Daily Love Walk

THE DOOR OF HUMILITY / Grace

2012-03-17T08:42:00.002-03:00

This is the 5^th of 7 devotions with the theme

from Galatians 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 13:4

“The Fruit of the Spirit is Meekness (Humility)

and

"Love Is Not Proud”

(Adapted from James 4:6)

He gives us more and more grace which is the power of the Holy Spirit,

given to us to meet this evil tendency and all others fully.

God sets himself against the proud and haughty,

but gives grace continually to the lowly -

those who are humble enough to receive it.

For years I have pondered doors. Doors have been prophesized over me and spoken over me. I have dreamed about doors. I have visualized doors of prosperity and provision opening. I have worshiped with thoughts of doors in the back of my minds. We have had people call us and say, "God told me to tell you that doors are opening that no man can open and a door is going to open that only God can open." One pastor told us that three doors were opening in a particular part of the country and we based moving there on that prophetic word. We have written petitions to God about provision for doors and believing for certain doors of ministry to open. I have had my mind on doors and pondered doors for a very long time.

Recently I sat in a service and the pastor had us close our eyes and visualize a door in our imagination. That was easy. As we sat quietly, he told us to approach the door and rub our hands across it. Then he told us to knock on the door. We were to enter through the door in our imagination and observe what was on the other side of the door. After a time, the pastor asked us to describe what we saw in our vision. One lady said she saw a crowd of people and searched until she found Jesus in the crowd. One person said that she saw herself sitting by a river that was peaceful and serene. What I saw in my vision changed my thinking about doors forever.

I opened my door and saw a small table as in a café. It had a linen tablecloth and it was set for two - two glasses of what looked like red wine and a small loaf of bread. Jesus invited me to sit and dine at the small table. As I sat, I imagined myself communing with Jesus. I felt that he was telling me that this was the door - the door of humbleness, the door of belief and faith that I can come and sit down and talk to him and he hears and responds to me - the door to his table where everything is talked over and plans made and grace given. When it was time to open my eyes and walk away from that right-brained experience, I felt as if Jesus was saying, "Come back anytime, this table will always be set for you and we will work out every issue and make provision for every need and set you in place for kingdom work."

I now understand about doors. Doors are a heart matter with God. I walk through the door of humbleness and belief that I can commune with the Almighty and he covers all of my affairs with grace. And His grace opens the door for the power of the Holy Spirit to move and work on my behalf. Everything I need comes down to a matter of the heart. There is nothing that cannot be accomplished at his table.

©LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion authored by Rebecca Ann Cooley

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GRACE

Devotion: The Door of Humility

(Adapted from James 4:6)

Verse

He gives grace and more grace besides

Beauty for ashes, for sorrow He gives joy

For tears He gives laughter

Right here and now and hereafter

Chorus

He gives grace to live a holy life

He gives grace to do what’s right

He gives grace to love my neighbor

He gives grace when I surender

Bridge

It’s not easy to live a holy life

And some people are hard to love

But in my weakness, I am made strong,

The grace of God is shown

I claim it as my own

©LoveWalkPublishing

WordsAndMusic by Kent Clifford Cooley

MENTALITY OF HUMILITY / Glory and Honor

2012-03-16T00:00:00.005-03:00

This is the 4^th of 7 devotions with the theme
from Galatians 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 13:4

“The Fruit of the Spirit is Meekness (Humility)

and

"Love Is Not Proud”

(John 17:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22)

“I have given to them the glory and honor that you have given me

so that they may be one even as we are one.”

If Jesus has given us the same glory and honor that the Father gave to Him, what was the process in which Jesus received this glory and honor? He received glory and honor and exaltation and dominion by developing a mentality of humility.

Let this mind be in you which also was in Christ Jesus

who humbled himself even unto the death of the cross.

Therefore, God has highly exalted him

and given him dominion and a name above all names.

We receive the same glory and honor that the father gave the son the same way the son received it, by developing a mentality of humility.

Father, I make a quality decision to practice humility at the cost of not protecting my pride that wants to impress people and protect my self esteem. Sometimes when I choose humility, people may rub it in and I may feel belittled. Even though I feel belittled, I am going to stay inside of humility and take my losses in the sight of people. I am pursuing You. I am pursuing the same mind of humility that Jesus had. I am pursuing Your way to honor and glory. This goes against human reasoning but your ways are not our ways. The same glory and honor you gave to the son the son has given to me.

Child, my glory and honor are available to you because I have prayed to our Father for it for you. It is the way to be one in unity with Me. When you walk in humility and lower expectation of yourself, the world will definitely recognize Me and sense the love of our Father.

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GLORY AND HONOR

Devotion: Mentality of Humility

(John 17:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22)

Verse 1

We were the sinful kind,

O Lord what did You find to attract Your love

Such mercy from above

You were the richest king

The mighty God of everything

Yet You humbled Yourself to wear a robe of flesh

Bridge

You lifted us up out of sin;

You gave us the spirit to win

Our broken hearts you kindly did mend

Then you promised to come back again

Chorus

Glory and honor,

Majesty and power belong to You O Lord

We bless Your holy name

You're evermore the same

We glorify You

Verse 2

Now we are royalty

And in eternity we will reign as kings

And priests forevermore

We wait for the heavenly prize

The glorious day when we all will rise

In Your likeness Lord,

To wear a robe of white

Words and Music by

KentCliffordCooley / Mike Shreve

Devotion by KentCliffordCooley

RELIGIOUS PRIDE EXPOSED / What Did Love Say To Do?

2012-03-15T08:35:00.000-03:00

This is the 3^rd of 6 devotions with the theme

from Galations 5:22 And 1 Corinthians 13:4

“The Fruit of the Spirit is Meekness (Humility)"

"Love is not proud"

(Adapted from John 16:1-4)

We received a letter some time ago that exposed religiousness in us. The person wrote explaining that our approach over the years to her had been so biased that she could not see past us to see God. We were stunned and immediately began to search our hearts for truth. Were we religious? Were we a stumbling block instead of a guide to God?

We responded by asking for her forgiveness and admitting religious pride. We chose to humble ourselves and we guarded ourselves against becoming defensive. This softened her heart and in just a few weeks, she had a divine encounter with God and gave her heart to Him. This didn’t happen because we knew the path she should take and made her aware of it with religious words. She gave her heart to God because love rode on the wings of humility and meekness to her. We chose to admit we had been religious, apologized and asked for her forgiveness. This had an effect beyond any instructions we had ever given to her. Religious pride is counterproductive to anything God is doing.

Jesus warned us about religiousness. That is probably one of the reasons love is the greatest commandment. Love expels and casts out fear and it also drives out religiousness. Religion caused the Pharisees to not even consider the miracle working power of Jesus because He was not doing it the way they thought it should be done. Do I miss what God wants to do in a person’s heart because that person is not responding the way I think they should? Do I look through the eyes of religious or do I look through the eyes of love?

“I have told you these things so that you should not be offended. I teach you about love so you will not be taken unawares and falter yourselves or cause someone else to stumble and fall away. It is the Holy Spirit’s role to convict and convince about sin. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring uprightness of heart and expose sin. Allow the Holy Spirit to judge and do not take on that responsibility yourself. The prince of this world is judged and condemned already and his sentence is already passed. Allow the Spirit of Truth to guide you into all truth. He will speak a message of hope and love to hearts that are receptive. And only He will convict and expose sin.

Lord, forgive me for the sin of religiousness. It is not up to me to expose sin or convince someone of error. It is my job to love and to expose You. I want people to see You in me. I renounce religion and I recommit myself to Your love by expressing concern and compassion to others instead of judgment and condemnation. Thank you for divine instruction leading me to love.

Authored by Rebecca Cooley

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WHAT DID LOVE SAY TO DO?

(Adapted from John 14:8-11)

Verse:

Love is patient, Love is kind,

Love is not jealous, Love is not rude,

Love does not insist on its own way

Love is not self seeking,

There is no law against love (repeat)

Chorus:

It was about love and not about rules

When Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath Day

It was about love and not about rules,

What did love say to do?

Bridge:

Without love there is no value,

There is no meaning to anything at all

Without love there is no purpose,

There is no rhyme or reason to anything at all

Words&Music by KentCliffordCooley

LOVE AND HUMILITY VERSUS PRIDE / Love Displays Humility

2012-03-14T07:43:00.001-03:00

This is the 2^nd of 6 devotions with the theme

from Galations 5:22 And 1 Corinthians 13:4

“The Fruit of the Spirit is Meekness (Humility)"

"Love is not proud"

(Adapted from Proverbs 27:2, Luke 18:11, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 5:22)

Looking down on another individual, the Pharisee prayed, “I thank you, my God that I am not like this sinner. I fast two days a week and I pay my tithes . . .” He walks away feeling good about himself, believing God is pleased with his religious thoughts. This Pharisee is absorbed with self-importance and his pride condemns him.

Looking at himself, the sinner rents his clothes and cries out to God, “Father, be merciful to me! I am a sinner!” He stands still and searches his own heart, believing that God has mercy for him. This sinner humbles himself and receives grace.

There are so many examples in Scripture of prideful, religious, legalistic people like this Pharisee. Pride causes a person to abandon the love of God. Jesus constantly positioned the Pharisees and the religious order of that day to choose pride or to choose love. They chose pride almost every time.

Love and pride are incompatible. Love and humility are inseparable. Pride curses the darkness. Love lights a candle. Pride is dogmatic. Love says “Come let us reason together.”

Father I chose love today. I dismantle and tear down pride in my heart. Cover my religious heart with the blood of Jesus and remove all of the self-importance in me. Instead of cursing the darkness with religious thinking, I will light a candle of love. Thank you for exposing my religious pride and leading me, today, in the way of love.

©LoveWalkPublishing

Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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LOVE DISPLAYS HUMILITY

Devotion: Love & Humility Versus Pride

(Adapted Proverbs 27:1-2, John 13:2-3, 1 Corinthians 13:4)

Let another praise you and not your own mouth,

A stranger and not your own lips (repeat all)

Love and humility are inseparable

Love and pride are incompatible

Love displayed humility,

Putting on the attire of a servant

Love washed His disciples’ feet (repeat 2 times)

Love is not proud, Love is not vainglorious

Love displays humility, and I’ll display humility

Love displays humility and I’ll display humility

©LoveWalkMusic

Words&Music by KentCliffordCooley

THE HUMILITY CONNECTION TO WORSHIP / Everyone, Yes Everyone

2012-03-13T00:00:00.005-03:00

This is the 1^st of 6 devotions with the theme

from Galations 5:22 & 1 Corinthians 13:4

“The Fruit of the Spirit is Meekness (Humility)"

"Love is not proud"

(Adapted from Luke 14:11; John 15:5)

Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22 )

One fall day in 1975, as a young 15 year old southern gospel enthusiast, I was delighted to see a new double, long-playing, live album by one of my favorite groups which I will not name. When I took the recording home from the Christian bookstore and put it on the turn table, I could feel such a powerful presence of God on the music, singing and the short periods of preaching in between songs. Four years later, the same group came out with another double, live album which I bought with the same high expectations as the first one. Fully expecting to enjoy this album the same, I was disappointed that I did not feel the strong unction of the Holy Spirit as was so obviously on the first one in 1975. On the first recording, the singers lifted up Jesus and declared the praises of God. On the second live project, four years later, they mostly declared the praises of the group and how many awards they had won. What a difference there was in those short four years.

I traveled with an evangelist during the 80’s who had a prophetic dream concerning me. He said that he saw me singing “I exalt You, I exalt You.” And then he heard the Lord say, “I exalt you, I exalt you.” The scripture declares . . .

Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Father, I do exalt You. I lift you up.

I humble myself before you and glory in you alone.

KentCliffordCooley

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EVERYONE, YES EVERYONE

Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22)

Verse 1

Everyone, yes everyone

Who exalts himself shall be humbled

Everyone, yes everyone

Who humbles himself shall be exalted

Chorus 1

I Exalt you Oh Lord, I Exalt You oh Lord

I humble myself before You (Repeat)

Verse 2

Without You I can do nothing

Verse 3

I can do all things through you

Chorus 2

I exalt you my child

You’ve humbled your self before Me (Repeat)

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

GOD'S SYSTEM OF PROMOTION / Good Steward

2012-03-12T01:31:00.001-03:00

This is the seventh of seven devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness"

(Adapted from Galatians 5:22; Luke 12:42, 16:10-12, 19:17)

In the past, when we have moved to serve with another church, I have felt a prophetic canopy of the presence of God come over us and I would prophecy. One particular time when we were in transition, I was driving the truck loaded with all of our belongings and Rebecca was driving the car in back of me. I called her on the cell phone with a word from the Lord. This word became the instruction for the next season of our ministry. This was what the Lord said,

“Rebecca, this is God’s system of promotion;

If we are faithful over small things,
God will make us ruler of many things.

If we are faithful over what is someone else’s,
God will give us what is our own.

If we are faithful over money,
God will give us true riches.

And if we are faithful over the secular,
God will give us ministry.”

This was such a profound word to me that it has been instruction for my life and ministry ever since. I have come to know that God will not violate these principles.

Father, I know now that these are the keys to promotion. I confess that I am faithful over small thing, I am faithful over what is someone else’s. I am faithful over money. And I am faithful over the secular. These are the keys to my own promotion. You will make me ruler over many things. You will give me what is my own. You will give me true riches. And You will give me ministry. I have already been processing these principles in my life and I continue to do so as I live out my life as a good and faithful steward.

KentCliffordCooley

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GOOD STEWARD

Devotion: God’s System Of Promotion

(Adapted from Galatians 5:22; Luke 12:42, 16:10-12, 19:17)

Verse 1

If you’re faithful over small things

I will make you ruler over many things

If you’re faithful over what is someone else’s,

I will give you what is your own,

I will give what is your own

Chorus

Good steward over all you’ve given me,

good steward, good steward, good steward. (Repeat)

You gave me a mind,

You gave me a body,

You gave me a 1. spirit (2.family),

You gave me job to do

Verse 2

If you’re faithful over money,

I will give you true riches

If you’re faithful over the secular,

I will give ministry, I will give you ministry

BLOOMING WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED / I Embrace

2012-03-10T22:43:00.000-04:00

This is the seventh of seven devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness"
This is the impartation devotion

(Adapted from 1 Kings 17:1-19; 2 Kings 2:1-9; Galatians 5:22; Luke 12:42, 16:10-12, 19:17)

How long was Elisha faithful to Elijah before Elijah’s mantle was passed to him? Elisha was Elijah’s assistant for years. Elijah trained Elisha as he served in his role as prophet of Israel. The one that Elijah mentored was to be an important part of God’s strategy to bring down Israel’s idol-worshiping leaders. Elisha, who started out his “ministry” as an assistant to a prophet of Israel, probably assisted in quite a few menial things to help Elijah. But at the height of his ministry, he was noted as the one who brought an end to the idol worship of Baal.

Have you ever felt that your ministry or your destiny lay dormant, inactive and hidden under someone else’s vision? Have you ever felt like you just wanted to do something for the Lord and make a difference somewhere, somehow in someone’s life? The key to Elisha’s promotion was in his faithfulness to Elijah. The key today is still the same – faithfulness over what is someone else’s.

Father, I take the key of faithfulness in my hands and apply it to what you have set before me today. Sometimes I feel like I am bursting with vision and pregnant with dreams and ideas. But I will remain faithful over the ministry you have assigned me to and I will bloom where I stand today. Tomorrow I will take the mantle you place on me as a promotion because I have passed the test of selflessness today.

“If you are faithful over small things,

I will make you ruler of many things.

If you are faithful over what is someone else’s,

I will give you what is your own.

faithful over money,

I will give you true riches.

And if you are faithful over the secular,

I will give you ministry.”

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I EMBRACE

(Adapted from Galatians 5:22; Luke 12:42, 16:10-12, 19:17)

Verse 1

I embrace where I am and I bloom where I am planted (Repeat)

Chorus

I love this city, I love these people.

I love You with all my heart and soul and might

(Repeat)

Bridge

If you are faithful over what is someone else’s

I will give you what is your own

(Repeat)

FAITHFUL OVER THE SECULAR / On The Job

2012-03-10T08:20:00.001-04:00

This is the sixth of seven devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness"

(Adapted from Matthew 5:16; Galatians 5:22; Luke 12:42, 16:10-12, 19:17)

One of our LoveWalkCovenantPartners gave us permission to share the following email exchange with you. Of chorus, I will not disclose the identity of our dear partner.

From our partner:

I really wish my entire career revolved around working for the Lord. What a better job than being surrounded by the work of the Lord! I want to work and serve others. I feel that is my calling. Things run through my mind like, opportunities to work for those less fortunate then myself, to serve in soup kitchens, those that are ill and lonely, in prisons spreading the Word of God. I pray that the Lord has this in His future plans for me. I do not fit in here at work and find myself praying so very hard for patience and understanding for those who either do not believe in God or do not think twice about Him. I need to be surrounded by people who love the Lord as much as I do, you do and all those people, family, friends that do also.

Please pray for me that the Lord has this in His will for me to be a true disciple of Jesus by caring and working in His ministry and spreading the true Word of His great love for us all!

Our Reply:

Remember that, when life happens to you, this is your opportunity to walk in love. It does not matter what people do to you or what they say about you. It does matter how you live your life before God in the midst of it all. While you have that job, you have an opportunity to engage a powerful kingdom principle "If you are faithful over the secular God will give you ministry. When the apostles received their calling, they were fishing. When Elisha was called, he was plowing. When Gideon was called, he was threshing out the wheat. Scripture says that "if you are faithful over earthly mammon, God will give you true riches. So your job is not a burden keeping you from doing ministry, It is the very key that unlocks the door of opportunity for ministry. While you are there remember that Jesus said "Let your light so shine so that they may see your good works and glorify the father."

Kent & Rebecca

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Devotion: Faithful Over The Secular

(Adapted from Galatians 5:22; Luke 12:42, 16:10-12, 19:17)

Verse 1

A long time ago, I heard the call,

“God’s looking for some people who are available,

I filled out my application, “Lord please send me”,

Knowing it was required to go where He sends me

Chorus

I’m on the job, working for Jesus, on the job, working for my Lord, on the job, bring forth the fruit of the Spirit

Doing what I can for the kingdom of God, may you always find me on the job

Bridge

Everything I do and I say, every song I sing, every prayer I pray, I do it all unto my Lord,

For I really know who I am working for

A FAITHFUL SHEPHERD / Leading Us Along

2012-03-09T08:41:00.000-04:00

This is the fifth of seven devotions And music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness"

(Adapted from Psalms 23; John 10:11-18)

David was a faithful shepherd. He took his job so seriously and valued his sheep so very much that he risked his life for them. He went up against both a bear and a lion to protect his sheep from harm. One day, while tending the sheep, David was thinking about the faithfulness of God. How better to describe the faithfulness of God than to describe the Lord as his shepherd. So he began to write . . .

The Lord is my Shepherd

I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows,

He leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

Bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid,

For you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.

And I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Father, we are the sheep of Your pasture and You are the Faithful Shepherd, watching over us. You are Jehovah Rohi, the Lord who is my Shepherd. You are the Good Shepherd of John 10. You go before us and behind us. Your love is all around us. We know Your voice and we will follow Your lead.

Kent&RebeccaCooley

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LEADING US ALONG

(Adapted from Psalms 23; John 10:11-18)

Verse 1

He’s the good shepherd watching over the sheep

Daily I’ll follow wherever He may lead

Upon the high mountain or through the valley low,

He leads me beside the still water

He restoreth my soul

Chorus

He keeps leading me along, leading us along,

Singing a song, singing a cheerful song

Ever I’m singing to Him I’m clinging,

Making right my wrong

He keeps leading me along, leading us along,

Singing a song, singing a cheerful song,

Ever I’m going, happy in knowing

He keeps leading me along, leading us along

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

FAITHFUL OVER MONEY / Live A Life Of Love

2012-03-08T06:30:00.001-04:00

This is the forth of seven devotions And music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness"

(Adapted from Isaiah 58; Galatians 5:22; Luke 12:42, 16:10-12, 19:17)

The Israelites inquired of the Lord during a fast that they felt should move the hand of God but, in fact, was only a religious form.

“We have fasted before you!

Why aren’t you impressed?

We have been very hard on ourselves

and you don’t even notice it!”

Part of God’s respond through the prophet Isaiah was,

“It is because you are fasting to please yourselves.

Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers,

you overwork them and you underpay them.”

The Israelites believed God would bless them if they only performed the right rituals. Their fasting was a mere external piety without repentance and right living. I must guard against the same wrong thinking lest I become committed to a religious form instead of focusing on walking in love and pleasing God.

I might not have a payroll to meet but occasionally I ‘employ’ a server in a restaurant to meet my need of a meal. If the restaurant only pays the server $3.00 an hour, then I undercut their income that hour of their day when I leave a small tip. If I hold back what is due that server, I will be in violation of love as described in Isaiah 58, and it will render my fasting & prayer useless

If an employer pays his workers as little as he can get by with, he is administering poverty to his employees and he sows to his own poverty.

If I fast but do not walk in love, my soul is not prospering and therefore I am not prospering. My fasting becomes a ritualistic pomp when it should be a time of self-deprivation in order to focus on God and please Him. Simply stated, I am blessed because I bless others.

“My child, If you are faithful over money,

I will give you true riches.

Be wise concerning your finances.

Trust me with the first fruits of your increase.

Owe no man anything except to love them.

Be a blessing and you will prosper even as your soul prospers.”

KentCliffordCooley

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LIVE A LIFE OF LOVE

(Adapted from Galatians 5:22; Luke 12:42, 16:10-12, 19:17)

Verse 1

Why have we fasted they say,

And You do not see it

Why have we afflicted ourselves

And You take no knowledge of it

You oppress your workers,

You overwork them, you under-pay them

Don’t just be religious but live a life of love,

A life of love

Chorus

Cry aloud and spare not

Lift up your voice like a trumpet

Declare to your people, their transgression,

And to the house of Jacob, their sin

Bridge

You can turn it around,

Be a blessing to everyone you meet,

Then your light shall break forth

And your healing shall spring forth speedily

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

THE HONOR PRINCIPLE / We Will Stand

2012-03-07T09:00:00.001-04:00

This is the third of six devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness"

(Adapted from Daniel 3)

“King Nebuchadnezzar, long live the king!

You issued a decree requiring all people

to bow down and worship

the gold statue when they hear

the sound of the musical instruments.

That decree also states, o king, that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace.

There are Jews, our king, namely,

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego –

whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon

who have defiled Your Majesty by refusing to serve your gods

or to worship the gold statute you have set up.”

You know the end of the story. The three Hebrew young men were thrown into the firey furnace because they did not bow to the king’s decree and the King of all Kings met them in the fire and rescued them out alive and unharmed. But have you ever thought about why Jesus rescued them after they went into the fire and not before?

These young men stood true to their beliefs and to God but they also spoke respectfully to the men in authority over them. They honored God by refusing to sin and they honored the king by submitting to his position of authority and speaking to him in a respectful way.

This miracle was wholly connected to this spiritual law. Honor opened the door for the fourth man to enter that furnace. By honoring those that God appoints over us, we honor God and in turn, God honors us. The Hebrew boys were mistreated but because they did not use that as an excuse to be dishonorable, God honored them and they were promoted.

“Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to the province of Babylon.”

Father, I intend to walk in the honor principle. I want this spiritual law activated in my life. Mistreatment happens in little offenses every day and I am asking you to make me aware of the promotions that are available to me as I walk in the honor principle every moment, every day.

RebeccaAnnCooley

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WE WILL STAND

(Adapted from Daniel 3)

Verse 1

Who are those three standing

Who are those three

Who won’t bow to the idol

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego

Have something to stand for

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego

Know their Lord

Chorus

Do what you will

Nebuchadnezzar we won’t bow

We don’t know as of yet

What our God will do

We will stand for the King of Kings

We will stand for the Lord of Lords

We will stand

And the fourth man in the fire will stand with us

Verse 2

Who are those 3 standing

As they heat the furnace seven times more

The king threw them in

He said I saw three standing

The king looked again

He said I now see four

Loose in the fire walking around

One looks like the son of God

Verse 3

All around me they're bowing

To the idols set on high by earthly men

But I’ll not bend or bow

I’ve got something to stand for

I’m one of those who will shout it out

To the kings to all the land

Words&Music by KentCliffordCooley

THE SHEPHERD VERSUS THE HIRELING / The Good Shepherd

2012-03-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

This is the second of six devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness"

(Adapted from John 10:11-13)

My uncle was a Lt. Colonel and Chaplain in the Army and served tours in Vietnam. We love to hear stories of his service to his country. He tells about spending time with the soldiers and getting to know them. He would eat meals with the enlisted men and spend time with the soldiers who missed their families instead of joining the company of the officers and the more elite. He tells of stories of holding wounded men on the battlefield and waiting with them until they were rescued and taken to the hospital. Because he was a chaplain, he could have been exempt from the battlefield. He could have served in the capacity of his office far from the line of fire. He chose to be with the men who needed him. He chose to not leave them when they were under fire and in danger. He put himself in situations that he could have avoided for the sake of the soldiers whom he loved.

Uncle Nevin was not a hireling. He was a shepherd. His assignment was to care for the men who were risking their lives on the battlefield. A shepherd that regards his flock would risk his own life to defend them. When the wolf comes, a dedicated shepherd would still remain to protect them. To give his life means the same as not to fly, or to forsake his flock and to be willing to expose his life, if necessary, to defend them.

Love is brave. Love is loyal. There is a loyalty that the shepherd has for the sheep. Love is not cowardly. There is no fear in love. Love is not a hireling. A hireling cares only about himself.

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His own life for the sheep. But the hired servant, who merely serves for wages, who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters the flock. Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep and cares nothing for them.

Lord, thank you for the security and comfort You bring in these words. I can only imagine the comfort and security Uncle Nevin brought to the soldier who lay wounded in a foreign and dangerous place as he held his hand and waited with him for a helicopter to come and take him to safety. I feel comforted knowing that You are the Good Shepherd of my family and You care for us and keep us from the danger of the enemy. Lord, I don’t want to be a hireling. I want to fulfill the assignment You have given me in the role of a shepherd and not a hireling.

RebeccaACooley

Click here to view this week's music video on youtube

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

(Adapted from John 10:11-13)

Chorus:

I am the Good Shepherd

I lay down my life for the sheep

I am the Good Shepherd

I am not a hireling

Verse 1:

The hired hand merely serves for wages

He is not the shepherd

He is not the owner

When he sees the wolf coming

He runs for his life

The wolf chases

The wolf snatches

The wolf scatters the flock

But . . .

Verse 2:

I know I recognize my own and my own know recognize me

Even as the Father knows me and even as my Father

SMALL THINGS / Faithful

2012-03-05T00:00:00.019-04:00

This is the first of six devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness"

(Adapted from Galatians 5:22; Luke 12:42, 16:10-12, 19:17)

Suppose someone had a ministry that was very small. That person so wanted his ministry to grow and develop into a bigger ministry that he prayed and believed God for bigger things constantly. That person might also sow seeds, believing God to bless his ministry and cause it to grow. These are good and acceptable measures but if his heart is so prone to what he wants his ministry to be that he forgets to be faithful over the small ministry the Lord has already provided, then his pursuits are in vain. Faithfulness over the small ministry is the key to growth and the only way for promotion to come.

Lord, I apply myself today to what you have given to me. My ministry is where you have placed me in this season of my life and I am thankful and intend to be faithful over it. I do want to be promoted and go to new levels of ministry but my attention is not on the promotion but on the journey at hand.

“Child of mine, my system of promotion is so very simple:

If you are faithful over small things, I will make you ruler of many things.

If you are faithful over what is someone else’s, I will give you what is your own.

If you are faithful over money, I will give you true riches.

And if you are faithful over the secular, I will give you ministry.”

Click here to view this weeks video on youtube

FAITHFUL

Devotion: Small Things

(Adapted from Galatians 5:22; Luke 12:42, 16:10-12, 19:17)

Verse 1

Despise not the day of small things,

Everything begins with a seed

Despise not the day of small things,

A seed can meet any need

Chorus

Faithful over small things,

I will make you ruler over many things (repeat)

Bridge

I don’t want to miss the key to promotion,

Promotion comes from the Lord

I don’t want to miss the key to promotion,

Promotion comes from being faithful over small things

PRACTICING LOVE ON PURPOSE / Faith w/o Works

2012-03-03T09:59:00.000-04:00

This is the sixth of seven devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faith"

(Adapted from John 5:29; James 2, Galatians 5:22)

Love is something we practice on purpose in obedience to the Word. As we practice love, kindness and gentleness, we are taking the bucket of our works and plunging it down into the well of salvation and bringing up the very nature of Jesus. We develop His love by practicing love on purpose and His very nature is extracted from us when we put His love into practice not by feeling but by faith. Faith without works is dead.

Lord, I want to put my faith into action and practice love on purpose. How do you want to develop my love walk so that Your nature is extracted from me and extended to others? How can my faith walk in the footsteps of Your love?

Child, if you love your neighbor as you love yourself, you will do well. Speak and act as one who will be judged under My instructions of love. Mercy and love exults victoriously over judgment. Just speaking faith is not enough. Faith is loveless and destitute of power unless it has deeds or actions of obedience to back it up. Your good works of faith will illuminate love and love will prove your faith. Your faith will cooperate with your works and together they will express My love. Your works of obedience as well as your allegiance to Me are pronounced righteous through love.

© LoveWalkPublishing Authored by Kent&RebeccaCooley

Click here to view today's music video on youtube

FAITH W/O WORKS

Devotion: Practicing Love on Purpose

(Adapted from John 5:29; James 2)

Chorus:

Faith without works is dead

Show me your faith, I’ll show you your works

Faith without works is dead

Show me your works, I’ll show you your faith

Verse:

Love is something we practice

On purpose in obedience to Your word

As we practice love, patience, kindness, gentleness

It is as if we are taking our bucket of works

And plunging it down into the well of salvation

Drawing up waters of Your mercy

Drawing up waters of Your love

Drawing up Your divine nature

© LoveWalkMusic Words&Music by KentCliffordCooley

LAZARUS / I Believe

2012-03-02T05:34:00.002-04:00

This is the fifth of seven devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faith"

Click here to view today's video of Rebecca's recitation on youtube

(Adapted from John 11:1-44)

Lazarus was sick. His sisters, Mary and Martha, were right by his side, attending to his every need. The Scriptures do not record the events of the day Lazarus died. Perhaps their last conversation was something like this:

“Lazarus, we have sent for the Lord. He will come. When He gets here, the Master will touch you and you will get well. We believe He is from God. He will heal you.”

“Yes, Martha, I believe He can heal me. I am so weak. I believe He will come. But Mary, Martha, if he doesn’t come, I still believe. . . .”

Lazarus died.

Mary and Martha believed that Jesus is the Messiah. They had seen Him heal the sick. They had seen His miracles. They know in whom they have believed. What they don’t know is that their faith is about to be deepened. The Messiah is about to pull a clarity out of their faith that will shake the little village of Bethany and beyond.

When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. Mary ran out to meet Him as he entered the village. “Master, if you have been here, my brother would not have died.”

“Your brother will rise again.”

“I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”

“Mary, I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who believes in me will never die. Do you believe this Mary?”

“Yes, Lord. I have always believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

“Where have you put him?”

“Lord, come and see.”

When they arrived at the tomb, Jesus said, “Roll the stone away.”

“But Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible!”

“I told you that you would see God’s glory if you believe? Lazarus, come forth!”

Lazarus walked out of the tomb, his hands and feet bound in grave clothes.

“Unwrap him and let him go!”

As Mary and Martha recovered from the awe of the moment, maybe they ran to Lazarus, pulled off his grave clothes, touched him, patted him, squeezed him, kissed him, hugged him and said, “Lazarus, you are alive! Look at you! You are not dead! You were dead! Now you are here! It is you! You walked out of that tomb! We love you Lazarus!”

Holding onto his sisters, maybe Lazarus looked over right into the eyes of the Messiah and said, “I told you girls that I believe.”

Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God and I believe that You can raise the dead, heal the sick, open the eyes of the blind or anything else You choose to do. I relinquish all doubt and unbelief that You will do these things in these days. As You walked through the faith of Lazarus and his sisters, walk on the wings of my faith, Lord, and cause people to see Your glory in these days. I believe You are the Resurrection and the Life. I believe, Lord.”

Recitation authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

Click here to view today's music video on youtube

I BELIEVE

(Adapted from John 11:1-44)

Verse:

Many believed on him that day

Because of the words they heard him say

Never a man spake like this man (3X)

How can he do these signs

These wonder working miracles unless

God is with him

Chorus:

I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe Thou art the Christ,

The Messiah, The Son of the Living God

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

LOVE MOTIVATES FAITH / Faith Works by Love

2012-03-01T00:00:00.006-04:00

This is the forth of seven devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faith"

(Adapted from Matthew 8:6-10; 1 John 4:16)

Today:

Lord, increase my faith! Child, increase your love.

When I sin I connect myself to sin and to death. All sin is basically a violation of love. Jesus broke down the Ten Commandments into two and said, If you keep these two you will not break the others because, if you love your neighbor as yourself, you will do no ill to your neighbor. If I am rude, I am connecting myself to hate and I am disconnecting myself from love and therefore from God. John plainly says that if I hate my brother, I am in darkness and cannot see the light. Those are strong words. Faith works by love when we act on love. When we chose love as reaction to life happening to us we are connecting ourselves to the love of God and to light. Our faith works! Our prayers are no longer hindered by that which is not love such as un-forgiveness.

2000 years ago:

Lord, my servant boy is lying at my house paralyzed and in intense pain. I will come and restore him. Lord, I am not worthy for You to come to my home. Just speak the word from where You are and my servant will be healed. Jesus marveled and said to those who were following Him, I tell you truly, I have not found so much faith as this with anyone, even in Israel.

Faith works by love.

Lord, this centurion was moved by love for his servant boy. He was motivated by love to see the boy restored to health. He believed that Your words sent to the boy would heal and restore him. Lord, how can I say I believe if I am not motivated by love? Forgive me for believing and declaring my faith without making love my top priority. I understand that love is the basis of my faith and love motivates my faith. Lord, You are so faithful to minister truth to me. I love You and I allow You to lay a foundation of love in me so that my faith will move mountains.

Authored by KentCliffordCooley

Click here to view today's music video on youtube

FAITH WORKS BY LOVE

(Adapted from Matthew 8:6-10; 1 John 4:16)

I said, Lord, increase my faith

He said, Child, increase your love

Love is patient

Love is kind

Love is not easily provoked

Dwell and continue in love

Dwell and continue in Me

And I’ll dwell and continue in you

Faith works by love (repeat 2 times)

DOUBT, FEAR, UNBELIEF & THOMAS / Thomas

2012-02-28T00:00:00.047-04:00

This is the third of seven devotions & music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Faith"

(Adapted from John 20:24-31)

I was not with the other disciples when they saw Jesus for the first time after His death. I was hiding because I was afraid they would come after me. Fear kept me from believing that they could have seen Him. I could not wrap my faith around it. It seemed so impossible. “Unless I see in His hands the marks made by the nails and put my finger into the nail prints, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe it.” Those very words spoken from my mouth hindered me from believing.

It happened eight days later. He walked right through the wall! He came into that room and stood there. It seemed like He was looking right through me when He said, “Peace to you!” Instantly, the fear left me. I reached out and touched Him and all I could do was whisper, “My Lord and my God!”

His voice and His eyes were so personable. Love radiated from His very presence as He spoke, “Because you have seen Me, Thomas, do you now believe and have faith? Blessed are those who have never seen Me and yet believe and trust Me.”

Lord, I trust You. I rely on You. I cleave to Your words. You are the Anointed One, the Son of the Living God. You are life and love and hope. You are eternal. I put my trust in You.

RebeccaAnnCooley

AllRightsReseved

Click here to view today's video on youtube

THOMAS

Devotion: Thomas

(Adapted from John 20:24-31)

Verse

Thomas, Thomas, I just came by for you to see

Thomas, Thomas,
Come and see My nail pierced hands

Come and see my wounded side

Don’t be faithless or unbelieving but believe

Chorus

Blessed are those who have not seen
Yet they believe; Trust, rely on Me

Blessed are those who have not seen
Yet they believe; Trust and they rely on Me

Bridge

My Lord and my God Thomas cried

My Lord and my God when he saw the Risen Christ

My Lord and my God

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

AllRightsReseved

APPLYING LOVE TO FAITH / Impossibilities

2012-02-28T00:00:00.029-04:00

This is the second of seven devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

The Fruit of the Spirit is Faith

(Adapted from John 15:7; Galatians 5:6; Galatians 5:22,)

Every impossibility is an opportunity to allow love to get faith working. God allows impossibilities so that there will be an opportunity for love to activate faith. If I want my faith to work, I must remember that Faith works by love. When an impossibility occurs, we should immediately confess:

This is a opportunity for love to get my faith working. This is what the Word says and I am not moved by my five physical senses. I believe what the Word says. My faith is working by love right now.

Begin to develop a strategy of love concerning the situation. Confess the Word and watch your faith begin to work for you. Act on love. Speak words of love and not a single word of envy, strife or un-forgiveness. Speak words of faith and not a single word of doubt, fear or unbelief. Do this and watch as miracles unfold.

Kent and I have been practicing this process concerning impossibilities for some time now and we have a lot of testimonies as a result of this process of love and faith.

Father, I apply love to my faith today, in Jesus name.

My child if you will dwell and continue in love, you will dwell and continue in me and I will dwell and continue in you. I am Love. If you abide in me and My words abide in you, what ever you ask in My name I will grant it unto you that I may be glorified and extolled through the Son. This is how I will be glorified in every circumstance, situation and impossibility.

Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

Click here to view today's music video on youtube

IMPOSSIBILITIES

(Adapted from John 15:7; Galatians 5:6; Galatians 5:22)

Verse 1:

How could little David slay Goliath

With just a little stone and sling

How Jehoshaphat’s army defeat his foe

By just going out to sing

Is anything to great of small

For the King of kings, no not at all

Extremities with Men

Is just the place where God begins

Chorus:

Impossibilities with men are opportunities to God

He went to the lowest hell so that He could lift us up

And if Jesus is my friend

There is no river that’s to broad

Impossibilities with men are opportunities to God

Verse 2:

Now men are crying and sighing and whying and dying

And trying but all in vain

Believe it or not, it seems that they forgot

That faith works by love

When you’re half way up the mountain

And it seems you have to stop

Reach down to someone else

And help them up to the top

When help comes from you,

The help you need will come from God

Words And Music by

Kent Clifford Cooley

FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE / Faith Activated

2012-02-26T00:00:00.009-04:00

This is the 1^st of 7 devotions

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Faith"

(Adapted from Mark 11:23-25; Galatians 5:6; Galatians 5:22)

You have just received your dream car - fully loaded. And the brand new, factory released vehicle cost you $50,000 plus tax and tags. It is probably not in the fine print in your paperwork but your wonderful dream car will not even start without inserting gas into the tank. You will not drive your $50,000 vehicle off the car lot without a $50.00 tank of gas. The car works by gas.

From a spiritual aspect, faith works by love. Forgiveness is an ingredient of love that is certainly one of the most important keys to activate faith.

“When you stand praying forgive.”

When one teaches faith, the love factor must also be taught.

“Faith is activated, energized, expressed and works through love.”

If my faith is not working and if my prayers are not being answered, I should take my heart to God for a check-up on the forgiveness factor of love.

Father, as I stand praying and believing You for certain petitions, I forgive. I know that my faith works by love so I forgive each person you bring to my mind and I remove all obstacles and hindrances of un-forgiveness now. I will go to each one that you ask me to and make every effort to make things right. I forgive and I receive everything you have for me according to my faith activated by love.

Authored by Rebecca Ann Cooley

Click here to view this week's video on youtube

FAITH ACTIVATED

Devotion: Faith Working Through Love

(Adapted from Mark 11:25; Galatians 5:6)

Verse 1:

When you are standing praying,

When you are believing,

Believing God for something that you need

Forgive and let it drop,

Forgive and let it go

Forgive and let it drop,

Forgive and let it go

Chorus:

Faith activated,

Faith energized,

Faith expressed,

Faith working through Love

Bridge:

Love engages our faith

And puts our faith to action

Forgiveness perpetuates our prayers,

Releasing our requests to the throne of God

With your help we will be able to reach our goal

to produce a devotion and a music video

for every single remaining day of 2012.

Become a LoveWalkCovenantPartner today

No amount is to small,

yet any amount, on a monthly basis or a one time gift,

would connect you in a profound way

with what God is doing through us

to establish His covenant of Love on the earth.

Make check payable to Kent or Rebecca Cooley

Kent And Rebecca Cooley
1904 Trent Blvd
New Bern NC 28560

ABUNDANT EXPRESSIONS OF HOSPITALITY / The Prodigal

2012-02-24T20:09:00.014-04:00

This is the sixth of six devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness / Hospitality"

(Adapted from Luke 15:11-32)

One of the greatest examples of unexpected and undeserved hospitality expressed in Scripture is the story of the prodigal son. After the prodigal son had demanded his inheritance, left home and wasted it on riotous living, he came to himself and said,

"I will arise and go home and say to my Father,

'I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

Make me as one of your hired servants.'"

While the prodigal son was still on his way home, the love of his father produced an abundant expression of hospitality.

“Bring a robe and a ring for his hand!

Kill the fatted calf for my son who was lost and now he is found!

My son who was dead is now alive!”

The God kind of love produces unmerited and undeserved forgiveness with abundant expressions of hospitality.

Father, so many times I have come back home to you from my prodigal ways to be welcomed into Your open arms with abundant expressions of hospitality. As my love for You increases, Your love for other prodigals is expressed through me with abundant expressions of hospitality.

Please, God, love prodigals through me.

Authored by KentCliffordCooley

Edited by Rebecca Cooley

Click here to view today's music video

on youtube

THE PRODIGAL

Devotion: Abundant Expressions of Hospitality

(Adapted from Luke 15:11-32)

Verse 1:

The Prodigal reached the bottom,

Eating of the food of the swine

Remembering where he came from,

Rising up his way back to find

Verse 2:

As he was making his way home,

Wondering if he would be received

As he was still a ways off,

Is that my father his eyes

He could hardly believe

And the Father said . . .

Chorus:

I never ever stopped loving you

I never ever ceased to care

Though you had strayed so far from me,

With arms wide open, I’m here

Verse 3:

I was too a prodigal

Who had reached his lowest low,

Wondering if He would ever take me back

But now I know that I know,

And I can hear the father say . . .

DEVELOPING THOUGHTS OF HOSPITALITY / Welcome

2012-02-24T03:53:00.000-04:00

This is the fifth of six devotions & music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness / Hospitality

(Adapted from Romans 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 13:4)

Hospitality has a lot to do with the way we process thoughts. Do I ever look at someone and say by my actions, “You are not like me, therefore I want to attempt to change you? I want to try to create you in my image and after my likeness.” So I go through a selfish process that violates love and is not conducive to hospitality. Paul addresses this violation of love in his instruction to the Romans.

As for the man who is a weak believer,

welcome him into your fellowship,

but not to criticize his opinion or pass judgment on his scruples
or his sense of right and wrong;

and do not perplex him or confuse him,

do not belittle him, or cause doubt in him with discussions.

Paul further brings this issue into even greater perspective:

Let not him who eats look down or despise him who abstains,

and let not him who abstains criticize and pass judgment on him who eats;

for God has accepted and welcomed him.

Holy Spirit, shine Your light on any negative or critical thoughts inside of me concerning others. I will not attempt to create others in my image. I will think complimentary thoughts and speak gracious words about them. You are their master, not me. You have created them in Your image and after Your likeness, not mine. I honor You by welcoming them with an abundance of hospitality.

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WELCOME

Devotion: Developing Thoughts Of Hospitality

(Adapted from Romans 14:1-3)

Verse

As for the man who is the weak believer,

Welcome him

But not to criticize, his opinions

Or pass judgment on his scruples,

His sense of right and wrong

Or to perplex him, confuse him,

Belittle him, cause doubt in him with discussions

Chorus

Welcome, Welcome to our fellowship,

Welcome, Welcome to our fellowship

You are our friend and we welcome you

God is your master,

He has already welcomed you

Words&Music by KentCliffordCooley

SOWING HOSPITALITY / When Timothy Arrives

2012-02-23T09:52:00.000-04:00

This is the forth of six devotions & music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness / Hospitality

(Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:7; 16:10-11)

We were traveling years ago and arrived at a pastor's home for a meeting. We would be there for a very short time and was excited about ministry and fellowship. The first evening the pastor said, "Now, we are not going to entertain you. We are busy people and don't have much time." I know that he must have meant well and it was his way of saying, make yourselves at home but we immediately felt uncomfortable and sensed we were in the way. The first morning, we were on our own.

When we make people feel bad or slighted, we are making Jesus feel bad. But when we make people feel valuable and good, we are not only making Jesus feel good, we are getting involved in the currency of heaven. The currency of heaven is love. When we extend love, we are depositing into our heavenly account. We don't make withdrawals from this account. Instead, God sends blessings from the overflow of this account, some 30, some 60 and some 100 fold.

Paul sent Timothy to the Corinthians to minister and to fellowship. Paul told his host to see to it that Timothy was put at ease and made to feel comfortable when he arrives. He told them not to slight him or make him feel less than valuable and when his visit was over, to send him on his way in peace.

How much more should we follow these instructions of Paul on a daily basis? Paul also says that loves bears up under everything that comes and is ever ready to believe the best of every person. When we extend love to another individual, we are depositing currency into a heavenly account that God will use to send blessings to us in every area of our lives.

Father, love has hope and so do I. Love is enduring and I show endurance when I show love. As I walk through my day today and connect with all kinds of people, I am going to believe the best in them. I am going to tolerate the difficulties that are presented to me today by people and love them. I am going to make deposits into my heavenly account today.

"Child, my love never fails and my love extended through you never fails. You are valuable to me and when you make others feel valuable, you bring me much joy."

Rebecca Ann Cooley

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WHEN TIMOTHY ARRIVES

Devotion: Sowing Hopitality

(Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:7; 16:10-11)

Verse:

When Timothy arrives see to it

That you put him at ease, see to it

When Timothy arrives see to it

That no one despises him or slights him

When Timothy arrives

Chorus:

Let everything you do be done in love

Let everything you do be inspired

By God's love for us,

By God's love working through us,

By God;s love for us,

By God's love working through us.

Bridge:

Don't manipulate;

Don't intimidate,

Don't you dominate

These tactics are based in fear

These tactics are not based in love

Words&Music by KentCliffordCooley

MOTIVATED BY HOSPITALITY / Jesus Really Makes My Day

2012-02-22T08:45:00.000-04:00

This is the third of six devotions & music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness / Hospitality

(Adapted from John 21:1-4)

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing!”

They said to him, “And we are coming with you!”

So they went out and got into the boat,

and throughout that night they caught nothing.

Morning was already breaking

when Jesus came to the beach and stood there.

Could you imagine Jesus coming to the shore that morning and scolding the disciples? He would be screaming out to them in the boat and scolding them for returning to secular work. They would have hung their heads in shame and come to the shore that morning feeling defeated and hopeless.

However, that is not how Love handled the disciples. Jesus came to the shore in a friendly way and in a friendly way he shouted to them, “Boys! Have you caught anything?” Not only did Jesus not scold them, but he prepared breakfast for them. When the disciples came to the shore, excited over a boatload of fish, it was then that they recognized Jesus. They sat down to breakfast probably talking and laughing and enjoying the fellowship.

When everyone was full and relaxed, reclining after breakfast, it was then that Jesus addressed the issue to get them back on the course of their assignment. The first thing Jesus addresses is the love factor. He asked if Peter loved Him. He wanted Peter to understand that he needed to be motivated by love.

People are never motivated by scolding. It is never positive to make someone hold their head in shame.

Father, forgive me for scolding. I am a motivator of people but I am not successful when I get frustrated and work through scolding. You motivate by love and I want to do the same.

KentCliffordCooley

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JESUS REALLY MAKES MY DAY

Devotion: Motivated By Hospitality

(Adapted from John 21:1-4)

Verse:

Peter, James and John fishing on the sea

All days long their nets were light,

Their fishing lines didn’t get a bite

About that time, Jesus said,

“Cast your nets on the other side!”

When they obeyed, Jesus really made their day

Chorus:

Jesus really makes my day,

He answers in so many ways

When I fall, He picks me up,

When I thirst, He fills my cup

My days aren’t always weary;

My nights are oh so dark

For when I pray, Jesus really makes my day

Bridge:

He didn’t come to the shore to rebuke them

He called out to them in a friendly way

He said, “Boys, have you caught anything?

And they said, “No.”

Then He said,

“Cast your nets on the right side of the boat!” (3 times)

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

A BREAKING BREAD MINISTRY / Pursue Hospitality

2012-02-20T21:00:00.001-04:00

This is the second of seven devotions and music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness / Hospitality

(Adapted from Romans 12:13, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 5:22)

Rebecca and I had the privilege of serving in a church in Stow Ohio in 1998-2000. I served as Music minister/ Associate Pastor. While we were there God anointed us to have a breaking bread ministry. We did not have services on Sunday night so we would look for people, from the congregation, who were not connecting with anybody and we would invite them over to have a meal with us, fellowship and play games. As we began to invite people over, the Lord began to cause thing to come to us to facilitate this ministry.

I remember going to an old junk store where everything was old and worn out except for a stunningly beautiful, brand new, round cherry table with four very comfortable, upholstered chairs that could almost pass for living room chairs. The price on the set was only $125.00. The owner over heard Rebecca say “If he would take $100.00 for the set I would buy it.” He replied, “You can have it for $100.00. After that, we started receiving all kinds of games, bread machines etc. These items have great sentimental value to me, even to this day because they are a product of a ministry close to the heart of God. Paul, the apostle instructs us to . . .

Pursue the practice of hospitality.

Webster defines Hospitality in these terms:

Friendly and welcoming, generous treatment offered to friends and to strangers.

Father, I forsake every kind of thought, word and action that does not promote hospitality. Continue to develop us in the gift of warmth and generosity.

My child, would you like to receive me into your home and around your table. As you welcome the least of these in your home and around your table, you are welcoming me. So pursue hospitality. In this way, as you will dwell and continue in love, dwell and continue in Me and I will dwell and continue in you!
I am love!

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PURSUE HOSPITALITY

Devotion: A Breaking Bread Ministry

(Adapted from Romans 12:13)

Verse 1:
How are you?
We noticed you are new,
W e’d like to get to know you,

We’d like to have your over
For a meal next Sunday afternoon
Would that work for you?

Chorus:
Pursue the practice of hospitality,
Pursue the practice of hospitality,

Bridge:
Friendly and welcoming
Generous treatment offered to friends

And to those who are new (Repeat)

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

THE LEAST OF THESE / Red Carpet

2012-02-20T00:00:00.018-04:00

This is the first of six devotions & music videos

with the theme from Galatians 5:22

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness / Hospitality

(Adapted from Luke 9:48)

Have you ever invited someone into your home to stay for an extended period of time? Have you ever included someone on a trip that was meant just for your family? Have you ever set another place at the dinner table because of an unexpected guest? Have you ever knelt down to the eye level of a child and listened to his question and answered it? Have you ever sat with a teenager and listened to their story? Have you ever sat with an elderly person and talked about their past?

If you can answer yes to any of the above questions, you have extended the love of the Father.

Jesus said that if we welcome even a little child on His behalf, we are welcoming Him and if we welcome Him, we welcome His Father.

Jesus extended the ultimate agape love of the Father when He went to the cross. The blood that was shed that day rolled out a red carpet for all mankind. There is no greater act of love than this.

Father, the next time an opportunity is presented to me to give of myself or to give something that is precious to me, help me to remember that your Son rolled out the red carpet for me. I too want to roll out the red carpet of your love by extending it to others.

"Child, whoever is least among you is the greatest. The smallest thing done in the name of Love becomes great in My eyes."

Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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RED CARPET

Devotion: The Least Of These

(Adapted from Luke 9:48)

Verse 1:

Hanging on the cross his blood was streaming down
For the least of these

Hanging on the cross his blood was streaming down
For you for me

Chorus

Roll out the red carpet,
Hanging on the cross between two thieves

Roll out the red carpet for you and me
And for the least of these

Verse 2:

He who receives and accepts and welcomes
The least of these

Sees and accepts and welcomes me

He who receives and accepts and welcomes me

Sees and accepts and welcomes him who sent me

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

THE HEART OF KINDNESS / May The Lord Bless You

2012-02-18T23:35:00.000-04:00

This is the 7^th of 7 devotions with the theme
from 1 Corinthians 13:4 & Galatians 5:22

"Love Is Kind”

and

“The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Gentleness"

(Adapted from Numbers 6:22-271; Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22)

Blessing someone is the heart of kindness. When you speak blessings over someone’s life when you are absent from them, it brings a feeling of peace over that relationship and sends God’s grace through sound waves. Perhaps angels pick up on words of blessings and ride on the entrance made into that person’s life by your very words. When you speak words of blessings directly to someone, it invokes unspeakable kindness that will forever be in their hearts.

“May the Lord bless you and watch and guard over you and keep you safe.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and enlighten you.

May our God be gracious, kind and merciful and give you favor.

May your countenance glow with the glory of God,

and may peace radiate from a heart that is in tune with Him.”

God told Aaron and his sons, who were serving Israel as priests, that when they blessed the people in His name, He himself would bless them. Although the above blessing from Aaron is paraphrased to a blessing I would like to speak today, it is the same kindness spoken from the heart of God. And when I speak kindness and words of blessings over someone’s life, I am speaking words from the heart of the Father.

Father, I want your words to be in my words. I want your blessings to be in my blessings to others. I want your heart to be in my heart. Bless me today Father with your presence so as I bless others with my words of kindness, it truly will be a forever blessing.

Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU

Devotion: A Blessing of Kindness

(Adapted from Numbers 6:22-27; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22 )

May the Lord bless you

May the Lord watch over you

May the Lord guard you and keep you safe

May the Lord make His face to shine upon you

May our God be gracious, kind and merciful

May your countenance glow

With the glory of the Lord

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

FULLY CLOTHED WITH LOVE / Clothe Yourselves

2012-02-18T00:00:00.012-04:00

This is the 6^th of 7 devotions with the theme
from Galatians 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 13:4

"Love Is Patient”

and

“The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Longsuffering Patience"

(2 Timothy 4:2; Colossians 3:11-14; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22)

I once sat in a church service and listened to the uncompromised Word of God as it was preached. I observed that the Word was not being received by the people. I don’t believe there was a lack of receptivity because of rebellion but rather because the presentation of the Word lacked virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love. It was not the message that grieved me, personally but it was the lack of love covering the delivery of that message that caused me to be uncomfortable. This same minister also had a constant backlash of conflict with people and groups. It was not his message that was offensive but the lack of love that caused hearts to not be receptive. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience are all attributes of love. I am learning that I must not ever deliver a strong word to the body of Christ or to an individual unless I have clothed myself with all of these attributes of love. Paul mentored the young minister, Timothy concerning this:

Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season;

reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.

He also addressed the Colossians . . .

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances

you may have against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

And over all these virtues put on love,

which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Father, since You have expressed compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience toward me, The least I can do is extend all of those qualities of love to others. I am loved and I fully clothe myself with love today.

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CLOTHE YOURSELVES

Fully Clothed With Love

(2 Timothy 4:2; Colossians 3:11-14; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22)

Verse

Bear with each other

Forgive whatever grievances you have

Against one another.

Forgive even as you’ve been forgiven.

Chorus

Therefore, as God’s chosen people,

Holy, dearly beloved,

Clothe yourselves with compassion & kindness,

Humility, gentleness, patience & love

Bridge

And over all these virtues put on love, put on love

Which binds them all together;

Working together in perfect unity

Devotion authored by Rebecca Ann Cooley

Edited by RebeccaAnnCooley

2012-02-16T22:00:00.025-04:00

This is the 5^th of 7 devotions with the theme of

"Love Is Kind”

and

“The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Gentleness"

(Galatians 5:22, 1 Cor 13:4; 1 Peter 3:8;)

I went in to McDonalds for a cup of coffee and to sit down with a piece of cake just before going to work one morning. I had just enough change to pay for a cup of coffee. I noticed that the cashier was very busy but she was very awake (it was early) and very kind to every one of her customers. She spoke respectfully and courteous to everyone. When it was my turn, I laid my piece of cake on the counter and ordered my coffee. She asked me about the cake and I told her it was the last piece of my birthday cake. She lit up and said, "Happy Birthday!" Then she did the kindest thing. She did not charge me for my coffee! Now, any other day that may not have been such a great blessing but on this day it was, because I could save my change for a snack later that day. Her courteousness and kindness made an impression on me. As I drove away, I asked the Lord to return kindness and goodness to her today. I prayed for her health and her safety. Even hours later, I still remembered her kindness and it made my heart feel good.

God keeps a record of these little acts of kindness like this and he makes them ricochet off of people. Because I had received respect and kindness from the McDonald 's cashier, I felt good and spoke a little more vibrant as I entered work. Her kindness ricocheted off of me and affected people at my office that she did not even meet that day!

These are the types of things that will matter in eternity. These are the type of things that make jewels in our crowns.

“Love each other with a kind heart and with a mind that has no pride.”

Father, it is a joy to feel kindness and then give it away. Ricochet love off of me all day long! I love to make people feel good and I love it when people make me feel good. It is you, Lord from where that comes. Thank you for developing kindness in me.

Authored by Rebecca Cooley

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LOVE RICOCHETS

(Galatians 5:22, 1 Cor 13:4 1 Peter 3:8)

Chorus:

Love ricochets off of me, off of you, off of them

All I can say, love ricochets

Off of me, off of you, off of them

All I can say, love ricochets

Verse:

One act of kindness goes a real long ways

One act of mercy can last for days and days

One little smile can brighten a whole room

Going the extra mile can drive away all gloom

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

2012-02-16T00:00:00.031-04:00

This is the 4^th of 7 devotions with the theme
from 1 Corinthians 13:4 and Galatians 5:22

"Love Is Kind

and

“The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Gentleness"

(Adapted from John 3:16; Romans 8:12; Deut 24:19-22; Ruth 2; 1 Cor 13:4; Galatians 5:22 )

I have known Margaret Hammond since I was ten years old. She has always taken troubled and needy kids into her home, especially single mothers. She fed them and gave them a home and she led each one of them to the Lord. All of these individuals are still serving God and several are even preaching the gospel. I also remember several years later, the Lord blessed her with the purchase of one of the oldest and largest historical houses in her town. She is still able to accommodate children, teenagers and young adults even today in that house.

Scripture says, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” Jesus is saying that those who are especially gifted with mercy and develop and act on that gift will themselves obtain mercy. We all know people like Margret Hammond who seem to possess a special gift of mercy. Yet, we should all have a lifestyle of mercy to some degree. Scripture says, "Let mercy and kindness and truth not forsake you. Bind them about your neck and write them upon the tables of your heart."

Father, thank you for Margaret Hammond who has exampled acts of mercy to so many. Thank you for teaching me, through watching her life, about mercy. Thank you for the ultimate act or mercy You showed when You allowed mercy to bear the cross. You acted out mercy by so loving the world that You gave Your son. I am a recipient of that mercy. Help me to extend mercy to others the same way I have seen mercy and experienced your mercy.

Authored by Kent Cooley

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GIFTS OF LOVE (ACTS OF MERCY)

Devotion: Gift of Love (Acts Of Mercy)

(Adapted from Romans 12:8; 1 Cor 13:4; Galatians 5:22)

Verse

That saintly sister always took them in,

Troubled children and single mothers

She fed and clothed them

And she gave them shelter

And she led them to the Savior

Chorus

Gifts of love given to each severally

Gifts of love given to each one

Gifts of love given to each one of us

Thank you for the gifts of love

Bridge

Where I am weak, someone else is strong

And I am strong where someone else is weak

I will affirm them, I won’t criticize them

I will thank God for their gift of love

LOVE WALK CONFESSION / As You Are

2012-02-15T00:00:00.004-04:00

This is the 3^rd of 7 devotions with the theme

from 1 Corinthians 13:4 and Galatians 5:22

"Love Is Kind”

And

“The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Gentleness"

(Adapted from Galatians 5:22, John 1:14; Acts 17:28; 1 John 4:14; Numbers 21:17)

It took 400 yrs for the children of Israel to get their oppressed prayers answered. When they complained, their blessings became curses. When a new generation of Israelites arose, they came again to a dry desert but this time they shouted, “Spring up O well, let us all sing to it!” This time they experienced immediate results. Their prayer level came up to a new authority as they prophesized to the elements. Much of my Christian life has been spent praying in a begging way with minimal results. Since I have been boldly making my confession known to God I have been noticing greater and more quality results.

This is one of our bold love walk confessions:

“Lord, as you are, so are we in this world. You are full of grace, favor, loving kindness and truth and so am I as I live my life through You. I am full of grace, favor, loving kindness and truth. In You I live, in You I move, In You I have my being. I manifest Your nature through me as I walk out everything according to the love command today.

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AS YOU ARE

Devotion: Love Walk Confession

(Adapted from John 1:14; Acts 17:28; 1 John 4:14; Numbers 21:17, Galatians 5:22,)

Verse:

As You are,

So are we in this world (repeat)

Chorus 1:

You are full of grace,

You are full of favor

You are full of loving kindness,

You are full of truth (repeat)

So am I as I live my life through You (repeat)

Chorus 2:

I am full of grace, I am full of favor

I’m full of loving kindness,

I am full of truth (repeat)

As I live my life through You (repeat)

Bridge:

In You I live, in You I move,

In You I have my being

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

Devotion by KentCliffordCooley

UNISON VERSUS HARMONY / Harmony

2012-02-13T21:00:00.001-04:00

This is the 2nd of 7 devotions and music videos
with the theme from Galatians 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 13:4
"The Fruit of the Spirit is Gentleness"
and
"Love is Kind"

(Adapted from Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22)

I have served as music minister for several churches through the years. There have been a few times when I had singers that could not harmonize. When everyone sings the same part, on the same notes together it is called unison. When everyone sings different parts on different notes it is called harmony. There are basically four parts soprano, alto, tenor and base. When you can accomplish having all four parts on a worship team you can achieve a greater beauty and you can enhance the worship. Paul is not referring to singing when he uses the word harmony to the Romans but the premise is the same. Living in harmony means that you embrace your differences and by doing so you achieve a greater beauty then if you were all just alike.

Live in harmony with one another;

do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive),

but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks.

Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.

The fruit of the spirit is kindness. The root word of kindness is kin. A similar word that we use more often then kind is like. I like you. I like that. I dislike you or I dislike that. But love is kind. If I practice kindness, I will be looking for that which we agree on. If I am looking for things that we disagree on, I am saying, “You are not like me therefore I reject you.” To achieve harmony, I must not only be agreeable but I must also embrace the differences and by doing so we will achieve a greater beauty.

Father, You made every person a unique individual, fearfully and wonderfully made. I embrace the uniqueness of every individual and live in harmony to achieve a greater beauty for your glory.

Authored by KentCliffordCooley

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HARMONY

(Adapted from Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22)

Verse 1

When we sing in unison,

We will sing in the same key

When we sing in harmony,

We sing different in harmony

We sing different with greater beauty

Chorus

Unison, harmony, although we are different

We can bring one praise

You and me in harmony,

Although we are different

We can bring one praise

To the King of kings,

You and me in harmony

We can bring one praise to the King of kings

Ending

I embrace the differences between you and me

I embrace the differences and I see beauty

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

TWO CORNERSTONES OF LOVE / Let Mercy

2012-02-13T00:00:00.036-04:00

This is the 1^st of 7 devotions with the theme of

"Love Is Kind”

And

“The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Gentleness"

(Proverbs 3:3-4 1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 5:22)

The two cornerstones of love are patience and kindness. These two qualities are the cornerstones of every other fruit of the Spirit. Love makes you kind and love makes you want to have patience. Patience avoids problems and issues. Kindness creates blessings. Kindness steps over the problem or the issue and creates a blessing instead.

We are instructed in Proverbs 3:4 to let kindness and truth not leave us for any reason. It actually tells us to bind kindness around our neck. This same scripture describes kindness as a way to find favor with people and with God! Kind people find favor with God! I don't know about you, but I need favor with God. So when I work on my love walk and I treat people with kindness, God takes notice. He gives me favor for my effort!

How can I be patient and kind today?

1. Give people permission to be human. Give people more time than they deserve to correct a wrong.

2. Name impatience every time it is displayed in your life. Impatience is little spurts of anger and it

flows out of our own selfishness.

3. Be gentle and tender with people. Speak truth in love and make it as easy to hear as possible.

4. Meet the needs of someone else every chance you get. Kindness is displayed in helpfulness.

5. Be agreeable. Instead of being obstinate, reluctant, or stubborn, be flexible and cooperative.

Kindness inspires you to be agreeable.

Father, I bind truth and kindness around my neck today. I will not let kindness leave me today. Thank you for turning things around for me and giving me your favor as I make this a priority. Patience and kindness are taking root in me. I am learning to avoid issues that are selfish on my part and I am learning to create blessings with kindness everywhere I go. You are the love of my life and every act of kindness I display flows from our love relationship. Your love inspires me to be kind and patient.

Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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LET MERCY

(Proverbs 3:3-4)

Chorus

Let mercy and kindness and truth not forsake you (repeat)

Verse

Bind them about your neck

Write them upon the tables of your heart

Bridge

So shall you find favor

So shall you find good understanding

So shall you find high esteem

In the sight of God and in the sight of man

LOVE IS CONSIDERATE / Love Is Patient And So Am I / I Believe

2012-02-12T00:00:00.030-04:00

This is the 6^th of 6 devotions and music videos
with the theme from Galatians 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 13:4

"Love Is Patient”

And

“The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Longsuffering Patience"

(Adapted from 1 Timothy 3:3)

During my teenage years, I spent my summers traveling with a youth group. The leaders of the youth group were ministers and college professors who donated their summers to train youth in ministry. While being trained to witness on the streets one day, I remember meeting a Hindu family from India. I introduced myself and asked them if they had ever experienced Jesus coming into their hearts. They promptly informed me that they had their own religion. I was not offended nor did I feel confrontational. I showed interest in their statement by asking them about their religion. After they shared with me about their beliefs, I asked them, “Would you allow me share with you why I believe Jesus is the only way to God and to heaven?” They listened intently. I do not believe they would have listened to me if I had not shown interest in them and in their religion.

My Confession

I am not argumentative or confrontational. I am gentle and considerate. I am not quarrelsome but I am peaceful. I am not insistent that I am always right. I am developing a willingness to reason with others. I am learning not to force my opinion on others. I am not afraid of disapproval. I do not operate in fear. Being considerate promotes peace and I am a peacemaker. I do not violate the law of love.

Father, I interact with people all day. Some people don’t share the respect and honor that I have for You. But all people need you. I honor You today by being considerate and peaceable to all people. I respect You, Lord, with the words that come out of my mouth and with my opinions and thoughts. I respect people today by the way I communicate with them and by my actions. I want to communicate peace and love. I want people to feel Your love when they talk to me. Work this balance of boldness and being considerate in me so I can make a difference to people who cross my path!

Authored by

RebeccAnnCooley

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LOVE IS PATIENT AND SO AM I / I BELIEVE

(Adapted from 1 Timothy 3:3; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22; Romans 2:1, 4, 5; 8:25; Hebrews 10:23; Matthew 12:37)

Love is patient and so am I (repeat) /

I consider God’s patience

I consider God’s long suffering (repeat)

I suffer long and I believe they’ll come around after awhile (etc)

I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe (repeat)

I am patient / I wait / I will not give up for I stand in faith (repeat)

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley