Scripture:
Romans 12:9, 11-12
Tue, 2 May 2023

Loving God Together

Observation:

According to verses 11 and 12, what would a church that is loving God
together look like?

Deeper Reflection
First and foremost for Christians, our genuine love is to be directed towards God. Such love for God is expressed in our service to the Lord. The word translated as “serve” (v.11; Greek douleuō) literally means “to stand in the relationship of a slave”7. As slaves to the Lord our Master, we can only show genuine love towards God if our service is fueled by zeal and fervency in spirit. Because our service to God is to be a lifelong commitment, if it is merely powered by human eagerness and enthusiasm, then “losing steam” is only natural and to be expected, and deterioration to sloth and complacency only a matter of time. Paul’s reference to fervency “in spirit” is almost certainly a reminder to us to rely on the Holy Spirit.8 He is the true source of God-given zeal and fervency, and ultimately enables our lifelong, loving service to God.Such love for God is also expressed in our steadfastness in the Lord. Being “joyful in hope, patient in tribulation and faithful in prayer” (v.12, NIV) all demonstrate an unwavering steadfastness in our faith in the Lord. And “at the heart of this triplet is…hope, namely our confident Christian expectation of the Lord’s return and the glory to follow. It is to us the source of abiding joy. But it also calls for patience, as meanwhile we endure tribulation and persevere in prayer”9.Christians are called to love God by way of zealous and fervent service to Him, and joyful, patient and faithful steadfastness in Him. When we do this together as a church, we are loving God together. 
7 Karl Heinrich Rengstorf, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 261 8 Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996), 778 9 John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 332.
Application:

In what ways do I desire to grow in my service to the Lord and steadfastness in Him?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To lead the church through exemplary service to the Lord and steadfastness in Him
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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