THE REFUGE DEVOTIONAL

“Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.”

Romans 15:1 NASBS

Christian, the life that we live in Christ is a life of service to one another, for we who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of another. So when we engage in any acts of sin we hurt those whom we are in fellowship with. The word of God is very clear, “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” So our sanctification, that is, being conformed into the image of Christ, not only brings glory to God, but is also used by God to strengthen His body, which is the church. So brethren, we are to wake up early to consecrate ourselves to the word of God, fleeing from sin, and praying the Lord will use us to bring glory to His name and to strengthen our brothers and sisters. Therefore, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, and practicing hospitality.” “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME. For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Never forget beloved, Jesus held nothing back from you, for Jesus, “Who existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” For, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” And you my beloved are His prize possession Whom He loves more deeply than you could ever imagine. So then, strengthen the body of Christ by serving it with all of the gifts you have. “If service, in your serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit.” Oh Lord, “I bless thee for the soul thou hast created, for adorning it, sanctifying it.” Please help me to love, as you have first loved me, and may my hands, eyes, ears, mouth do your bidding.