Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Romans 15

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. v7

Just as it says in John 15:7, " My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you;", Paul tells us to accept one another for who we are.  God wired each person to be who they are for a specific purpose and also brought people together for a specific purpose - all for His glory, and for His pure and perfect plan.  While we can encourage one another...it is to be done in love, and not for us, but for Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love for me, completely accepting of me, knowing everything about me even before I was born.  You came to earth for me and willingly laid down Your life for me.  What a great God You are!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, among my many sins!  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

Romans 14

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. v13

I often have harsh thoughts, words, or even actions for others.  All are equally bad and sinful.  Paul's words to the believers in Rome touch my heart:


Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. v1-4

Another sin pointed out to me through Paul's words is pride. I puff myself up by tearing someone else down. Again sin.

I am thankful I have a God full of mercy, kindness, compassion, gentleness, etc.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You are a complete demonstration of the fruits of the Spirit...You are the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit!  That You know everything about me, yet You chose me and came to save me, then suffered and died for me, is amazing!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a gift.  I am prideful, and I am harsh with my thoughts, words and actions.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Romans 13

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. v14

For me to clothe myself with the Lord Jesus Christ, I am to seek Him out in all ways, the Bible, prayer, worship, service, reflection, fellowship, etc.  

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me...You know everything about me yet You chose me, and You willingly laid down Your life for me...and You continue to bless me in ways I cannot even see and appreciate.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am full of pride, and worry.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Romans 13

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. v1

As I posted yesterday, I am struggling with my relationship with my boss and today's message from Paul is equally encouraging in terms of providing guidance and wisdom from Him about how I can improve this situation.

Paul's instructions go further:

Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. Romans 13:2-5

While these verses primarily focus on my response to public officials, I believe these verses apply equally to my managers at work.  John MacArthur, quoted below supports my belief.

"Since He alone is the sovereign ruler of the universe (Pss. 62: 11; 103: 19; 1 Tim. 6: 15), He has instituted four authorities on earth: (1) the government over all citizens; (2) the church over all believers; (3) the parents over all children; and (4) the masters over all employees. appointed."

MacArthur, John (2005-05-10). The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 51081-51083). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed a great God and You know everything about me even well before I was born.  You intend only good for my life and You have blessed me tremendously.  I am not deserving of such rich blessings.  I am harsh with my words, thoughts, actions, etc, I am quick to anger, slow to listen, full of pride, etc.  Thank You for Your unbounding love anyway.  Please forgive me for my sins today.  Help me turn from these sins and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

Romans 12

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. v17

This verse goes hand in hand with similar verses:
  

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:22-24

I am currently struggling with my own boss and badly need the power of God and His wisdom to see me through.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and You can accomplish anything and I can accomplish anything through You if it is Your will.  Thank You Jesus that You are on my side!  I am not worthy of such a loving God.  I am selfish, I have harsh thoughts, words, actions, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Romans 12

 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. v11

Loving and serving the Lord should be full of joy, excitement...and fervor!  The Lord is indeed great and we exist to glorify Him.  See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed worthy of my worship...even if my worship is insufficient to match Your glory.  I am not worthy of Your love yet You love me all the same.  Thank You Jesus.  I am lazy, selfish, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions.  I also often fail to glorify You in all that I do.  Please forgive me for my sin and help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help grow in my faith. Help me understand Your message for me, be obedient to this message, and apply it to my life today and every day.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Romans 12

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. v3

I DO have a pride issue...I often think I should be doing more with job...that I am so much more capable and I should have more exciting job based on my intelligence, skills, and capabilities...this smacks of arrogance and it flies in the face with what Paul is saying here.  I should have a more sober assessment of myself so that I can more fully perform my function as part of God's plan for me and His church.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great - Your design is perfect as I experience Your design constantly and it is amazing how You work all things for Your glory!  I never cease to be amazed by You.  Your glory is deserved of course.  On the other hand I am not deserving of glory yet many times I think I am...this arrogance is sinful and I thank You that You love me Jesus but I need You to forgive me for such arrogance.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand Your message for me, be obedient to it, and apply - today and every day.  I love You Jesus.