Tuesday, November 7, 2023
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Joyful in hope, patient in affliction
For Aki’s birthday meal at their home on Sunday (his birthday is today), we feasted on Indian food, some spicy, some not, rice and potatoes, paneer, lamb and chicken in several sauces, all of which we poured over wonderful soft creamy rice. The neighbors are from India; surely they smelled all this amazing food through the walls. Our dessert? Baklava – almond, pistachio and cashew. Oh my goodness!
Brothers and sisters, in Christ we form one body, though many. Each of us belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
Miles’ birthday comes up next, and he wants to take us all to Austin’s revolving sushi bar. My birthday follows in a week, and I’d like to visit the Quality Seafood Market, where oysters are shucked while you watch and the Texas varieties cost just over a buck apiece.
Thanksgiving is a week after that. Turkey and cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans almondine, squash Japanese style, and at least one pie. I hope we’ll talk around the table, sharing our gratitudes and then eating our M&M’s, or candy corn kernels, as we did at my sister Mary Kay’s house years ago.
If your gift is prophecying, then prophecy. If it is serving, then serve, if it is teaching, then teach, if it is encouraging, then give encouragement. If it is giving, then give generously, if it is to lead, lead diligently, if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
I know one church in west Austin which will be smoking a hundred turkeys to share with several hundred people who are homeless. And of course they too will be having potatoes and gravy, and all the rest.
How does Paul conclude Romans 12, after he talks about the body’s arms and legs and feet and hands and eyes and mouth? He talks about love.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, but cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Thanksgiving in Austin, in Texas, in America, that’s one day at least when Paul’s words are brought to life.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
The rest of this most wonderful chapter of the bible consists of several “DO NOTS.”
Do not be proud. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Do not take revenge, but leave room for God’s wrath. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Leave our revenge in God’s hands.
Paul had a temper; he surely was talking to himself as well as the rest of us.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals upon his head.
(Romans 12, Psalm 131, Matthew 11, Luke 14)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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