Hi there, and welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our Reading, titled

Sharing Excitement for Christ, was written by Jennifer Benson Schultt. The first time we met

our neighbor, Henry, he pulled a well-worn Bible out of a bag he'd been carrying.

Eyes sparkling. He asked if we'd like to discuss scripture. We nodded, and he flipped to some

highlighted passages. He showed us a notebook full of his observations and said he'd also created a

computer presentation full of other related information. Henry went on to tell us how he'd also created a computer presentation full of other related information.

Henry went on to tell us how he'd come from a difficult family situation,

and then alone and at his worst, he accepted Jesus' death and resurrection as the foundation of his faith.

His life had changed, as the spirit helped him follow the Bible's principles.

Although Henry had committed his life to God years ago, his enthusiasm was fresh and powerful.

Henry's zeal inspired me, someone who'd walked with Jesus many years, to consider my spiritual passion.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans chapter 12,

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord.

That seems like a tall order,

unless I'm allowing scripture to nurture the kind of attitudes

that reflect an ongoing

thankfulness for all that Jesus has done for me.

Unlike the emotional highs and lows we experience in life, zeal for Christ comes from an ever-expanding

relationship with Him.

The more we learn about Him, the more precious he becomes, and the more his goodness

floods our souls and spills out into the world.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from Romans chapter 12 verses 9 through 16 love must be sincere

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