This is the 3rd of 7 devotions with the theme
From 1 Corinthians 13:5
Love Does Not Insist On It's Own Way
AGREEABLE DISAGREEABLE
by
Kent Clifford Cooley
(Adapted from 1
Corinthians 13:5; 2 Timothy 2:24-25)
I was working with a group of Christian carpenters. We met every morning for breakfast with other
believers. Our breakfast table was
represented by several different Christian based beliefs, men from Pentecostal
backgrounds to Shriners. There were
those who believed in unconditional eternal security and unconditional
predestination and those who did not. The
Christian carpenter whose beliefs were probably the closest to my own always
seemed to make an effort to find some point of disagreement between us and it
always stirred up strife and anger at the table. This man’s dad, who has been a pastor for
over 20 years came in and joined us on occasion. Even though he and I had obvious different
opinions on some issues, each time our discussion would center on the need for
revival which was an area of agreement.
We talked about how a move of God would change people’s lives and how it
will take the anointing of God to break yokes of bondage over people. We would feel the presence of God around the
table and feel the spirit of revival right there in the restaurant. This pastor and his son had almost identical beliefs,
however the son looked for things in which to disagree with me and the other
men about, but his dad looked for topics in which we had mutual understandings
and agreed upon. I believe the key to
this pastor’s longevity in his ministry has been his love walk. Love does not insist on its own way. Paul gave explicit instruction to Timothy
concerning this.
Refuse
and have nothing to do with trifling
and ill-informed
controversies over ignorant questionings,
for you know that they foster strife and breed
quarrels.
The
servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome.
The
servant of the Lord must not fight and contend.
Instead,
he must be kindly to everyone
and
mild-tempered, preserving the bond of peace.
Father, thank You for the instructions
of love in Your Word and thank You for the daily reminders of the distinctions
between what love is and what it is not.
You are the ultimate example of love and I want to be a man of love,
just like You. I want to walk in love
and walk in agreement with you and with others.
Help me to search out that point of agreement with another and glorify
You.
© LoveWalkPublishing Devotion Authored by KentCliffordCooley
TIMOTHY
(Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Timothy 2:24-25; Philippians
2:14-15)
Verse
Timothy, my son, refuse trifling,
For you know they gender
strife
And you know they breed arguing
Chorus
Do all things without murmuring
Do all things without
disputing
Showing yourselves to be blameless
And harmless the children
of God (repeat)
Bridge
The servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome or fighting
The servant of the Lord must be kind to everyone
Preserving
the bond of peace
© LoveWalkMusic
WordsAndMusic
by KentCliffordCooley
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