How difficult do you make this?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
(Romans 12:16 (NIV))

This passage is taken out of a section that many translations refer to as “Love in Action.”

Think about that concept for a moment. Are you able to put these words into action?

Do you strive to live in harmony with others, both believers and nonbelievers? I realize that it is easier to do this when you are dealing with someone who shares your beliefs, but we are called to show love to everyone. How do you live in harmony with someone who takes great pleasure in taunting and tormenting you because of your faith?

Then there is pride! It is a nasty human trait. We can’t even get a job without having to convince someone that we are better than anyone and everyone else. What happens if you start to act like you truly believe this about yourself? Do you begin to develop tendencies to elevate yourself at the expense of others? Is this how we are called to show love?

As a member of the Body of Christ, we must remember that we were shown love when we didn’t deserve it. We must remember that we were shown grace and mercy when we didn’t deserve it. All too often, we do not show love as were are called to show love. Sadly, many times we show the exact opposite and we make it difficult for others to see Jesus in us or through us.

How difficult do you make this?

Copyright 1998 – 2018 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Do you practice what it tells you?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
(James 1:22 (NIV))

How many times have you heard someone say that they read the Bible? Do there actions prove it? Do their lives reflect it? Do their business dealings indicate that they have heard the Word and have taken it to heart?

All too often we hear of people reading the Bible all of the time, but they do not practice what it tells them. They fail to recognize the fact that they are to reflect and to change according to what God tells them through His Word. When you read or hear the Word of God, do not simply let it bounce around without having any impact. Let the truth sink in and if it hurts a little, then you have actually experienced what was intended. The Word of God is living and is meant to direct and guide us in our daily lives. If this means that there is some self examination because of what was read or heard, then it is working.

Let God, through the Holy Spirit, guide you in all things through what God has told us in His Word.

Copyright 1998 – 2016 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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