Love One Another – Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. Romans 12:10 (NET)

In Romans 12, Paul gives guidelines on how Christians should treat one another. He explains the importance of selflessness, love, and respect for others. Our goal is to love one another with mutual love, honor, and respect. Paul emphasized the importance of Christians to build a strong, unified, and loving community that reflects the teachings of Jesus and God’s love. The importance for us to love one another regardless of cultural or ethnic backgrounds, as He has loved us.

In the previous verse (Romans 12:9), Paul urged believers to be sincere in their love for each other. To love and help each other, to hate evil and hold tight to what is good, and to let go of anger and forgive.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:9 (NLT)

We need to be patient, love one another, live in peace, focus on what is good, detest evil, forgive, and rejoice in our future.

9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Romans 12:10 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for your unconditional love. Teach us to love one another as You have loved us. Open our hearts to forgiveness and love for all. Guide us to hate what is evil and embrace what is good. Like the lovely Peace Lily flower is open and upright, let us be open-hearted and upright in our actions. In Jesus Holy Name. Amen

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Harmony – 1 Peter 3:8

Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble. 1 Peter 3:8 (GWT)

Peter wrote this letter to the Christians in Asia Minor, explaining how all Christians should act. We should live in harmony, be courteous and accept each other’s differences, listen, compromise, respect, love one another, and live in peace and unity.

Peter reminds them that if they are to be faithful, obedient followers of Christ. They need to exhibit inner qualities by being kind and sympathetic, showing compassion, and caring for each other.

Believers should reflect Jesus’ actions by being humble, forgiving, and loving one another.

^8-12Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

1 Peter 3:8-9 (MSG)

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The words of Peter are still viable today; are you living in harmony and showing compassion to others?

Our Heavenly Father, help us to live in harmony with each other. Guide us to be more Christlike in our actions, showing compassion, forgiveness, and respect to all we meet. Teach us to learn to listen and be respectful to each other. Like the flowers of the bleeding heart plant are open and gathered together, let us be open-hearted and gather together in harmony. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23

New International Version
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Paul is explaining behaviors that Christians should have in their lives when they let the Holy Spirit lead them. These behaviors or attributes reflect Christ. Nine characteristics make up the fruit of the Spirit. They are not separate fruits but one indivisible spiritual fruit.

These nine traits or behaviors are found in a child of God and display the nature of Christ.

To live by the fruit of the Spirit believers, have power and compassion to lead with love, and serve others with patience, kindness, and goodness. Spiritual joy gives strength and rejoicing during difficult circumstances. Peace is inner tranquility, freedom from anxiety found through faith. Self-control is not being easily provoked but being patient, forgiving, and forbearing. Gentleness is being kind, tender, and caring for one another. Faithfulness to others is being reliable, dependable, and honorable to others. These spirit-filled attributes make up the fruit of the Spirit.

Through the fruit of the Spirit, being motivated by love will lead us to care, kindness, goodness, forbearance, self-control, and gentleness, in service to others.

22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and love. Help us to follow Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit. Let us be Spirit-lead and manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Like the geranium grows and flowers in the light, let us grow in faith and spread Your light. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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Pursue Peace – Hebrews 12:14

14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 (NET)

Pursuing peace with everyone is a common theme in the New Testament. To pursue is not passive; it means eagerly seeking, actively, and diligently seeking peace.

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18 (NET)

Bitterness causes strife where pursuing a peaceful lifestyle encourages working together and building up one another.

19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Romans 14:19 (ESV)

Working to get along with and help others demonstrates that we are disciples of Christ, growing in holiness and spiritual maturity. We, as Christians, pursue peace, and abide in Jesus, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

14-17 Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. – Hebrews 12:14-17 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Holy Father, help us to pursue peace. Guide our path helping us to get along with others and be tolerant of different points of view. Teach us to study Your Word and grow in faith. Like the Ranunculus flowers open and bloom in the spring, let us open our hearts to You and bloom with love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Known By God – 1 Corinthians 8:3

But if someone loves God, he is known by God. – 1 Corinthians 8:3 (NET)

Paul is stressing what matters in life is love. In verse three, He uses the Greek word agapao for love, which means selfless love, to love dearly, to take pleasure in, to wish well, and to esteem. Our goal as Christians is not only knowledge; our main guiding principles are to love God and love and exhibit kindness to others.

But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved]. -1 Corinthians 8:3 (AMP)

As verse three states, those who love God are known by God. God loves them, and they belong to Him, children of God.

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. -1 John 3:1 (ASV)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, our guide, our strength, and our protector. Guide us in Your truth and light. We are thankful that we are known by You and for Your unconditional love for us. May our love for you be shown in all we do. Like the blue hydrangea flower brings joy to summer days, let us flower and spread Your joy and love to all. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Humble and Gentle: Ephesians 4:2

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. – Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

In this verse, Paul explains how to live in a way that honors God. He is urging believers to turn away from their prior lifestyles and embrace a new Christian lifestyle. As followers of Christ, we are encouraged to emulate Jesus. Jesus lived a humble life He was born in a manger, entered Jerusalem on a donkey, and acted like a servant washing His disciples’ feet. He extends grace and mercy to all, regardless of social standing. We need to follow Jesus, set aside our pride, be gentle, and humbly serve others.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:29

Jesus exhibits gentleness. He treats people with compassion, forgiveness, and love. He shows kindness to sinners, heals the sick, and treats people with respect and love.

As Christians, we learn to follow Christ’s example by being humble, and gentle, serving others, and treating everyone with compassion and love.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your mercy and grace. Help us to become more Jesus-like in our actions. Teach us to act humbly and be gentle in our actions. Like the petunia blossoms are open to the sun, let us blossom in faith and be open-hearted, following Your Son. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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Actions and in Truth – 1 John 3:18

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth
1 John 3:18 (NIV)

John says in this verse that to love with words is not enough; that love requires meaningful actions. We are to love in action and in truth. We don’t need to serve others to be saved; through God’s grace, we are saved.

We serve others because we are saved; Jesus died for our sins. We should serve others through loving actions like Jesus. We can love with words but need to show love through our actions.

Actions and truth go side by side. The truth is what we believe as Christians, and what we believe should be demonstrated by our actions.

18 My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality.
1 John 3:18 (MSG)

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Is your love shown by action and in truth?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. Guide us and help us to grow more like Jesus. Teach us to exhibit actions that show Your truth and light. Like the bright and open flowers of the potentilla, let us open our hearts to love and brighten other people’s lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Happy Easter, my friends!

Simply Love – 1 Timothy 1:5

5 The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love – love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God.
1 Timothy 1:5 (MSG)

Timothy was left in Ephesus to make sure teaching stayed on track. False preaching was leading to bickering over pointless issues and meaningless speculations. They were so caught up in controversy that they missed the importance of loving God and others.

Paul explains that false teachers are not motivated by love; instead, they raise controversy by pushing false doctrines and dwelling on spiritual pedigrees. A true Christian leader needs to be motivated by love, simply love. Love comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

Christians should exhibit a love of God and love for others, a life open to God.

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Do you radiate love, simply love in all you do?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father guide us and protects us from false teachers. Help us not to be self-centered but have our actions and behaviors, radiate love, simply love. Teach us to have a pure heart and sincere faith. Like the bright and beautiful flower of the bleeding heart plant, let us shine with your brightness and flower with Your love. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen

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Kind and Compassionate: Ephesians 4:31

31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32(NIV)

Paul is writing from prison; he is extolling the Ephesians to live the way God’s people should live.

4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
Ephesians 4:4

He explains how to thrive in the power and grace of Christ rather than stumbling in sinful actions. Instead of holding on to bitterness, rage, anger, slander, and quarreling; embrace kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. Be forgiving like Christ God forgives you; live as children of light.

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred.
Ephesians 4:31 (ISV)

When kindness, compassion, and forgiveness; are embraced, bitterness is replaced with love and care for each other. As Jesus said, the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)

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Forgiveness encourages compassion and kindness and brings peace. Are you able to let go of anger and rage and forgive?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father teach us to let go of anger and bitterness; and forgive. Teach us to be kind and compassionate, tender-hearted with a Christ-like attitude of love. Like the begonias and chrysanthemums in the photo grow together and thrive, let us learn to forgive and love one another and thrive. In Jesus’ holy loving name. Amen

Freedom: Galatians 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13 (NET)

In the United States of America, today is Independence Day, causing me to think about freedom. Freedom through Christ. How are we free? By following the teachings of Jesus and by being His disciple; by believing in Him, and walking in obedience. We obtained freedom by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Through our faith in Christ, we live in freedom, freedom from the slavery of sin; our sins are forgiven. We belong to God; we are His chosen.

In freedom, we are allowed to make choices. Choices we will be held accountable for. Our freedom is not to be used as an excuse to indulge ourselves, but instead to serve one another in love.
As the Message bible version of Galatians 5:14 states: “For everything, we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.”

^13-14It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.
Galatians 5:13-14 (MSG)

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By God’s grace, we have freedom. Is your freedom as a Christian focused on self-satisfaction or on serving others in love?

Prayer; Lord Jesus, we thank you for setting us free from slavery to sin. We thank You for the freedom you have granted us through Your grace. Guide us to use this freedom to be more like You in our actions. As the Gomphrena, Fireworks pink blossoms with tiny yellow flowers spread outward in all directions; let us spread Your love outward to others, in all directions. Amen