Tag Archive | love

Hands That Serve

Dec22

Cleanse your hands for the coming of the Lord is near.

Cleanse your hands, for it is your hands that serve. And hands that serve, serve to express the heart of the man. There are many ways to serve but, while man looks at the hands, I look on the heart. For the heart does not lie; it is in the heart that truth resides.

I alone am able to judge the heart of man,

For I alone see the truth of the heart.

And I alone am able to produce a heart of truth.

You see, man can give without any thought of kindness behind the act of giving. Man can serve with no desire to serve but, from compulsion, perform what is ‘expected’.

Filthy hands.

Wash your hands by cleansing your heart and, out of a pure heart of love, offer your gift. Of such a heart I will receive. Of such a heart I will be pleased.

Clean Hands–Pure Heart.

You see it’s not about the hands, but a matter of the heart. Serve Me with a pure heart.

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” I Corinthians 4:1-2

“You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble, brethren, against one another, that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the doors.” James 5:8-9

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart.” I Peter 1:22

“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God.” I Corinthians 4:5

“Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.” II Corinthians 9:7-8

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.” Psalms 24:3-6

 

Wisdom Is

Dec17

Wisdom is the magnet that draws you close. If you seek Me, I will come to you and, just as a magnet draws, wisdom draws. Just as the two draw together–the closer you come–the stronger the draw becomes. When you come very close, the two lock together as one. It would take your determined force to pull us apart.

“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.” Psalms 51:6

Lock in to My Presence

Seek My Wisdom; you have found Me.

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” Proverbs 8:17

Now view that magnet again. When it is turned around as opposing, you cannot make it connect. The closer they become, the more you feel the force opposing. So it is with evil, I cannot draw to it, and evil cannot cling to Me.

“The Lord is a stronghold to him whose way is upright, but destruction to evildoers.” Proverbs 10:29

I have no connection with the devil,

and he has no attachment to Me.

Do you see now that I AM not the author, creator, of anything evil in your life? All that clings to Me is good. All that I AM is good! Cling to Me and you shall find, then, that you are wise for…

I AM

“God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord.'” I Corinthians 1:28-31

“–Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is vain that the scripture says, ‘He yearns jealously over the Spirit which he has made to dwell in us’? But he gives more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore to God and he will draw near to you. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4:4-8a

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.–” Proverbs 2:6-10

“And now, my sons, listen to me; happy are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Happy is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who misses me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:32-36

 

 

There’s No Better Way

Dec3

The choice is yours, whether you walk the highway or travel the low path. Both lead to a destination, but is that destination your desired end?

You have a say in your future

You had your way in salvation; I gave you room to grow. You’ll have your day in judgment, should you not judge yourself by what you know.

“But if we judged ourselves truly, we should not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are chastened so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” I Corinthians 11:31-32

Clarity of vision comes from walking in My light; not ahead of it, nor behind, but My light is cast upon you when you walk with Me.

“For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light do we see light.” Psalms 36:9

So, if you choose to walk with Me, I choose the highway.

It is the right way for those who see. The diligent choose the more difficult route, for it is easy to walk without a thought; stepping on those you find along the way. ‘What does it matter?’ For tomorrow’s another day.’…

It does matter to Me!

If you choose to walk free, I’ll see to it that you are not snared with cares. But you must be diligent unto Me. It may seem a battle, this higher way. But, in time, wisdom gives you greater vision to see.

  • Work on one thing–determine to love.
  • Then take on the battle with your tongue.
  • Judge no other, for I would have you to judge yourself.

Handle these three and more will be in store. But for now, work on this–it is key; for the greater walk is to love your neighbor as yourself. There is no high way, no right way, no better way than this–

Love

“And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not pass over it, and fools shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:8-10

“The way of the righteous is level; thou dost make smooth the path of the righteous. In the path of thy judgments, O Lord, we wait for thee; thy memorial name is the desire of our soul. My soul yearns for thee in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks thee. For when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.” Isaiah 26:7-9

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:9-10

“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing. For ‘He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil.'” I Peter 3:8-12

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” Galatians 5:13-14

 

 

A House of Glass

Nov20

The structure would not be the same for a building of steel, as that of a building of glass. One would seem stronger, and yet, it takes greater strength to be transparent.

It is easy to hide behind a facade–as steel; to harden thy face, without the slightest trace of emotion or love. But that is a lonely place to be, always hiding–even from Me.

Oh can’t you see?

That it is love that draws others near…Love that stops the fear in a heart that feels split apart. The cries of a hurting soul reaches My ears…

“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry.” Psalms 34:15

I’m right here.

And I wait for you to see clear, and step out from the house you hold dear; that shell, the lie that holds you there.

Your heart stands still…

Until

Allow Me to be revealed in thee.

Allow Me to transform the condition of your heart–to give you a brand new start, and a house that is strong; not made from steel, but what you can feel…

Love.

A love that changes that house of steel to glass–relationship at last!

Love

It’s how I see you.

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:10-14

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:9-10

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:9-10

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” Matthew 7:1-2

“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

“Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

 

 

 

A Perfect Life

Nov8

There is a misconception about perfection. Most see this as a state to obtain–as if they alone have the power to become perfect. Be ye perfect, as I AM perfect; Be ye as I AM. I did nothing apart from the Father; I listened and said what I heard the Father speak; I did what the Father said do. I laid My life down that I may be glorified by My Father.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise.'” John 5:19

“Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is your God.”” John 8:54

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15

Understand there is no perfection outside of My Blood.

For all have sinned and fallen short; all have need of a Savior. Perfection began as a child; grew in knowledge and understanding; became obedient–even unto death, that life might come for all mankind.

“–since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” Romans 3:23-25a

The Perfect Life

You have the ability to achieve this by beginning at the end. By laying down your life, you begin anew–as if I was you.

“Truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:24-26

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me,

for I AM gentle and lowly; learn and you will grow. Learn that you may know, that the perfect life is the perfect sacrifice already made for thee.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29

Begin at the end that you may begin again…

“Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”” John 3:3

Perfection obtained through Me.

“The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.” John 17:22-23

“None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” Romans 14:7-9

“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

“You therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48

 

 

Will You

Oct20

Much will be lost by those who don’t receive. For just as a gift is offered, if you don’t take it, it never becomes yours but remains in the hands of the giver.

If you believe, you ought to receive.

This would be a blessing to Me.

Think if you were to plan the perfect gift for your child–excited to plan, delighted to prepare and offered in anticipation of their response. You watch in expectation of recognition–their face to light up with surprise and thankfulness. But they turn away. Indignant, indifferent, insincere, independent–in their sin they remain. For the gift that was offered was My Life, planned, prepared and given.

An offering of love, the gift of life.

My Life, for yours.

If you take it, then you receive. If you turn away, you don’t believe. Do you understand that to not decide is a decision? All roads lead somewhere. You can wait until you arrive to find out what road you have been on, or you can look to the signs to ‘see’ where you are headed; read the map to make a destination, and follow True direction.

My gift is offered. Will you receive?

Will you believe?

Will You

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14

 

 

The City Of Light

Oct17

The land that I have spoken of often is Zion. It is a city upon a hill–a beacon for all to see. For that city is Me.

The New Jerusalem

–a city of Light, for in it every face shines bright the Glory of the Lord; and all who dwell there know that one day they will go to the city of their King, the new heaven. It is a city of joy, for those who once knew no joy were ‘born’ there.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I created Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.” Isaiah 65:17-18

“On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Among those who know me, I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia–“This one was born there,” they say. And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her. The Lord records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah Psalms 87:1-6

Adulterers, murderers, thieves and the like are given a reprieve to find a life, once cast away–a body given to burn, may find new life in Me.

You need not wait for that hour late, for that will be too late–wrong gate. Call upon Me, while I may be found. Draw upon Me, while I AM near. For those who seek Me find it clear, that My Love is immense–it covers all the grounds and knows NO bounds. For those who turn from wicked ways, turn with their whole heart, and ask for a new start–never to part.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7

“–But this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2b

Grace

‘Amazing Grace’ is a song that is sung, but do they understand? My Grace that is given is Grace that is ‘won’ by decision!

Once you’ve begun, My Grace is sufficient; in My Power it is done–a new city you belong, where righteousness dwells–

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted in him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” I Peter 2:21-24

New Jerusalem

A city set apart; all inhabitants given new start. They shine, for My Glory rests upon a heart given fully to Me–thankful that never again do they find the need to flee. They’ve known the life of fear, and to them it’s abundantly clear–this measure of My Peace.

New Jerusalem

The dwelling place of God. A city set upon a hill–a city that shines, for the Glory of God invites all to come…

That’s Me, and may you say–that’s me!

“–We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps faith may enter in. Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee. Trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:1-4

“For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before me, says the Lord; so shall your descendants and your name remain.” Isaiah 66:22

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is heaven.” Matthew 5:16

 

 

Let It Flow!

Oct2

Your mouth holds the power to loose and the power to bind; it is the key that unlocks your heart. For out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water, but if you open not your mouth it shall not flow–a dam that binds a spirit so.

Your spirit is meant to be free, active and producing fruit.

Have you ever looked at fruit that has died on the vine? It is dried, shriveled, withered and if you touch it it falls–it is barely hanging on. If you don’t go near it, it will eventually fall on its own, even though the vine is still alive. The fruit dries, falls, because it became ripe, but had no use.

Open your mouth–make use of your spirit.

Out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water. You have the power to bind on earth and it shall be bound in Heaven. What you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven. You will free a man by speaking forgiveness. The act of your mouth, your choice to speak, opens your heart to truly forgive.

You can bind a man with words that perpetuate the sin or loose him with words of forgiveness and love.

“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:23

Your mouth is the key that frees your spirit to do My work.

Love–the key to your heart.

Your mouth–the key to your spirit.

Unlock them both and let it flow!

“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit. The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:12-14

“In the last day that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, ‘If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.’ (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” John 7:37-39 KJV

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another.” John 15:16-17

“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18

“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all  your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 22:37-39

“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.'” Matthew 18:21-22

“Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.'” Matthew 18:32-35

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.” Proverbs 10:11

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Your Spoken Harvest

Sep18

The battle is hard and long when you’ve spoken words that are wrong, and planted seeds of disrespect. Words strengthen and bring life or words attack and bind; of which do you choose to speak? Which would you prefer to be said of you?

Do as you would have others do

For what you give will be given unto you, therefore, plant for a harvest of love.

If you speak richly to another, their life will be filled; they in turn will have much to give others, and the fruit you then harvest will be sweet.

Always when you have a need, look to another to plant a seed. When you then meet the need of another, your deed will bless a brother, and your own need will be met as well. Take no thought for your own want, for that is what I have in mind. Rather, be kind and you will soon find, that sweet words are all that you tell.

You choose the feast–

Words that are sweet or harvest yet a bitter pill. For if the words that you find are unkind, likely, you’re speaking them still. The spoken word is your planted seed–

Speak for a harvest you’d rather receive

“Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:7-10

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

“For ‘He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it.'” I Peter 3:10-11

“Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. As each has received a gift employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace; whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 4:8-11

“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.” I John 4:7-8

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11

“So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law of the prophets.” Matthew 7:12

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.'” John 15:10-14

“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain salvation upon you.” Hosea 10:12

 

 

Love

Sep10

Eat what you love–give what you eat

For this is the basic rule of life. All flesh give of what they receive. What you love is what you will be and it will be evident in the words you speak; take in kind words and kind words will come out.

If you wish to change a harsh personality–take in more love and you will have love to give

To thirst for evil, and thereby eating it through your eyes and ears, you will then give it through your mouth and actions.

Guard your eyes.

Guard your ears.

Eat what you love, but make love your aim…

  • Eat it to give love
  • Eat it to live love
  • Be loved to be love
  • Be love, Beloved, be love

For I AM Love!

Learn of Me–eat of Me to truly live. Truly love to truly give–For this, My Beloved, is the basic rule of life…

LOVE

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:51

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” I John 3:1-3

“As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.” John 5:57

“I appeal to you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” I Corinthians 4:1-2

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:9-10

“–I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is base. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cleave to me. Perverseness of heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. Him who slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. The man of haughty looks and arrogant heart I will not endure. I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.” Psalms 101:2b-6

“Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” I Corinthians 13:4-7

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

“Make love your aim, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” I Corinthians 14:1

“–Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘my beloved.'” Romans 9:25