The city I grew up in has burned, I was driving Friday morning to take my Big Data Specialty exam and saw the city burning. It reminded me of a vision I had when I was younger. It's a miracle I passed the exam and I'm glad many lives were spared in all the rioting. We need prayer fuel action to do God's will - for me this is person to person and that's been my focus for so many years.
The day after George Floyd was killed by cops, we had a long meeting at church on how we can open the church on May 31 (after months of closure from Covid 19). It's hard to believe what can happen in a week. Church opened on Sunday and we prayed for the oppressed: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. As we usually do we focused on a section of scripture rather than jump around and I was glad we landed on Romans 12, a great section "in view of God's mercy" on who we are in Christ.
A) Sincere LOVE is the root of what Christian's hate (never hating people)
Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.
Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family],
(As you state your position, remember your disposition)
- give preference to one another in honor;
- never lagging behind in diligence;
- aglow in the Spirit,
- enthusiastically serving the Lord;
- constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ],
- steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength],
- contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.
Romans 12:9-13 AMP
B) Let your response be directed by God's word, overcome evil with good
Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
- Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine , I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on his head .” Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21 AMP
I studied this passage years ago and enjoyed seeing these lessons again as we prepare for the Genesis study in BSF next year:
Romans 12:2) 2) Not pattern world, transformed/renewing mind, able do God's will
Illustration: Cain (Look what I brought God) and Abel (look what you did God)
Cain couldn't see God's mercy and took LIFE into his own hands, killing his brother. God's mercy was then revealed in Cain, God protected Cain (Gen 4) - Lemech didn't get it (70 times 7 REVENGE). Jesus said 70 times 7 Forgive (Matthew 18:21-22).
Monday June1)
We had a great time in prayer last night for AlphaUSA, praying for our grandkids and kids, that we would give them a church strong in mercy, loving-kindness, and vibrantly alive. My friend had a vision of a life of prayer ahead - isn't that wonderful! Lord, remove the spirit of fear - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:7
On Sunday my wife Kim's friend Jan gave her a book of "gleanings" from Kim's teaching of Acts. It has a picture of mature wheat in a field. Jan is a lay teacher taking groups to Isreal and leading Bible study. She told us that you can tell the wheat from the tares when they mature. When wheat is mature it bows down, when tares mature they stand up straight. Isn't that interesting? Inside this custom made book was my favorite Gospel message from Titus 3:3-7
"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."
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