Date:
April 11, 2019Partners and Friends
True friends are priceless. They believe in us, affirm us, and hold our hands up when we’re weary and unable to go on. If we have one true friend, we are rich.
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Love
Jesus told His disciples to love one another “as I have loved you” (John 13:34). That wouldn’t be so hard if the love Jesus displayed was primarily the write-a-cheque or call-once-a-month kind of love. But Jesus set the bar immeasurably high. Jesus’s kind of love touched the skin of a leper and washed the feet of a soon-to-be betrayer. He didn’t mind interruption by another’s demands, even those of a person all others disdained. Jesus had the uncanny ability to look straight into a person’s soul to see the deepest need there.
Is that an impossible example to follow? You bet it is! That’s why God sent the Holy Spirit to live inside us and empower us with His supernatural love. Only when “plugged in” to that power will His followers stand out in their treatment of others and of one another. Then people will take notice and say, “My, how they love one another!” Let these resources set you on the path of loving with the Saviour’s love.
Agape Love
Jesus said “love one another,” and the word He used was “agape.” Agape is the highest form of love. It’s deliberate refusal to respond negatively. It’s a conquest of the will.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Authentic love is unconditional and unselfish. It can change lives.
Acceptance
Acceptance means you don’t make people jump through hoops—you take them as they are.
The Final Word
No one can know everything but when we’re dogmatic and opinionated... it’s easy to see ourselves as the final authority. There’s something refreshing about people who are teachable and willing to learn from others.
The Gift for the Person Who Has Everything
In the words of Ephesians 4:32, be kind. My sister Luci paraphrases this verse, “Just be nice."
Love and Friendship
We all need love and friendship, especially when times are tough. Friends take the sting and loneliness out of life.
Looking Out for Each Other
Those who God saves by His grace need to look out for those who haven’t yet come to the Saviour. Don’t make it hard for others by insulting those who aren’t living the life you would like them to live.
Simple Acts of Kindness Ideas
Doing acts of kindness feels great as well as it makes the world or another person’s day a bit better. So I wonder why being kind isn’t second nature to me.
Hard Reality
When the Bible paints a portrait it doesn’t remove the imperfections. It’s reassuring to know the men and women God used to accomplish His will were real people.
