Weekly Devo

“ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ” Romans 12:16      We are not to set our mind on high things. This doesn't mean things above ( Col. 3:2 ). However it does mean things on earth.  Paul is talking about things like money, privilege, education, social achievements, power, etc.. All the things that the world lifts up as high achievements, recognition and or priority. These should not be the goal of our pursuits.  We should not be influenced by such things.  When we are they become a gage for our attitude toward those in the body. Associate with the lowly literal means to be carried away with in the Greek. Instead of admiring the music artist, actors and athletes of society we need to seek to be with the lowly or humble.  Are you carried away with the humble? Do you gauge your lif...

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6      Are you seeking to train your child up in the Lord?     When we fail to do this we lose a generation. We essentially tell them their salvation is not worth our time. “What!!?? That’s offensive! There salvation is of  the up most importance. ” I mean no offense by it. When you place a higher priority on sports, secular education, events, and worldly achievements than the word you are teaching them that the worldly way of life is more important.  With that type of raising they will depart from the word.  When you place all priority on the word and maturity in it then you teach them that their walk in Christ is more important ( Col. 3:16; 1 John 2:5-6 ).      “How can I change their view point?” Their view point is yours. If you adhere to the word as the commands of Christ seeking to be fa...

         “ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ” Romans 12:16           Be of the same mind toward one another ( Acts 4:32 ). There should be no division due to money, social statues, look, etc. We should all be considered brothers and sisters in Christ.   We are one body ( Eph. 4:4-6 ). Although we have many part we are still to be in one mind ( 1 Cor. 12:12 ). That’s how we can have all things in common ( Acts 2:44 ).   We have to work out our own salvation as individuals, but it’s the same work and the same salvation for us all ( Phil. 2:12-13; Acts 2:39 ).   So we are to be unified in all we do (Phil. 2:1-4).   Picking favorites and have exclusive cliques in the body is not healthy. That clique concept can hinder your walk. Do you feel like you’re the only one doin...

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15        We are not meant to be isolated.  We need to seek to be with others, and have sympathy for them. Christ was not harden against others, like some many of His children become. Christ wept for Lazarus ( John 11:35-36 ). Christ wept for Jerusalem ( Luke 19:41 ).  He had compassion on individuals and for the multitude ( Mark. 1:41; Luke 7:13-14; Matt. 9:35-40 & 14:14 ).      When we are saved we have something the world does not. We also have an understanding and clarity about sin.  We all have been there ( Luke 19:10; Rm. 3:23 ). Christians are to be all things to all people ( 1 Cor. 9:19-23 ).  For the gospel’s sake we need to seek to be around others and be what they need. That doesn't mean we sacrifice the word or our faith. Our goal is that they may come to be saved. Are you seeking to weep and rejoice with those who need you? How...

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Romans 12:14       All who desire to live godly will be persecuted ( 2 Tim. 3:12 ).  We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world ( Matt. 5:13-16 ).  We can’t hide from those around us. If we hide then we are not living right, we are not walking as He walked. So we will be persecuted because we must live faithfully a life that cannot be hidden.  Love and pray for your enemies that they may become children of God ( Matt. 5:43-48 ). Love you enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.  Loving your neighbor does not mean hate your enemy ( Lev. 19:18 ). As Christians we must do good for evil. Our goal is that they may be like we are.  We need to firmly and gently show them their error and try to correct that.  Are you only loving those who love you? Are you cursing those who curs...

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all suffering and teach. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine,but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers. " 2 Tim. 4:2-3     If the word is everything that pertains to godliness and life ( 2 Pet. 1:3 ). The word is God breathed and is profitable so that every man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work ( 2 Tim. 3:16-17 ).  The word is the commands of Christ ( Matt. 28:20 ). Christ is righteousness ( 1 John 2:29 ). Everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. We are to walk as he walked ( 1 John 2:5-6 ).  If we want to be righteous we must observe all His commands. Any one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous ( 1 John 3:4-9 *7 ). He was obedient so that we may have salvation in obedience ( Heb. 5:8-9 ).  Christ is only ...

“distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”      Romans 12:13         We are stewards of God. We need to distribute what God blessed us with. We need to do it especially for the saints that are in need.  Don’t wait to be asked, seek opportunities to be hospitable.       A great distinction of Christianity is our concern for the needy. No man is truly genuine in his walk who does not exhibit that quality of character ( James 1:27 ).  We need to seek to be hospitable to strangers ( 1 Tim. 5:10 ) .         By being hospitable to strangers some have entertained angels ( Heb. 13:2 ). That could be reference to Abraham and Lot ( Gen. 18:1; Gen. 19:1 ). Not that that should be a reason for our hospitality but it should provoke an understanding of watchfulness in hospitality.  Although many may go away served giving back nothing more than a thank you, there are some ...