"Forget about deciding what's right for each other. Here's what you need to be concerned about: that you don't get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is." Romans 14:14 All we can deal with is our own stuff. Be more concerned with how I am "missing" it rather than my husband, my children, my life. "Cultivate your own relationship with God." Romans 14:22. "All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, precisely as revealed in the Mystery ... " Romans 16:25.
The following quotes are from the chapter on Romans in 66 LL:
* "I am trying to reduce what You're saying to ideas I can understand and, more importantly, to ideas I can manage." The managed life slips up into our curved in lives.
* "Do you want to learn facts that you can organize into a system of truth that will let you feel smug in the belief that you're right? Or do you want to discover truth that sings?"
* "Pass through the corridors where truth is carefully outlined on the walls, where those who fail to realize that the corridor is but a hallway leading to a far better place do nothing but take notes. They mistake the Truth that is living water for the dry dust of mere facts. These parched souls endlessly analyze the composition of the water I've provided but never seem to realize it was meant for drinking." Reminds me of John 5:40. God, may we never settle for taking notes but drinking the facts...Living Water.
* "I have found a way to supply the power you lack, the power you need, to become the person you most long to be, the person you most truly are, the person I alone can make you: a worshiper of Me in any circumstance, a lover like My Son who desired forgiveness for His murderers, a dancer who hears heaven's music on earth and moves freely in rhythm with My Spirit in a worshiping, loving, dancing community of friends who feel indebtyed to reveal My Son to the world by the way they relate and through the creative expression of whatever gifts they possess and opportunities they find."
* "Think hard. Notice the desires that awaken in your heart." Do I really think that way every day? Am I aware of the desires in the center of my soul? Is there anything I desire more than the Love of my God?
A frightening admonition: Romans 14:4 ~ Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.
ReplyDeleteA convicting Truth: Romans 14:9,13 ~ So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God. Forget about deciding what's right for each other. Here's what you need to be concerned about: that you don't get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is.
A Compass to mark our journey: Romans 14:23 ~ If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong.
A Prayer for You: Romans 15:13 ~ Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!
Romans is the how-to manual for Christian growth. Though we cannot accomplish this is our own power, He certainly is willing and able, strong enough to make us strong. If I could put even today’s readings into practice, I would see so much growth in my walk. Lord, help us. Make us strong in your strength.
Romans 16:25 ~ All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong!
66LL Romans p. 240 "I alone can make you: a worshiper of Me in any circumstance, a Lover like my Son who desired forgiveness for his murderers, a dancer who hears heaven's music on earth and moves freely in rhythm with My Spirit in a worshiping, loving, dancing community of friends who feel indebted to reveal my Son to the world by the way they relate, and through creative expression of whatever gifts they possess and opportunities they find." --My new definition of a Christian!
ReplyDelete"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
ReplyDelete...I like the NIV at times like these. I know it's a choice to believe. Trying... Byfaith... Cuz I sure can't see it on my own!
Love, Angie
I love Romans 15:13 in NIV. Praying that verse for each of you this night in my new home. Yes, we finally have a place to stay for a little while.
ReplyDeleteThe God of Hope...