MY LOVE ALLEGIANCE / The Cause of Love

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

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Is Not Touchy" / “Love Is Not Easily Offended”

LOVE ALLEGIANCE
by
Kent Cooley

(1 John 5:1; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

When I was 11 years of age, I went through a trial in which I could not feel the presence of God for six months. The enemy had tried to convince me that I had spoken against the Spirit and somehow sinned against the Spirit and could never be saved. After six months of the heavens seeming as brass to me, I remember going to my room and praying, “Lord, I love You, I love Your Word, I love Your people and I love lost humanity. If I never feel Your presence again, I am still going to serve You all the days of my life.” As soon as I said this, the presence of God flooded my room and the Lord spoke to me for the first time in my life. He said,

“I love you My servant, My son. This has been a trial of your faith.

You will never go through this trial again.”

He has been so very faithful with His presence and anointing upon my life since that day.

At 11 years of age, when my faith had been tried, I made, what I now call,

“My Love Allegiance”

I love You,

I love Your Word,

I love Your people,

I love lost humanity,

Father, I realign myself today with these four love priorities. I love You. I love Your Word. I love Your people. And I love lost humanity. I am so thankful that I have been born of You and born of love. Love through me.

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion authored by KentCliffordCooley

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THE CAUSE OF LOVE

(Adapted from 1 John 5:1; John 7:1-9; Matthew 10:16; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Verse:

Love is unassuming;

Love is not discouraged by opposition

Love just keeps on blooming wherever love is planted

In every situation,

Love just keeps going on and on and on and on and on and on

Love just keeps on going on and on

Chorus:

I love Your word

I love Your people

I love You

I love lost humanity

Though I’m hated, I do not hate;

Though I’m rejected I do not reject

I will give to those who will receive;

I live for the cause of love (repeat 3 times)

© LoveWalkMusic

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

This is the impartation devotion

Father, You are love and love is not touchy or easily offended and I am not touchy of easily offended. I confess today that I do not react to the actions of people in like manner to their actions. I act on love not returning evil for evil. I will say to my mind, this is one for whom Christ died taking no offense at their inactions. I will never be offended in you nor in others as I dwell and continue in love and dwell and continue in You.

AFLAC, WATER OFF A DUCKS BACK! / Aflac

This is the 6^th of 7 devotions with the theme

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Is Not Touchy"

And

“Love Is Not Easily Offended”

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AFLAC, WATER OFF A DUCKS BACK

by
Kent Clifford Cooley

Song: Aflac

(Adapted from John 8:13-14; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

“AFLAC! Water off a duck’s back!”

Not a very spiritual opening you might say, but it sure worked to teach a spiritual truth to a five year old. Hannah had come home from Kindergarten crying because a couple of kids called her names. I said to her in the voice of the famous insurance duck, “Aflac, water off a duck’s back!” It became our game to play whenever she felt belittled or slighted in any way during those early elementary years.

We did a study on ducks to find out more about this phrase that we had adopted as our motto to help us forgive and forget offenses and such. We found out that ducks can float because they have a coating of oil on their feathers that makes the water roll right off similar to a newly waxed car. We learned that our shield of faith was like that oil on the duck’s back. We hold it up as a part of our armor and the enemy’s darts roll right off. Even though Hannah grew out of playing the AFLAC game, it is rooted in her spirit to allow offensive words to roll off as she holds up her shield of faith and quenches the darts of the enemy.

Why don’t you try it the next time an insulting or belittling word is hurled at you? You don’t have to be in Kindergarten to experience verbal abuse. Don’t receive the offensive words and answer in a spirit of love. When the Pharisees spoke accusing words to Jesus, “You testify on your own behalf but your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “ Even though I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is true, reliable and valid. You do not know where I came from or where I am going but I know where I came from and where I am going.” Your response could be similar, “You are not an authority on me. I am what my Father says I am and I can do what my Father says I can do! I am not an authority on you either but God, your Creator is and He so loved you that he gave his son so that you could have life.”

Father, thank you for this simple truth. Even a child can understand your nature and your ways of doing things. The next time I am challenged by words of offense and abuse, I believe that I receive the right response as I walk in the steps of the Messiah. My heart is to please you with my choices and responses to others.

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AFLAC

Devotion: Aflac, Water off a duck’s back

(Adapted from John 8:13-14; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Verse:

When people say words to belittle us,

When people speak words that offend

When people try to make fun of us

We won’t believe those words

We won’t receive those words.

Chorus:

Aflac, water off a duck’s back,

Aflac, water off a duck’s back,

Aflac, water off a duck’s back, Aflac

Bridge:

I am what God says I am

I can do what God says I can do

I can be what God say’s I can be

God’s word is what I believe

God’s word is what I receive

© LoveWalkPublishing

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

Devotion by KentCliffordCooley

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I AM NOT OFFENDED IN JESUS / Let Me Be a Disciple

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

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Is Not Touchy"

And

“Love Is Not Easily Offended”

I AM NOT OFFENDED IN JESUS

(Adapted from Luke 6:15 - 71; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

The Messiah had walked on the water. He walked right through the wind and waves, right up to the boat, got in and immediately transported the disciples to the other side of the sea. Later that night around the camp fire, Peter may have gotten up and walked to the beach by himself. He may have stood at the edge of the water looking into the darkness. His thoughts could have been . . .

“The Lord left. We didn’t know where He was or if He was coming back. All we knew to do was get in the boat and cross the sea. It was getting so late! And then He comes walking on the water! What a sight that was! He walked on the water! And as if my friends had not seen enough to convince them that this is truly the Messiah!”

His mind retraced the events of the day. He thought about the crowd of people that were fed from such a little lunch. He thought about the followers that had been offended at His words of late. It was a critical time and there was indecision in the hearts of so many. He thought about the many words and the teaching of the Master.

“I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry. He who believes in and trusts in Me will never thirst. Anyone who eats this bread from heaven will never die. I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven. And this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

“So many people are angry with Him. He actually claims to be the Son of God! He broke the bread and fed it to thousands and now He is saying that He is the bread from heaven. And if we eat this Living Bread from heaven, we will have eternal life. I can understand how so many are offended at these words. It is a strange message. It is hard and difficult for people to understand. So many are drawing back.”

Perhaps the rest of the evening went something like this . . .

Peter turned from the darkness and walked back toward the fire where Jesus and the other eleven disciples were sitting. As he approached the campfire, Jesus was saying, “Will you also go away? Do you all desire to leave also?” Perhaps Peter walked right over to the Messiah and said,

“Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe and we know that You are the Holy One of God.”

Lord, there are many things that I may not understand but may I never be offended in you. For where else can I go. Only you have the words of eternal life. I desire to be your disciple. I choose to put You first, the whole world second and my life third. Though I may not understand, I chose to believe in you as I walk it out in love.

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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LET ME BE A DISCIPLE

(Adapted from Luke 6:15 – 71; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Verse 1: Lord I desire to love as You love,

To walk all the way to Calvary,

To count the cost and bear the cross

Forsaking all to be a branch that bears much fruit 
so glorifying Thee,

Putting God first, the whole world second and my life third

Chorus:

Let me be a disciple

Let me as one of the twelve, 
walking with You and denying myself

Let me be a disciple, for where else can I go?

Though this world may entice,

Only You have the words of life

Verse 2:

The common people heard you gladly Lord

Fishermen walked beside you to hear your words

You challenged them to lose their life, 
reaching out to humanity

They learned to follow Thee

You gave them power to set them free

Putting God first, the whole world second and their lives third

© LoveWalkMusic

WordsAndMusic by KentCooley And MikeShreve

Devotion by RebeccaAnnCooley

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THE DOOR OF OFFENSE / I’m Not Offended In Jesus

This is the 4^th of 7 devotions with the theme

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Is Not Touchy" / “Love Is Not Easily Offended”

THE DOOR OF OFFENSE
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from Job 2; John 6; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Have you ever seen anyone take offense with God because of a misfortune or hardship? I have heard statements like this, “How could God allow this to happen?” or “Where was God when all of this happened?!” Job’s wife said to her suffering husband, “Why don’t you curse God and die?” Job told his wife that she was foolish to speak offensive words against God. It is foolish for anyone to take offense at the Almighty and blame Him for anything that is the act of the evil one. Job was blameless before God because he refused to be offended with the trouble that he was experiencing. He refused offense and God turned things around for him.

God is love and there is no offense in Him. To be offended with the One who created you for His pleasure is to accuse Him of doing it all wrong. The Holy One only walks through the door of love. He searched Job’s heart and found a door to enter and He will search our hearts for a door that welcomes him.

Father, when I do not understand a trial or a test, I still choose to not take offense but to keep the door of love open in my heart. I realize that those are the very times I need You the most. I cast my unanswered questions and all of my cares on You and I know that You care for me. Help me to recognize the door of offense and wisdom to keep it closed.

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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I’M NOT OFFENDED IN JESUS

(Adapted from Job 2; John 6; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Verse 1:

Unless you eat my flesh, unless you drink my blood

You have no life in you

Many were offended and there only remained a few

Jesus questioned the twelve, Will you go also

Peter was the first one to speak up, 
“Lord where else can we go”

Chorus:

I’m not offended in Jesus, 
though many times I don’t understand

Still I’m not offended in Jesus

But I’ll keep trusting and holding to His hand

Though many may be offended, 
I will echo the words Peter said,

“Lord, where else can we go

For only You have the words of eternal life.”

Verse 2:

Job’s wife came to him after he was tested and tried

Job, why don’t you curse God

Why don’t you curse God and die

Job replied you talk like one of the foolish women

Though God yet will I trust him

I will never be offended in Him

© LoveWalkMusic

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

TAKE THOUGHT / I WON'T TAKE THAT THOUGHT

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

from 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Is Not Touchy" / "Love Is Not Easily Offended"

  

TAKE THOUGHT
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from Matthew 5; Matthew 6:34;

Romans 12:17; Phillipians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

When someone expresses anger or rudeness, we have a natural tendency to react with the same action that has been expressed toward us. However, that is the very moment when we should do what Jesus said to do:

“Don’t return evil for evil. Overcome evil with good.”

Paul wrote to the Romans:

“Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all “

When someone says something rude and a reactionary thought comes to me, that is when I say to myself, “No, I am not going to take that thought”. Then I instruct my mind to take the thoughts of forgiveness and grace.

Recently someone slighted us financially. At first we felt violated but then we began to process it in love. We thought of the kindness and generosity that person has shown us in the past and began to thank God for those blessings. We sowed the balance of what we should have been paid as our seed back into their lives.

For a few days thoughts and feelings of being violated came back to us, but we instructed our minds to not take those thoughts.” We speak this for however long it takes to realign our hearts with love toward this person.

My child, when life happens to you today, commit your mind to be on guard concerning thoughts. Do not take the thoughts that may come natural to you. Take the thoughts that are honest, proper and noble. If there is any virtue, think on those things. When someone takes advantage of you, give advantage to them and turn it around to be a blessing to them. By doing this you will give no place to the enemy. As you dwell and continue in love, you dwell and continue in me and I dwell and continue in you.

© LoveWalkPublishing Devotion authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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I WON’T TAKE THAT THOUGHT

(Adapted from Matthew 5; Mathew 6:34;

Romans 12:17; Phillipians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Verse:

When someone is rude,

At first I want to react with the same action

That they expressed toward me

Chorus:

But I won’t take that thought

I cast it down

But I won’t take that thought

I cast it down

But I won’t take that thought

I stay inside of love and thing about good things

I stay inside of love

And bless those who curse me

© LoveWalkMusic WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley 

ESCAPING THE BAIT OF OFFENSE / Beware Of Offense

This is the 2^nd of 7 devotions with the theme

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Is Not Touchy" / “Love Is Not Easily Offended”

ESCAPING THE BAIT OF OFFENSE

(Adapted from Matthew 24:10; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

The enemy’s full time job is to undo and disengage the works of God in our lives. He is constantly at work trying to reverse love in us. One of his major tactics is the use of offense. Offense is used as a bait to disengage love in us and set up hate.

The first thing the enemy tries to do is to get us to distrust others. Then he attempts to seal our fate by getting us to distrust or accuse God. For example, Job’s wife had seen enough of what her husband was going through and she took the bait of the enemy and took offense at his trials. She became offended at God!

Have you ever heard someone insult God because of something the enemy has done? Have you heard someone say, “God could have prevented that!” or “Why did God let this happen?” These are offense baits that the enemy uses to drain our love and replace it with hate.

Jesus warned us about this,

“Many will be offended and repelled

and will begin to distrust and desert Him

whom they ought to trust and obey.

They will stumble and fall away and betray one another

and pursue one another with hatred.”

Father, I am not in the number who will become offended and desert You. I trust and I obey You. I do not and will not take the bait of the enemy. I allow You to set up love in my heart and life. I give You permission to correct me when I am wrong. I align my heart up with truth and love. Thank you for Your promises and Your faithfulness to make good Your promises as I follow You on the straight and narrow path of love.

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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BEWARE OF OFFENSE

Devotion: The Bait of the Enemy

(Adapted from Matthew 24:10; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Chorus:

Beware of offense,

It is a trap to undo your faith

Beware of offense,

It is a trap to undo the love of God within you

working through you

Verse 1:

Many will be offended

And repelled and distrust and desert Him

Whom they ought to trust and obey

And will stumble and fall away

And betray one another

And pursue one another with hatred

Verse 2:

Job’s wife came to him with forbidden fruit just like Eve did

Why don’t you just curse God and die

Job replied; “This is not like you

You talking like a foolish woman

Though God slay me yet I will trust him

Bridge:

I won’t be offended at anything

I will keep my faith strong

I will put my faith in You

I will put my trust in you

© LoveWalkMusic

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

Click here to view today's video on youtube