Loving Each Other - 1 Peter 4:8-10

-

 



Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:8-10

The impulse to do bad things subsided.

I'm a believer who needs my godly friends. It takes humility to rely on friends and grace to help them. The verse says, love covers a multitude of sins.

One way to look at that is that we need each other. And if love covers a multitude of sins, that means that friends know about those sins.

I am blessed to have godly friends that I reach to. They reach out to me too. We listen to and help each other. They remind me to be bold, to forgive, to make amends, and to be honest.

They are Christ-like though they might not ever describe themselves that way.

The other day, I was tempted hard. I reached out to two friends. One got the notification and texted me back immediately.

Knowing that there was accountability right then, gave me courage. A little while later, I noticed that the impulse to do the bad thing subsided.

Proverbs 27:9 says - Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

A Tornado Mess

See, without these friends helping me, I would be a tornado mess.

What I am instead is like a messy room that is gradually getting better as I pick up my dirty clothes. Because I can count on godly friends.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

God made us for fellowship. That's not just swapping stories over a hamburger, it's being real. We glorify Him when we do it.

Lord, help me be humble and seek help when I need it. Also, help me be gracious, being there when a brother or sister needs it. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rest in God Alone - Psalm 62:5-8

-
Image
  Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge. Selah - Psalm 62:5‭-‬8 CSB Recently, my hope, my faith was shaken. I felt like a kitten caught up in the jaws of a German Shepherd. I know to look to Jesus. I know. Knowing and doing are not the same. I can be real good with knowing, and weak on the doing. Today, I am in the middle of it all. And it comes and goes. I feel so far away. My feelings don’t know. My bible tells me the truth. The Psalm says to rest in God alone. Rest. What a beautiful short little stubby word. Rest. There’s only one place. Jesus. He is right here. He's not far.  Jesus gives me hope. I cannot generate it from within my belly. My hope does not come from me. Is that not an overlooked truth even for th
Read more

You Caused - Psalm 71:20-22

-
Image
You caused me to experience many troubles and misfortunes, but you will revive me again. You will bring me up again, even from the depths of the earth. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Therefore, I will praise you with a harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing to you with a lyre, Holy One of Israel. Psalm 71:20-22 This verse makes my head spin around and say, “Wait, what did that just say?” The Psalmist, talking to God says, “You caused me to experience many troubles and misfortunes.” God caused. Not the devil. In my imagination, when I hurt, I can wrongly think that God is far away from me. I can think He wishes I wasn’t going through it. That’s not what the verse says. God causes my troubles and misfortune. That’s heavy.  And of course He loves me. How can I get those ideas to synch together? Here’s the question: Why would a loving God do such a thing? Here’s my thought: over and over in the Bible God tells His covenant people to depend on Him. This must
Read more

Prayers for Everyone - 1 Timothy 2:1-3

-
Image
  First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior.1 Timothy 2:1-3 *Note: I used https://biblicalexegete.wordpress.com/2014/12/06/a-closer-look-at-four-different-types-of-prayer-in-1-timothy-21/ for Greek language help in this devotion. I am a believer, therefore by definition I am a praying man. That doesn’t mean that I’m very good at it yet. I have a lot to learn. I’m saying that believers pray. It is what they do. Prayer is wonderful. I get to enter the presence of the king of glory and talk to Him. What a privilege! God hears it all. He even hears me when I don’t get it to come out of my heart correctly. He translates it for me. And He wants me to keep getting better. He’s like that loving dad that loves watching me play baseball. He loves seeing me get a
Read more