Send us a textWhat happens when someone wrongs you? That knee-jerk reaction to defend yourself, push back, or even the score—it's as natural as breathing for most of us. But in Romans 12:17, Paul delivers a radical challenge that cuts straight to the heart of how we navigate conflict: "Repay no one evil for evil."The surprising revelation is that the Greek word for "evil" here—kakos—doesn't just refer to horrific acts. It simply means "wrong" or "not right." This transforms Paul's teaching from an abstract ideal about extreme situations into practical guidance for our everyday relationships. When your spouse speaks harshly, when a coworker undermines you, when someone cuts you off in traffic—these are the battlegrounds where this principle is tested.Scripture never sugarcoats our reality. Evil will touch all of us. People will lie about us, hurt us, and come against us. The question isn't whether evil will affect you—it's how you'll handle yourself when it does. And here's the sobering truth: you can only control one person in this world—yourself.Jesus modeled this perfectly. While being mocked, beaten, and crucified, Isaiah tells us "He opened not His mouth." With all power at His disposal, Jesus chose a different path. Joseph too, when facing his brothers who had sold him into slavery years earlier, declared, "What you meant for evil, God meant for good."Our struggle to follow this teaching stems from that primordial temptation in Genesis—"you will be like God." Our desire to control, to have the final word, to sit at the center of our universe drives our retaliatory instincts. Getting over ourselves is our biggest hurdle.Yet here's the beautiful paradox: surrendering our "right" to retaliation doesn't leave us vulnerable and miserable—it sets us free. When we stop repaying evil with evil and instead do "what is honorable in the sight of all," we begin to experience the abundant life Jesus promised. This counter-cultural choice becomes our most powerful testimony in a world obsessed with getting even.What wrong are you holding onto today? What bitterness has taken root? There's a way to be set free—by following the One who forgave those who nailed Him to a cross.
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Jesus Didn't Call for Solo Artists, He Built a Choir
Send us a textWhat would happen if 3.3 billion Christians around the world truly became one unified force? It's a question that unlocks the revolutionary potential behind Paul's seemingly simple instruction in Romans 12:16: "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight."Like a choir where sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses create beautiful music despite their different ranges, the church combines diverse gifts into something greater than any individual could accomplish alone. This wasn't just Paul's idea—it was Jesus' heartfelt prayer in John 17 that believers would be united "so that the world may believe." Unity isn't just about getting along; it's a powerful testimony that validates our message.Our human tendency to judge by appearances directly contradicts God's values. Remember when Israel demanded a king? They chose Saul because he looked impressive—tall, handsome, the walking definition of leadership. Yet God saw something different in David, the overlooked shepherd boy. How many potential "Davids" do we miss because they don't fit our preconceived notions of what a leader should look or sound like?Perhaps most dangerous is becoming "wise in our own sight"—convinced we have everything figured out and closed to correction. It's the spiritual equivalent of refusing directions while wandering lost, or believing we can dabble in sin without consequences. None of us is immune to pride's subtle grip. In fact, the more committed you become to Christ's mission, the more strategic the enemy's attacks, knowing that preventing one person's faithful obedience might disrupt generations of spiritual influence.Where do you stand with these three principles today? Are you contributing to harmony or creating discord? Do you associate only with those who enhance your status? Have you maintained the humility to recognize how much you still need to grow? Your answers don't just determine your individual spiritual health—they shape the collective witness of Christ's body in a world desperate for authentic community.
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Jesus Wept: What Your Tears (Or Lack Thereof) Say About Your Faith
Send us a textImagine standing at a crossroads of emotion—your colleague just got the promotion you wanted, or you're facing someone in the depths of grief. These moments reveal something profound about our faith journey and emotional maturity. Through the lens of Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep," we discover that Paul isn't simply addressing two emotional states but challenging us to be authentically present with others in every circumstance.The command to rejoice with others strikes at the heart of our struggle with jealousy. When someone succeeds where we haven't, our natural response often reveals a subtle accusation: "God, you're not fair." By choosing celebration over envy, we affirm God's goodness and demonstrate Christ's outward focus. True rejoicing with others prevents us from making idols of our desires and transforms our perspective on blessings—both our own and others'.Similarly, weeping with others challenges our fix-it mentality. Jesus himself modeled this perfectly in the shortest verse of scripture, "Jesus wept." Though he knew he would raise Lazarus, he first entered fully into Mary and Martha's grief. This powerful reminder shows us that sometimes people don't need our solutions—they need our presence. In a world of increasing isolation, being someone who walks alongside others in their darkest moments reflects Christ's promise: "I am with you always."This message offers practical application for becoming the hands and feet of Jesus in others' lives. When we connect authentically with those around us—celebrating victories and carrying burdens—we create the kind of community where people know they belong not because of what they bring but because they're unconditionally valued.Ready for a challenge? Find someone to genuinely celebrate this week, and let someone know you're there for them, no matter what. Your presence might be exactly what they need.
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Father, Forgive Them: How Grace Changes Everything
Send us a textWhat would happen if 3.3 billion professing Christians actually took Romans 12:14 seriously? "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them." According to Pastor Josh, this single principle could shut down toxic social media culture and transform every relationship in your life.The term "Christian" began as a derogatory label for Jesus-followers who lived radically different lives from the culture around them. Yet today, many believers have assimilated to cultural norms rather than standing out. When someone talks behind our backs, lies about us, or publicly criticizes us, our instinct is to fire back. "I didn't start it, but I'll finish it" becomes our mantra, directly contradicting Jesus's example.As Jesus hung on the cross, facing mockery and torture, his response wasn't retaliation but compassion: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." This wasn't hyperbole—it was a literal demonstration of counter-cultural living. When we understand that our battle isn't against people but against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12), and when we recognize our identity as God's children, we can trust Him to fight our battles.The parable of the unforgiving servant powerfully illustrates this principle. A man forgiven an enormous debt refuses to forgive someone who owes him pennies in comparison. The master's rebuke feels personal: "Shouldn't you have mercy on others as I had mercy on you?" We've been forgiven infinitely more by a perfect God than anyone will ever do to us.Breaking free from the cycle of retaliation means doing something different. It means blessing those who persecute us because we recognize who we are without Christ and who we are in Him. When we follow Jesus in this counter-cultural way, not only are we transformed, but we become a light in the darkness that draws others to Him.
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Squirrels vs. Jesus: Who Are You Imitating?
Send us a textDo you approach church with a consumer mindset? Many believers leave congregations because "they weren't being fed" or "it wasn't a good fit," but this fundamentally misses the point of what the church was designed to be. Romans 12:13 delivers a challenging message that stands in stark contrast to our self-focused culture: "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."This isn't a simple checklist of behaviors but describes a fundamental way of being that should characterize authentic Christ-followers. When Paul instructs us to "contribute to the needs of the saints," he addresses both financial giving and something potentially more challenging – the sacrifice of our time. While writing a check requires little personal investment, carving out time for others demands genuine sacrifice, especially in our attention-fragmented digital age where the average focus span has dwindled to mere seconds.The command to "seek hospitality" isn't passive but requires active pursuit. We're called to create opportunities for welcome, going out of our way to open our lives and homes to others as a reflection of Christ's character. This might mean adjusting our comfort for guests, organizing gatherings, or initiating coffee meetings – not waiting for church-organized events but personally extending Christ's welcome to others.At its core, this teaching challenges us to honestly evaluate: are we truly disciples of Jesus, or merely consumers of religious goods and services? Jesus Himself prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done," even when facing the cross. As His followers, we're called to the same surrender and service – moving beyond being among the 5,000 who were fed to joining the disciples who distributed the bread and fish to others.What would people truthfully say at your funeral? Are you building your temporary kingdom or contributing to God's eternal one? Your answer reveals whether you're following Jesus or simply attending church. The choice is yours today.
Thanks so much for your time as you hear from Mission Sent in Florida. Our mission is to Serve Others, Share the Gospel of Jesus, and Live our Lives on Mission! Let's make the world better one Mission at a time.
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