Helping

Good Morning,

I apologize for the delay in getting your devotional. Technical difficulties have hindered our progress, but we have a temporary solution to the problem. You will receive three devotional in one today. I do hope that you will join us in Bible Study either at noon today or tonight at 7:00

January is almost over. Our New Year is really in full swing. There is a saying in business that says, “If you do the same thing the same way you get the same results. Can you live with that? We often quote the first part, but never ask the question. The reality is NO; we can not live with that. The very nature of life is change, transition, growth or decline. Many times we can determine the direction, intensity, and duration,

As we continue our transition and transformation let’s how Romans 16 can help us. Here is our devotional for today.

Blessings

Barbara

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

SCRIPTURE

ROMANS 16 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, ² that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

OBSERVATION

1.     Paul commends a servant from one church to another church.

2.     This servant was helpful to Paul and to many.

APPLICATION

1.     Are you a servant of the church, or do you want to be served by the church?

2.     Can your pastor write a favorable letter of recommendation based on your faithful service?

3.     Who are you helping?

PRAYER

Gracious Father forgive me of my selfishness, as well as my self righteousness. Help me walk in such a way that those who have leadership over me can recommend me without hesitation for service else where. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

SCRIPTURE

ROMANS 16: ³ Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,⁴ who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.⁵ Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ. ⁶ Greet Mary, who labored much for us. ⁷ Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ⁸ Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. ⁹ Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. ¹⁰ Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. ¹¹ Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. ¹² Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord.¹³ Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. ¹⁵ Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. ¹⁶ Greet one another with a holy kiss. The^[c] churches of Christ greet you.

OBERVATION

1.     Paul’s fellow workers risk their lives to save his life.

2.     Paul greeted persons who labored with him and for him in the Lord

APPLICATION

1.     Have you risked your life to save another’s life?

2.     Have you risked loosing a friendship by standing up to gossip about another?

3.     Are you laboring for the Lord with someone else?

4.     Can you be remembered with fondness by those you have served along side?

PRAYER

Father I have lived much of my Christian life looked to be served, not to serve. I have sought to be fed, rather than to feed. I have helped to crucify those who serve you rather than protect and serve along side. Today O Lord, I repent. Work in me to will and to do your good pleasure. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

WEDNESDY, JANUARY 22, 2014

SCRIPTURE

ROMANS 16: ¹⁷ Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. ¹⁸ For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. ¹⁹ For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. ²⁰ And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

OBERVATION

1.     Paul instructs to take note of and avoid persons who cause division, offence and walk contrary to the doctrine of Christ.

2.     Paul says those who we are to note and avoid do not serve Christ, but their own desires.

3.     Their smooth talking and flattery deceive the simple.

4.     We are called to be wise in what is good and simple concerning evil.

APPLICATION

1.     Do you struggle with identifying and avoiding those who cause division, offence and walk contrary to the doctrine of Christ?

2.     Do you serve Christ or your own desires and appetites?

PRAYER

Father it is so easy to become entangled with the smooth talking flattery giving person. It is so easy to listen to their divisive, offence giving, contrariness. It is succulent and juicy. Help me overcome this tendency. Empower me to be wise in that which is good and simple concerning evil. In Jesus’ name AMEN.

Transformation -- Roman 15

Good Morning,

My prayer for you today is that as you face transitions on your job, in your home, church, and life in general that you will realize that the closing of one door or era you are being birth into another that is prepared just for you. 

As we go through those changes we need to be like Paul and pray and gather those who will join you in the struggle of transition. I am calling all of the members of the Marq to join me in our struggle through prayer to enter in to the new season that God has for us.

Blessings

Barbara

FRIDAY

SCRIPTURE

³⁰ Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. ³¹ Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem.³² Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.

³³ And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.

OBSERVATION

1. We are called to join in the struggle of our leader through prayer.
2. We are to pray because of our love for the instrument given by the Holy Spirit.
3. We are to pray specifically for the work at hand.

APPLICATION

1. Join the pastor of your church in the struggle through prayer.
2. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you a love for that pastor.
3. Pray for the work: that they are rescued from those who refuse to obey God, pray that believers will accept the gifts offered, pray that God will provide time of encouragement for your pastor.

PRAYER

Gracious father, thank you for the pastor you have provided for me. Help me join him/her in the struggle through prayer. Give me a heart of love for him/her through the Holy Spirit. Lord give me a spirit of intercession that will cover them in prayer to pray for their proclamation, presentation, protection, and provisions. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN

New Beginnings Romans 15:23-29

Good Morning,

I am in awe of how God orchestrate things. Today’s devotion so resonates with where we are at THE MARQ. Those who attended members meeting will see the corollary that is pointed out today.  We can hold on to the move of God from the past and miss the move of God in the present.

Allow the spirit to speak to your heart as you, meditate on the image, listen to the song, read today’s devotion

Blessings

Barbara

THURSDAY

SCRIPTURE

²³ But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. ²⁴ I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.

²⁵ But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. ²⁶ For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. ²⁷ They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. ²⁸ As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. ²⁹ And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.

OBSERVATION

1. When the work God call a leader to do in an area is completed they must move on.
2. We should provide for the journey of those who are sharing the Gospel.
3. We should provide financially for the place that we receive our spiritual blessings.

APPLICATION

1. In what areas is God calling you to make provisions for the Gospel to be preached?
2. Pray for God to show you ways that you can advance the Gospel.
3. Are you supporting the work of the church where you receive your spiritual blessing?

PRAYER

Gracious Father, teach us how to move gracefully from the place of completed work to new vistas and venues. Teach us who are left how to release the old and receive the new. Give us a passion to support the ministry with our talent, time, and treasure. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Transformation -- Romans 15:

Good Morning,

I am so excited about a new opportunity for community at St. Mark. Beginning today we will start our Noon day Bible Study. This study is the brain child of the Seniors Ministry designed to get them home before dark and for those persons who work nights and/or have children in school. So come and join us in community today.

Today devotional tell us that we are good and know how to live, but sometimes we need reminders. Allow our study of Romans to be a reminder of what you know.

Blessings

Barbara

WEDNESDAY

SCRIPTURE

¹⁴ I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. ¹⁵ Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, ¹⁶ I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. ¹⁸ Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. ¹⁹ They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.

²⁰ My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. ²¹ I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says,

“Those who have never been told about him will see,
    and those who have never heard of him will understand.”

²² In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.

OBSERVATION

1. We are full of goodness and know the things of God well enough to teach it, but need reminders.
2. The messenger of Christ proclaims the word so that one can present before God an acceptable offering.
3. There should be an ambition to preach the Gospel outside of the Church walls. 

APPLICATION

1. Are you preparing an acceptable offering to present to the Lord?
2. Are you enthusiastic about what Christ is doing through you?
3. Who is being convinced by the power of God’s spirit through you? 

PRAYER

Father, thank you that because of the work you are doing in me I am full of goodness. Thank you for teaching me your way, will, and word. Thank you for the reminders to do that which I know to do. Lord forgive me for not sharing your word to those who do not know. Forgive me for not having an acceptable offering to present to you. Forgive me for not getting outside the walls of the church to preach the Gospel. Father direct me to the person/persons that you have prepared for my witness. Then work in me to do you will, in Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN

Transformation -- Romans 15:7-13

Good Morning,

As we continue to reflect on our spiritual covenants and commitments as a part of our New Year resolutions, point 2 from Sunday’s messages informs us that our call to community is rooted in the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God has three attributes they are: righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Pursing these attribute provide for us three blessings: we serve Christ, are acceptable to God, and are approved by man. We have a responsibility to follow after these things. When we follow after these things it causes us to go the second mile which is to do nothing to cause others to stumble, to be offended, or made weak.

Today’s devotional gives us continued support to fulfill the Call to Community via acceptance. Go to the link http://barbaralatoison.blogspot.com/ leave your response to today's devotional.  

Blessings,

Barbara

TUESDAY

SCRIPTURE

^{Romans 15:7} Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. ⁸ Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. ⁹ He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:

“For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing praises to your name.”

¹⁰ And in another place it is written,

“Rejoice with his people,
    you Gentiles.”

¹¹ And yet again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles.
    Praise him, all you people of the earth.”

¹² And in another place Isaiah said,

“The heir to David’s throne will come,
    and he will rule over the Gentiles.
They will place their hope on him.”

¹³ I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

OBSERVATION

1. We were accepted by Christ with all of our faults we should accept others the same way.
2. Christ came as a servant to show God is true to His promise
3. Christ came to the undesirable to bring glory to God for his mercies

APPLICATION

1. Identify one person that you struggle to accept.
2. Identify needs that this person has and determine to serve them by meeting those needs.
3. Demonstrate God’s mercy and loving kindness to that person for the next week.

PRAYER

Father, the source of hope, fill me completely with joy and peace because I trust in you. Then overflow me with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN.

Transformation -- Romans 15:1-6

Good Morning,

I hope you are still basking in the overflow of the worship as you celebrated the word and fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. As we continue with our study through Romans I want to share with you a portion of yesterday’s sermon at THE MARQ, from Romans 14 Christian Responsibility vv 13-16 We are to judge our own actions and to walk in love by not being a stumbling block to our fellowman. To hear the whole sermon, go to www.stmarkdallas.org and click on the sermon tab.

Here is our devotion for today from Romans 15:1-6 as we remember it's not about us.

Be Blessed

Barbara

MONDAY

SCRIPTURE

Romans 15: We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. ² We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. ³ For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” ⁴ Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. ⁵ May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. ⁶ Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION

1. We are called to sacrificial service in pleasing others
2. We need patience and encouragement to live in harmony with others.
3. When we live in harmony we can collectively give praise and glory to God.

APPLICATION

1. Are there areas of conflict in your life or church that is the result of your wanting only to please yourself?
2. Who are we intentionally helping and building up in Christ?
3. What do you need to do to live in complete harmony with others?

PRAYER

Father your call to sacrificial service, patience, and harmony creates turmoil in me because of my personal desires, appetites, and selfishness. There are areas of conflict in my sphere of influence because of it. There are persons I am not helping and I could because of this.  Forgive me of my selfishness. Work in me O Lord to will and to do your good pleasure. In Jesus’ name I pray AMEN

Transformation: Romans 14:19-23

Good Morning,

As you look back over this week, is your Communion Commitment still strong? Are you operating in Intentional Community? Are you paying the debt of loves that protects the community and community relationship? Is the community where you are flourishing in a spirit of love?

Here is our devotion for today and I look forward to seeing you at The Marq on Sunday.

Blessings

Barbara

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014

SCRIPTURE

¹⁹ Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. ²⁰ Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.²¹ It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

²² So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. ²³ But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

OBSERVATION

1. We have a responsibility to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.
2. We should not allow our personal preferences for food or other consumptions destroy the work of God.
3. If what you consume cause others to stumble you should not consume it.
4. If in doubt, don’t do it.

APPLICATION

1. What can you do differently to make an effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification?
2. What sacred cows can we sacrifice to help another not stumble?
3. What things are you doing that you are not sure if they are sinful or not, but you do them anyway?

PRAYER

Gracious Father, thank you for your word that convicts, conforms, and corrects. Help me to walk in my responsibility to my fellowman to bring about peace and mutual edification. Convict me of those personal preferences or sacred cows that are a stumbling block to my fellowman. Conform me to your way of living that will bring glory to your kingdom. Correct the errors of my ways. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

Transformation: Roman 14:13-18

Good Morning,

As this week hurries to an end, I pray that you are thankful for the progress that you have made in your Communion Commitment. As we continue walking in the invitation to Communion to our intention to lead a new life I hope that you commitment to intentional community is growing stronger.  Review the sermon from Sunday if you need to at the following link, http://stmarkame.sermon.tv/mc/9786574

Today devotion continues  the Call to Intentional Community by continually paying the debt of loves that protects the community and community relationship  as we lookout for one another.

Blessings

Barbara

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2014

SCRIPTURE

¹³ Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. ¹⁴ I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. ¹⁵ If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. ¹⁶ Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. ¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸ because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

OBSERVATION

1. We should not judge others.
2. Do not be a stumbling block or hindrance to others.
3. Do not destroy others by what you do.
4. God is pleased when we operate in righteousness, peace, and joy.

APPLICATION

1. In what areas to you need to change so that you are not a hindrance to others?
2. What sacrifice do you need to make to walk in love to not destroy another?

PRAYER

Father reveal to me the liberties that I take that are destructive to others. Help me live a life that is pleasing to you and is an instrument of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN

Transformation Romans 14: 10-12

Good Morning,

I am praying that today you are filled with the wonder of the Lord as you look back over the beginning of the week and peer a head to its ending. In your looking I pray that you are evaluating your Communion Commitment.  Review the sermon from Sunday at the following link, http://stmarkame.sermon.tv/mc/9786574

Today devotion ties in with the Call to Intentional Community. Mutual honor and respect creates Community.  Mutual honor and respect mitigates judgement and criticism

I hope to see you in Bible Study tonight.

Blessings

Barbara

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2014

SCRIPTURE

¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ¹¹ It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

OBSERVATION

1. We have no right to judge our fellow man.
2. We all will stand before the judgment seat of God?
3. Each of us will give account of ourselves before God

APPLICATION

1. Today monitor your thought, attitudes, and behaviors for judgmental tendencies.
2. Evaluate your actions, attitudes, behaviors, thoughts and words; would you like to give and account for those before the Lord?

PRAYER

Father, forgive me for my judgmental attitude and spirit. I do not want to stand before you and give an account for my actions, attitudes, behaviors, thoughts and words that are not pleasing to you. Please work in me to will and to do your good pleasure. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN

Romans 14:5-9

Good Morning,

For many of us we set New Year resolutions that we have already failed to keep. I pray that that you are still walking in your Communion Commitment of intentionality.  “Those who intend to lead a new life draw near with faith.”  One of the communion challenges of intentionality was the call to Intentional Citizenship. This call brings with it the understanding that Citizen/Membership has both privilege and responsibility. Citizen/membership requires intentional obedience. The really great thing is that when we fulfill those responsibilities it serves as a testimony of our submission to God.

As we continue to walk in our Communion Commitment let’s fortify our faith by the application of the word via the devotional for today. Today lets us  know that we do not live for ourselves alone.

Blessings

Barbara

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

SCRIPTURE

⁵ One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. ⁶ Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷ For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.⁸ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ⁹ For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

OBSERVATION

1. Those things we consider special should be special unto the Lord.
2. We do not live our lives in a vacuum  for ourselves only.
3. We live and die for the Lord.

APPLICATION

1. The things that you are holding sacred are they held sacred to the Lord?
2. What things in your life need to change because you are not living your life for yourself alone?
3. How will your life change as you live and die for Christ?

PRAYER

Father, so much of my life has been spent doing my own thing, living to please me. Since my life is not for me alone, work in me to live my life as one that belongs to you. In Jesus’ name AMEN.

FROM INFORMATION TO TRANSFORMATION ROMANS 14:1-4

Good Morning and Happy New Year,

I pray that you Holidays were filled with hope, peace, joy, and love. It is also my prayer that 2014 will be filled with transformation, prosperity, and new vistas of opportunity and spiritual growth.

Since our last devotional we have hosted the Winter Meeting that was a huge success and we thank you for any help or participation you renders. We are rolling out our new format for our daily devotional. Now we are back on track and ready to buckle down and complete our study of Romans: From Information To Transformation.

I am excited as we heed “The Communion’s Call” from Romans 13. The invitation from our communion ritual says if we intend to lead a new life draw near with faith. Today it is my desire that we heed the call to repentance, love, and intentionality. If you did not make worship on yesterday, please acquire a copy of the message and are get a copy for a friend. Go to www.Stmarkameziondall.org

Here is today’s devotional.

Blessings

Barbara

Barbara

MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2014

SCRIPTURE

14 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. ³ The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

OBSERVATION

1.     Things not expressly forbidden or commanded in the word should not be argued.

2.     We should not judge others.

APPLICATION

1.     Are there areas that you are prone to argue over that are personal preferences and not biblical mandates?

2.     Do you judge others based on your personal preferences, weaknesses, or biases?

PRAYER

Father, there are things that I am passionate about that bothers me when others fail to do them. They are however neither commanded nor forbidden by your word. I have judged other based on it. Lord help me to not judge others, not to argue over disputable matter. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN