Practicing Living The Word!

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:6-18 NIV

This is how we know--who's practicing their faith in Jesus Christ--by living according to The Word!
The gifts--are spiritual gifts--poured upon those who are called and anointed to minister The Word of God in various leadership roles and others. There are people in churches who are not part of the leadership team, but they are gifted to encourage and know how to love, all.

What does it mean to other a person above yourself? Mothers can probably best relate to this simply analogy. When there's a limited amount of food for a family to eat, most mothers--even though they cooked the sparse meal--will not eat until all others in the family have eaten. The love of a mother surpasses understanding because it is an inherent gift from God. So from godly mothers--we learn how to put others before ourselves.

Everything we do--whether in a spiritual setting or in a secular setting--in church, home or office--we do as a service to The Lord--promoting Him and not us.

We live with hope based upon our faith and encourage others to hope in Him--who provides us with all things.

We are faithful in communicating with Him about all matters that concern us and then we listen--patiently--to what He has to say to our hearts or through His Word before we do anything.

We have no problem sharing what we have with those in need because we know--as Believers and doers of The Word--it is our responsibility to take care of the poor and the needy.

We welcome strangers into our midst as members of the family--loving them all--not turning them away or making disparaging remarks about them.

We know how to smile through the negativity projected towards and tell those who do it--we love them--sincerely, but we do not respond in kind to evil.

We know how to rejoice with others in times of great joy and comfort them as they mourn, allowing empathy to rule the day.

We know how to live in harmony with others without trying to drown them out with our opinions--or expectations--for them to conform and be like us. We embrace diversity and find ways to make harmonious living work like the strands of music orchestrated by the finest musicians.

We are not so proud of who we are that we belittle others or look down on them because they are not us. Believers--whose faith is in God, not mortal beings--do not think we are above others, but know it is because of Him that we can encourage others to become acquainted with Him. The difference between the unbelieving and the believing--the gift of love received from God!

We do what is right in the presence of everyone because we know God sees everything we do and will correct us when we are wrong.

When we have received the peace of God through Jesus Christ, we know how to live in peace and promote peace as a way of life.

In observing what people do and say, we can rightly assess who is practicing living The Word. For those who are practicing, know they have not reached perfection, but they are relentless in their attempt to do what is right before God--not man. If we don't see any effort or attempt by others to practice living The Word--perhaps they have not come to a place where they realize--the only Savior is Jesus!

Let's practice daily--being doers of The Word--in all we do--being the living letter for all to see just how good God is!