Relevant truth

Have you discovered God's Word to be what is says it is? Living? Active? Piercing? Good for correction? Transforming?  I was reminded yesterday that God's word is good for Information- (but it can't stay there) ,  for Inspiration- (but it can't stay there either) but ultimately God's word is for Transformation.  
We really experienced this during our summer memory work.  

I don't know what YOUR household atmosphere is like all the time.  Peaceful, angelic, joyful, cheerful, where all kids get along and parents never yell.  
Ok- that probably doesn't ever exist all the time!  

So right out of the gate- school is over in early June, we're together (including hubby...remember he's a teacher!) 24/7. Sounds delightful doesn't it?  It is/was/can be!  But we notice there is a time of transition that has to happen- we need to remember HOW to live well with each other all day every day again.  And being quite honest, we didn't start out great.  Arguing, bossing, yelling and bad attitudes.  

And THEN there were the kids!!  ;-)  

Enter our Summer memory work: Romans 12.

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 

 We noted that we as a  family were doing the OPPOSITE of what these verses tell us to do!  We were clinging to what is evil ("HE started it!", "I want that!", "I HAVE to tell you to do this because I am the almighty parent..." etc...) you get the big, ugly picture.  

And I'm not pretending we still don't.

But these were some TERRIFIC verses to hide in our hearts right off the bat this summer.  We've been able to keep referring to them - hopefully forever- but certainly for today. 

Relevant. 

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 the Lord’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.

Within 2 weeks in July we had heard of 4 people who we knew that had died.  One was a grandma of a friend, a husband of a friend, my Grandma and a bible study friend and peer of mine.  These verses were the exact ones we were learning during this time of mourning and grieving with those who are mourning and grieving. 

Relevant. 

¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c] Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[d] 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.”^[e]

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

If you have kids, know kids or have ever SEEN kids you'll know how relevant these verses can be.  Not in a beating-you-over-the-head style of truth but how refreshing for them (and us!) to know...oh look! People have been dealing with this stuff since forever. 
God's word is relevant to me, to my kids, to my situation, to my relationships, to my struggles, to my bad attitudes and to my life. 
Today.