FULLY CLOTHED WITH LOVE / Clothe Yourselves

This is the 6^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"

FULLY CLOTHED WITH LOVE
by
Rebecca Cooley

(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.

© LoveWalkPublishing 

Devotion authored by Rebecca Ann Cooley

Click here to view today's video on youtube

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 and kindness,

Humility, gentleness, patience and love

Bridge

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

Which binds them all together;

Working together in perfect unity

© LoveWalkMusic 
WordsAndMusic by Kent Clifford Cooley

LOVE RICOCHETS / LoveRicochets

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.

© LoveWalkPublishing

Authored by Rebecca Cooley

Click here to view today's video on youtube

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

© LoveWalkMusic

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

A TRIBUTE TO MARGARET HAMMOND / GiftsOfLove ActsOfMercy

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"

A TRIBUTE TO MARGARET HAMMOND
(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 and teens 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. 

© LoveWalkPublishing

Authored by Kent Cooley

Click here to view today's video on youtube

GIFTS 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

© LoveWalkMusic 
WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

All Rights Reserved

LOVE WALK CONFESSION / As You Are

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"

LOVE WALK CONFESSION
by
Kent Clifford Cooley

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

The children of Israel prayed three ways with three different results. 
1. The oppressed prayer: It took 400 yrs for the children of Israel to get their oppressed prayers answered. 
2. The complaining prayer: When they complained, their blessings became curses. 
3. The prayer of faith with praise and rejoicing: 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 prophesied 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 quicker, 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.

Click here to view today's video on youtube

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

©  LoveWalkPublishing

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

Devotion by KentCliffordCooley

All Rights Reserved

UNISON VERSUS HARMONY / Harmony

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"

UNISON VERSUS HARMONY
by
Rebecca 

(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 or on the same note an octave higher or lower, it is called unison. When everyone sings different parts on different notes in correct sequence 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.

© LoveWalkPublishing 

Authored by KentCliffordCooley

Click here to see today’s video on youtube

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

© LoveWalkPublishing 

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

TWO CORNERSTONES OF LOVE / Let Mercy

This is the 1^st of 7 devotions and music videos 

with the theme from Galatians 5:22 

and 1 Corinthians 13:4

"Love Is Kind”

And

“The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Gentleness"

TWO CORNERSTONES OF LOVE
by 
Rebecca Cooley

(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.
© LoveWalkPublishing

Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

All Rights Reserved

Click here to view today's video on youtube

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

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

All Rights Reserved