GOD morning! August 12 / Fly High!

GOD Morning! August 12

Fly High!

Here is another one of those chapters that I can live my whole life by. Seriously. If I simply make all my decisions based on this chapter, I will fly high in any situation.

Flying high is a decision. I have determined that in any situation, I will fly high. How? 

Romans 12 AMP

12 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

The first order of the day is this: Offer every part of myself as a living sacrifice to God. Every day, first thing. This is my reasonable act of worship.

2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Don't conform to the world!

Be transformed by renewing my mind!

Seek after His perfect will!

3 For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.

If I want to fly high, I must be humble! How does that even work, right? Trust me, it works out beautifully. When I humble myself, God lifts me up. When I am proud, I fall flat.

4 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use,

5 So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].

I must be mature enough to ask someone for help. If they can't or won't help me, I will continue asking around. 

6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;

7 [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;

8 He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.

I think I know what my giftings are. Music of course. I play piano and write songs. I have prophesied on occasion. 

But to be honest, these gifts are not nearly rewarding as the "hands on" gifts that I have. 

Serving. I love to cook and serve meals in a struggling community. 

I love to go into homes and teach Bible Studies. (A beautiful young lady received the Holy Spirit just yesterday morning! I was privileged to watch a brand new baby be born into the kingdom of God right in her home.) 

I love to exhort. Just ask Scott, lol!!! 

I love to give generously. I love to help out a friend. 

And acts of mercy? Yes! 

Seriously, I believe ALL of us can have ALL of these gifts. Anyone can do these things. It doesn't take any training to help someone out. And it's incredibly rewarding. When we give, we feel joy not only at that moment, but later when it comes back to us! When we simply try out all the gifts, we will find the ones that fit.

9 [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.

10 Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.

I must be REAL. 

11 Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.

I must shine, shine, shine the light of Jesus! 

12 Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.

Hope always!

When everything seems to be falling apart, I must keep plugging away!

Pray always. This is the key to this whole chapter. When I pray always, I CAN be this seemingly mythical person who goes around loving, giving and spreading joy in the face of life's hardships. 

13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality.

When someone is in need, I must share what I have. I must have people over for dinner! REAL friends are what everyone needs more of.

14 Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them.

In return for cruelty, give blessings. Now that's a tough one. But it is incredibly rewarding later. It's freeing. Liberating! When I force myself to return blessing for cursing, I am able to let go of the anger towards that person.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].

I have to be available when my friends need me.

16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.

Adjust myself! Another hard one. I constantly adjust myself all day every day. When I stop adjusting my attitude, I become a very sad, angry, offended and proud person in a hurry.

Again, I have to be humble!! Even when I'm firmly believe that I am right! I must humble myself all day, every day. 

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.

Who is this perfect, mythical creature who is above reproach??? Every one of us, as long as we are constantly praying and adjusting ourselves according to God's word. I am not kidding, here. I am dead serious. Every one of us can be above reproach when we are filled to overflowing with God's Spirit. How can I be filled with God's Spirit? Prayer! 

Prayer is hard work, but it is also fun and exciting work. When I get in God's presence, after I have cleaned my heart out, he talks to me! Little old me! It is too awesome for words.

18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Prayer brings inner peace. No matter what's happening around me, I can have peace on the inside.

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.

God can "take care" of my enemies waaaaaaaay more efectively than I can. All I have to do is clean out my heart and watch Him work His plan.

20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.

21 Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.

Again, kindness wins every time. 

"Dear Jesus, thank You for Your word!!! I want to be the seemingly mythical creature that is presented here in Romans 12. So impossible! And yet so attainable through Your Holy Ghost power. Please help me! I can't do this on my own power! I long to fly high with You! How I love You. How I bless Your name, the name of Jesus. You are worthy to be praised! Every day of my life! Amen."