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Brotherly Love

Romans 12:9-13  “Don’t just pretend to love others, Really love them, Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.  Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble, and keep praying.  When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.  Always be eager to practice hospitality.  (NLT)

I keep being reminded of this passage in Romans these last few days from multiple sources; It keeps coming at me.  With that in mind I wanted to dive into it a little bit more and share what I am learning through time in His word and time in prayer with Him.

As I looked into this passage, one of the things I like to do is look at multiple translations as I love to see how each translation translates the text.  I specifically love the NASB of this passage as verses 9 through13 is one big sentence.  Meaning this is one big thought working together.  I have been learning a lot about what it means to fully surrender to Jesus and follow Him completely.  I know that in order to do this I need help from others who will support my walk in Jesus Christ and my desire to follow Him completely.  I also know that Jesus said “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Mt 22:37-40 NLT) As I look to love God with all my heart I too want to love my neighbors. One of the ways I can show love is to keep praying for them. This means in the good times, bad times, and tough times.  I know for me (and I think for most men) it is very hard to seek help from others, but when someone reaches out and asks if I need something it opens that door for me to say, “yes, I need some help.”  Since I know that is how I feel I’ve been challenged lately to pray specifically for God to put on my heart a name, someone who may not ask but might need help.  This can mean physically helping them or praying for them from afar and letting them know that I am praying for them no matter where they find themselves on that day.  I know that this simple act can really encourage someone and I know this from personal experience through my life when a message comes on my phone at just the right time when I need it.  (I received 2 this morning!)

I love verse 12, “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” I know for me being patient is never easy and it is most definitely not easy when trouble comes.  I want to take action and solve the problem.  But, God tells us to be patient in trouble and keep on praying. I’m finding the more I rejoice in the confident hope of Jesus Christ and keep on praying the easier that troubled time becomes.  It doesn’t always go away nor does it get solved all the time the way I think it should, but I know that there is such peace in keeping my mind focused on Jesus during those times that I can be patient.  Remember Praying is doing something and it is doing exactly what God calls us to do. 

Smile and enjoy the journey today. — Gabe