When You Do the Work Things Happen

What I really mean by that title is, When You Obey Things Happen. If I had put that title would you be reading this? Maybe not, but work and obedience are not too different. It is easier to do what you want over what you should.

I will briefly tell you I have been fighting rather than obeying my whole life, and I will tell you the work ends up being harder than just doing the right thing from the beginning. It is easier to wash the dishes when they first get dirty than to let them sit overnight. Not that anyone would do that.

I decided to obey God and start going to church and be fed by his word and really pay attention and grow, not just go thru the motions. Am I still a believer in "fake it till you make it" Absolutely Not! Why, God knows my heart, I can't hide from him, so why should I try. Pastor Matt said it perfectly and this is true for me except for the age (he is older than me:) ) "I am 33 years old, why should I care what others think". I feel the same way. I am not perfect, I am a human, and if I am hurting, the people I go to church with are there to comfort me, not judge me. If I share the love of God with someone who doesn't know him, and they laugh at me, I know that I obeyed God's commandment to share his love.

Anyway, the whole point was to tell you what I discovered by obeying God and getting up this morning and starting my day with him. Last night at church we were given several scriptures to go home and study. I decided that since I don't have a daily devotional book, and that I had been kinda winging it, and just praying (which I think is fine) I would use those scriptures for as long as they would last me, everyday until the next set of scriptures are given. Today I chose to read Romans 12 the whole chapter. I am reading this and connections are being made right and left.


Romans 12


1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.


9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Now, the following is my understanding of the scripture read, I am in no way trying to add to the bible or am I a minister or pastor who has been put into a place of teaching. I am a student of the word of God, and I am learning and growing everyday, and your thoughts are welcome as well.

Breaking down this chapter was amazing for me, because I have always said, when trying to witness in passed experiences "That is not God!" when being confronted with refusals to listen because of past fire and brimstone attempts to win their souls. This just confirms it for me, Yes, God is just, but his mercy is powerful, and he loves your guts.

So verses 1-7, I believe that it is saying that first make your life a sacrifice to God. That doesn't mean live in misery and sit in a hole and pray all day and never see the sunlight or enjoy your life, this is a spiritual act and says so clearly. That in my mind means follow God's will not my own, be willing to be inconvenienced for God, go out and do what is uncomfortable for me, in order to glorify God. Show compassion when it is hard, Give love freely. God made us all different for a reason, and that is so we can go where the need is without having to go to every need. You need comfort, someone can comfort you, but your brother needs fed, someone else can feed him, Etc.

Verses 9-16 Love, that is ultimately what God is. In the true meaning of the word though, Love is a verb! It is an action, and something you do with your whole being, The emotions of love is just that an emotion, and when the Bible talks about God's love, I believe all though it may stir emotion, it is a complete action. I believe this portion is telling exactly how to act in love. Now Hospitality, according to Webster's dictionary it is a noun meaning Hospitable treatment, reception or disposition. To go a bit further Hospitable means to be giving generously of yourself. So the bible is not saying invite people over and throw a party, entertain people, although that can work as well. It is saying if someone needs, give with a grateful heart, be loving and understanding, even if you feel inconvenienced don't let others know that you feel that way. Just because you know God and someone else doesn't, that does not make you better than them, if a christian falls, they are not beneath you. You are the same as them in God's eyes, the only difference is that you have been saved and you are walking with God, and it is now your job to share with them. I stress the word share because it is like being given a Thanksgiving style meal everyday, and hoarding it for yourself, if you don't.

Verses 17 an on, Give it all to God, he is the judge and jury and it is not our place to punish others. Hit evil and people who do us wrong, straight in the face with love. God will take care of them. And really would you want someone else taking your punishment in their hands. God showed you mercy, and although your head may not want mercy shown to that person, the damage that revenge will do to your soul is far worse than what it is doing to the evil that has come to you the first time around, the good feeling revenge brings lasts only for a second, and then your heart is heavy. Face all adversity with prayer and love, God will take care of you.

I am not trying to preach to you, I am just obeying God, and studying his word. If you are reading this, it is because God wanted you for whatever reason. If you are reading this, know that I love you.

My Action today is to be obedient