9 posts tagged “love”

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LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Timothy

RICH IN GOOD WORKS

[32]

Read 1 Timothy 4-6

For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10-11 NKJV
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Timothy had a very difficult job ahead of him. He was charged with the task of correcting false teaching. He had to do this in a way that would be accepted by those who were older than he in age, though perhaps not in the faith. He had been trained by his godly mother and grandmother and also by Paul himself to “be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith...” (4:6a)

Paul writes, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (4:12)

Concerning Timothy’s preparation, the apostle urges, “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine”, (4:13-15) making it clear that he is not only to teach right doctrine but also to show his faith by his works.

Paul warns about greed saying, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (6:10-11)
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Lord, like Timothy, I want my life to be an example of what I believe. Today I pray for the enabling power of Your Holy Spirit in my life
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But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  (1 Timothy 6:11 NKJV)

1 comment Tags: love, faith, youth, patience gentleness, life example

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Philippians

ATTITUDE

[22]

Read Philippians 2
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5 NIV
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Paul continues his words of exhortation for unity in the church at Philippi. These new believers have trusted in Christ for their salvation and are growing in faith. He reminds them that they don’t have to do it in their own strength: “...work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” he writes, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” (12b-16a)
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Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your Spirit to help me to will and act according to Your purpose. Forgive me when I complain or argue, and give me the encouraging, uplifting words of life that will shine like stars in the darkness.
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If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2 NIV
Post a comment Tags: love, complaining, fellowship, encourage, encouragement, argue

THE GREATEST IS LOVE

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Corinthians

[13]

Read 1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV
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After a discussion in chapter 12 about the various spiritual gifts, and a call for unity in exercising those gifts in the church, Paul says, “…But eagerly desire the greater gifts. (those that edify and build up the body) And now I will show you the most excellent way...” (12:31)
 
No matter what the gift or talent God has bestowed upon you, it is worth nothing if not exercised in love ─ and this, writes Paul, is what love looks like: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (13:4-7)
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Lord, this is a tall order for anyone, but absolutely necessary in our relationships with other believers. Obviously, those early churches had to struggle with their issues just as we do today. Love certainly requires forgiveness and humility. Help me to keep no record of wrongs.
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And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
Post a comment Tags: love, church, patience, edify

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Romans

ONE HEART

A SPIRIT OF UNITY

Read Romans 14–15

For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7-8 NIV

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As a mixed congregation of Jews and Gentiles, with different backgrounds, the Roman believers also had differences of opinion on what was acceptable behavior. Some wanted to celebrate certain holy days and others did not. Some had convictions about buying meat that had been sacrificed to idols, and others did not. Paul says, “… let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. (14:13)

The principle is that we are responsible to edify and encourage our Christian brothers and sisters. Instead of insisting on our own point of view, we should “accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (15:7)
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Lord, I pray that nothing I do will be a stumbling block to another Christian. I pray for a spirit of love and unity, even when I may have strong opinions about a matter. I pray that what comes out of my mouth will glorify You, and build up the fellowship of believers.
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May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 NIV
Post a comment Tags: love, unity, convictions, stumbling block, edify

THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW

[58]

JESUS PRAYS FOR US

Read:  John 17:1–26

 

            I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:4-5 NIV

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            Now Jesus spoke to His Father in the presence of His disciples. He was going to be entering Heaven very soon, restored to the glory He left behind when He became a man.  The disciples must have been encouraged when they heard Him tell His Father, "I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me." (17:8) "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." (17:15)

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            Lord, I am so thankful that in this prayer You said, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message." (17:20)  As I meditate on this chapter and all the words You said for them and for us - I claim these words for my family:  "I in them and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."  (17:23 NKJV)

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            "I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."  John 17:26 NKJV

1 comment Tags: love, heaven, believe, protection, glory, lord's prayer, the evil one …

COMPASSION IN TIME OF SORROW

JOHN THE BAPTIST MARTYRED

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Read Matthew 14:1–14
The king…ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. Matthew 14:9-10, 12 NIV
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Jesus had just been given the news about the beheading of John the Baptist, the prophet God had sent to announce His coming. John's dramatic message of repentance to the adulterous King Herod ended with his death. His brief but powerful ministry, in accordance with God's sovereign will, had come to an end.
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Jesus, though He was God's Son, was still subject to the emotions and sorrows of a man. His response was to withdraw to a solitary place to be alone, but the crowds followed Him. Instead of insisting on time to Himself, He had compassion on the people and ministered to their needs.
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Lord, sometimes I feel irritated at the pressing demands on my time. Help me to be filled with the fruit of Your Spirit, especially patience, love and concern for the needs of my family. Help me to notice when others need a listening ear.
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When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:13-14 NIV
3 comments Tags: love, emotions, crowds, compassion, patience, concern, sorrow, needs …

SONS OF THUNDER

[31]

GREATNESS IS SERVING

Read Matthew 20:20–28

She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right hand and the other on the left, in your kingdom." Matthew 20:21 NKJV

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 This was the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, an ambitious mother if there ever was one!  An insight to her two sons is found in Mark 3:17: When Jesus appointed the twelve apostles, He called James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James…Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder. Truly, they were leadership material and would be among the apostles who were the foundation of the Church, but Jesus had a more important lesson for them to learn:

"…Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28)

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Lord, help me to teach my children the principles of servanthood, even as I train them to be their best and excel. Help us to put the spirit of competition in perspective and balance with love and kindness and serving others.

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 "… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

1 comment Tags: love, competition, kindness, mothers, greatness, sons, humility, sibling rivalry …

THE FIRST MIRACLE

THE WEDDING AT CANA

Read John 2:1–11

            "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." John 2:4–5 NIV

 

Once again, Mary's soul is pierced. When Jesus was twelve, she wasn't quite ready for him to be preaching in the temple. But now that He's thirty, she must be wondering when He is going to reveal His identity–both times Jesus gives her a soft rebuke. At twelve he said; "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. (Luke 2:49–50) At thirty, he says, “Dear woman, why do you involve me?…My time has not yet come”  (John 2:4)

 

Mary realized once again that she must quietly wait on God for His perfect timing—In fact, it was God's time, because Jesus honored his mother by performing his first public miracle at her request.

 

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Lord, Mary is such a wonderful example of humility and love.  I want to be a patient, loving mother who knows when to speak and when to be silent. I also want to wait on You to work out Your perfect plan for our family and each individual family member.     

 

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.   John 2:11 NKJV

Post a comment Tags: love, humility, mary mother of jesus, jesus miracles, first miracle

LOVE AND FORGIVENESS

SHE WHO WAS FORGIVEN MUCH

Read Luke 7:36–8:3


Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Luke 7:47-48 NIV

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Jesus was invited to dinner at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. A woman of the streets came in and she stood behind him weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. (7:38) The Pharisee thought to himself that Jesus did not know what kind of woman this was.

Not only did Jesus know all about the woman, he also knew what Simon was thinking. He gently told a story to Simon that concluded with, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." (7:47)

Just following this scene we are given the names of other women who had been forgiven much. These women helped to support the ministry out of their own means, showing their deep gratitude for deliverance from evil spirits and diseases.

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Lord, may my life and generosity reflect the forgiveness I have received in my life as well. What a Savior, who honored women far above the culture of His time.

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The twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8:1b–3 NIV

Post a comment Tags: jesus, love, forgiveness, women in jesus ministry