Verse of the Day - Romans 12:12

Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. ~ Romans 12:12 (NLT, 1st Edition)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(chuckle)....Paul...what a guy, huh? Romans 12...here he goes again with the rapid-fire, "feel like I need to get this all out without taking a breath" advice for Christian living. Actually, I love this chapter. :-)

This little verse is wedged between a whole treasure chest full of helps to steer us toward being a living sacrifice to God, as mentioned in verses 1 and 2. I urge you to read this chapter (this link is the NLT 2nd Edition version)...
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2012&version=51

And so, in the midst of serving the Lord by living on His behalf ---by being kind and hospitable, never lazy, loving people from your heart and rejecting hate-- Paul says rejoice in your confident hope...be patient in trouble...and keep on praying. As if to say, "don't forget where we're headed...hang in there...and seek the Lord for your strength when the going gets tough."

Living a sacrificial life to God is not for wimps. It is painstaking at times, going against our sinful nature (Romans 7). But it is truly a life of joy and peace, of fulfillment and significance. When we are willing to lay our lives down for the sake of the Lord and pick up our cross daily (Luke 9:23), putting others before ourselves (Philippians 2:3), and keeping God's big agenda in view (Matthew 5:14-16), we can change the world by God's power and love...one person at a time, one day at a time.

Choose this day to live for Him, in joyful hope, with patience and prayer. May God bless you richly as you seek to be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him!

Love,
Joelene