ODB: What A Great Neighborhood
November 8, 2011
If you’re part of the kingdom of God, it will make a difference in how you live.
READ: Romans 14:13-19
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. —Romans 14:17
Where you live has a way of making certain demands on how you live. In my neighborhood, the garbage collector comes on Tuesday mornings, so it’s my responsibility to get our garbage can out to the curb the night before. Letting the trash pile up on the curb for days before doesn’t make for happy neighbors. And we have lots of children playing outside, so signs are posted everywhere reminding drivers to slow down. That means I drive slowly and watch for little ones who, without looking, chase wayward balls into the street.
It’s important to remember that God has placed us into the “kingdom of the Son” (Col. 1:13). Living in His neighborhood means there are life-transforming behavior patterns that should clearly reflect our spiritual location. This is why Paul reminds us that God’s kingdom is not about arguing and bickering over earthly stuff but about “righteousness and peace and joy” (Rom. 14:17). Living by God’s right standards, living to be a peacemaker, and living to be a source of joy in our relationships are what kingdom life is all about. And, when we live like this, our lives please God and bless others (v.18).
Sounds like the kind of neighborhood anyone would love to live in!
— Joe Stowell
Source: Our Daily Bread
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
RSS FeedRelated
ODB: Who You’re Meant To Be
May 1, 2012 READ: Romans 12:1-2,9-18 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice. —Romans 12:1 “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Quoting those words of St. Catherine of Siena, the Bishop of London began his [...]
ODB: authentic beauty
March 19, 2010 READ: Proverbs 31:21-31 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. —Proverbs 31:30 I often take a moment as I wait at our grocery store checkout stand to scan the covers of the magazines displayed there. It seems that if they aren’t [...]
ODB: aim high
November 8, 2010 READ: Hebrews 5:13–6:3 Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. —2 Corinthians 13:11 When my daughter and her family were in town for a visit, I had a chance to take my son and two [...]
ODB: What A Great Neighborhood
November 8, 2011 READ: Romans 14:13-19 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. —Romans 14:17 Where you live has a way of making certain demands on how you live. In my neighborhood, the garbage collector comes on Tuesday mornings, so it’s my [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米
Give a little thought to our neighbor…
Give a hand when they needed help,
Give our time and extra energy when attention is called for by them.
Create space for children and privacy when they needed it.
Create opportunity to share the gospel whenever appropriate.
Remember this Christmas season to buy or make a small gift for your neighbor. I am sure it will go a long way. Alternatively, invite them over for a simple meal. Actually, this is what my church is promoting this Christmas – that is to encourage families to open their house to invite their friends, relatives and yes, even neighbor over for a gathering so that we can share our testimonies besides Christmas story.
Let’s make every effort to practice good neighborliness within our cultural context.
Have a Blessed Christmas. It is never too early to send well-wishes and greetings.