Today's Verse: Romans 12:4-5

Wednesday, August 26, 1998

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
— Romans 12:4-5
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Three key realities of our discipleship are belonging, usefulness, and connectedness. Each of us belongs! We belong to God. We belong to Jesus. We belong to Jesus' body, the Church. We belong to each other as members of Jesus' body. The Holy Spirit not only cleansed us when we were given new birth in Jesus' family (John 3:6-7; 1 Corinthians 6:11), but the Spirit also gifted us (Ephesians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10) and connected us with everyone else in Jesus' body! We each have a place and a purpose for the Church to function as Jesus' bodily presence in our world today. We each have something to bring to the other believers who make us Jesus' body, the Church. Each of us belongs! Each of us is needed! Each of us has an important role to play with significant things to do! Each of us is connected to each other. If one part suffers, we all suffer. If one person is blessed, we all rejoice (1 Corinthians 12:26). So, dear friend of Jesus, rather than envying someone else's gift or belittling someone we feel has a lesser gift, or rejecting someone who does not have a specific gift, let's rejoice in each other, support each other, and do our part in helping the world see Jesus!

My Prayer...

Help me, please, dear Father. I want to find the place you made me to fill in Jesus' body, the Church. As I discover my place to serve and use my gifts, I pledge to work so that your Spirit, and not just my own preferences, will guide me into your place for me to serve. Thank you for giving me a place not only to belong, but also to serve and be a part of Jesus' bodily presence in the world. In Jesus' name, and for his glory, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

16 Related Resources by Heartlight

Romans 12:4-5
Devo: Today's Verse
"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each..."
Out of Many, One.
Illustration of Romans 12:4-5
Inspirational illustration of Romans 12:4-5 -- Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Need for Interdependence
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, who wills our interdependence, Help me not to think more highly of myself than I ought to think, but to think with sober judgment,..."
Value of Interdependence
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, who wills our interdependence, Having gifts that differ, let us use them appropriately according to your will. If prophesy, in..."
See All 16 Related Resources about Romans 12:4-5

Illustration

Illustration of Romans 12:4-5 — Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, August 26, 1998

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Ryan Lister:
"Don't ask what the world wants, be what the world needs."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Spirit-life in Mortal Bodies!' (Ro. 8:10-11)
"But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Wisdom Made Known' (Ep. 3:9-12)
"Dear Father, who gives wisdom so generously, How thankful I am that the congregation of your people has become the channel through which your..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'More than Moral Instructions'
"Dear Friend, Today's verses again come from Paul's instructions to Timothy and Titus. At first glance, they appear to be nothing more than a list of...."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse