<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+14:5-13">Romans 14:5-13</span></span></p><p>It seems almost unbelievable that the thing which stopped the psalmist's feet from slipping and sliding was not the awareness of his relationship with God but the awareness of his relationship with his brothers and sisters. It might not have been the highest spiritual principle he could have held on to, but it saved him from disaster. It is this matter - our relationship with one another - that Paul is speaking about in today's passage. You will be familiar, I am sure, with the passages in  <span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+8,10">1 Corinthians 8,10</span> where Paul enlarges on this subject and where, in a remarkable statement, he says: "I mean for the sake of his conscience, not yours, do not eat it. For why should another man's scruples apply to me, and my liberty of action be determined by his conscience?'  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+10:29">1 Corinthians 10:29</span>, Amplified Bible). He is saying, in other words, that you might see no need to refrain from eating meat offered to idols for your own sake, because your conscience is not offended, but what about your weaker brother for whom Christ also died? You see, "none of us lives to himself alone", so when next the devil tries to convince you that you are an isolated case and that what he is suggesting concerns you and you alone, quote this verse to him. We do not act in isolation; if you fall, you do not fall alone, the whole Church falls also. If nothing else can stop you from doing wrong, remember the people to whom you belong, remember you are part of a heavenly family, and that when you fall, others fall with you.</p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Father, drive deeply into my spirit this truth that I cannot act in isolation, for I am bound up with my redeemed brothers and sisters. Help me experience an ever-growing consciousness of this important fact. In Jesus' Name. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+9:15-22">1 Corinthians 9:15-22</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="ac+20:35">Acts 20:35</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+15:1">Romans 15:1</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1th+5:14">1 Thessalonians 5:14</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was Paul's approach to the weaker brethren?</li><li>What was Paul's word to the Thessalonians?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone." (v. 7) 

<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="1th+5:12-24">1 Thessalonians 5:12-24</span></span></p><p>Now that we have spent a few days meditating on the fact that the Beatitudes provide us with the right mental and spiritual attitudes for healthy and abundant living, we are ready to begin focusing on the first of these profound statements: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="mt+5:3">Matthew 5:3</span>). Some translations read, "Happy are the poor in spirit '", and one goes so far as to say, "Congratulations to the poor in spirit '" It is important to keep in mind that the word "happy" (Greek makarios) carries a far richer tone than we commonly attach to the word. It suggests a deep, abiding happiness, not just a temporary emotional lift. In the very first words of the Sermon on the Mount, therefore, Jesus puts His finger on one of life's most vital issues - individual and personal happiness. We all want to be happy - and rightly so. The longing for lasting happiness is a deep-rooted instinct that has been built into us by the Creator Himself. The God who made the sunset, painted the rose, put the smile on a baby's face, gave the gift of playfulness to a kitten and put laughter in our souls is surely not happy when we are unhappy. Although it is a God-given instinct to be happy, we must also see that it is only God who can make us happy. Apart from Him and His redemptive love as expressed through the cross and the resurrection, we would be "most miserable"  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+15:19">1 Corinthians 15:19</span>, AV). As someone once confessed: "Now that I know Christ, I'm happier when I'm sad than before when I was glad." </p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Thank You, my Father, that You not only command me to be happy but provide me with the resources which make it gloriously possible. One touch of Your gladness and my heart sings for ever. I am so deeply, deeply thankful. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+14:1-18">Romans 14:1-18</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="isa+12:3">Isaiah 12:3</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="joh+16:24">John 16:24</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1pe+1:8">1 Peter 1:8</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What is the kingdom of God?</li><li>What is this joy full of?</li></ul></div></div>

"Be happy ' at all times." (v. 16, Phillips)

<p> If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at the moment of conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. It is possible for a man to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, though he has but just believed in Jesus. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued process, and we shall not be perfected till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil; but nevertheless, had the Lord so willed it, he might have changed us from imperfection to perfection, and have taken us to heaven at once. Why then are we here? Would God keep his children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? Why is the army of the living God still on the battle-field when one charge might give them the victory? Why are his children still wandering hither and thither through a maze, when a solitary word from his lips would bring them into the centre of their hopes in heaven? The answer is-they are here that they may "live unto the Lord," and may bring others to know his love. We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed; as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground; as heralds publishing salvation. We are here as the "salt of the earth," to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. We are here as workers for him, and as "workers together with him. " Let us see that our life answereth its end. Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to "the praise of the glory of his grace. " Meanwhile we long to be with him, and daily sing- </p><p> "My heart is with him on his throne, <br> And ill can brook delay; <br> Each moment listening for the voice, <br> 'Rise up, and come away.'" </p>

This timeless classic from Charles Spurgeon will help to both start and end your day with wonderful insight into God's Word.

Charles Spurgeon's Morning & Evening

"We live unto the Lord." - Romans 14:8

Morning Devotional

<p>Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; he flees like a shadow and does not continue. § The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. § As in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive… Death is swallowed up in victory. § For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. § To live is Christ, and to die is gain.<br><br>Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.” § The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. § The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.</p>

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Morning Daily Light

 Brethren, the time is short. 

<p>I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. § I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. § Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost.<br><br>The Lord takes pleasure in His people. § My delight was with the sons of men. § His great love with which He loved us. § Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.<br><br>You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. § If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.</p>

 I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me. 

<p>If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. § Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. § You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.<br><br>Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.<br><br>I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.</p>

 None of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 

<p><span class="bible-text "> <sup class="verse-num ">8 </sup>If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.   </span></p>

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.<cr>1</cr> 

Romans 14:8

 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.  

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

<p><span class="bible-text ">If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.   </span></p>

 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.  

Bible Verse of the Day

January 5, 1889

Romans 14:8 NIV

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