On many occasions You teach us not to be anxious about anything. Given the number of deep sighs, hands wringing, and perplexed looks we manifest, it seems anxiety and stress are more common than not. But what do You say Jesus, about anxiety? You say, repeatedly, “don’t worry” and then You teach us why.
Love without end; perfect fidelity!
Father, this much quoted “love” chapter has some wonderful promises. When we immerse our spirit in Your Spirit, this gift of love lifts us to levels of caring and commitment well beyond anything we can achieve in the flesh.
Rich and without joy?
Father, we learn from these verses that spiritual poverty makes us ineffective in fulfilling Your will. Yet, when we are full of the Holy Spirit, no matter what our economic situation by worldly standards, we possess all which You intended and by giving it away, we see others inherit the wealth, the Spiritual wealth that You desire for each of us.
Tongues; only interpretation makes this gift useful
Father, we know that all gifts of the Spirit are from You and that they differ greatly. Help us become more aware of our personal gifts and to not doubt that we have gifts. A gift which brings honor and glory to You is the most desirable gift.
Can evil and light coexist?
Father, every sinner is as we have been and if it was not for the Light of Jesus within and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, we would all be in darkness, stumbling about in a sinful world.
One true God, one true Bible and only one body of believers?
Father, given what you have taught us, how is it that mankind has developed so many different religions and denominations? If there is only one body of believers, won’t heaven be a place of unity and not division? Your Word says, we will be one body, a people worshipping You, the one true God.
Underserved kindness…a dilemma?
Here we learn that when we are kind and gentle in the face of someone who is angry with us, it confounds them and our kindness, undeserved, actually disarms them. We take no credit for the fruits of the Spirit manifested in our relationships and we do not seek praise from men for being patient and full of self-control.
Spaced out…drunk; sad, pitiful choices. We can do better!
When disappointments come, and they will not cease to come until we are with You, we do not have joy for the pain, but we are able to have joy as we endure the pain by accessing Your peace and comfort
5 really important sentences…
Father, in 5 sentences, Paul teaches us the basics in the exercise of our faith. We are equipped by You to rejoice always, in good times and in bad times. It is Your Holy presence with us and in us that enables us to raise our eyes and hearts to You when everything around us seems to be a severe weight upon our shoulders.
A sincere compliment, rarely forgotten.
We know that “flattery” is wrong so help us not offer insincere compliments. Peter says we should speak using the very words of God, words of assurance and comfort. Help us today to lift the spirit of another person by using Your word as a key element of our praise.