Universal Utterings

for May 31, 2025

A Godcast

UniversalUtterings.Com

05-31-25 Romans 12 v0921 Do Not Repay Evil for Evil

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The Letter to the Romans 12 Verses 9 thru 21

9 Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.11 Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute [you], bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. 19 Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 Rather, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” 21 Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.

Romans 12:9-21 offers profound guidance on living a life grounded in love, integrity, and perseverance. In these verses, the Apostle Paul emphasizes genuine love, calling us to detest what is evil and hold fast to what is good. This call to authenticity resonates deeply, especially when faced with challenges and persecution, much like the experience I've recently endured within a prison ministry I’ve been serving in for years.

In our ministry, which I have proudly served in for over 17 years, I found myself confronting a troubling situation. Some fellow volunteers, lacking both protocol and a spirit of forgiveness, sought to impose their standards upon others. They wielded authority that was not theirs, attempting to dictate behavior through intimidation rather than support, attempting to stifle the very essence of our cherished fellowship. It was a stark reminder of how easily our missions can become clouded by personal agendas, straying from the foundational love that Paul describes.

Romans 12 calls us to be devoted to one another in love, honoring one another above ourselves. During this difficult time, I remained steadfast, grounded in the knowledge of our shared mission and the principles outlined in our organization’s bylaws. I did not let their bullying deter me from my commitment to the ministry we all cherished. I upheld my standards of love and respect, not only for myself but for the greater community we serve.

Perseverance in prayer became my anchor. Whether facing unjust criticism or pressure to conform to unwritten rules, I turned to God for strength and clarity. Paul encourages us to bless those who persecute us and never repay evil for evil. This wisdom guided my reactions as I chose to respond with kindness and grace—existing as a testament to the love we are called to embody.

In these trying moments, I leaned heavily on the principle of doing good in the eyes of our Beholder, trusting that our earnest efforts to serve others would shine through. Ultimately, I found solace in the reminder that our battles are not against flesh and blood but against powers that seek to undermine our unity and love. By standing my ground in adherence to the truth and standards of our ministry, I not only upheld my dignity but also honored the God we serve. Thus, I remain committed to nurturing genuine love, respect, and goodness in all circumstances, embodying the spirit of Romans 12:9-21. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,

Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®

Ephesians 6:17-20

05-31-25 Romans 12 v0921

**Do Not Repay Evil for Evil**

In love's embrace, let hearts be true,

Abhor the evil, cling to what's new.

With fervent zeal, our spirits ignite,

Through kindness and hope, we share the light.

Devoted in spirit, together we stand,

With honor and gratitude, hand in hand.

A tapestry woven with threads of grace,

In each other’s struggles, we find our place.

Rejoice with the joyful, and weep with the weak,

In every encounter, let love's language speak.

For in the silence of pain, we find a way,

To uplift the downtrodden, come what may.

Bless those who wrong us, extend them our hand,

In kindness and mercy, together we’ll stand.

For vengeance belongs to the Lord above,

And in our forgiveness, we'll show His love.

When darkness descends, and trials unfold,

Do good to your enemy, be brave, be bold.

In burning coals placed upon their poor head,

The warmth of our grace breaks the cycle of dread.

Overcome evil with virtue so pure,

In love's holy armor, our strength will endure.

With patience and prayer, let peace ever flow,

In the depths of our hearts, let compassion grow.

So let us, dear friends, take heed of the call,

To live out this scripture, embracing us all.

In love's gentle power, we'll rise and yet thrive,

For through Romans Twelve, we find how to survive. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

May 31, 2025 @ 05:22 AM EST

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**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using [email protected], or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**