GROWTH

G o to God in prayer daily. (John 15:7)
R ead God's Word daily (Acts 17:11); begin with the Gospel of John.
O bey God moment by moment. (John 14:21)
W itness for Christ by your life and words. (Matthew 4:19; John 15:8)
T rust God for every detail of your life. (1 Peter 5:7)
H oly Spirit -- allow Him to control and empower your daily life and witness. (Galatians 5:16-17; Acts 1:8)

Many people believe that Christianity should offer a problem-free life. Consequently, as life gets tough, they draw back disappointed. Instead, they should determine to prevail with God through life’s storm. Problems and difficulties are painful but inevitable; you might as well see them as opportunities for growth. You can’t prevail with God unless you have troubles to prevail over.

Happy Mother's Day

How can you know how much you mean to me?
After all the heartache, there is love.
Pierce life, and you are where the angels move,
Praising with their joy the mystery.
You know well the cost of sacrifice,

Mothering the wounded as you bleed,
Opening your anguish to their need,
Taking heed of neither pain nor price.
How you have paid, dear soul, for that abandon!
Even as you've sunk into despair.
Reason has no reason to be there
'Ere love supply the grace, well-earned or wanton.
So let me show you how you look from here,

Depicted as an icon dearly treasured,
An image of an ecstasy unmeasured,
Yearning with more need than it can bear.

Mama, three years have passed since…well, I know I didn't lose you...God has reminded me that I can't lose something when I know where it is.

Thank You Lord God for adding another flower to Your heavenly bouquet!

Strictly Mathematical Viewpoint

What equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life?

Here’s a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then: H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

AND, look how far the love of God will take you

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it’s the Love of God that will put you over the top!

A Virtuous Woman

A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.

Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.

She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.

She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.

She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.

She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.

She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.

She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:

"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.

The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.

Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

Proverbs 31:10-31 (The Message)

TWO FRIENDS IN THE DESERT

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In this day of constant lawsuits and incessant demands for legal rights, Paul’s command sounds almost impossible. When someone hurts you deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul says to befriend him. Why does Paul tell us to forgive our enemies?

(1) Forgiveness may break a cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation.

(2) It may make the enemy feel ashamed and change his or her ways.

(3) By contrast, repaying evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy.

Even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness.

A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?" The other friend replied "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Paul’s command:
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21

GRIEF AND MOURNING

Today, some people consider expressing emotions to be a sign of weakness. Those who wish to appear strong try to hide their feelings. But expressing our grief can help us deal with our intense sorrow when a loved one dies. Life is not given merely for happiness and personal fulfillment, but for us to serve and honor God. The worth and meaning of life is not based on what we feel, but on the one reality no one can take away God’s love for us. Don’t assume that because God truly loves you, he will always prevent suffering. The opposite may be true. God’s love cannot be measured or limited by how great or how little we may suffer.

I pray the families of the dear students whose lives were taken away at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg Virginia would be given strength to endure through these trying moments. I send my condolences to you.

PRAYER: Most Precious Lord Jesus, Gentle and Wonderful God, Truly Awesome and Ever-present Holy Spirit, Precious Lord Jesus, we love you. Today has been incredibly difficult for the families of those 32 who were massacred at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg Virginia and the one who also took his own. At every turn, we as a people were struck down with grief and loss. It is unbelievable how much pain this has put upon us. We are asking you for love because we know love will ease our pain. We know love will give us a new way to see all the hurtful things going on in our life. Open the part of our hearts where you live. Show us how much you love us and how all our present grief will be replaced with joy. We know we are being really selfish right now. Pain and suffering, especially grief, turns us inward and away from you. So right now, instead of all the grief we are bearing, send us some love. We love you Lord. All these things we humbly pray in the name of our most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, our Mighty God, and our Ever-present Holy Spirit upon whom we can rely. Amen

Virginia Tech Family and the Extended Community

I share in your grief and pain over the devastation and profound loss that you have experienced during this season. To those who are recovering from as well as those who survived this tragedy, you too are in my thoughts and prayers. There are no words that can adequately express my sympathy during this horrific & difficult time, however, please accept my most heartfelt condolences. I can only hope that the good memories of the fellowships and friendships that you have enjoyed as family and community will sustain you during this time.

My prayer is that you be strengthened to walk in God’s promise, purpose and power through these difficult times.

I LOVE YA!

"Be who you are and say what you feel....Because those that matter.....don’t mind.....And those that mind....don't matter." -- Theodor Seuss Geisel (Better known as Dr. Seuss)

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ… know ye not that real love is an action, not a feeling. It produces selfless, sacrificial giving. The greatest act of love is giving oneself for others. One question that often comes up when the subject of real love is brought up is, “How can we lay down our lives?” The answer is fairly simple, “By serving others with no thought of receiving anything in return.” Sometimes it is easier to say we’ll die for others than to truly live for them…this involves putting others’ desires first. Jesus taught this same principle of love when He said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” We are to love each other as Jesus loved us, and he loved us enough to give his life for us. We may not have to die for someone, but there are other ways to practice sacrificial love: listening, helping, encouraging, giving. One morning you will never wake up. Do all your friends know you love them? I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said. Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. Think of someone in particular who needs this kind of love today. Give all the love you can, and then try to give a little more.

And just in case GOD calls me home before I see you again....... I LOVE YA!

THE STEINWAY EXPERIENCE

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, our God, EL-ELYON, "God Most High", is in control of all the adverse, unpleasant, unfavorable, and difficult circumstances of our lives. You may be going through an adverse experience as you read these notes. Let's call it, for illustration purposes, a "STEINWAY EXPERIENCE" (read on).

If you had to name the most famous piano, the one that produced the most beautiful sound in the world which one would you name? Most people would say "Steinway". The STEINWAY PIANO has been preferred by keyboard masters such as Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Cliburn, and Liszt and for good reason. It is a skillfully crafted instrument that produces a phenomenal sound. Steinway pianos are built today the same way they were 140 years ago when Henry Steinway started his business. 200 craftsmen and12,000 parts are required to produce one of these magnificent instruments. Most crucial is the RIM-BENDING PROCESS, where 18 layers of maple are bent around an iron press to create the shape of a Steinway grand. Five coats of lacquer are applied and then HAND-RUBBED to give the piano its outer glow. The instrument then goes into the "POUNDER ROOM", where each key is pounded 10,000 times to ensure QUALITY and DURABILITY. Followers of Jesus Christ, much like the grand Steinway, are being "HANDCRAFTED" with all of the steps being watched over and directed by our Most High God, El Elyon , the One Who is in sovereign control of every detail of this process often referred to as "sanctification". We are being PRESSED and FORMED and SHAPED, all that we might "become conformed (molded with an inner and essential and not merely superficial conformity) to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). God’s ultimate goal for us is to make us like Christ (1 John 3:2). As we become more and more like him, we discover our true selves, the persons we were created to be. How can we be conformed to Christ’s likeness? By reading and heeding the Word, by studying his life on earth through the Gospels, by being filled with his Spirit, and by doing his work in the world. We are being polished, sometimes with what seems like a great amount of what we could call the "rubbing of affliction", until we "glow." We are then being continually tested in the laboratory of everyday human experience. The process of sanctification is not always pleasant, but we can persevere with hope, knowing that our lives will increasingly reflect the beauty of holiness to the eternal praise of the Most High God.

Amen!

ARE YOU BLESSED?

If you own just one Bible ... you are abundantly blessed. 1/3 of all the world does not have access to one.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still alive and still married ... you are very rare, even in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful ... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

If you prayed yesterday and today ... you are in the minority because you believe God does hear and answer prayers.

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God and as your Saviour ... you are blessed as being part of a small minority in the world ... Amen

Brothers and sisters in Christ, each beatitude tells how to be blessed. “Blessed” means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s kingdom. The Beatitudes don’t promise laughter, pleasure, or earthly prosperity. To Jesus, “blessed” means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost.

I'll ask again...ARE YOU BLESSED?

STAY SAFE IN THE WORLD TODAY

Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents.

Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home.

Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians.

Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all accidents involve these forms of transportation.

Of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in Hospitals. So, ... above all else, avoid hospitals.

BUT, ... You will be pleased to learn that only 001% of all deaths occur in worship services in church, and these are usually related to previous physical disorders. Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is at church!

... And ... Bible study is safe too. The percentage of deaths during Bible study is even less.

So, ... for SAFETY'S sake - Attend church, and read your Bible. IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Fear not my dear brothers & sisters in Christ...Christ’s death and resurrection set us free from the fear of death because death has been defeated. Every person must die, but death is not the end; instead, it is the doorway to a new life. All who dread death should have the opportunity to know the hope that Christ’s victory brings. How can you share this truth with those close to you?

Mary, did you know...

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know
that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?

Did you know
that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby you've kissed the face of God.

The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know
that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding is the Great I Am.

Brother Mark Lowry, thank you so much for such a beautiful song!

RECOVER YOUR HAPPINESS

A - Accept Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions.

B - Break Away Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life.

C - Create Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams, sorrows, and happiness with.

D - Decide Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way.

E - Explore Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about yourself.

F - Forgive Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.

G - Grow Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way.

H - Hope Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task.

I - Ignore Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds.

J - Journey Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll grow.

K - Know Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.

L - Love Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart, there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's room for endless happiness.

M - Manage Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.

N - Notice Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.

O - Open Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.

P - Play Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness.

Q - Question Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.

R - Relax Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end.

S - Share Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over.

T - Try Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish.

U - Use Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.

V - Value Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well.

W - Work Work hard every day to be the best person you can b e, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance.

X - X-Ray Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within.

Y - Yield Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road.

Z - Zoom Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rears its ugly head. Let nothing interfere with your goals. Instead, focus on your abilities, your dreams, and a brighter tomorrow.

Some people bring unhappiness on themselves by choosing ill-gotten treasures. For example, craving satisfaction, they may do something that destroys their chances of ever achieving happiness. God’s principles for right living bring lasting happiness because they guide us into long-term right behavior in spite of our ever-changing feelings.

THE U IN JESUS

Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.

You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.

Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
And this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U."

So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?

It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U.


Will YOU pass it on.

A PLACE CALLED “SUCCESS”

The road to success is not straight.
There is a curve called Failure,
A loop called Confusion,
Speed bumps called Friends,
Red lights called Enemies,
Caution lights called Family.
You will have flats called Jobs.
But, if you have a spare called Determination,
An engine called Perseverance,
Insurance called Faith,
A driver called Jesus,
You will make it to a place called Success.

To be established means to be successful. Real success comes only to those who do what is right. Their efforts stand the test of time. Then, what kind of success does wickedness bring? We all know people who cheated to pass the course or to get a larger tax refund—is this not success? And what about the person who ignores his family commitments and mistreats his workers but gets ahead in business? These apparent successes are only temporary. They are bought at the expense of character. Cheaters grow more and more dishonest, and those who hurt others become callous and cruel. In the long run, evil behavior does not lead to success; it leads only to more evil. Real success maintains personal integrity. If you are not a success by God’s standards, you have not achieved true success.

The Greatest Man in History

The Greatest Man in History...
Had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
Had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.!

Brothers and Sisters, knowing about Jesus, or even believing that he is God’s Son, does not guarantee salvation. You must also want to follow and obey him.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus" 1 Timothy 2:5

We human beings are separated from God by sin, and only one person in the universe is our mediator and can stand between us and God and bring us together again—Jesus, who is both God and man. Jesus’ sacrifice brought new life to all people.

Have you let him bring you to the Father?

Cell Phone vs The Bible

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it as we traveled?

What if we used it in case of an emergency?

What if we bought a new one every time it wore out?

What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?

This is something to make you go ...hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill! And no dropped calls!

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR BIBLE IS?

Willing to risk & sacrifice

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in the functions of intercessors for one another in our ministry of love we must be willing to risk & sacrifice…are you ready? In like manor...

Moses was willing to be blotted out of God's book. (Ex 32:32),

Abraham was willing to suffer God's possible displeasure by negotiating Him down to 10 godly men in Sodom & Gomorrah. (Genesis 18:22),

When king David disobeyed by taking a census, he was willing to be destroyed in order to seek safety for his people. (1 Chronicles 21:17),

Daniel was willing to talk with God when He was very angry. (Dan 9:16),

Jesus was willing to become sin and lay down His life so that others could find forgiveness. (Isaiah 53:12),

The Centurion was willing to approach authority as well as subject himself to it. (Matt 8:5),

Martha dared to risk her friendship with Jesus to challenge His decision of delay. (John 11:21-22),

A father risked public exposure, fear of man's opinions, and disappointment for the sake of interceding for his possessed son. (Mark 9:17),

The Nobleman risked his self-sufficient pride. He could not help his son but he knew who could. He also risked public exposure and reputation. (John 4:49),

Stephen was willing to face the murderous rage of a crowd and asked God to forgive them. (Acts 7:59),

Esther was willing to perish at risk of defending her people to the king. At the very least she was willing to face a life of ill-favor, isolation and banishment from the king's court. (Esther 4:16),

David as a young boy was willing to face death from Goliath for the sake of Israel. At the very least he was willing to face humiliation, failure and defeat. (1 Sam 17:37)

I dare ask again...Are you ready?

I'm Too Blessed To Be Stressed

My dear brothers and sister in Christ, I'm Too Blessed To Be Stressed,
and Too Anointed To Be Disappointed therefore I refuse to be discouraged,
to be sad or to cry. I refuse to be downhearted and here's the reason why:

I have a God who is almighty;
who is sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me,
and I am on His team.

He is all wise and powerful;
Jesus is His Name;
though everything else is changeable,
My God remains the same.

I refuse to be defeated!
My eyes are on my GOD!
He has promised to be with me,
as through this life I trod.

I am looking past my circumstances,
to Heaven's throne above.
My prayers have reached the heart of God.
I am resting in His Love.

I give thanks to Him in everything.
My eyes are on His face.
The battle is His; the victory is mine;
He will help me win the race!

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, each beatitude tells how to be blessed. "Blessed" means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s kingdom. The Beatitudes don’t promise laughter, pleasure, or earthly prosperity. To Jesus, "blessed" means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost.

I repeat, "I'M TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!"

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is patient. (Charity suffereth long) Love is tolerant toward others. Love endures trying circumstances with others and maintains an even temper.

Love is kind. Love is compassionate towards others. Love is tender, considerate, and helpful.

Love is not jealous. Love is not envious, does not desire anything another person may have, but instead is even thankful for the advantages of the other person.

Love does not brag. (Charity vaunteth not) Love does not boast about oneself. When we boast about ourselves, we put other people down by elevating ourselves above them. Boasting can make other people feel inferior to us.

Love is not arrogant. (Not puffed up) Love is not conceited or puffed up with pride, does not elevate oneself above others, does not lord it over others.

Love does not act unbecomingly. (Not behave itself unseemly) Love does not behave improperly towards others, does not take advantage of others in any circumstance. Love is well-mannered toward others in speech, in behavior, and in dress.

Love does not seek its own. Love is not selfish. Love seeks the benefit of others before oneself.

Love is not provoked. Love is not easily angered, does not respond to ill treatment from others.

Love does not take into account a wrong. (Thinketh no evil) Love does not keep a record of injuries inflicted by others; true love is unconditional.

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness. (Rejoiceth not in iniquity) Love does not rejoice when others do evil, but it rejoices when others do good. Love does not delight to see anyone involved in any form of evil.

Love rejoices in the truth. Love rejoices when the truth is made known. Love never rejoices when someone is unjustly accused.

Love bears all things. Love puts up with others when they are unpleasant, even when they continue to be unpleasant, unkind, and unloving.

Love believes all things. Love believes the best about others. Love continues to have confidence in others even when no one else does.

Love hopes all things. Love continues to hope for the best for others, even when they may not deserve the best.

Love endures all things. Love continues to love, no matter how much it costs. Love does not give up on the person loved. Love prevails, both in good times and bad times.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, our society confuses love and lust. Unlike lust, God’s kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is possible to practice this love only if God helps us set aside our own desires and instincts, so that we can give love while expecting nothing in return. Thus the more we become like Christ, the more love we will show to others.

(Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and Life Application Notes)

“WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST”

Brothers and Sisters, you are no longer alone, for Christ lives in you—he is your power for living and your hope for the future

You are believers, and the light of the Gospel shines in your minds (II Corinthians 4:4).
You are doers of the Word and blessed in your actions (James 1:22, 25).
You are joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
You are new creatures in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).
You are partakers of His divine nature (II Peter 1:3, 4).
You are a spirit being-alive to God (I Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 6:11).
You are alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
You are ambassadors for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20).
You are over-comers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony (Revelation 12:11).
You are born of God, and the evil one does not touch you (I John 5:18).
You are called of God to be the voice of His praise (II Timothy 1:9; Psalm 66:8).
You are complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).
You are delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).
You are far from oppression, and fear does not come near you (Isaiah 54:14).
You are firmly rooted, built up, established in your faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).
You are forgiven of all your sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).
You are free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
You are God’s children-for you are born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (I Peter 1:23).
You are God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).
You are greatly loved by God (Colossians 3:12; Romans 1:7; I Thessalonians 1:4; Ephesians 2:4).
You are healed by the stripes of Jesus (I Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5).
You are His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).
You are holy and without blame before Him in love (I Peter 1:16; Ephesians 1:4).
You are more than conquerors through Him Who loves you (Romans 8:37).
You are part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (I Peter 2:9).
You are raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:6).
You are redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 28:15-68).
You are strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).
You are submitted to God, and the devil flees from you because you resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).
You are the head and not the tail; you are above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).
You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
You are the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:21).
You are the temple of the Holy Spirit; you are not your own (I Corinthians 6:19).
You can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with your shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).
You can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).
You have given, and it is given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into your bosom (Luke 6:38).
You have no lack for our God supplies all of your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
You have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created you (Colossians 3:9, 10).
You have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).
You have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues.
You have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm you (Mark 16:17, 18; Luke 10:17, 19).
You have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17, 18).
You have the Greater One living in you; greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world (I John 4:4).
You have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5; I Corinthians 2:16).
You have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
You press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling you upward (Philippians 3:14).
You shall do even greater works than Christ Jesus (John 14:12).
You show forth the praises of God Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (I Peter 2:9).