Love as Brethren – Bears all things

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. Happy new month. We thank the Lord for bringing us to the month of July, the 7^th month in this wonderful year 2012.

Primary Text

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren …” 1 Peter 3v8 (KJV)

1 Corinthians 13v7 tells us that “Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, ...” (AMP); “… never gives up…” (NIV); “… Puts up with anything…” (MSG). God is love. Before we became children of God, we were sinners, yet God sent Jesus to die for us (see Ephesians 2v1-7 below). But there are many out there who still do not believe in God. 2 Peter 3v6-7 (AMP) goes on to tell us that “Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape you, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.” Love does not give up, it bears up under anything and everything that comes. Because of God’s love for us, He sent Jesus to die for us and to continue to be patient towards those who are not yet believers. Romans 2v4 (AMP) says “Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God’s will)?” God loves you and He cares.

Supplementary Text

“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2v1-7 (NLT)

Father, I thank You for Your love for me. Father, thank You for not giving up on me, in Jesus name, amen.