Tuesday, March 29
Pray, share, encourage
Scripture: Deuteronomy 21-22, Romans 1
Romans 1:9–12 God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in telling the good news about his Son—that I constantly mention you, 10 always asking in my prayers that if it is somehow in God’s will, I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I want very much to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, 12 that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Observation
In opening his letter, Paul reminds the Romans that he constantly remembers them in his prayers, and that he longs to see them so he may impart (share) some spiritual gift to strengthen them and to be mutually encouraged.
“I constantly mention you…”. The word “mention” means “to remember”, hence, to mention in prayer. “Constantly”: Paul must have prayed a lot!
“…impart some spiritual gift.” The word “impart” means “to give in part, to share what you have.” Paul wanted to share what he had to strengthen them.
“…be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” It wasn’t a one-way street—just Paul sharing with them—he anticipated receiving encouragement from their faith as well.
Application
Paul is writing this to people he hopes to see soon. It made me think of those I will see today! I want to come to those encounters with this mindset.
I will pray for them before we meet.
I will share with them some spiritual gift that I hope will strengthen them.
I will encourage them and be encouraged by their faith.
If I do this well, it will be a good day! And we’ll all go home better for having been together!
Prayer: There it is Lord. Help me pray, share and encourage today…first with Laina, and then with our friends and family that we will see today.