Romans 15:1-21
Have you ever met a difficult person? Have you ever felt exhaustion dealing with a person who is weak and often making wrong choices? In Romans 15:5, in the Amplified version, we read that God supplies the power for patient endurance and encouragement so we can live in mutual harmony and full sympathy with one another, that TOGETHER we may with UNITED hearts and ONE voice, glorify God. The context shows us that Paul is asking the Jews to welcome the Gentiles into the faith; however, these principles apply to us as well. The good news here is that God helps us with the weak, failing, difficult people in our lives. Verse 1 and 2 it says, “We who are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves… to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].” In verse 3, Paul points to Jesus as our example, taking on reproach and abuses of people. Well, like God was asking the Jews to receive the Gentiles, let’s be the kind of Christian that leans on God’s power to help us to be patient with people, loving them where they’re at, and helping them to grow in Christ. We are not alone. We don’t have to rely on our own strength. God will help us love the people for whom He sent His Son to die. Live in His grace!
Psalm 105, 106
Do you have a need today? If so, do like Israel did, and thank God for something He did in the past. Choosing to think back and recall a previous miracle is an act of faith, or obedient reliance on the Father, remembering and declaring who God is, was, and always will be. In Psalms 105 and 106, the psalmist is leading the people in singing about the mercy and power God has for His people, not only back then, but also now. We can do the same, praise God for something specific He did for you in the past and watch how you open your heart for something new He wants to do today!
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