Bible Quote Feb 28th 1 John 3:18

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” - 1 John 3:18

John had been close to Jesus. He had thought, for a long time, that Jesus had promised John would never suffer mortal death. But God keeps all of his promises. In some ways, John died at least twice. Killed by Romans who wanted to silence his cult, John survived and died later, possibly of old age. He wrote this letter in Ephesus probably around the year 98.

John and Peter, of all the disciples had a special relationship with Jesus. Jesus even allowed them time to commune with Abraham and Moses. John writes in a particular style that is also evident in his letters and in Revelations. Earlier, John had written that Jesus was the Word made flesh. That flesh was sacrificed by God, as a gift to those whom God loved, so that God could abide them Because eternal life is close proximity to God. And to perish is to be utterly riven from God.

Pastoral care is a strong part of any community. Clearly this Christian community had issues and cliques had formed. So John needed to remind them of what love meant.

This part of the epistle of John from Ephesus is on the outworking of love. Love is practical. Saying "I love you" does not convey the warmth of a sweater when it is cold. Offering a place at the dinner table means much more than shared admiration of dinner tables. A community in devotion to God does not have a depraved indifference to the welfare of her members.

Love is meaningless if the emotion does not engender action. A former Israeli PM was asked why Jews wanted Israel when they could settle in any third world nation of their choice? He answered “Why would you drive 20kms on the weekend to see your grandmother when there are plenty of elderly women on your street you can visit?”

Love is personal. It crosses generations

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Bible Quote Feb 27th 1 John 4:9

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” - 1 John 4:9

John had been close to Jesus. He had thought, for a long time, that Jesus had promised John would never suffer mortal death. But God keeps all of his promises. In some ways, John died at least twice. Killed by Romans who wanted to silence his cult, John survived and died later, possibly of old age. He wrote this letter in Ephesus probably around the year 98.

John and Peter, of all the disciples had a special relationship with Jesus. Jesus even allowed them time to commune with Abraham and Moses. John writes in a particular style that is also evident in his letters and in Revelations. Earlier, John had written that Jesus was the Word made flesh. That flesh was sacrificed by God, as a gift to those whom God loved, so that God could abide them Because eternal life is close proximity to God. And to perish is to be utterly riven from God.

Pastoral care is a strong part of any community. Clearly this Christian community had issues and cliques had formed. So John needed to remind them of what love meant.

If we focus on ourselves, and ignore others needs, we do wrong. It doesn’t heal us to ignore others. It harms us. The way to show love is to love. And to love, one becomes part of the community one lives in. You shouldn’t harm yourself through selfless heroics, but you should give. You don’t need to be rich to give. You can listen, you can soothe with kind words. Remember, God loves you.

God has given you a path you can follow. His gift to you also makes it easier on those you love. Because everyone is like you, and by you showing love for them, you show love for yourself as well as love for God. You don’t need an excuse to be kind. You need only be kind.

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Bible Quote Feb 26th Matthew 22:37-39

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

Matthew has, earlier in chapter 22, given Jesus' take on secular authority "Render onto Caesar," and then on the time when the dead re awaken. Here, Jesus says how we can follow God, by loving God. Then he declares how we can follow God, by loving our neighbour as ourselves. Because we are supposed to love ourselves, which makes it more advantageous to love God. But loving our neighbours as ourselves is a way of showing God devotion. There is little room for the utterly selfish.

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Bible Quote Feb 25th Jeremiah 29:11-13

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:11-13

Jeremiah was the second of the latter prophets and he is living from 627 BC to 582 BC, saying little of cheer to his audience.

The background to Jeremiah is briefly described in the superscription to the book: Jeremiah began his prophetic mission in the thirteenth year of king Josiah (about 627 BC) and finished in the eleventh year of king Zedekiah (586), "when Jerusalem went into exile in the sixth month." During this period, Josiah changed the Judahite religion, Babylon destroyed Assyria, Egypt briefly imposed vassal status on Judah, Babylon defeated Egypt and made Judah a Babylonian vassal (605), Judah revolted but was subjugated again by Babylon (597), and Judah revolted once more. This revolt was the final one: Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple and exiled its king and many of the leading citizens in 586, ending Judah's existence as an independent or quasi-independent kingdom and inaugurating the Babylonian exile.

Here, Jeremiah is referring to the state of Israel. Many interpret the passage personally. Because of Jesus, that applies.

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Bible Quote Feb 24th Proverbs 14:22

“Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.” -Proverbs 14:22

Life is abundance and it is a conceit that anything looked for can be found. Only, things come unlooked for, and they are not always good. Service is an important profession for a life. One can't go very wrong if they serve. Even the worst criminals, who claim they were 'just following orders' get lighter sentences than those who ordered them. If you plan for good things to happen, they might not happen, but you see the possibilities. If you plan for bad things to happen, they might not occur, and that is much more frustrating. 

These words are directly attributed to Solomon. He said "To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Wisdom puts order in the world. It is true that this who plot evil may obtain some success. But the abundance of life is not generous to them. Wealth creation is related to honest work. Theft is a zero sum game in which everyone loses. 

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Bible Quote Feb 23rd 1 John 4:18

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” - 1 John 4:18

John had been close to Jesus. He had thought, for a long time, that Jesus had promised John would never suffer mortal death. But God keeps all of his promises. In some ways, John died at least twice. Killed by Romans who wanted to silence his cult, John survived and died later, possibly of old age. He wrote this letter probably around the year 98. 

John and Peter, of all the disciples had a special relationship with Jesus. Jesus even allowed them time to commune with Abraham and Moses. John writes in a particular style that is also evident in his letters and in Revelations. Earlier, John had written that Jesus was the Word made flesh. That flesh was sacrificed by God, as a gift to those whom God loved, so that God could abide them Because eternal life is close proximity to God. And to perish is to be utterly riven from God.

Pastoral care is a strong part of any community. Clearly this Christian community had issues and cliques had formed. So John needed to remind them of what love meant.   

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Bible Quote Feb 22nd Romans 13:9-10

“The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” -Romans 13:9-10

There is sometimes a feeling that the hosts in the US can be a little overbearing. You make an excuse to not go out, saying you feel sick, and they offer their doctor to you. A good host is gracious and will accept a reason on face value. Because if they don’t, it means they are suspicious. Loving others as yourself does not mean being over solicitous. Because life is not a sprint, but a marathon, and sometimes all one needs to persevere is to rest a little. 

If you love someone, you will not murder them. If you love someone, you will not commit adultery. If you love someone, you will not steal from them. You want domestic peace. You want friendship. You want to build your community. And remember, if you build God’s house, He will build yours.

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Bible Quote Feb 21st Proverbs 17:9

“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” - Proverbs 17:9

If you have not given up on someone, you find a way to accommodate them. Maybe it means that you give up something you wanted that they took. But, maybe it is tough love too, and you have to give up what you hoped for from them, so they can grow. It is not compassionate to give in to an addict or a bully. People need pointers in life, and to know which way is up, which way is the path to the kingdom of God, is a greater gift than being liked.  

But if you cling to your hope or your possessions, you deny an opportunity for the other person to grow. If you show yourself to be the appeaser to the bully, you may be the last person they sacrifice to their ego, but they will sacrifice you. It is wrong to drown people so that you can be called compassionate. 

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Bible Quote Feb 20th 1 John 4:11-12

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” - 1 John 4:11-12

If we focus on ourselves, and ignore others needs, we do wrong. It doesn’t heal us to ignore others. It harms us. The way to show love is to love. And to love, one becomes part of the community one lives in. You shouldn’t harm yourself through selfless heroics, but you should give. You don’t need to be rich to give. You can listen, you can soothe with kind words. Remember, God loves you.  

God has given you a path you can follow. His gift to you also makes it easier on those you love. Because everyone is like you, and by you showing love for them, you show love for yourself as well as love for God. You don’t need an excuse to be kind. You need only be kind. 

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A lesson on prayer

Prayer reminds us of who is in charge. You don’t take your requests to someone with less authority. You take them to someone who outranks you in the solutions department.

The same is true in prayer. You don’t pray just to let God know what’s going on. He’s way ahead of you on that one. You pray to transfer “my will be done” to “God’s will be done.” And, since he’s in charge, he knows the best solution. Prayer transfers the burden to God and He lightens your load. Prayer pushes us through life’s slumps, propels us over the humps, and pulls us out of the dumps. Prayer is the oomph we need to get the answers we seek. So, pray…today!

Max Lucado

Thank you Max, and Maria Tan for sharing. I am afraid. I feel alone. And oppressed. But God has been kind to me, and has held me in good stead. I go to hope in Melbourne. I have friends here and there. I am let down by bureaucracy, but who wants to trust that? I exercise and I’m getting stronger. But as with fishes and loaves, I have a hundred dollars to last me three weeks. Or not. Father, it is you I trust. 

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Bible Quote Feb 19th Romans 8:38-39

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:38-39

The persecution facing Christians in Rome at Paul’s time was strong. Much like that faced by Christians persecuted by Daesh death cult. It is said Nero used Christians as human torches to light his gardens. Paul faced that persecution, and died. But before he died, he provided this powerful testimony. There is no promise of lust or money, no threat of pain or destruction, no loss, which will prevent God from holding us as we call and serve Him. 

On his Journey to Rome, Paul was stoned, probably to death. But Paul persevered. 

We are challenged by Demons. But it is not our job to fight those demons. We should resist them. If we fight demons, we end up dancing to the tune they play. But God will fight them and win. It has been written in Revelations that He will throw them into a black pit. All you need do, is hold onto God.

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Bible Quote Feb 18th Romans 8:35,37

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” - Romans 8:35,37

In early Rome, attempts were made to stop Christian worship and restore traditional Roman pantheist worship. And in stoic Roman style, Christian worshippers showed their faith. Hundreds of years after Paul wrote this letter, a young Christian woman, a teenager, was sentenced to death for her faith. She faced a gladiator. Her father was in the stadium. The gladiator subdued her, but hesitated at the killing blow. She placed the sword tip at her throat and instructed the gladiator to thrust. She died Roman and Christian. Although we die, Christ holds us. Although we fail, Christ holds us. As we live, Christ holds us. 

Many Christians are persecuted for their faith today. Many will go their whole lives and not face worse than a reversal of fortune at work. How one dies may make a statement. How one lives makes all the difference. Live as though Christ holds you. It is ok to be outspoken for Christ. It is ok to pray silently. It is ok to let others know you are Christian. It is ok to serve. It is ok to be humiliated for Christ. It is ok to be wrong, and admit it and repent. There is only one way to lose. Reject Christ, continually and finally.

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Bible Quote Feb 17th 1 John 3:11

“For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” - 1 John 3:11
===
John and Peter, of all the disciples had a special relationship with Jesus. Jesus even allowed them time to commune with Elijah and Moses. John writes in a particular style that is also evident in his letters and in Revelations. Earlier, John had written that Jesus was the Word made flesh. That flesh was sacrificed by God, as a gift to those whom God loved, so that God could abide them Because eternal life is close proximity to God. And to perish is to be utterly riven from God.
Here, John is reminding us that the God of the Old Testament is the same as God in the New Testament. 

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Bible Quote Feb 16th 1 John 4:10

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” - 1 John 4:10
===
John and Peter, of all the disciples had a special relationship with Jesus. Jesus even allowed them time to commune with Abraham and Moses. John writes in a particular style that is also evident in his letters and in Revelations. Earlier, John had written that Jesus was the Word made flesh. That flesh was sacrificed by God, as a gift to those whom God loved, so that God could abide them Because eternal life is close proximity to God. And to perish is to be utterly riven from God.

God loves you. But God will not endure your rebellion to him. God has created a path so that He can love you and not see your rebellion. It is a remarkable thing, to be loved by God. To be loved by God is to have a home in paradise forever. And it is given freely to all, and those who accept the gift can have it.

Just like prayer is not answered if one does not pray, the gift of love must be reciprocated. If you are angry at God, and blame Him for your choices, then you aren’t listening to Him. Anger divides and hurts love, leading to a broken heart.

God made a path for you. You were lost to Him, but He found a way to retrieve you. It is your choice. But why choose to reject the gifts? Why break the heart of one who loves you?

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Bible Quote Feb 15th John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” - John 13:34-35
===
John and Peter, of all the disciples had a special relationship with Jesus. Jesus even allowed them time to commune with Abraham and Moses. John writes in a particular style that is also evident in his letters and in Revelations. Earlier, John had written that Jesus was the Word made flesh. That flesh was sacrificed by God, as a gift to those whom God loved, so that God could abide them Because eternal life is close proximity to God. And to perish is to be utterly riven from God.
Here, John is looking forward. The old commands of loving God and not following false idols is not extinguished by this 'new command' but it expresses the primacy required of following Jesus

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Bible Quote Feb 14th John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16
===
John and Peter, of all the disciples had a special relationship with Jesus. Jesus even allowed them time to commune with Elijah and Moses. John writes in a particular style that is also evident in his letters and in Revelations. Earlier, John had written that Jesus was the Word made flesh. That flesh was sacrificed by God, as a gift to those whom God loved, so that God could abide them Because eternal life is close proximity to God. And to perish is to be utterly riven from God.

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Bible Quote Feb 13th 1 Corinthians 13: 6-7

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” - 1 Corinthians 13: 6-7
===

A problem with academia is the promise of the sure result, is not matched with the truth, that every result must be continuously defended. And ancient Greece was the home of academia. Paul went to Corinth and shared his life as a Christian. And Paul returned. Frustrated. Hurt. Explaining again and again what he had meant as Corinthians split hairs.

But the result is a pure distillation of Paul’s message. We may know that God is love. Here we are told explicitly how it is practiced. Love does not waste time on evil, but bolsters and protects, hopes and perseveres. A young lover looks for their loved one to commit. There will be hard times, and there will be easy times. It is the choices we make in the hard times which define us. Some in hard times, choose to fight the devil. Don't concern yourself with that. Protect. Hope. Trust. And, persevere.

 And here we see how God loves. God has found your measure. God is worthy. And in service to God, we become worthy. 

If you love someone, you become more beautiful.

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Bible Quote Feb 12th 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

===

A problem with academia is the promise of the sure result, is not matched with the truth, that every result must be continuously defended. And ancient Greece was the home of academia. Paul went to Corinth and shared his life as a Christian. And Paul returned. Frustrated. Hurt. Explaining again and again what he had meant as Corinthians split hairs.

But the result is a pure distillation of Paul’s message. We may know that God is love. Here we are told explicitly how it is practiced. An eleven year old Girl lives with me, and boasts how a boy is broken hearted because she has rejected him. Many will experience rejection in their lives. This girl has experienced it because she will never be acceptable to her favourite K-Pop band member. But what does it look like when it works? And one day, for her, it will. And one day for him, it will. And here we see how God loves. When you were boasting of having rejected what had not matched your standard, God has found your measure. God is worthy. And in service to God, we become worthy. 

If you love someone, you become more beautiful.

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Bible Quote Feb 11th 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

This is the opening verse to an often used marriage reading. It highlights the need for love, and it continues

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.“

A problem with academia is the promise of the sure result, is not matched with the truth, that every result must be continuously defended. And ancient Greece was the home of academia. Paul went to Corinth and shared his life as a Christian. And Paul returned. Frustrated. Hurt. Explaining again and again what he had meant as Corinthians split hairs.

But the result is a pure distillation of Paul’s message. We may know that God is love. Here we are told explicitly why. More, Paul explains how we are to use that knowledge. We are to love as we do our duty. Christ, speaking for God the message of reconciliation with God. Not that people are god like. The ambassadorship is the message of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. We have eternal life. We have been made to live again. We do what is right out of love, and if we do wrong? We make mistakes, and we persevere until we do what is right.

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Bible Quote Feb 10th 2 Thessalonians 1:3

“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.” - 2 Thessalonians 1:3

It is good for things to be successful. It suggests that God is at the centre of things, and not pride. The only things that last are of God. But there is no secret to achieving such good work. Work in faith. And success should not suggest that the time has come for Jesus’ return. Delight in the good things, but remember it is prideful to inflate their meaning. 

Always thank God. Life and opportunity are entirely from Him. Hope is His promise. And even when you are challenged, He has tomorrow for you. And when you eventually fail, He will hold you. It is fascinating that by 2 Thessalonians 3:10, Paul is advising that those who don’t work should not be fed. 

If you love you will work. You will work to keep things, and to improve things. You work because what you have is good and you want more. And when you work in faith, your faith grows. This is Paul’s second known greeting to Thessalonians. And it is a greeting to you, too.

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Bible Quote Feb 9th Matthew 5:43-45

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” - Matthew 5:43-45

Jesus continues

“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Life in concentration camps was very hard. The SS Guards had tortured, raped, starved and killed inmates, as well as working them to death. The inmates were mainly Jewish, but there were also gays, gypsies, communists and Christians. Notably, following liberation, groups of female survivors forgave their guards, praying they would come to know God and not face persecution by secular authorities. Prosecutors even worried that prosecution would be undermined by the act. The survivors said that they needed to forgive so as to move forward with their lives. 

Jesus’ instruction is also wise. We need to forgive. We still retain a responsibility through secular authority to prevent abuses, but we need to forgive. And it is those who have wronged us who need to be forgiven. You don’t need to forgive those who love you. But you should love them.

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Bible Quote Feb 8th Psalm 97:10

“Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” - Psalm 97:10

In David’s time, God’s focus was on nations and tribes. He still worked with individuals. So the national character was needed to love God as well as the individual. 

As the Psalm opens, 

“The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
    let the distant shores rejoice.
Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him
    and consumes his foes on every side.
His lightning lights up the world;
    the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    and all peoples see his glory.”

But there is a warning

“All who worship images are put to shame,
    those who boast in idols—
    worship him, all you gods!”

And a promise.

“Zion hears and rejoices
    and the villages of Judah are glad
    because of your judgments, Lord.
For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
    you are exalted far above all gods.
Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
    for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
    and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light shines on the righteous
    and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
    and praise his holy name.”

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Bible Quote Feb 7th Proverbs 21:21

“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” - Proverbs 21:21

Righteousness is a big word. Solomon puts it before love. Pursuing love on its own is not something that works out well for people. But pursuing righteousness and love is rewarding. 

Recently, a shamed drunken footballer pretended to have sex with a dog when a woman turned him down. He had not pursued love righteously. 

Righteous is a word remodelled by William Tyndale, a bible translator, for the word rightwis, which approximates a word appearing hundreds of times in the Greek New Testament and Hebrew Old Testament. It might loosely translate in a modern sense as Right ways or right wise. The idea of being right before God is baffling to some. Sometimes, the righteous may break the law, or be extreme. Sometimes Pastors are wrong in their interpretation of the bible, and yet people are saved as a result. 

It is foolishness to pursue love. But to pursue righteousness and love echoes Jesus’ commandment at the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The reward for pursuing love on its own is of itself unsatisfying. Self serving is never as rewarding as serving God.

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Bible Quote Feb 6th Psalm 33:4-5

“For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” - Psalm 33:4-5

Many curse and spit at the Lord. They feel betrayed and angry. Because they have been misled and do not know the Lord. The earliest awareness of God was that He was the Lord of nations. Later, God wrote His word on the hearts of all. But anti God memes cover anything. So one meme has it that God is too big for you. Or God is too big for reality. Or God is so small, God doesn’t like things you do. Or that some nations aren’t worthy. Or that pleasing God is difficult. 

The memes are hurtful. God has authority and is deserving of praise. God loves you and blesses you and wants to be with you. God loves sincere praise by those He has blessed, which is all. 

No life is without challenges. And you will die. But it isn’t your death that matters, so much as your life. You make choices. And you can walk with God and carry authority in his name. But not everything you do is wise or good. And when you oppose God you don’t have the authority of his word. But just because you fail at something doesn’t mean you did wrong or that God hasn’t blessed you or doesn’t exist. 

God is bigger than any nation, bigger than you can conceive. And God loves you and cares about you, and worries about your choices.

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Bible Quote Feb 5th Psalm 18:1-2

“For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” - Psalm 18:1-2

King David is finally seeing the fruit of God’s promise to him. David had been blessed. He was a capable soldier and leader. He could sing and entertain. He stood up in faith when others were defeated. Yet David was besieged. His King, Saul, was jealous and wanted to kill him rather than serve God. 

Saul had been installed as King because the people wanted to have a King. Saul was anointed, but he failed. Saul wanted what Saul wanted, which wasn’t the same as what God wanted for his people. And so David, who was the best servant Saul had had, was a threat to Saul. 

The relationship between David and Saul is not isolated to them. In everyone’s life there is conflict. At school, at work and at home too. It is unlikely the rival is trying to kill you. But David’s response is not to fight, but to turn to God. And David encourages Saul to do the same. And the Lord gave as He promised.

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