Romans 12: 1, 2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of Your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Dear God,
I have many blessings for which I give thanks and feel compelled to do so this morning. I also ask to be filled with Your love, wisdom and power today; so that I can be Your true child and representative, in all that I do and with all I meet. When so filled by Your power, love and wisdom, I can present my body as ‘a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God’; and be strengthened so that I will not be enamoured by worldly possessions and pursuits, and instead to be motivated to focus on You, God, as well as upon the activities that uphold Your standards for living, and draw me closer to You. All the time it is You who will enable me to be of benefit to others and be transformed daily by the renewing of my mind, producing in me the thoughts and actions that are good and acceptable to Your perfect will. I am so glad that, as Your love does its work within my heart I will be changed and be made more like You; within and without.
I take note that, Paul the writer of the book of Romans, counseled the church group to which he was writing, to respect and love one another in a way that is not self-focused causing them to put ourselves forward as the only one who has adequate abilities or knowledge about how a thing should be done or happen, but instead to understand and interact with others, affirming each as an individual part of the whole body. I long to be more filled with Your love, and thereby give love to others as a refection of the love of Jesus within my heart; which will not be self-focused and be expecting recognition or praise. Romans 12: 10 – 13 “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; not lacking in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”
I sadly acknowledge that I am still very lacking in feeling and showing love to others, no matter the type of person or the situation. But I also know that ALL true love comes from You, and my lack will be answered when I repent, believe and ask! I sincerely ask, that Jesus will come into my heart and I will accept the gifts He is so ready to fill me with; for to be Your loving ‘vessel’ is my earnest desire!
Amen