1 Corinthians 2:9

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 1 Corinthians 2:9

A Glimpse of Heaven: Rooms...

So, yesterday we learned that we are not citizens of Earth, but we are citizens of Heaven. To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:4. We are to have things in heaven that are only from God and God can't wait to give them to you. So, because of that, we know that we are God's and that He has plan for us as it says in Jeremiah 29:11 which says, 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. God has prepared things we cannot fathom for us and this verse reminds us of that. That is just what he will give us on earth, what more will God prepare for us in heaven. 

In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:2 ESV. God has prepared a place for us in heaven. I can only imagine that far better than we can fathom. For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1 ESV. This verse lets us know that this house was made by God, not by hands. So, this gets me think about how awesome it will be this house that God has for us. 

So, in heaven, we know that there will be many houses for each one of us that he has called his possession.  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV.

As I wrote this, I got this and that is that if we are citizens of anywhere people always need to a place to live. so I started with that which we can fathom a place to live rather than things we cannot fathom.

Take time today to think about what the houses in heaven will look like and then throw all that you thought of and then pray to God to give Insite into what He has to say about the house He has for you in heaven. Only God knows what the house will look like and what He has for you.

 

1 Peter 2:9

 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV

A glimpse of Heaven: We are Citizens of Christ...

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21 ESV. before we look at the glimpses of heaven we need to remember that we are not citizens of this earth but of heaven. We are not of this world but of Heaven. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV. We are chosen, people who are and from God and will return to God when we pass on for, we know our place is Heaven, not hell. 

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6 ESV. This verse says that we are treasured possessions, we are God's out of all the people on earth. if you have treasure you want to hoard it, to keep it for yourself, and make sure no one steals it, that is exactly what God wants to do, the things I listed above. He wants to keep and make sure His treasure is safe and secure so that it can come back to Him so He can keep it in His house and that He can look at His treasure and have a relationship with what he treasures. (I'm saying we don't have a relationship on earth with God, but the relationship will be different in heaven an example is we will be with him instead of on earth. A relationship changes when you are in person.)

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Hebrews 13:14 ESV. As this verse says we have no lasting city but the city we have in heaven is our lasting home. You have probably heard the statement; we are passing by on earth to our heavenly place or something like that. But God wants us to be with Him in heaven so that statement is true. we are not meant to stay on this earth but to go to a place that is called Heaven. 

We are meant for greater things that await us in heaven because we are a chosen people!!! We are citizens of Heaven. not of this earth.

Take time to remember that you are as it says in 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV), But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Corinthains 2

 2 And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought: 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory: 8 which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: 9 but as it is written,

Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not,
And which entered not into the heart of man,
Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.

10 But unto us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. 12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words. 14 Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2 ASV

A glimpse of Heaven...

If we are found to be holy and blameless as best, we can be, we will have a place in heaven. But what does that look like heaven, in this next series will look at what the Bible says about heaven. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV. but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 ASV. 

God has prepared a place for us in heaven. It is a place that we have not seen nor heard or could even imagine. In the ASV version, it talks about not having entered into a man's heart. but just as it is written [in Scripture], “Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].” 1 Corinthians 2:9 AMP. This version goes on to say to hold God in reverence and obey him and we recognize what he has given us this translate to me as I said at the beginning of today, being holy and blameless. 

But what do we need to do as these verses talk about to have this?

We need to look/seek God. But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 ASV. Then we need to love Him Like in Mark12:30 which says, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. Mark 12:30 ASV. To have the place in heaven, God has for us we need to seek Him and to worship and give Him are all. That is what we need to have a place in heaven. There is more to this but for the sake of this series, I mentioned the 2 basics.

So as we have learned today, we cannot imagine what God has for us in heaven but in the Bible, we see glimpses of what it looks like.

Ready to see?

1 Corinthians 16:10-18

 10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he has no reason to be afraid while among you, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. 

11 So do not look down on him, anyone. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers. 

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly encouraged him to come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has the opportunity. 

13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 

14 All that you do must be done in love. 

15 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters: you know the household of Stephanas, that they are the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to ministry to the saints; 

16 I urge that you also be subject to such as these and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. 

17 I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. 

18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. 1 Corinthians 16:10-18 NASB

False Teaching to Seeking God...

God looked down from heaven 

God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of mankind
To see if there is anyone who understands,
Who seeks after God. Psalm 53:2 NASB 

To end this series, I felt led to go from false teaching to seeking God. We started this series talking about false teaching and yesterday I ask if God looked down from heaven to see if there were people seeking God are you one of them? Well, would He see the evidence of that in you?

Would He see someone who is loving their God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength? and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. mark 12:30 ASV.

Would He see someone who uses the word for teaching, reproof, correction, and training? All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2Timothy 3:16-17 ASV

Will He find someone seeking truth?  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17 KJV.

Will He see someone worshipping like David? Let them praise his name in the dance: Let them sing praises unto him with timbrel and harp. Psalm 149:3 ASV. 14 And David danced before Jehovah with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 2 Samuel 6:14 ASV.

Will He find someone who is seeking Him? Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near: Isaiah 55:6

Will He find someone seeking His kingdom? But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 ASV.

Will He find someone who is on guard, firm in faith men/women, strong? Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 ASV.

Will He find such people on this earth when he looks down for them?

Take time today to see if you lack in one of these areas and make changes if you need to so God can find you holy and blameless well as best you can be the only holy and blameless one is Jesus?

Have day of seeking God!!!!

Psalm 53

 Foolishness and Wickedness of People.

For the music director; according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.

53 

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;

There is no one who does good.

2 

God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of mankind

To see if there is anyone who understands,

Who seeks after God.

3 

Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt;

There is no one who does good, not even one.

4 

Have the workers of injustice no knowledge,

Who eat up My people like they ate bread,

And have not called upon God?

5 

They were in great fear there, where no fear had been;

For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you;

You put them to shame, because God had rejected them.

6 

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion!

When God restores the fortunes of His people,

Jacob shall rejoice, Israel shall be glad. Psalm 53 NASB

False Teaching Continued...

but with all these false teachings, what are we to do?

We are to avoid them according to Romans 16:17 (ESV) which says, I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. We are to avoid such things so that we will not be led astray and be cast into the pit of hell. Listening to false teaching leads us to hell. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24 ESV. Many will try to teach us false teaching to lead us astray and lead us off to hell. 

But how do we avoid such teaching?

The answer is simple and it is found in Romans 12:2 (ESV) which says, 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. We are not to conform to this world but to those things of heaven. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 ESV. We are to continually renew our minds with things of heaven, of God, and of Jesus, and of things of this world.

But with a bombarded world that wants our attention 24/7 with things that are of the earth not of heaven how do we renew our minds and set our minds on such things?

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 ESV. The first thing Is to be rooted in God's word so that our path will lead us to what is above not below. 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 ESV

Prayer is the second one that can us renew our minds about things of heaven. Pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV.

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18 ESV.

The third one is two-fold and that is to submit to God. Therefore Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 Then we are to do as it says in 1 Chronicle 16:11 (ESV) which says, Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!  So that we can do as James 4:8 (ASV) which says. draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.

God looked down from heaven to see if there were people seeking God are you one of them?

God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of mankind
To see if there is anyone who understands,
Who seeks after God. Psalm 53:2 NASB 

Matthew 24:42-51

 Be Ready for His Coming

42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

45 “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household slaves, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 47 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ 49 and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and he eats and drinks with those habitually drunk; 50 then the [an]master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know, 51 and he will cut him in two and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:42-51 NASB.

False Teaching...

Today we will be talking about false teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NASB. There will be a time when there won't be sound teaching but false teaching, wake up that is happening today. This false teaching is all around us from the news to the pulpit in church. Where do the lies (false teaching) end? The answer is they won't, this will only get worse. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. Revelation 22:18-19 ESV. This is what the warning in this verse means we will not endure sound teaching but things will be added to the end days, to who God is, and what it means to be a Christian. 

Pastors have come in the name of Jesus and gave a date for the rapture but if you read your Bible, it says no one knows the day when it will come. 36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.  Matthew 24:36 NASB. this is just an example of false teaching.  They had them give up all their possessions and give them to church. 

Another example of false teaching is to look at any cult that has come into existence. do they lead in sound doctrine, I think not if they have them sin to do what they are trying to do in the Lord or not in Lord, either way, it is the same. 

but with all these false teachings, what are we to do?

We are to avoid them according to Romans 16:17 which says, I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

This was supposed to be a stand-alone message/teaching but there is just too much to put into one message/teaching. So, we will continue right where we left off today tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!!!

Psalm 111

 

Great Are the Lord's Works

111 

Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,

    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

2 

Great are the works of the Lord,

    studied by all who delight in them.

3 

Full of splendor and majesty is his work,

    and his righteousness endures forever.

4 

He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;

    the Lord is gracious and merciful.

5 

He provides food for those who fear him;

    he remembers his covenant forever.

6 

He has shown his people the power of his works,

    in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

7 

The works of his hands are faithful and just;

    all his precepts are trustworthy;

8 

they are established forever and ever,

    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9 

He sent redemption to his people;

    he has commanded his covenant forever.

    Holy and awesome is his name!

10 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

    all those who practice it have a good understanding.

    His praise endures forever! Psalm 11 ESV

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing; Sending Like Serpents and Doves

 16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16 ASV. As we end this series on wolves in sheep's clothing, we need to know that God sends us among the wolves. As the verse says above, we are to be wise like serpents and harmless like doves. The ways we can be wise we have talked about like looking at their fruit, check it against the Bible, the Image of God, Truth, and rooted in the word and prayer. These are the ways that we are to be wise. This kind of wisdom can only come from above because all these things come from God. 3 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 ESV. This verse talks about what the wisdom from above looks like but for the purpose of this message we are just looking that there is wisdom that is from above. 2 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6 ESV. All wisdom from above is from God and God alone. The only kind of wisdom that will make us wise is the wisdom of God. God make serpents wise so for us to be like them is to be wise like God made the serpents.

The second part of this verse talks about being harmless like doves. If you have ever seen a dove, not much looks intimidating about them. But the ones who are harmless the most are the deadliest because they do not use force but brains. Doves are very smart as I have looked up on Google and if you have read your Bible a dove is the one who found the tree limb to tell Noah that there was dry land. 8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; Genesis 8:8 KJV. So instead of fighting the wolves physically, we are to fight them with wisdom like the doves which are very smart. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! Psalm 11:10 ESV. If God is the beginning of all wisdom, then He made the doves, what wisdom are to have then the doves.

Dear God,

I pray for us to have wisdom like the serpents in Matthew 10:16

I pray for us to have the harmlessness like doves like in Matthew 10:16

I speak Jesus over this

I pray for protection surrounding this 

I pray no powers of hell, satan, evil, or demonic spirits can do anything surrounding this

We are the Image of God, and we are God's chosen people

In Jesus Name 

Amen

Colossians 4:1-6

 4 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:1-6 ESV

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: Pray

We talked about the world and what it thinks of wolves in sheep's clothing. We then looked at what the Bible thinks about it and 5 ways we can combat wolves in sheep's clothing. the 5 ways we looked at were their fruits, check is against the Bible, Image of God, Truth, and rooted in the word. There is one more way we can combat wolves in sheep's clothing. And that is to pray for discernment. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10 ESV. And to ask for knowledge  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 ESV. We are to be in prayer constantly as it states in Thessalonians 5:17 which says, Pray without ceasing.

So instead of a long message /teaching, we will surround what we have been talking about in prayer and also ask for knowledge and discernment about wolves in Sheep's clothing.

Dear God, 

I pray the name of Jesus around this topic of wolves in Sheep's clothing

I pray and speak the name of Jesus over all that was said and talked about in this series

I pray that Jesus speaks to us in discerning and the knowledge we need to know the wolves in sheep's clothing

I pray the name of Jesus surrounding all who have read this series

I speak Jesus over their lives and that they would be ready for the wolves

I speak Jesus over every evil, spirit, negative thought, and the devil that would try to come take what is God's

I speak the name of Jesus over all the wolves in sheep's clothing so that we would not be led astray but be protected in Jesus

God, I thank you and praise you this morning

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

James 1:19-27

 Hearing and Doing the Word

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:19-27 ESV

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: Rooted in the Word

Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:7 ESV. We need to be rooted in our faith and one of the major ways we do that is being rooted in God's word. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 ESV. The Bible just Like God is not dead, it is alive and active to help us to know sheep and follow God. You can read all sorts of things but they are dead, only the Bible is the living word. No other religion can say this, I typed it different ways in Google and nothing came up except the Bible.  

We need to be rooted in the root of God to know the good sheep verse the wolves in sheep's clothing.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV.  The Bible isn't something that doesn't apply to us today but as the verse says it is for the man of God to be complete. If we are people of God, we are to use this word and apply it to our lives. and to go back it is still living. The Bible Is riddled with warnings and bewares, why because it wants us to have the knowledge to what to do when things happen live when wolves in sheep's clothing come. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6 ESV. God wants to know the difference we just have to have the right mindset and heart so He can give it to us.

My main two points today are found in two verses. The first is found in Matthew 4:4 (ESV), But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” We need live by the word of God, which means we need to read the word and apply it as living to our lives. This led to the next one and we need to implant the word of God in our hearts. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:111 ESV.

So, when the wolves come which they will we need to be rooted in the Word of God so., that we will have it written in our hearts so we can stay strong and not be led astray by the wolves.

If you do not read your Bible or want a way to read your Bible on my main site, not the mobile version but the web version there are posted ways to read the Bible. The beginning of the Bible is a great place to start if not sure.

So, start reading your Bible today and implant it in your heart!!!

Romans 12

 A Living Sacrifice

12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Gifts of Grace

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Marks of the True Christian

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12 ESV