Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

July 21
Monday


WE ARE
CONNECTED

READ:
Romans 12:3-13
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So we, being many, are
one body in Christ, and
individually members
of one another.
__Romans 12:5
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An air-monitoring station atop a California mountain has detected wind-borne particles that drifted across the Pacific Ocean from coal-fired power plants and smelters thousands of miles away. Some experts predict that expanding economies in other nations could one day account for a third of the pollution in California. The US, however, remains the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and other countries are feeling the effects of America's energy consumption.

An Associated Press report quoted atmospheric scientist Dan Jaffe: "There is no place where you can put away your pollution anymore." Every nation shares the world's atmosphere and is affected by the actions of others.

A similar principle is at work in the global community of those who follow Jesus christ. We all have a stake in the lives of others because our actions, good and bad, affect every other Christian. In the body of Christ, each member belongs to all the others (Rom 12:5). Because of that, we are urged to exercise our spiritual gifts (vv.16-8), and to be loving, faithful in prayer, and generous (vv.10-13).

Our obedience to the Lord may seem insignificant in the big picture, but it breathes freshness and life into the spiritual atmosphere of every believer. __David McCasland
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`````````````````````We don't live unto ourselves,````````````````
``````````````````````We're part of one another;`````````````````
`````````````````````For good or ill we touch a life````````````````
````````````````Of sister, friend, and brother. __D. De Haan````````
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When believers influence each other for good,
the body of Christ remains healthy.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ Romans 12:3-13*************

3 For I say, through the
grace given to me, to
everyone who is among
you, not to think of himself
more highly than he ought
to think, but to think
soberly, as God has dealt to
each one a measure of faith.

4 For as we have many
members in one body, but
all the members do not have
the same function, 5 so we,
being many, are one body
in Christ, and individually
members of one another.

6 Having then gifts differing
according to the grace that
is given to us, let us use
them: if prophecy, let us
prophesy in proportion to
our faith; 7 or ministry, let
us use it in our ministering;
he who teaches in teaching;

8 he who exhorts, in
exhortation; he who gives,
with liberality; he who
leads, with diligence; he
who shows mercy, with
cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without
hypocrisy. Abhor what is
evil. Cling to what is good.

10 Be kindly affectionate to
one another with brotherly
love, in honor giving
preference to one another;

11 not lagging in diligence,
fervent in spirit, serving the
Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope,
patient in tribulation,
continuing steadfastly in
prayer; 13 distributing to the
needs of the saints, given to
hospitality.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In Romans 12, Paul lists seven spiritual gifts. Other lists appear in
1 Corinthians 12:7-30 and Ephesians 4:11-12. Paul emphasizes the
diversity of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-6; Rom. 12:4-6). In today's
Bible reading, Paul's primary purpose is to encourage believers to
use their gifts faithfully-in humility (v.3), in unity (vv.4-5), and
for the common good (v.7). They are to be used to strengthen the
church (1 Cor. 14:26) and to glorify God (1 Peter 4:11).
__Sim Kay Tee