“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8 NIV
Let’s get busy living… for the Lord!
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Tag: Romans
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Out of Place
Many of you know that I am going to try my first triathlon in August. I have been diligently searching for a bike that I could borrow for the race, since I want to see if I like it before I lay down money for another bike. Anyway, last week I was able to find and borrow one from a friend of mine – and boy is it a sweet ride.
Anyway, on Saturday morning my training partner suggested we work on the bike/run transition. He suggested that we meet out at the Chickamauga Battlefield, which is a local haunt for bikers. When I pulled into the visitors centers, through the exit, by the way, I found the lower lot almost completely full of vehicles. And every one of these vehicles had some sort of bike carrying device attached. Several of them had some really really nice bikes still attached to the carriers. And then there were the people hanging around getting ready. All of them in their biking outfits and their nice biking shoes – all the cool gear.
Boy, did I feel out-of-place. Especially since I was pulling up in a pair of basic exercise shorts, and running shoes. I had asked my friend to replace the clip pedals on his bike with flat pedals. I felt so out-of-place, that I left the parking lot and went down the road to a smaller 3 space lot that I knew about. Luckily there were two open spots. Just as I called my training partner to adjust our meeting place, another car pulled in and filled up that lot as well. So, I had to go back to the main lot.
Curses – Foiled again!
So, I had to go back to the main lot., and awkwardly I got out, get ready, and started off on our ride – which was great.
When we returned and were cooling down, we stood in amazement of the other bikes, bikers and their gear – until we started talking to them.
Yes, they had the gear. Yes they looked cool. But – they were just like us. Just some guys out riding to make themselves better. Some were training for bigger races – some were just beginners like us. Some rode a farther distance that morning, some traveled shorter than we did.
But in the end – we were all the same – bikers working to get better.
On Sunday morning, the study group I meet with has been studying Romans 12. The teacher for the day, via a video, talked about how we all our insecure – and are all searching.
Remember that as you interact with others today. Despite appearances and approaches, “we all have fallen short of the glory of God”(Romans) and we all are searching. So disregard the cool gear, or that out-of-place feeling and realize that underneath of all that we are more alike than different.
Let’s work together!
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Free indeed
Hey did you know! It’s Juneteenth, and you are freee!!!!
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36 NIV)
18 You have been set free from sin… Romans 6:18
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Different Strokes for Different Jedis
This week I sat in a training class for 2 and 1/2 days. I mean literally sat – think about the worst conference room your could imagine, populate it with stationery chairs, a few too many people, and lectures that go for 2 hours at a time! It’s spelled F-U-N! But these long periods of time together with others, allowed me to observe how people approach learning so differently. Did I mention there was a test at the end of the time? Yeah, so some people are just listening, some are frantically making notes, some are making note cards, some look totally confused, and some totally in tune. I think it is so great to see how different we all are. Although we share so much in coming, it’s easy to see the different preferences, styles, attitudes, approaches and skills we have.
It reminds me of this section from one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible – Romans 12
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12
We each are giving different gifts, but we are all ask to use to with all of our heart. That’s a good thing to have in common.
Be strong today, as you use your gifts to impact others,
and
May the Fourth be with you!
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National Day of Prayer
It’s the National Day of Prayer. In continuing Paul’s urging in First Thessalonians, lets make sure we “pray continually” and participate in the day in some form or fashion. As believers this is quite an honor and privilege and a source of great encouragement. Make sure you work in a little extra moment of prayer today – and pray about this nation and the people you come in contact with each day. Oh, and also do it while you are full of hope and joy!
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18New International Version (NIV)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
And don’t forget the rewards from turning over things is praying. The payback when we leave our anxieties with the Christ is tremendous.
6-7Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 The Message (MSG)
I think today may be a good day to reap some of those, don’t you?