Daily Devotion in Romans 15

Daily Nugget:
Paul emphasized in Romans 15:1-7 the importance of making others a priority in our lives. In a day when selfishness reigns in many’s behavior, it is refreshing to be reminded there is a more godly way of living. That way is to try to meet others’ needs.

There was a time when a person did something, and there would be concern about how it would affect others. “If I play my music loudly, it will disturb others;” “If I don’t take care of my lawn, the neighbors will not like it,” or even “If I park my shopping cart in the middle of the aisle, no one will be able to get past.” Those thoughts are no longer at the forefront of most people’s minds.

Somewhere, the concern for others and their needs has been lost. I think it was forgotten when our nation publicly expelled the teachings of the Bible from society, and shortly before the public schools rammed “your self-esteem is more important” down students’ throats. However, we got here, selfishness does not work.

Too many fear that if they do not concentrate on meeting their own needs, they will never be satisfied. Meeting others’ needs works in a way that is not logical to a self-centered mindset. Often, by God’s unseen hand, when a person puts others’ needs first, their own needs are met by others when they need help.

When my wife and I were first married, we came to an agreement. The agreement was that I would not worry about my needs and would concentrate on meeting hers. Likewise, she trusted me to meet her needs and would focus on what I needed. That arrangement has worked well. With God’s help, all our needs were met!

Meeting the needs of others is the key to feeling important, needed, and complete. Selfishness rarely satisfies personal needs. It makes a person feel emptier, more anxious, and more inclined to look for someone or something to fill that emptiness. Many usually find nothing to meet their needs. Self-centeredness rarely brings genuine joy.

Helping and trying to meet the needs of others, however, does. I have often asked the senior citizens I preached to in the nursing home when they felt the best about themselves, needed, and complete. Usually, the consensus was when they were concentrating on meeting the needs of their children or spouse.

Christ lived to meet our needs (Romans 15:3). The Word of God was preserved to help others (Romans 15:4). Prophets, disciples, and early Christians gave of themselves so we may have what is important. It is time that we also get our minds off ourselves and on the needs of others.

Today’s Thought: 
“Genuine joy is spelled: JOY — Jesus Others You.”

Words to Understand:
Consolation: being consoled; Being encouraged when experiencing difficulties
Edification: increasing knowledge; being educated
Reproaches: criticisms; rebukes

Today’s Reading:
Romans 15
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 ¶ Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 ¶ Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13 ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
14 ¶ And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
17 ¶ I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
22 ¶ For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.