Romans 14:5-9
One person values one day above another. Another person values every day the same. Let each person be fully convinced in his own mind. The person who honors a certain day does this for the Lord, and the person who eats does this for the Lord, because he gives thanks to God. And the person who does not eat does this for the Lord and gives thanks to God. In fact, not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself. Indeed, 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. For this reason, he died, rose, and lived, to be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Dear Lord Jesus,
You have opened the doors of heaven to us through the forgiveness of our sins. We are blessed that we each get to show our love back to you in our own way. We are no longer bound to worshipping you on a specific day. Still, elsewhere in your word, it also says that we should not give up worshipping together as some are in the habit of doing. Therefore, we come together on that day we have all agreed as the body of believers—our local church—to hear your word and give you praise. You have also given us the liberty to praise you in each person’s own particular way. In one’s own heart, they can say, “I am going too fast today to show my love for my Lord,” while another host a banquet—or for us a potluck—for you. We give you thanks, and neither person is wrong. Even in our deaths, we demonstrate our love back to you; we rejoice knowing that you have paid the price for all our sins. Death is only but a sleep for the believer; a transition of our soul to heaven where there is no pain, no suffering, and no more sin. All our salvation is because you paid the price for every person’s sin. This comes to us through faith; we belong to you; heaven is for all who believe you are their Savior. We have the same hope of those who have already fallen asleep in your name; we know they are already with you. Lord, thank you. When we go to our final rest, we will be reunited with them again. Salvation and faith do not come through the keeping of the commandments; they direct us to our need for you, our Rock, Redeemer, and Savior. Send us your Holy Spirit, give us the desire to keep your commandments, so we demonstrate our love back to you through faith. Lord, may my thanks come to you in all that I do because you are my Savior. Amen.
Pastor Roger Emmons
Give thanks, rejoice, and bless the Lord in all that you do today and every day.