praying effectively: Serve (Rom.12:3-8)

(Romans 12:3-8)  For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

  

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that all believers are one body in Christ (12:4-5)

- that we consider ourselves a member of the body of Christ (12:4-5)

- that we do not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (12:3)

- that we have sound judgement, not comparing ourselves with others, or being critical;  but when there are issues within the body, we are able to facilitate reconciliation (12:3)

- that we use our gifts to serve (12:6-8)

- that if we have the gift of prophecy, the amount of faith we have will determine the extent of what we say to encourage others, since all prophecy (now) is never to add to or take away from or alter God's words, but only to apply God's words with insight and wisdom (12:6)

- that if we have the gift of service, we need to be serving (whether it is being a parking attendant, greeter, usher, musician, artist, seamstress, administrator, coordinator, event planner, cook, custodian, tradesman...) (12:7)

- that if we have the gift of teaching, we should be teaching (12:7)

- that if we have the gift of exhortation, we need to be encouraging and challenging people (12:8)

- that if we have the gift of giving, then we should be giving much more, over and above our tithes (12:8)

- that if we have the gift of leading, then we need to do that with diligence;  since we are guiding others, we need to be an example of responsibility, while mentoring, directing, and acting as overseer (12:8)

- that if we have the gift of showing mercy, then we need to do this cheerfully, knowing how to counsel and encourage others towards God's peace and joy (12:8)

Today's prayer: 

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for Your love;  and that when we become children of God, You have arranged for us to have an immediate and very large family, ready and waiting to embrace us and encourage us.  Guide us in love, purity and unity so that fellowship is sweet.  And when we face issues, as You know there will be, guide us towards humble reconciliation, with You and with each other.

Help all of us figure out what our gifts are.  If there is something we love to do or there is something we are able to do - help us realize that that is probably our gift.  Give us confidence to put that into practice and use it.  Give us courage, knowing that we will probably make  mistakes, but we can grow and learn from these.  Help us realize when something is not our gift.  May we not be prideful or discouraged, but encouraged to try something else.  

Equip us with forgiveness and patience towards each other as we work together.  Spur all of us on towards serving one another in order to serve and glorify Your name.  Amen.

praying effectively: Go to Church (Rom.12:1-2)

(Romans 12:1-2)  Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we are not conformed by the world (12:2)

- that we physically go to church, sacrificing our time and energies, giving our first-fruits (which includes our tithes and offerings), to present our bodies a living and holy sacrifice to God, acceptable to Him, to spiritually serve and worship Him (12:1)

- that we are to be holy, always striving to be obedient to God's will, which is only possible through faith in Christ Jesus (12:1)

- that we are able to prove what the will of God is, which is good, acceptable and perfect, and that we not only can explain it, but that we are living out the will of God, which is a demonstration of our faith, and a testimony to God (12:2)

- that we are transformed by the renewing of our mind (12:2)

- that we give of ourselves, allowing God to use us for serving Him (12:1)

- that we are always worshiping God (12:1)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, holy Lamb of God, thank You for Your work on the cross, so that the sacrificial system of the past is no longer necessary, because Your perfect sacrifice was for all sin of all time, past, present and future, so that all we have to do is believe and put our faith in You.

Let us not take Your grace and our freedom from sin for granted.  Help us desire to physically go to church to worship You!  Guide the spiritual leaders to teach Your will accurately, so that the power of Your word will renew our minds and change our behavior.

As You gave Yourself sacrificially for us, may we desire to give ourselves fully to You, to not only praise, worship and glorify You on Sunday mornings, but that this would be our constant - "BEING" a Christian, not just trying to act like one when it suits us.  Guide us to being children of God who emulate the holy traits of our loving, heavenly Father.  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Be Arrogant Toward Israel (Rom.11:11-36)

(Romans 11:1-36)  I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; 8 just as it is written,

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes to see not and ears to hear not,
Down to this very day.”

9 And David says,

“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
And a stumbling block and a retribution to them.
10 “Let their eyes be darkened to see not,
And bend their backs forever.”

11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,

“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”
27 “This is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”

28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we are not arrogant or conceited towards Israel (11:18-21)
- that we are not wise in our own estimation towards Israel (11:25-27)
- that we understand, God will fulfill all His covenants with the nation of Israel at the end of the Tribulation (11:25-27)
- that we fear God (11:20-21)
- that we believe (11:22-23)
- that we practice God's kindness (11:22-23)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness.  Thank You that You never forget, and that You fulfill Your promises - which You make to us - as well as the covenants You have made with Israel. 

Guide the Church in spreading the gospel message throughout the world, including Israel.  Help us to always share the good news with a kind attitude and a loving heart. 

Guide the Israelites to understanding and realizing that You were and are their Messiah.  Help them see their need for You, not only as their rightful King, but also as a personal Savior.  Amen.

praying effectively: Put on Armor of Light (Rom.13:11-14)

(Romans 13:10-14)  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

  

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that believers should know our time here on earth is always getting nearer to the time we will see Jesus, whether we have physically died and are asleep in Christ, and/or we are raptured (13:11-12)

- that we should always behave properly (13:13)

- that we do not party boisterously and get drunk (13:13)

- that we are not promiscuous (13:13)

- that we are not contentious (13:13)

- that we are not jealous (13:13)

- that we do not do anything to feed or encourage our lusts/desires of the flesh (13:14)

- that we lay aside deeds of darkness (13:12)

- that we put on the armor of light (13:12)

- that we put on the Lord Jesus Christ (13:14)

- that we love everyone and do not wrong them (13:10-11)

Today's prayer:

 Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You are light and love and strength.  Help us avoid evil, and help us not to fall into temptation.  Lord, be our protection, and give us wisdom.  Help us live out Your will by always relying on You, so that You will be our strength, and You will be our light and love to those around us. Amen.

praying effectively: Walk in Obedience (Rom.6:15-23)

(Romans 6:15-23)  What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we should not sin (6:15)

- that we should be obedient from the heart, committed to God's teaching (6:17)

- that we should choose to be slaves of righteousness (6:16-19)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your gracious free gift of eternal life!  May we not take You or this gift for granted.  Help us choose to be slaves of righteousness, so that sin will be more and more unappealing.  Guide us in our commitment and our love for You, so that we will continue to learn more about You and Your will.  Give us the desire to continue maturing, in order to be more like You.  Amen.

praying effectively: Walk in Newness of Life (Rom.6:1-14)

(Romans 6:1-14)  What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we do not give in to temptations or fall back into a sinful lifestyle (6:1-2, 12-13)

- that through Christ's death, we are free from sin (6:5-7)

- that we consider ourselves to be dead to sin and alive to God in Christ (6:8-11)

- that we walk in newness of life (6:3-4)

- that we give ourselves to God to be used in acts of righteousness (6:12-13)

Today's prayer:

 Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your work on the cross, so that through Your death, we can die to sin and have newness in life with You.  Protect us from evil and from ourselves, and help us overcome temptations.  Help us constantly look to You, and give ourselves to You, to be used in building up Your kingdom and spreading the gospel message to those around us.  Amen.

praying effectively: Imitate Christ (Rom.15:1-13)

(Romans 15:1-13)  Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written,

“Therefore I will give praise 

to You among the Gentiles,
And I will sing to Your name.”

10 Again he says,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord all you Gentiles,
And let all the peoples praise Him.”

12 Again Isaiah says,

“There shall come the root of Jesse,
And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles,
In Him shall the Gentiles hope.”

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that through the scripture's perseverance and encouragement, we have hope (15:4-6)

- that through believing, we are filled with joy, peace and hope (15:13)

- that through Christ, we glorify God (15:4-6)

- that through Christ, we are unified (15:4-6)

- that we accept each other, to the glory of God (15:7)

- that we rejoice together (15:10)

- that we praise the Lord (15:11)

- that we do not discriminate who can join us in praise to the Lord (15:11)

- that we do not just think about ourselves (15:1)

- that we help those who are struggling (15:1)

- that we please and edify our neighbors (15:1)

Today's prayer:

 Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your word and guidance towards a greater hope, and a life filled with joy and peace.  Help Your Church to remain steadfast, always growing closer to You, and closer to each other in unity, so that we might work effectively together - so that the world will notice a difference in us - so that the world will see You.  

Thank You for Your unconditional love.  Help us to not neglect ourselves in becoming more like You.  Help us to love our fellow believers and our neighbors with Your unconditional, selfless love.  Show us where we can help others, to encourage and edify.  May our motives always be to glorify You in everything we say and do.  Amen.