Makeover: A Whole New You by Mary Kane

Makeovers are all the rage. Everyone is striving to look their best. Even God is serious about makeovers. He has developed  a character makeover plan that will completely change our image. It’s not quick, easy or pain free, but it is very effective. To do the study Makeover: A Whole New You,” please click on the link!

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Love Those Verses

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day this week, I wanted to look at some of the verses in the love chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13. These verses are wonderful for us to aspire to. Lest we become discouraged of ever being able to live up to the standard that God gives us in these verses, however, I wanted to take a look at what these verses could look like in the real nitty-gritty details of life. I know that we all have times where we fail in trying to keep this high standard of love; after all, Jesus was the only One who ever loved completely unselfishly, but let’s look at some possible ways we could live out each verse.

 

Love is patient, love is kind.

  • I will keep my voice in a kind tone when disciplining my children.
  • I will not talk in a sarcastic manner to my spouse.
  • I will listen with my full attention.

Love does not envy, does not boast, is not proud.

  • I will be content with my house, with my furniture, with my clothes.
  • I will not boast about all my children’s latest accomplishments to everyone within hearing.
  • I will try to maintain a humble spirit when I do get something new or take that next vacation.
  • I will regularly count my blessings.

 Love is not rude; it is not self-seeking.

  • I will control my temper when I am driving.
  • I will be courteous to slow checkout-lane clerks.
  • I will wait my turn in the exit lanes of the highway and not speed up, hoping to wedge myself in at the last second so that I don’t have to wait in the long exit line.

 Love is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs.

  • If my spouse responds crankily to me, I will attempt to keep my temper.
  • I will not remember everything my spouse or children have ever done to hurt me. I will not hold grudges. What if God did this to me?
  • I will strive to have a good relationship with my in-laws.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.

  • I will speak the truth in love to my family and remember to show them the same grace that I would want extended to myself.
  • I will be truthful in my conduct at work, including how I spend my time there. Am I wasting time on Facebook or personal e-mail?

Love always protects, always trusts,always hopes, always perseveres.

  • I will choose the decision that aligns itself with God’s word. I will remember to honor my family and not speak badly about them.
  • I will not lose hope in God’s ability to work in every situation with myself, my family and my friends.
  • I will persevere in prayer.
  •  I will remember that God loves me.

Love never fails.

  • God’s love never fails. SO, I will extend grace to others and myself when people fail and disappoint me, or when I disappoint myself.

Do any of these verses speak to your heart? What are some ideas you could share with us on living out the love verses from I Corinthians 13?

Happy Valentine’s Day, and pray on!

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PS~Pray Specifically: Fear Not by Mary Kane

“I thought I would never be free from fear or survive Satan’s hideous attacks… and then I came to Christ. He changed everything. ” Please click on the link to read more about Fear Not.

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Take 5! Overcomers by Mary Kane

A critical spirit, lying, gossiping, bitterness. We all have something to overcome. Sometimes it may seem that we will never win our battle with sin. But God’s Word tells us otherwise. If we are in Christ, we are Overcomers. To do the study, please click on the link.

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Problems, Problems!

P.S.-Pray Specifically!

“Combining the power of scripture with the power of prayer.”

 

Please read Mark 9:17-29.

Like the father and his son in today’s passage, have you been dealing with the same problem for a very long time? Sometimes when a trial or challenge continues to oppress us, we begin to lose hope that we will ever be healed or delivered; we waver in unbelief. What should we do with our doubt or unbelief? Just as the man in Mark 9, take your unbelief to Jesus. Tell Him all about your doubts and ask Him for His divine help. And your Heavenly Father, who is your “refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble,” will come to your aid.
Please make this prayer your own by inserting your name or an appropriate pronoun into the blanks as you pray.
Dear Holy Father,
_______________ have/has been struggling with this issue for a very long time. Your word promises that if ___________ can believe, than all things are possible for me. Lord, ____________want to believe You, but I struggle at times with unbelief. Right now as best as I can, I cry out to You and ask that You help ___________ with my unbelief. Thank you Jesus that You now live to intercede on my behalf. Thank you that You are working all things for ________________ good. Please help me to trust in You with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding.
In Jesus Holy Name,
Amen

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Free to be a Slave by Mary Kane

Slavery has left its mark upon this great nation. The “land of the free” was once torn apart by the institution of slavery. During the Civil War, many brave men gave their lives to free their brothers and sisters from the bondage of slavery. Jesus also gave His life to free all people from the slavery of sin and death. Once we are released from the chains of sin we are free to become slaves of Christ. To do the Bible study “Free to be a Slave” please click on the link!

 

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