Genesis chapter 24 and verse 67 always strikes me because of its simplicity. Isaac and Rebecca had met for the very first time but it says she became his wife and he loved her.

In new testament Greek the predominant word for love is "agape." This is an unconditional love, an act of our will, by faith. This is how God loves us (John 3:16). We are called to "agapao" one another as Christ loved us (John 13:34). It always impresses me that husbands are admonished to set the tone for love (agape) in their marriages (Eph. 5:21-33). They are the ones admonished to love in that passage.

This love or “agape”, for others is patient, pure, humble, controlled, kind, polite; thinks God's thoughts and abhors evil. It is never selfish, it is full of faith and never fails (1 Cor.13:4-8).

In any relationship, “agape” is the foundation but affection ("phileo" in the Greek) is also important; the fondness, tenderness, proclamation and demonstration of love (Rom.12:9,10).

Let us let the Apostle John have the final word: "my little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John.3:18; KJV). Isn't that what God did for us? (John 3:16) Wow! Enough said!

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Peter in his first epistle tells us that God: “resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5; KJV). To walk in humility and have a humble heart are cardinal virtues of the Christian. We are commanded to humble ourselves before God. (1 Peter 5:6)

Jesus is our greatest example of one humbled before God the Father. Jesus gave up the privileges of the God head to come to earth as a man and humbled himself to the point of death on a cross (Phil 2:5-9). Notice that as a result of Jesus humility God was able to exalt him. God will also exalt the man or woman that will humble them self before God. (1 Peter 5:6)

What does it mean to be humble, to walk in humility? The words mean to make low, to be modest, to see ourselves as small and limited without God but able to do all things with God’s help (Phil 4:13). Perhaps the most significant part of the meaning of these words is that we need to be submitted to God and teachable.

Are we teachable? Can God address us in any area of our lives? To be teachable is not just to be a good listener but it is to allow the word of God to convict and change us and to be obedient.

Our teachability will determine how far we progress in our Christian walk, how much God can work in us, through us and for us. We are nothing without God. We need to humble ourselves and allow God to change us so we can be all he wants us to be. That’s the God kind of life. Pass this on.

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“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19-20; KJV). To me, “all your need”, means “all” and in every area of life.

Isn’t it strange that when we think of this promise we often look immediately to the world for our definition of prosperity. The bible warns about chasing after money or material riches (1 Tim 6:9-10) but yet God wants us to prosper (3 John v1).

Maybe we need God’s definition of prosperity and God’s plan for prospering? God tells us to seek him, his kingdom and his righteousness and then watch him take care of us in every area of life (Matt 6:33).

So, what is He saying here? I believe he is saying, don’t run after money and things, this will simply give you a headache (1Tim 6:9-10). Press in to God and his word; allow the power of the Holy Spirit on the inside of you to change you to be more like God each day. Pursue his plan and purpose for your life (Ps 139:16, AMP). Then the fullness of life that God enjoys will be yours; that abundance Jesus talked about (John 10:10).

In James 1:17 we are told that everything that is good and perfect is a gift to us from God and he never changes. This will include peace, fullness, joy, happiness, purpose and health, to name but a few. The things we need in the material realm to live on are also included and so much more. We just need to focus on him, pursue him and he will supply and prosper us. Focusing on the needs and leaving God on the side is a recipe for heartache. Pass this on to a friend.

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Sometimes we can be overawed or intimidated by the glory and power of God and feel inadequate or unworthy of him as we walk our walk upon this earth. It is important for us to realize that Jesus gave up the advantages and privileges of heaven and came to earth as a man, with flesh and blood (Phil 2:5-8). He had to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to minister on this earth just like you and I have to be (Matt 3:13-17). 

In Hebrews chapter 4, and verse 15, we are told that Jesus can identify with us as he was tempted in all the same ways we are, while he was on this earth, but he did no sin. Do you get the picture? Jesus came here as a man with flesh and blood and walked in our shoes just like us. He knows our state, our weaknesses and temptations, our trials and tribulations; He dealt with the same things while he was here. He knows where we are at and yet the word still says: “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Phil 4:13). 

Nothing is impossible if we have Jesus inside us. Be encouraged today, Jesus will never leave you or forsake you (Heb 13:5).

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Paul encouraged the Romans not to lag in diligence (Rom. 12:11). The Greek word for diligence is "spoudazo" which means to be zealous and do things with all our might.

The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about diligence and compares it to laziness, for example: "the hand of the diligent shall bear rule but the slothful shall be under tribute" (Prov. 12:24; KJV). The hand of the diligent person will be a good steward of their time and God given gifts; they will push through their circumstances with a vision of what God can do for them.

There are several scriptures that encourage diligence, for example in the Old Testament we are encouraged to diligently listen to the voice of the lord so we can experience God as our healer (Ex. 15:6). In Deuteronomy chapter 2 and verse 1 it again says that if we will listen diligently we will be overtaken with blessings. We are also told to teach our children diligently in that same verse. In Hebrews chapter 4 and verse11 we are told to be diligent to enter into rest; in Galatians chapter 2 and 10 we are told to be diligent in remembering the poor. These are just a few and there are more. I encourage you today not to lag in diligence but to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Rom. 12:11).

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