His Plan
Brothers
and sisters, God has shown you his mercy. So I am asking you to offer up your
bodies to him while you are still alive. Your bodies are a holy sacrifice that
is pleasing to God. When you offer your bodies to God, you are worshiping him. Don't
live any longer the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be
completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And
you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and
perfect.
God's grace has been
given to me. So here is what I say to every one of you. Don't think of yourself
more highly than you should. Be reasonable when you think about yourself. Keep
in mind the amount of faith God has given you.
Each of us has one
body with many parts. And the parts do not all have the same purpose. So also
we are many persons. But in Christ we are one body. And each part of the body
belongs to all the other parts.
We all have gifts.
They differ in keeping with the grace that God has given each of us. Do you
have the gift of prophecy? Then use it in keeping with the faith you have. Is
it your gift to serve? Then serve. Is it teaching? Then teach. Is it telling
others how they should live? Then tell them. Is it giving to those who are in
need? Then give freely. Is it being a leader? Then work hard at it. Is it
showing mercy? Then do it cheerfully.
Love
must be honest and true. Hate what is evil. Hold on to what is good. Love each
other deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.
Romans 12:1-10
Do
you sometimes feel your efforts are not noticed? Does it sometimes seem unfair
that those who do good work get little appreciation?
Truly
servant-minded believers don’t see it that way. They give preference to others.
Is
someone else reaping the benefits of your hard work? Be encouraged.
No service for Christ goes unnoticed by Him.
Our Daily Bread –