Increasing in Love – 1 Thessalonians 3:12
Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian church is that they would be ever increasing in their love for each other. An active love.
Love Others
Sermon on the Mount: Ask, Seek, and Knock – Matthew 7:7-12
Jesus promises that if, as God’s children, we ask, we will receive. If we seek, we will find. And if we knock, the door will be opened.
Sermon on the Mount: Love Your Enemies – Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus call to love our enemies is indeed a challenging one. But he calls us to rise above the rest of the world and to be like our Father.
Sermon on the Mount: Turn the Other Cheek – Matt. 5:38-42
Turning the other cheek is an example of the upside nature of the Kingdom of God. So unlike the retribution that we more commonly practice.
Take No Pleasure in the Death of the Wicked – Ezekiel 18:23
Ezekiel is clear that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, preferring they turn to him. That challenges me to not rejoice when the wicked die.
Laying Down Our Lives – 1 John 3:16-18
Not many of us would likely think of themselves as martyrs. But as believers we are called to lay down our lives for other believers.
Instructions for Relating to People – Titus 3:1
Rules for life! Paul’s quick set of instructions for relating to people: be subject to rulers and authorities; be obedient; be ready to do whatever is good; slander no one; be peaceable and considerate; and always be gentle toward everyone.
Live a Life of Love – Mark 12:30-31
Of all the 613 laws in the Old Testament, which is the most important? Jesus’ response was to love God with all we are and to love those around us. If we will live a life of love, all of the other commandments are taken care of.
No Silver or Gold. But What I Have, I Give You – Acts 3:6
While there is nothing wrong with giving money to the needy, how much better is it to give of yourself. It could make an eternal difference.