Examining Scripture: “Be of the same mind one toward another.Mind not high things,but condescend to men of low estate.Be not wise in your own conceits.Recompense to no man evil for evil.Provide things honest in the sight of all men."Romans 12:16-17 Evaluating Soil: Disunity, disrespect, disharmony, disdain, dysfunction, and dishonesty are not behaviors of people who claim to believe in ...
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Blessing, Rejoicing, & Weeping in Holiness
Examining Scripture: “Bless them which persecute you:bless, and curse not,Rejoice with them that do rejoice,and weep with them that weep."Romans 12:14-15 Evaluating Soil: How beautiful if would be to live in a world full of blessings without the burdens. It would be wonderful to never experience persecution or have a reason to weep. That sounds awesome, but we know it isn’t reality. ...
Continue ReadingDistributing to the Necessity with Our Holiness
Examining Scripture: “Distributing to the necessity of saints;given to hospitality."Romans 12:13 Evaluating Soil: We all know people with needs. They live next to us, are related to us, work with us, eat with us, wait on us, fix things for us, take care of us, depend on us, hang out with us, and generally do life with us. We could spend 24/7 distributing to their needs. Truth is, we’re ...
Continue ReadingRejoicing in Our Holiness
Examining Scripture: “Rejoicing in hope;patient in tribulation;continuing instant in prayer;"Romans 12:12 Evaluating Soil: Some days life is filled to the brim with bright hope—buds blossom into bouquets and dreams flourish. Other days are heavy with struggles—plants wilt and whither, and rejoicing evades us. It is difficult to take the good with the bad. Graciously, God gave us the ...
Continue ReadingServing the Lord through Our Holiness
Examining Scripture: "Not slothful in business;fervent in spirit;serving the Lord;"Romans 12:11 Evaluating Soil: When we hone in on a single verse of Scripture, it can often seem so simple and self-explanatory that we miss the depth of its meaning and application. A more detailed look at Romans 12:11 helped me see that it’s another important step in living a holy, sacrificial ...
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