Category: Insight For Thriving

Readings:-Rom 12:21; Eccl 4:9.

Paul continues, in a list of commands, to describe what Christians should expect life in Christ to look like. Taken together, Romans 12 is a pretty thorough picture of what it means to follow Christ on this side of eternity.
Paul now comes to what is a difficult command for many people, including Christians. It is absolutely the example Jesus set for us, however. Paul declares that we must resist our natural human instinct for revenge and refuse to ever pay back evil when evil is done to us. This would be true whether the person who hurts us is a believer or not.
Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:21‬ ‭AMP‬‬
Instead, Paul tells us to be thoughtful when evil is done to us. He seems to suggest we see that moment as an opportunity to demonstrate that, in Christ, we are honorable people. We cannot, after all, display the love and forgiveness of Christ until we have the opportunity to forgive. When we do, we make a powerful statement that we are choosing to live in service to God instead of to ourselves.
The following verses will expand on this idea, including the claim that doing good for one’s enemies is a far more powerful response than attempting petty revenge.
But in Ecclesiastes, Solomon laments the fact that he has played the fool and failed to take his own advice. Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 reads, “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” Ecclesiastes is a sermon that warns us not to waste our lives on worthless things. And it exhorts us to live godly values, eternal significance, and spiritual priorities. Our text is a part of Solomon’s instructions for living a meaningful life. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Solomon teaches that in order to live a life that counts you must learn to value relationships over possessions. You must value people more than things. You must find joy in fellowship not pleasure. And Solomon makes this point in a simple, clear, and the direct statement: “Two are better than one.”
But the image of the weary competitors persevering together remains ingrained in my mind, affirming the life-empowering truth in Ecclesiastes 4:9–11.
There’s no shame in admitting we require assistance in life (v. 9), especially since we can’t honestly deny our needs or hide them from our all-knowing God. At one time or another, we’ll all fall, whether physically or emotionally. Knowing we’re not alone can comfort us as we persevere. As our loving Father helps us, He empowers us to reach out to others in need, affirming they too aren’t alone.
How has someone helped you? How can you encourage others this week?

PRAY
All-powerful God, please give me the strength and humility to fight against evil. Help me to overcome evil by doing good.
Thank You for reassuring us of Your constant presence as You help us and give us opportunities to reach out and help others in Jesus’ Name.

Readings:- Psalm 51:1-2; Eccl 3:11

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and guilt And cleanse me from my sin.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51:1-2‬ ‭AMP‬‬
Spiritual Gift of Mercy
All Christians are called to be merciful because God has been merciful to us (Matthew 18:33; Ephesians 2:4-6). It means being patient and compassionate toward those who are suffering or afflicted.  The concern for the physical as well as the spiritual needs of those who are hurting is covered by the gift of mercy.  Those with this gift have great empathy for others in their trials and sufferings.  They are able to come alongside people over extended periods of time and see them through their healing process.  They are truly and literally the hands and feet of God to the afflicted.
The Holy Spirit gives the spiritual gift of mercy to some in the church to love and assist those who are suffering, and walk with them until The Lord allows their burden to be lifted.  The gift of mercy is founded in God’s mercy towards us as sinners and is consistently expressed with measurable compassion.  Those with this gift are able to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) and “bear one another’s burden” (Galatians 6:2).  They are sensitive to the feelings and circumstances of others and can quickly discern when someone is not doing well.  They are typically good listeners and feel the need to simply “be there” for others.  See Romans 12:8, Matthew 5:7; Luke 10:30-37; James 3:17; Jude 22-23.
  God’s minimum standards is a mustard seed faith to receive the mercies of God(‭‭Matthew ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭)
“He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
David’s faith had been proven in a variety of smaller encounters with God’s mercies while he served as a shepherd watching over his father’s flocks (vv. 34–37). Because of this, David was shocked to arrive at the battlefield and find the armies of Israel cowering in fear (v. 24). Eliab’s reaction when he overheard David questioning the men about the situation confirmed the Lord’s wisdom in choosing David over Eliab.
David also exercised common sense when he refused the honor of wearing Saul’s armor and chose to meet Goliath carrying only his familiar staff, shepherd’s bag, and sling (v. 40). These were the weapons God had used when David faced the lion and the bear. He saw no reason why God could not use them to defeat Goliath as well. You know how the story ends.
It is not a story about how the small can defeat the large. It is a story that reminds us that the victory belongs to God who is greater than all. Faith is not a feeling of confidence, so much as it is an attitude of dependence on Him!

We may be tempted to think that effective faith is a matter of volume. But a mere grain of faith is all that is needed! Your faith may not be as great as your present need, but you serve a God who is greater than both.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11
Solomon, Israel’s third king, wrote that God appoints “a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We humans have little control over the events of our lives—whether we view those events as favorable or not. But God, in His mighty power, makes “everything beautiful in its time” (v. 11).
In seasons of heartache, we can trust God to bring …