📖 Scripture

📝 Scripture Summary

Love must be sincere. Believers must hate evil, cling to what is good, and be devoted to one another in love. Paul instructs them to keep their spiritual fervor, joyful hope, patience in affliction, and faithfulness in prayer. Believers are to share with those in need, practice hospitality, and bless those who persecute them.

💡 Memory Verse

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! – Romans 11:33

🔎 Reflection

With Love and Fervor (12:9–11)

Paul indicates the attitude that we should have as we serve God and His people. We are to love earnestly and sincerely, without being hypocritical, lukewarm, or inconsiderate toward the ones we love. Rather than being competitive or comparing ourselves with one another, we should honor other believers and be devoted to them. We can point out what we appreciate about them and find ways to show our loyalty and commitment. We should despise evil and cling to what is good—the good things being a reflection of God Himself. Our commitment to one another is a fruit of our zeal and fervor to serve the Lord. It is as we devote ourselves to Him that our love for others becomes stronger and purer.

Consider what causes your love toward others and fervor toward God to wane. What can help renew your passion for God and His people?

Responding Like Christ (12:12–14)

Some of us have no problem being joyful in hope and faithful in prayer, but being patient in affliction can be unusually difficult. It requires endurance while experiencing prolonged pain. Being hospitable and sharing with those in need can also be a challenge because it requires the investment of time and money. Perhaps the greatest challenge of all is to bless those who persecute us. Responding in these ways is difficult, but it is possible when we keep our eyes focused on God and remember the sacrifice of Christ. When we reflect on the difficulties and pain Jesus willingly accepted on our behalf and consider His great love for us, we find that our own responses are opportunities to demonstrate His ways and become more like Him.

Which of these responses is most challenging for you? Reread these verses and picture Jesus’ response to each of these situations.

🌟 Today’s Inspiration

“When we acknowledge God in our victories, we’re giving credit where credit is due.” – Miranda Carls

🙏 Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for modeling how we should respond to difficult situations. When my love and passion start to wane, inspire me once again to reflect Your character and follow Your ways. In Your name I pray, amen.

🖋 Essay

When Passion Fades

When my passion to serve God and His people begins to fade, I notice that this usually happens because I have experienced some severe disappointment or have not spent enough quality time with the Lord. In either case, I find that listening to worship music, particularly songs that declare God’s goodness, faithfulness, and love, is a helpful first step toward renewing and restoring my soul. I remember how faithful God has been to me and that no disappointment is so great that He cannot help me overcome it. The songs remind me that I am loved and cherished and that I have the privilege of serving our great and powerful God.

I’ve also found it helpful to not only meditate on God’s good works and ask for His encouragement, but also to read or listen to testimonies about how people have come to faith or how God has been moving in their lives. These inspiring stories shake any dullness away from my spirit and reinvigorate me to work with greater zeal for God’s kingdom. Getting together with other zealous Christians to do ministry together can also foster a passionate spirit. Their zeal energizes me as I work in partnership with them.

Lastly, fasting from any negative or distracting influences brings peace to reset my focus and re-center it back on God. This can involve avoiding social media or certain people or events. Replacing these influences with more time with God and paying greater attention to what He is doing rekindles my love and fervor for building up His kingdom.

Written by Ahreum Kim