July 22, 2012 Devotion for Always

Devotion for Always Romans 12:10-13 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. WHEN you look at the Gospel in all its shapes and forms—from the humility of the manger to the victory of the empty grave—the one powerful, underlying truth that is the foundation of all those shapes is, of course, love. Shape your life around love for God and love for each other. In a community of faith—call it the local church, a small group, a prayer group, a study group—God’s Word calls you to shape that love into devotion. “Be devoted to one another.” Devotion means you honor others. You respect their ideas. You lovingly forgive them. You love them when they don’t love you. With a heartfelt love, you devote your time and energy to people in need. Devotion is doing these things with zeal—passion, excitement, and love in your hearts! Devotion means you know God is watches over all, and you devote yourself to others as God has loved you. In addition, you show devotion to God as you lovingly accept God’s will for you. You may know conflict, peace, ease or hardship. But in all things you remain devoted to the One totally devoted to you. After all, Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ is coming again. He’s devoted his life to you and for you. Why wouldn’t you devote your life to him and devote your life to his own? It’s True! Devotion is more than a daily reading. Bob James Working Everyday for the King of Kings