The best part of my day is waking up and getting in the Word. I always find an encouraging message for myself or others. This morning I was so encouraged as I read Romans 12. Verse after verse shared a challenge and I must say it was hard reading some of them. I was especially challenged by point 7. So many people are doing good and living a life of sacrifice to help others. I hope to be able to honor more people who have committed to a life of God and His people. It is so encouraging when I get support from others and I would like to return that blessing. I was also challenged by point 9. There is so much hope in living this life and I don’t rejoice in the blessing of it enough.

I hope that like me, you will find something to challenge you below and make a commitment to work on it.

1. Let your bodies be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
2. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
3. Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
4. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if your gift is:
– the ability to prophesy > speak out with as much faith as God has given you
– serving others > serve them well
– teaching > teach well
– encouraging others > be encouraging
– giving > give generously
– leadership > take the responsibility seriously
– showing kindness to others > do it gladly
5. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.
6. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
7. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
8. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
9. Rejoice in our confident hope.
10. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
11. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
12. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
13. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
14. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
15. Never pay back evil with more evil.
16. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
17. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
18. Never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.
19. If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
20. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Did one of these scriptures challenge you today?