Today’s Scripture
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 on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Romans 12:9-13 (NLT)
Big Idea
Authenticity fuels deep, meaningful relationships with other followers of Christ.
Today’s Thought
Stop playing games.
No, not board games or video games or sports. Stop playing spiritual games. It’s time to grow up and get serious about being an r12 Christian.
That message can be heard in Paul’s words here in Romans 12:9-13, where you see several reminders of the value of authenticity and honesty. Don’t pretend. Love genuinely. Be ready to help and eager to host — people who are serving in love.
God doesn’t want Christians to play religious games. God doesn’t want us to wear “masks” or create an image of who we’d like to be, instead of who we truly are.
Stop for a moment and think about the last time you walked through the doors of your church. Did you feel like you could really be yourself? Or did you feel the pressure to conform? Did you feel safe enough to talk honestly about your pain and your joy? Or did you find yourself using Christian jargon that made you sound holy and spiritual?
The church is designed to be a place of honesty and vulnerability — not spiritual games.
And God calls you to connect with other Christians as you serve and love and experience life together. You do it for the right reason and in the right way. When you begin to have those kinds of relationships, people will watch your life and see the reality of following Jesus. People will discover that God is real and sent Jesus to the world, and that’s a more powerful message than any sermon can deliver!
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 on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Romans 12:9-13 (NLT)
Big Idea
Authenticity fuels deep, meaningful relationships with other followers of Christ.
Today’s Thought
Stop playing games.
No, not board games or video games or sports. Stop playing spiritual games. It’s time to grow up and get serious about being an r12 Christian.
That message can be heard in Paul’s words here in Romans 12:9-13, where you see several reminders of the value of authenticity and honesty. Don’t pretend. Love genuinely. Be ready to help and eager to host — people who are serving in love.
God doesn’t want Christians to play religious games. God doesn’t want us to wear “masks” or create an image of who we’d like to be, instead of who we truly are.
Stop for a moment and think about the last time you walked through the doors of your church. Did you feel like you could really be yourself? Or did you feel the pressure to conform? Did you feel safe enough to talk honestly about your pain and your joy? Or did you find yourself using Christian jargon that made you sound holy and spiritual?
The church is designed to be a place of honesty and vulnerability — not spiritual games.
And God calls you to connect with other Christians as you serve and love and experience life together. You do it for the right reason and in the right way. When you begin to have those kinds of relationships, people will watch your life and see the reality of following Jesus. People will discover that God is real and sent Jesus to the world, and that’s a more powerful message than any sermon can deliver!
Put away the games. Bring out the real you.
Prayer
God, I don’t want to play spiritual games. I want to experience real, authentic,
legit, true spirituality. Give me the boldness to take that first step of honesty
and vulnerability with my friends, and help me do my part to build Your
church the way You want it to be built. Help me to be the person You created
me to be. Amen. Prayer
A lot of adults should read this, maybe they'll step down from the pedestals they've built for themselves.
ReplyDelete-- Tori Darden
I really like the "you find yourself using Christian jargon that made you sound holy and spiritual" So true!
ReplyDeleteI just found out from gabby that im supposed to comment on these every time. I totally didn't know that! But i have been doing them every night! I really love them!
I like this one a lot!-gabby :)
ReplyDeleteEveryone that calls themself a Christian should read this and understand what its saying. :)-Jasmin
ReplyDeletei can't believe were almost done with these. - Ryan
ReplyDelete