Daily Devotional with Dr. Duane Brooks
May 19, 2017
Romans 14:7-9
For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.   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 very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
New International Version (NIV)
                 Remember the Carly Simon song, "You're So Vain"?  Her song confronted the reckless narcissism of some proud character.  She imagined that when he heard the song on the radio he would think she was singing about him.  Self-centeredness comes naturally to most everybody.  At an early age we learn to look out for #1.  And why not? 

                Paul envisioned a community of believers whose minds had been changed by their relationship with Christ.  None of us lives for ourselves alone!  Life is not about me but about the Lord.  This greatly enhances our relationships with one another.
 
                One of my favorite poets, the preacher John Donne said it this way, "No man is an island . . . I am involved in humanity."  He was right about that.  In the church we establish a counter-culture to the self-centered nature of humanity.  Our caring for each other speaks volumes to a world.  If we love each other well enough, someone may ask, "Why?"  Be ready to tell them that you are looking out for #1.  His name is Jesus.   His people make up the church.  When we care for each other, we are looking out for his body.
 Pray with me:  
Father, we belong to you, whether we live or die.  Of course we want to belong to you in heaven someday.  Remind us that we have been bought with a price.  We belong to you as we live, so let us live for you alone today, loving your people well.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.
I want to invite you to join me in memorizing 52 passages this year from the 2017 set of Fighter Verses.  You can find the Fighter Verses App at the App Store on your phones or via this link  http://fighterverses.com/the-verses/fighter-verses/. As we study the Bible this year, let's look at each text and learn what it says about God. 
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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