The Romans 12 Challenge

A number of years ago, I was told that if I read Romans 12 once a day for a month, it would change my life. Curious and also expectant about such a challenge, I then took it to my singles’ group at the time. It was 1993. Over 50 people from our group took the challenge and then gathered together at the end of the month to share their experiences from the Romans 12 Challenge. It was Easter.

Here’s just a sampling…two people gave their life to Christ; many said that they had never read the Bible before every day and couldn’t believe what an encouragement it was; another said that after going through a difficult situation at work, Romans 12 gave her a whole new perspective; and many, many others said that their expectancy in the Lord’s care and activity in their life increased and deepened. It was so cool to hear how the Lord worked in our lives.
Discouraged? Frustrated? Worried? Wanting to see the Lord at work in a specific way?Take the Romans 12 Challenge with me over this Easter Season (March 1-31) and see how the Lord manifests Himself in your life in a significant way. He will.

My mom-in-law sent me this forward and I agree with her in thinking this is a great way to spend these weeks before Easter. We are going to try and read through it aloud with our kids everyday. Who knows? By the end of the month we may have some of it memorized! Thought some of you might want to join with us!

Romans 12
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.