Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Enthusiasm”
Our Bible verse for today: “Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Be enthusiastic about helping others.
In Romans chapter 15 the Apostle Paul wrote about the importance of Christians being unselfish by putting the needs and concern of others, the church, and the kingdom of God first, and their own needs, wants, desires, and opinions second.
Paul went so far as to say that we need to be eager and enthusiastic about seeking out those who are weaker than us, less mature in the faith, and those who might be struggling with life issues and/or spiritual concerns, and we should make it our mission to help them.
In “The Message” Eugene Peterson explains it this way: “Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”
Please note that chapter 15 of Romans comes right after chapter 14 of Romans. You will remember from yesterday’s devotional message that in chapter 14 Paul admonished the Roman Christians for getting caught-up in petty issues which were creating strife and division among them. He urged them to put aside the silliness about nonessential matters and focus instead on the things that really mattered in kingdom terms. Chapter 15 continues that train of thought by urging the readers to enthusiastically seek opportunities to be a source of help, strength, and encouragement to others.
We need to be sure we take the lessons of these two chapters together and in context. We are to help, strengthen, and encourage others regarding the things that really matter, instead of trying to force them to conform to our personal opinions and desires regarding secondary issues.
If you consider yourself to be strong in the faith and mature in your understanding of the things that really matter, then use that strength and maturity to help, strengthen and encourage others. Be enthusiastic about helping in ways that truly matter.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 