TOUGH LOVE / The Path of Least Resistance

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

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Does Not Insist On It’s Own Way”

TOUGH LOVE
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from John 2:14; 1 Corinthians 5:3-5; Proverbs 5:7-8; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Paul received a report of a believer in the Corinthian church who was committing sin. The report had to do with him living in sin with his stepmother. He was still coming to church and still acting like a "Christian" but his heart was far from God.

Paul's correction was a strong rebuke. He said that the church should be mourning in sorrow and shame over the sin of this one man. And he instructed the Corinthian church to remove the man from their fellowship. In fact, Paul told them to call a meeting of the church and to throw this man out and hand him over to satan so that his sinful nature would be destroyed and he himself would be saved on the day that the Lord returns. What would our fellowship of believers do today for correction of the same sin?

Paul knew that tough love, a strong rebuke, and a strong discipline was the only thing that would reach this man. He knew that the man had to have a renewal of the fear of God so that he would recognize and acknowledge his sin and turn his heart back toward God. I believe most of our churches today need a greater awareness of the seriousness of sin and a renewal of the fear of God. When sin shows its ugly head in the way of disrespect, dishonor, disobedience or just blatant sin, are we taking sin seriously? Are we willing to practice tough love? Are we willing to, with love, be tough on others and even tougher on ourselves? I will ask myself these questions. Would you also ask yourself these same questions?

1. If there is unrepented sin in my life and am I taking it seriously enough?

2. Am I willing to judge myself so that I will not be judged

on the day that the Lord returns?

Correction is improvement, adjustment, or the modification of a behavior or action. Correction is also discipline, chastisement and rebuke. Jesus corrected people when he walked on the earth. He walked into the temple and overturned the money changers' tables. It was not a soft correction. He didn't say, "Okay . . . , ya'll know better than this." No, he gave them a strong rebuke. The root of Jesus' correction was, and still is always grounded in love. We need to speak the truth strongly, grounded in love.

Father, search my heart for any uncleanness, any disrespect, and anything that is not pleasing to you and purge it from me. Father, I receive the blessing of Proverbs 4:8, "I have a wreath of gracefulness and a crown of beauty and glory on my head." I receive wisdom to give correction when it is needed and wisdom will exalt and promote me because I am exalting and promoting you.

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

Click here to view today's video on youtube

THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE

Devotion: Tough Love

(Adapted from John 2:14; 1 Corinthians 5:3-5; Proverbs 5:7-8; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Verse:

There are two roads to choose

Wide is the path that leads to destruction

There are two roads for you

Straight and narrow is the way that leads to eternal life

Chorus:

Going down the path of least resistance

Headed the wrong way in my insistence

Downward bound, I did it my own way

(Repeat)

Bridge:

So you say, “I did it my own way”

As if it were something to brag about

So you scoff at the straight and narrow way

Full speed ahead to destruction

Ending:

Turn around and don’t stay on the wrong way

Turn around / Don’t look back /

Come join the redeemed on the narrow path

© LoveWalkMusic

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

Click here to view today's video on youtube

WHAT ABOUT ME? / It'sAllAboutHim It'sAllAboutThem

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

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Does Not Insist On It’s Own Way”

WHAT ABOUT ME?
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from James 1:19; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

“What about me? What about me? What about me?” Those words make me think of Joyce Myer doing her robot routine. Her message is very true. The world does not revolve around me. And the world does not revolve around you. And the world does not revolve around our children. It is not all about me. We mention this quite a bit at our house. I was not put on this earth to be catered to or to be served. I was not born to have everything my way. I was born to be a blessing. I was put on this earth to serve others, not for others to serve me. I was born to show God's love to others by my words and my works. I was born to worship God. God created me to have a relationship with him. When I answer a question in respectful words and tones, I am showing respect for the person who asked the question, and thus I am worshiping God.  

When I quickly do what I am asked to do, without arguing and without hesitation, I am showing respect to the person who gave the instructions, thus worshiping God. If I am told 'no' when I am anticipating a 'yes', I am showing God I can be corrected by receiving the no with no questions asked. Who do you think is pleased when I react with disrespect and rudeness and arguing? It is the enemy of my soul that is pleased.

Father, it is You that I want to please and no one else. I am not a people pleaser. I am a God pleaser. And when I please you, people are blessed and lives are affected. Father, I will worship you today by putting others before me.©  LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

All Rights Reserved

Click here to view today's video on youtube

IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM / IT’S ALL ABOUT THEM

Devotion: What About Me?

(Adapted from Matthew 10:24-25; 20:28; Mark 9:33; 12:30-31;

James 1:19; Ephesians 6:10; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Verse

I heard the master say, “I did not come to be served,

But I came to serve and to give my life a ransom for all

I heard the master say, “The servant is not above his master,

He who would be a master should be a servant of all, a servant of all

Chorus

It’s not about me / It’s all about Him

It’s not about me / It’s all about them

I’m lovin’ the Lord / lovin’ my neighbor as myself

It’s not about me / It’s all about Him

It’s not about me, no, no, It’s all about them

Bridge 1

If I can just get my mind off myself

And get my mind upon the Lord

I will be strong in Him and in the power of His might

For His promises are sure

Bridge 1

If I can just get my mind off myself

And get my mind on someone else

It’s really amazing how small my problems can seem

When I find someone else to help

©  LoveWalkMusic

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

POINT OF AGREEMENT / Come Let Us Reason Together

This is the 4^th of 7 devotions and music videos

adopted from 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Does Not Insist On It’s Own Way”

POINT OF AGREEMENT
by
Kent Cooley

(Adapted from Amos 3:3; Isaiah 1:18)

Have you had a conversation with a person who, no matter what you said, they would disagree with you? Have you met people that no matter what you did, they would have an issue with it? It seems like some relationships are based on negativity no matter how they are approached.

There is a difference between disagreeing and being disagreeable. There is a balance that you can reach in your own thoughts and communications with people that avoids arguments and contention. In order to reach that point of agreement and balance of communication with people, one must learn the virtue of not being insistent.

Recently I had a conversation with someone about predestination. This person believed in unconditional predestination and was very adamant about being right. I strongly disagree with this belief but I was determined not to be offended at his unyielding opinion. As I was thoughtful about my response and to keep my reply inside of love, I searched to find a point of agreement. “I responded, "I do believe the Bible teaches predestination in this respect; that God predestines according to His foreknowledge. God knows the decisions and choices we are going to make before we make them and He predestines us accordingly." This approach did not promote an argument but it did prompt a discussion.

"Love is not conceited. 
 Love is not arrogant and inflated with pride;

Love is not rude and unmannerly 
and love does not act unbecomingly.

God's love in us does not insist on its own rights 
or its own way.

Love is not self-seeking; 
it is not touchy or fretful or resentful."

Father, I have noticed how ineffective I have been when I am argumentive. I know this is a source of pride in my heart that makes me want someone to think like I think and respond like I would respond. Thank you for wisdom and balance to stand up for what is right without being argumentive and disagreeable. Thank you for wisdom to find a point of agreement with everyone and to share truth in love without insisting on my own way. May I be humble enough to know that I do not know everything and that I may not be right about a lot of things. Thank you for calling me to the virtues of humility and truth. I thank You for the marriage of Mercy and Truth. They have kissed each other. Thank you that You are the Way, the Truth and the Life. You are Love and I call You Lord!

Click here to view today's music video on youtube

COME LET US REASON TOGETHER

Devotion: Insistence

(Adapted from Amos 3:3; Isaiah 1:18)

Verse 1

How can two men walk together unless they be agreed

How can they walk side by side unless eye to eye they see

Seated around the table, we are breaking bread

And as we go our separate ways, I trust it can be said

Verse 2

Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might

For revelation knowledge is what can give us light

Seated around His table we feast on holy bread

And we can be filled with joy and peace as by love we are led

Chorus

I’m walking in His love ( 1. today) (2. Everyday)

I (1. Did) (2. Will) not insist on my own way

I’ve got power from above; walking in His love

I’m walking in His love (1. Today) (2. Everyday)

All the way, everyday, all the way, everyday
Ending
Come let us reason together,                                             Love does not insist on it's own way
Come let us reason together though your sins are scarlette
They shall be crystal clean. Come let us reason together

©  LoveWalkPublishing

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

Devotion by RebeccaAnnCooley

Become a LoveWalkCovenantPartner today 

Send donations to 

Kent or Rebecca Cooley 

15 Trexler Ave 
Thomasville NC 27360

THE FIVE I'S OF DISRESPECT / Love One Another

This is the 2nd of 7 devotions with the theme

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Does Not Insist On It’s Own Way”

THE FIVE I'S OF DISRESPECT

by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from Proverbs 18:13; James 1:19; 

Romans 12:10; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

We have founded a new school at our house. It’s not a home school. It is Honor School. We have a family meeting once a week and we listen, talk and pray about something that seems to be a lost art in the beginning of this 21^st Century. We are learning about giving and receiving respect and honor in our daily lives. We have learned that there are five I's of disrespect and every one of us has committed them all! In our Honor School, we hold each other accountable. The five I's of disrespect are as follows:

Insults are offensive or rude words. They may be words with a slur or smear of unintegrity or just something negative spoken against someone. Negative humor at someone else’s expense is insulting. Insults are in the category of verbal abuse and can be committed unintentionally or in fun. But it does not change their effect. Insulting words open doors for demons to come in and take part in what is being said and they linger long after the words have been spoken.

Interrupting is when you talk while someone else is talking and interrupt them. When you do this, you are saying to the person talking, "I am not interested in what you are saying so you just need to be quiet and listen to me."

Intruding is pushing yourself into a conversation or infringing on someone else's personal space. If a person has not addressed you, then you are not included in the conversation. This would include answering for someone. If a question is not addressed to you, you should not answer.

Ignoring is disregarding and paying no attention to someone that is speaking to you. It's the same thing as if you close your eyes and turn around from the person talking to you. This includes not doing something that you have been asked to do. When you say, "I forgot" or "I didn't hear you," you are really saying, "I don't care about what you said, and I choose to ignore you."

Insistence is insisting on your own way.

Father, I want deliverance from every one of these five I’s of disrespect. I do not want to be associated with either of them. I gladly enlist in your Honor School and I want to make the Master’s List!

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

AllRightsReserved

Click here to view today's video on youtube

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

(Adapted from Proverbs 18:13; James 1:19; 

Romans 12:10; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Verse:

Love one another with brotherly affection

Love one another with a fond and tender feelings

Love one another as members of one family

Love one another in all humility

I consider everyone more important than me
In all humility, consider everyone more important than me
Chorus:

Giving honor to my brother

Giving honor to my sister

Giving honor in all humility

Consider everyone more important than me

© LoveWalkMusic WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

AllRightsReserved

GODLY CORRECTION / Mercy Seat

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

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Does Not Insist On Its Own Way”

GODLY CORRECTION
(Adapted from Hebrews 12:1-12; 1 Corinthians 13:5;)

Our society is in need of correction – both on the giving side and the receiving side. It is important to give godly correction, and to do so we must be willing to step out of our comfort zone and speak truth in love and even at times confront enemy territory. It is equally important to receive correction. We must be willing to humble ourselves and admit that we are wrong and someone else may be right. If we are willing to receive correction, it will make our life better in the future. It can be the difference between health and sickness or wealth and poverty. In fact, it could be a matter of life and death. And if we are willing to give correction, it could save someone else's life.

At my house we call the seat of correction, the Mercy Seat. 
I have sat in the Mercy Seat many times and my daughter takes her place in that seat from time to time. In that seat, truth is spoken and acknowledged, repentance is made and mercy is given. If it were not for this seat of correction, my life would be a mess and my daughter would be out of control.

I recall being corrected by a person outside of my family some years ago. This person felt that my husband and I had violated him and we needed to be corrected. As we sat and listened, his words were not completely contingent to how we saw the circumstances and it rose up in us to reject his correction. We began to protest and give our own view and opinion. But then we stopped and looked at each other and said, "What if he is right?" We chose to humble ourselves and submit to what might be God's correction through this person. Although his view was different from ours and his words were not as politically correct as we thought they should be, we put ourselves in the mercy seat and received his correction. The result is this person is a friend of ours today. We shudder to think what might have happened if we did not choose to sit in the mercy seat of correction and humble ourselves. It might have been something much worse than losing a friend.

Father, thank you for Your Mercy Seat. Your Mercy Seat is the seat of Love. Your Mercy Seat extends to eternity and I plan to sit in it forever and ever. Thank you ever so much for Your eternal Mercy Seat. I receive all that it has to offer to me.

© LoveWalkPublishing 

Devotion authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

All Rights Reserved

Click here to view today's video on youtube

MERCY SEAT

(Adapted from Hebrews 12:1-12; 1 Corinthians 13:5; Exodus 25:17-22)

Verse:

The covering on the Ark of the Covenant 

Where the high priest sprinkled the blood of the atonement

For the sins of Israel on the Mercy Seat

Chorus:

Jesus is sitting in the mercy seat 

When I confess my sins He faithful and just

And now I’m sitting in the mercy seat, 

Forgiven, I forgive, when I am sitting in the mercy seat

So live and let live when you are sitting in the mercy seat

Bridge 1:

There is a chair in our house that we call the mercy seat

Anyone who sits there gets correction and forgiveness 

That is so complete

Bridge 2:

Blessed is the man who does not sit in the seat of the scorner

But his delight is in law of the Lord in mercies corner

© LoveWalkMusic 

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

All Rights Reserved

SEEDS OF LOVE / Why Is Everybody Always Pickin' On Me

This is the 1^st of 1 devotion with the theme,

"Seed Time And Harvest”
There are 6 more devotions to be produced so that there will be a total of 7 eventually. 

(Adapted from Luke 6:31; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

During the three and a half years that Rebecca and I were constantly listening to teaching on the subject of the ‘love walk’, I heard this testimony. Obviously, life was happening to this man as it does to all of us. He said, Lord, this woman you gave me does not care anything about me. The Lord than spoke to him in no uncertain terms, “It is none of your concern if your wife cares anything about you or not. It is your concern that you care about her.” This word came so fast and so strong that he said “Yes sir, I will do it sir. This is about becoming oblivious to what others think about us and how they treat us. This is about becoming focused on what we think about others and how we treat them.

My child, adjust your focus away from what others think about you or how they treat you. Become unmindful to what they may think of you or how they may behave toward you. You will reap a harvest of being on good terms with people when you say, by faith, “No matter what they think of me or how they may treat me, they are on good terms with me.” Now they feel loved and love will grow and You will be the recipient of what you have sown. I have given you seeds of love to sow. Sow them, you will reap a harvest in due season.

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion authored by KentCliffordCooley

Click here to view today's video on youtube

WHY IS EVERYBODY ALWAYS PICKIN’ ON ME

Devotion: Seeds of Love

(Adapted from Luke 6:31; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Recite: Why is everybody always pickin’ on me?

Verse 1:

If I always react to how others are treating

I keep the hate going

Instead of keeping the love growing

If love is gonna grow, it’s up to me,

It’s up to me, it’s up to me, it’s up to me,

Recite: Why is everybody always pickin’ on me?

Chorus:

It’s not about how they are treating me

It is about how I am treating them

Am I patient / Am I kind

Am I always glad to see them

(Repeat)

Recite: Why is everybody always pickin’ on me?

Bridge:

So I’m becoming oblivious to how others are treating me

I won’t return evil for evil

I’ll keep the love going

I’ll keep the love growing

© LoveWalkMusic

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley