Wednesday November 17, 2021

Today is Wednesday, November 17 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about good deeds.

As I approach these fifteen minutes devoted to the Lord, I pause and become still. I take slow, deep breaths and focus myself on the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

God, I worship and praise you in the quiet stillness of this day. I am listening for your voice. Help me hear the unique message you have for me. Speak to me through the power of your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

I praise my Lord God alongside ancient peoples with the words of Psalm 62.

One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.” Psalm 62:11-12

Pause and Pray

Paul’s letter to the Romans is the longest, weightiest and most influential of all his correspondence. Major themes of Christian maturity are explored in depth in the book of Romans. In the second chapter, Paul lifts the theme of the righteous judgement of God and warns believers to not judge others, because when we do, we are passing judgement on ourselves. Jews and Gentiles are both subject to God’s judgement and condemnation of sin. God will repay our earthly deeds whether they are good deeds or evil deeds. All people are under the same divine judgement, no favoritism is shown. All must answer to God.

God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:6-11

The words from the book of Romans encourage me to do good and not evil. They remind me that someday everyone will ultimately be judged by God for earthly actions. My sense of morality is not enough to spur me on to a lifetime of good deeds, my earthly human nature needs more. I need the goodness of Jesus Christ through the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to come into my heart and change me from the inside out. I need the redeeming, transforming power of my Lord Jesus. When I put Jesus Christ first in my life and invite him to reign in my soul, my motivations change. Through sanctifying grace, I find that I grow in love, mercy and compassion and am inspired to do good deeds. I also am spurred on by the Christian community. Fellowship with other believers encourages me to live a life of Godly activity.

Ask: Do I persist in doing good in the world? What is my ultimate motivation to do good – divine judgement or a response to the love of Jesus Christ?

Pause and Pray

God, you are mighty and holy, you are a God of mercy and also a God of judgement. You call me to pursue holiness in heart and life. I am aware that I continually fall short of goodness. Only through the sanctifying power of your Holy Spirit am I able to make progress in my spiritual life. This transformation motivates me to lead a life that persists in doing good. Through your grace, grant me glory, honor and peace. I read the words from Romans again, listening for the message you have for me today.

God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:6-11

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I listen carefully for the Holy Spirit to reveal what God is saying to me through this passage. What words are most aligned with the current state of my soul – words like persist, do, seek, glory, honor, peace, and goodness? Or words like self-seeking, reject good, follow evil, find trouble and distress. Have I invited the power of the Holy Spirit to live and work in me, enabling me to persist in doing good? Is God transforming the state of my soul, softening the hardness of my heart, and moving me to the activity of pursuing goodness in all things? I remember that I cannot do this in my own power, but fully rely on the power of God.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, I welcome you into my heart this day. Remove any and all wrong intentions, poor motivations or mistaken priorities. Give me a heart that longs to pursue goodness and righteousness and stir up my desire to pursue deeds of peace and goodwill. Amen.

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I am thankful for God’s amazing grace. Lord, reveal ways in which I can persist in doing good to everyone I meet. Amen.