July 27th

July 27th

Read: 1 Cor. 13:4-8; Eph. 4:30-32; Mark 12:28-31

I know a family torn apart because two of the daughters wanted their mother’s old fur coat when she died! Sides were taken and the two groups barely speak to each other, even after many years. I know a church split asunder over whether to build a new church or to renovate the old building. We are so touchy. We are so sure that we are always right and others wrong. We fail to love others as ourselves in such matters, and so we fail to love God. We cannot love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and be out of order with others, especially other believers.

Think of how we grieve the dear Holy Spirit over such things. He must shake His head over His children’s behavior to each other. His instructions are to `esteem others better than
self’. (Phil. 2:3) We owe Him our salvation, our very breath. We owe Him obedience too.

LOVE’S LESSON
Oh Lord, when I begin to fret
About insults and slurs I see,
Remind me love is valid yet;
Help me forgive to full degree.
Then help me, Lord, wholly forget
The hurt which cost such agony.
Review the lesson of my debt;
Teach me to see You suffer me.

Prayer: Dear God, Your love sustains me in all circumstances. Forgive me my lack of love to You and to others. Teach me to forgive fully and never to think of the hurt again.