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Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21)
If you had to live your life by a to-do list, here it is! If you needed a passage to paste on your morning mirror, this would be it. We are called to live unlike others. Our lives, because they've been saved and shaped by Christ require us to live on a higher plane than what the world expects. The list would read as follows: 1) Love like never before. 2) Hate what is evil and bad for your life. 3) Never let go of what is good for you and your life. 4) Love others with mutual affection. 5) Show honor to one another. 6) Don't lag behind. 7) Be on fire in your spirit. 8) Serve the Lord! 9) Rejoice in hope. 10) Be patient in suffering. 11) Always be in prayer. 12) Give generously to needs of other believers. 13) Show hospitality to others. 14) Bless those who seek to curse you. 15) Be happy with those who are happy. 16) Cry with those who cry. 17) Try to live in harmony with others. 18) Don't think of yourself better than others. 19) Hang out with those whom others avoid. 20) Don't act wiser than others or than what you really are. 21) Don't pay back evil with evil. 22) Reflect on things that honor the Lord and live them. 23) Live at peace with one another. 24) Never seek revenge, for God has that covered for you. 25) Feed your enemies. 26) Share water with the thirsty even if they hate you. 27) Don't let evil get the best of you! 28) Overcome evil with good.
You might consider printing out this devotional, and cutting out the list above and placing it somewhere where you see it as your start and end your day. Paul lived it, though he knew it was difficult. But he blessed so many and brought change to his world; we can do the same.
PRAYER: Loving God, let me live a life shaped and guided by You. Let me be a model of love and peace, showing goodness and love even to those who seek to bring me down. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Overcome your previous life with the life Christ offers you!
Eradio Valverde
Prayers continue to be needed for Houston and eastward to Louisiana. Still so many who need protection and blessings. Pray that the rain might stop in those areas that are already flooded beyond "biblical proportions" as one news source called them.
