1 Corinthians 13:1-3 tells us that if we do good things but without love, those good things are worthless. Thus, we need to make sure that everything we do is prompted by love. 1 Cor 16:14 says, “Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love in us)” (AMPC). That’s talking about agape love which means that if we do something motivated by this kind of love, we won’t be expecting anything back in return. In other words, we won’t be thinking of ourselves (1 Cor 13:5). This reminds me of the “Good Samaritan” in Luke 10:25-37. This man was motivated by love to care for a wounded man and even pay for his hotel stay out of his own pocket. It must have been a great inconvenience to him but this was agape love.

1 Cor 14:1 tells us, “Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire (this) love (make it your aim, your great quest)” (AMPC). That’s how serious we need to be about operating in love. The apostle John gives us some great advice about how to mature in this love in 1 John chapter 4. He says that because God is love, if we abide in God and He in us then that love will develop in us (verse 16). Then in verse 17 he tells us that, “in this (union and communion with Him) love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us” (AMPC). That’s how we develop agape love – a life-long process but so worth it!

The prophet Elijah was discouraged; Israel had rebelled against God and the wicked queen, Jezebel, threatened to kill him. Elijah ran a very long way. However, God provided for Elijah, encouraged him and sent him on a new assignment (1 Kings 19:1-18). At some time or another we have all had to deal with discouragement. Discouragement can involve anxiety, fear, worry and depression. It can be triggered by so many issues such as job loss, marriage difficulties, financial challenges, busyness, stress and unfulfilled dreams. Discouragement originates with satan whose aim is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). How do we deal with discouragement? First of all, we need to remind ourselves that as Christians we are God’s children (1 John 3:1-2), that satan is a defeated foe (Col 2:15) and that Jesus came to give us life in abundance (John 10:10). We need to forget the past with all its issues, look forward to all God has for us (Phil 3:13-14) and cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). We need to forgive those who have hurt us, receive God’s forgiveness of us (Col 3:13) and walk in love (Col 3:14). In the Bible we read, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col 3:2; NKJV). We need to focus on Jesus and how he suffered and died for us so we could be saved (Heb 12:2-3). As we focus on Jesus and the word, we will experience God’s perfect peace (Isa 26:3). Let’s pray, ask God to help us, praise Him and thank Him for His peace. As we praise God His presence and peace will envelop us (Psalm 22:3).

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take” (Prov 3:5,6; NLT). Today, I want to look at some of the benefits that come from trusting God. We see from the above verse that one of those benefits is guidance. According to Psalm 91 we receive all kinds of protection when we put our trust in Him, “This I declare about the Lord. He alone is my refuge, my place of safety, He is my God and I trust Him” (Ps 91:2; NLT). Trusting the Lord also brings strength (Isa 40:31;), prosperity and blessing (Ps 28:25), help (Ps 28:7) and unfailing love (Ps 32:10). In Ephesians 3:17 we are told that Christ will make His home in our hearts if we trust in Him. Jeremiah 17:7 is a favourite of mine, it tells us, “Most blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is” (AMPC). It goes on to say that that person will be strong and sturdy like a tree; they won’t be anxious but will prosper and bear fruit.

These are all wonderful benefits but how exactly do we trust the Lord? Psalm 37:5 in the AMPC gives us a clue, it says, “Commit your way to the Lord (roll and repose each care of your load on Him); trust (lean on, rely on and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.” When we are trusting God, we can’t do things in our own ability; we need to get ourselves out of the way and make God our priority and seek Him in prayer and the word. “Nothing is impossible for God” (Luke 1:37).

When we consider the words we speak, we may think of Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV): “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” or perhaps, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Prov 25:11; NKJV). The Bible has much to say about our words. King David asked God to help him have thoughts and words acceptable to the Father (Ps 19:14; Ps 141:3). Wouldn’t it be great if we all followed Davids example? Our words reflect what is in our hearts (Matt 15:18) and our relationship with God (Matt 12:37; AMP). Food for thought, yes? “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt” (Col 4:5; NKJV). Our words need to be gracious (Prov 16:24), edifying, comforting, wise and truthful (Eph 4:25,29; Col 4:6; 1 Thess 5:11; Prov 12:18). We are clearly to avoid any kind of corrupt, coarse or evil conversation (Ps 34:13,14; Eph 4:29; Eph 5:4). In scripture we are encouraged to limit the number of words we speak (Prov 10:19) and to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). It’s good to put our brains in gear before we speak (Prov 29:20), choosing our words wisely. Let’s end with a quote from Jesus, “But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak. For by your words (reflecting your spiritual condition) you will be justified and acquitted of the guilt of sin, and by your words (rejecting Me) you will be condemned and sentenced” (Matt 12:36-37; AMP). Wow! did that get your attention? It got mine!

The Bible, especially the book of Proverbs, has a lot to say about strife and we are to avoid it at all cost (Eph 4:31). From Proverbs we learn that hatred, gossip and greed can cause strife. Other words used for strife in the Bible are, quarrels, conflict, discord, fights, contention. Solomon gives us some good advice in Prov 17:14, “The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles (from a crack in a dam) therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarrelling breaks out” (AMPC).

In the New Testament, strife is listed as a work of the flesh (Gal 5:20). The apostle Paul gave clear instructions about strife: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander be removed from you, along with every form of malice” (Eph 4:31; NKJV). He instructed the Philippians, to overcome strife by being humble and esteeming others above themselves (Phil 2:3) and He told Timothy that: “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach and be patient with difficult people” (2 Tim 2:24; NLT). What great advice! James also gives advice on how to deal with strife. He said, “Come close to God” (James 4:8), “Be humble” (James 4:6) and “Don’t criticize others” (James 4:11). Let’s allow Solomon the final word: “Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise: when he closes his lips, he is esteemed a man of understanding” (Prov 17:28; AMPC). We should always root out strife before it takes hold and gets out of control, just like that crack in the dam.

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