romans 12 – Page 2 – pray write grow

If Possible

Published on July 13, 2015July 13, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Romans 12:18

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

2 Timothy 2:22-26

^“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,correcting his opponents with gentleness.”
2 Timothy 2:24-25

According to 2 Timothy 2:22-26, what are we called to flee?
Instead, we should pursue what?
We are also called to avoid what activity?
How are we to approach our opponents?
Why are we called to correct our opponents misconceptions with gentleness?
In your opinion what is the difference between quarreling & correcting?
We do not have control over how others act or react, only in the way that we act or react. How does 2 Timothy 2:22-26 help you to understand, “so far as it depends on you”?
We are the example of God’s love…we are the example of God’s grace…we are the example of God’s truth. Ask the Lord to guide you as you stand firm in His truth & share it with gentleness.

Remember, it does not say, “walk away” or “avoid”. No it says, correct your opponents with gentleness. Praying for you!

Live It

Published on July 9, 2015July 8, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“…but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”
Romans 12:17b ESV

“Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.”
Romans 12:17b NLT

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

” Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.”
1 Peter 2:11-12 NLT

How does Peter describe our position in this world?
As Christians we are foreigners in this world because our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), for this reason we are called to act in what way?
Write down some synonyms of the word honorable.
According to 1 Peter what results from our honorable behavior?
Ask the Lord to help you act in a way that brings Him honor in all things.

Bring God honor by acting honorably! Praying for you!

Pay-Up

Published on July 8, 2015July 7, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“Repay no one evil for evil.”
Romans 12:17a

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

” For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
1 Peter 3:17

As humans our immediate reaction is to lash out… or react to whomever is doing us harm. But, what does Romans 12:17a about how we are called to react?
How does 1 Peter 3:17 bring clarity to the Romans passage?
We are not facing this alone… what does 2 Timothy 1:7 tell us about the Spirit in us?
God has given us a Spirit of power and self control. He is our strength. Claim Psalm 119:14-15 now & use it whenever you feel attacked.

“You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.”
Psalm 119:14-15

Do good… and remember – Jesus has overcome the evil of this world! Praying for you!

Wise guy

Published on July 3, 2015July 2, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

” Never be wise in your own sight.”
Romans 12:16c

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

” Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.’”
Jeremiah 9:23-24

Where does wisdom come from (Proverbs 2:6)?
We may believe that we have such great ideas, or our knowledge surpasses others. But what is the truth about our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9)?
According to Jeremiah 9: 23-24, in what do we boast?
We are to boast that we know Him. Not that we are wise, or mighty or rich… No that He is the Lord!!!! What are the attributes of God that underlined in verse 24?
God is so far beyond our complete understanding, but we know our wisdom comes from Him. We know that His love is steadfast, He makes us righteous, and His justice will prevail. In a time when human wisdom is often hailed as truth, what do these verses reveal?

Wisdom comes from the Lord… Continue to search out His word so that His wisdom will be yours! Praying for you!

As good as it gets

Published on July 1, 2015July 1, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.”
Romans 12:16b

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:27

Paraphrase Romans 12:16b.
As Christians we are not to think of ourselves as better than anyone. Still, according to Luke 10 who are we called to love first.
Our love of God is entire and complete. Write down each way we are called to love God.
Honoring God by being faithful to Him and to His word must come first in our lives. What is the second great commandment?
It is so easy to think of ourselves first or better than others, but here we are told to love others as we love ourselves. Think of the ways you sometimes love yourself or put yourself above others.
Confess this now and ask Him to help see ways you can serve the lowly so that they will see His love and give Him glory!

We never know who we are entertaining when we choose to help those in need (Hebrews 13:2). Seek to serve God by loving our neighbors. Praying for you!

It’s Okay to Cry

Published on June 25, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“Weep with those who weep.”
Romans 12:15b

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

John 11

“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35

Sometimes people just need to know you understand where they are. They need to share their pain and know they are in a safe place. In the midst of his pain and the “advice” of his friends, Job responds in this way, “Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!” What does that tell us about how to comfort?
Looking back to the story of Lazarus, Jesus knew that he would raise him from the dead. He knew that the sadness of his friends would turn to joy, and yet he wept. He felt their pain and wept. What does this reveal about how our perspective on an event shouldn’t shape our response to those who weep?
Pray that the Lord would help you to love in a way that meets the needs of those who weep.

May the Lord equip you with compassion and love to comfort the way He did.

Congratulations?

Published on June 24, 2015June 23, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“Rejoice with those who rejoice.”
Romans 12:15a

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

Sometimes it’s easy to join others in their happiness, but sometimes it is difficult, even painful to rejoice along with others. It could be a struggle that we are going through, or a painful lesson we’ve learned, maybe a great loss or simple envy. But, no matter what… Romans 12 tells us how we are to react to the joy of others. Write it down.
Is there a place where you are finding it difficult to rejoice with others. Confess it now, and ask the Lord to change your heart (Psalm 51:10)
Remember no matter how alone you may feel. If you know Jesus, He is with you (Matthew 28:20). He will give you the strength to love the unlovable, he will show you joy in the midst of sorrow, or help you overcome envy.We have a choice each day to share joy with others or exist alone in our own little world. How are you going to choose to live?

Praying that the joy of the Lord will be your strength today.(Nehemiah 8:10)

Bless You

Published on June 23, 2015June 22, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.com3 Comments

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”
Romans 12:14

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

“‘This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.‘”
1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT

Persecution can include many acts, actions & attitudes. Write down what the word means to you.
Despite what persecutions may come, as Christians we are called to respond in what way?
Using 1 Timothy 1:15-16, why would God call us to respond with blessings?
Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you,” (John 13:34). How are those who spit hate ever going to see true love unless we show them. Write down some ways you can share the love of Christ to those who oppose His truth.
It can be as simple as a smile or as deep as sharing the story of salvation-Jesus. Pray that the Lord will guide you each day to spread His love and bless those who persecute you (1 Peter 3:15).

Praying that God will provide you strength, wisdom and words to bless…

Come on Over

Published on June 22, 2015June 20, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.
Always be eager to practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:13 (NLT)

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

“‘In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way
we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Romans 20:35

As Christians we are called to build up the body of Christ. How do Jesus’ words that Paul quotes here help you gain perspective on what our attitude should be?
It’s not all about what’s in it for me. We are called to be eager, to seek out opportunities for hospitality. Do you feel you seek out people to minister to in this way?
In this time of Pinterest and entertainment blogs we sometimes get a false sense of what hospitality is. From these verses what do you think Biblical hospitality looks like?
This is not to say that it can’t be lovely or delicious, but it just means it does not have to be “perfect”. It is really about meeting a need in the name of Christ – it is about showing love even with a messy house or a simple spaghetti dinner. Is there someone who God is calling you seek out and offer His love?

Praying God’s guiding and wisdom in how to share His love through the gift of hospitality. May you feel the truth of Jesus’ words…”It is more blessed to give than to recieve.”

Be

Published on June 18, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“Be constant in prayer.”
Romans 12:12c

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.

I’m sure I do a few too many definitions here, but I have really been moved by the word “BE” in this part of the passage. One of the Merriam Webster definitions of be is, “the condition of a person or thing.” Write down what that definition means to you in this context.
Paraphrase Romans 12:12c taking into consideration this definition.
It reminds me of Jesus instruction to abide in Him (John 15). We are to BE in a condition of constant communication with our Savior. How does that look to you in your life?
He is our way, our truth and our life. He is our guide. He is our life GPS. I know it’s cliché, instead of just thinking “What would Jesus do?,” we need to be asking Him – “Lord what do I do.” And, it can be a simple as that. God is not telling us we need to live our lives in our living room praying…no He’s telling us to live our lives while constantly praying. Write a prayer now asking the Lord to abide with you and make you mindful in seeking Him constantly.

Praying you feel the presence of the Risen Savior in your daily life as you seek to live in a condition of prayer, may you just BE in Him.