be greater at that end.
• The weaker our spirit is, the stronger His support is provided.
• When affliction and suffering bring you to your knees, that is when the power of God has the greatest effect on your ministry, or your parenting, or your role in your employment (2 Cor. 12:10).

What problem is the Holy Spirit interceding for you about right now, so you will know what the will of God is for you in this?

What prayers has God answered in the past that you were ready to give up on?

Our perspective is short-sighted. We can’t see beyond current circumstances. But the Holy Spirit, interceding on our behalf, is praying with insight and wisdom that is beyond our comprehension. “He groans His intercessions in heaven so that our minds and the mind of the Father will unite to accomplish His will.” Chuck Swindoll. Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary. Romans.

When you are at the point when all you can do is sigh or groan, as you see yourself progressing yet taking steps backward, keep praying even though you don’t know what to say. Then look up to heaven and say again, “Ok, now what’s next Papa?”

Listen to the Newsboys new song, This I Know (Lyrics) YouTube.

Romans 8:15-16: “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

Have you ever thought about or realized the role of the Holy Spirit in your life? Paul now introduces to his readers in Rome, the purpose of the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8. In Romans 1-7, he only refers to the Holy Spirit three times. But in chapter 8, he refers to the third person of the Trinity, twenty times. Paul states in verse 6 that “the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.” Then in verse 9 and 10, Paul states the fact that the Holy Spirit lives in us and therefore, “the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

The instant we accept Christ as our Savior, He adopts us and gives us the position of an adult son or daughter. We then have the Holy Spirit in us, leading and guiding us by God’s Word day by day empowering us to live in the will of God. We have a new standing, a new position in belonging to the family of God from the instant of our conversion onward. We may not always feel we belong, but the Holy Spirit’s inward presence in our heart reminds us of who we are. He is our comforter and encourager (Rom. 5:5) who pours out God’s love into our hearts. We never have to feel insecure because Christ is right there, never leaving us.

The term “Abba father” was an Aramaic term of endearment and intimacy, used by young children to speak to their fathers. “Daddy” or “Papa” would be our equivalent term. Paul used it in Romans 8:15 and in Galatians 4:6: “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” It denotes unusual tenderness, dependence, and a relationship free of anxiety or fear.

What fears in this life have enslaved you during your lifetime? We all have them but have to fight against giving into them. Paul also states in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” The Greek word deilia is used here and means one who flees from battle and refers to being cowardice. Timothy is saying that does not depict a Christ follower because we have the power of the Holy Spirit living within us.

Since we have the Holy Spirit within us, and Christ has chosen us to be His adopted son and daughter to be in His family, why don’t we, why don’t I, live adventurously expectant to whatever comes next in my life? I happen to be one of those people that hate change. I prefer the status quo – that is where I am most comfortable.

The MSG states Romans 8:15-16 this way:

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us – an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through.”

What chains of fear(s) have crept into your life during the past two weeks? What was the outcome?

How has the Holy Spirit led you recently in making decisions through God’s Word clarifying in your mind what God’s will is? How has your faith been tested? How has He then reassured you that you are indeed adopted into God’s family?

I often struggle with feelings of insecurity. I often feel ill-equipped, not smart enough, not savvy enough, and that in my expectations, or someone else’s, I will be let down or I will let someone else down. So I have to remind myself of Paul’s words in Romans 8:15 – God has not given His children the spirit of fear – that never comes from Him. I, too, have to reboot my mind to take hold of the promises of God and to take action on the truth found in God’s Word, leading my life day by day, so I can also say: “OK, now what’s next Papa?”

Listen to Stand In Your Love by Josh Baldwin, YouTube. Listen to the lyrics.

Romans 7:15: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

Do you ever ask yourself what is wrong with me? Why can’t I be better? Why did I do that? Take comfort – Paul had the same problem and admitted it in Romans 7. He has just talked about presenting oneself to God, in Romans 6, in yielding to God as “instruments for righteousness,” and he now states he doesn’t understand his own failures many times in this struggle of not doing what he knows is right and not carrying it out. Paul is not absolving himself of personal responsibility, or making excuses, but is emphasizing the power of sin even Paul struggles with, and continually has to redirect his thoughts, his mind, his heart, back to God’s truths and promises. Paul shares his vulnerability.

The tenth commandment, in Ex. 20:17 forbids coveting (having a strong desire for that which belongs to another). Luke states in Luke 12:15 that covetousness is the root of all sins so to be on guard against it. Paul states in Romans 7:8: “But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment (“thou shalt not covet”), produced in me all kinds of covetousness.”  The Old Testament law activated Paul’s conscience. Paul is saying that the command not to covet actually accomplished the goal of making him covet even more (think of Eve and the forbidden fruit and Achan with the wedge of gold). “Paul said, I got up and decided not to covet, but my rebellious flesh took over and caused me to covet in ways that I did not think possible.” Wayne Barber. Some commentators feel Paul was writing autobiographically about before his conversion experience. If that is true then Paul is writing that he was indifferent to the demands of the law on the inner man. Paul was raised in a sheltered Jewish culture. He was taught the law from birth. But the fact remains that Paul points to himself as an example, be it pre-Christian or not and explains the law of God is perfect and as he grew in his understanding of Scripture, after his conversion, he realized how sinful he really was – that is his point.

So what is the answer in our back and forth struggles of needing to stand firm, persevering, growing in learning to place our faith and hope in God, and living through setbacks and coming out a stronger person in our relationship with Christ?  Paul states it at the end of Romans 7 and in verses 24-25: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

Paul declares Jesus is the answer – His living presence in our lives and filling our hearts and minds with His Word. We have to put on our spiritual armor every day (Ephe.6:10-18). Our culture has a pill or method of having being numb attractive as an escape, but that does not give one the tools to deal with life’s pressures. What Paul wrote is valid for all Christians. We all struggle with weaknesses and imperfections, but by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power, we will walk worthy and grow as a Christ-follower in complete obedience and surrender to our heavenly Father, while we mature in our perseverance, stronger character, and unwavering hope (Rom.5:3).

Our acceptance is in Christ. Our identity is in Christ. Our worth is found in Christ. Our purpose is not in our social status or position. Hebrews 6:10 declares: “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.”

What would make you happier than you are right now?

Who do you wish you were more like and why?

“Envy is the painful and oftentimes resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by someone else. Sometimes we want that same advantage, leading to the further sin of covetousness. And sometimes we just resent the other person having something we don’t have.” Jerry Bridges. Respectable Sins. Confronting The Sins We Tolerate.

“Covetousness is desiring something so much that you lose your contentment with God.” John Piper.

Charles Stanley has said in his book “Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back” – “Why keep persevering? I’ll tell you why. Because it is in the realistic arena that true character is forged out, shaped, tempered, and polished. Because it is there that the life of Jesus Christ is given the maximum opportunity to be reproduced in us, replacing a thin, fragile internal theology with a tough, reliable set of convictions that enable us to handle life rather than escape from it . . . when the bottom drops out and brutal blows attempt to pound us into the corner of doubt and unbelief, we need what perseverance offers: willingness to accept whatever comes, strength to face it head on, determination to stand firm, and insight to see the Lord’s hand in it all.”

Listen to the new song from Danny Gokey, “Wanted.” May the words minister to you today as you listen to it on YouTube. It is from his new album – Haven’t Seen It Yet.

Romans 6:13: “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Remember when you first got married and you thought you had marriage down pat and you knew everything there was to know about your spouse? Then seasons of life progressed and you discover more and more new things about each other you didn’t know before. Your love for each other deepens as the years go by. Sanctification – in the Christian life is much the same. It is a progressive process. The longer you are a Christian the more you learn new things about God’s love, faithfulness, power, mercy, and grace. He speaks directly to you out of His Word, giving you just what you need when you need it, and it will have special meaning just for you.

The NIV states Romans 6:13 as “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God . . .”

The KJV states this verse as “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves to God . . .”

Paul states five different times in Romans 6:13, 16, and 19, this phrase of “present your members” in the ESV, while the NIV states “do not offer” and the KJV says “do not yield” to sin. The power of sin was destroyed on the cross. It was deactivated – paralyzed and was nailed to that cross. Christ offers freedom in no longer being under sin’s control.

Then Paul appeals to his readers; he counsels them, in Rom. 12:1 that we are to present ourselves to God for His glory – “as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” – that is our purpose – to be yielded entirely to God as an instrument for righteousness. It is a fully, once and for all surrender of our own will, yielding, presenting, offering ourselves unto the Lord.

Remember that banner phrase, “Let go and let God!” That was totally false –  while we remain idle is totally wrong. Paul is saying the Holy Spirit provides us with the energy and our will must kick in to stand firm in saying no to sin while having faithful obedience to God’s will and law. It is surrendering to righteousness. God is not going to do that for us. It is a life-long process – called sanctification. It has to be done daily and is not age specific.

The following are examples of how God used various “members” which is parts of the body for His purpose:

• The rod in Moses’ hand was used by God to conquer Egypt.
• The sling in David’s hand, God used to defeat the giant Goliath.
• God used the mouths and tongues of the prophets.
• Paul’s dedicated feet took him from city to city proclaiming the gospel.
• John’s eyes saw visions of the future, while his ears heard God’s message, and his fingers wrote it all down for us to read.

However, we are also given examples in the Bible of physical body parts being used in disobedience and sin: Eve’s eyes and hands picked the forbidden fruit; David’s eyes and mind led to a plot of killing. Ps. 51 deals with the sin of David’s mind, eyes, heart, ears, and lips and mouth. Then he repented and prayed for mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing from his sin.

Our old sin nature has been paralyzed – deactivated, while other things are being made new for God’s glory. Living in the freedom of God – doing what satisfies Him — listening to our master and shepherd who has set us free to have eternal life, a new life with Him – this should be our battle plan each day.

“Learning to walk spiritually/supernaturally is similar to learning how to walk naturally because a walk merely consists of two simple steps, repeated over and over again. It is not a complicated thing. In the same way, the Christian life is a matter of taking two steps, one step after another. Then you are beginning to walk. Put off the old man and put on the new. Then repeat. That is all. Keep walking through every day like that. That is how Scripture exhorts us to live.” Ray Stedman.

What verse has given you ammunition to stand firm and persevere as God intended?

Which body part gives you the most trouble – your mouth, eyes, heart, mind, or hands?

Listen to the Newsboys brand new song This I Know (Audio). It is from their new album United, released in May 2019