Above Only Daily Devotional http://cgmglobal.org/aboveonly Wednesday, JULY 11 Be a Dispenser of Hope Romans 15:1-3& 7 (NIV)

Above Only Daily Devotional
http://cgmglobal.org/aboveonly

Wednesday, JULY 11

Be a Dispenser of Hope

Romans 15:1-3& 7 (NIV)
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” *Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

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In the same way the love of Christ that we have received fills our lives with great hope, Jesus wants us to love others as He loves us so that their lives will also be filled with hope. Despair and frustration are two major weapons that the devil is using to steal, kill and destroy lives. You and I are the ones that Jesus has called to intercept the devil's mission and to give people life by loving them and dispensing hope. Nothing gives hope like the true message of the gospel of Christ and nothing reinforces the message of the gospel of Christ like the life and love of Christ that we manifest. People need to see something in us that makes them desire what we have.

Be compassionate and concerned about the state of those around you and be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit to touch and minister God's life and hope. Be concerned about the faith of other believers. Instead of fighting and proving that we know more than each other, we should be provoking or inspiring one another unto love and good works, Heb.10:24. In the New Living Translation, 1 Corinthians 8:1 says, “now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.” Our spiritual maturity is not shown in how fast we condemn and criticize the weak or fallen but in how well we can heal, restore and bear each other's burdens, Gal.6:1. May God use you to dispense strength and hope to someone today.

PRAYER: Creator God, I thank You for calling me to be a dispenser of the same hope and grace that You have afforded to me. May my life be a reflection of who You are always.

BIBLE IN A YEAR READING PLAN: PSALM 1-3; ACTS 17:1-15

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