Love Archives - My Manna

Keep No Record of Wrongs

My Manna — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 17:00:00 +0000

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

Walking in love is good for your health.
It’s true! Medical science has proven it.

Researchers have discovered that hostility produces stress that causes ulcers, tensions, headaches, and a host of other ills.

Now when you think of hostility, you may think of the type of anger you feel when something serious happens. But according to the experts, that kind of thing isn’t what causes the worst problems.

It’s the little things: when the dry cleaners ruin your favorite outfit, for example. Or when the cafeteria lady puts gravy on your mashed potatoes after you’ve specifically told her not to. Sound familiar?

Just think how much stress you could avoid by being quick to forgive, by living your life according to 1 Corinthians 13! So
– Keep no record of wrongs! Imagine physical and emotional benefits of living like that!

If you’ve allowed yourself to be habitually bound by hostility, that may sound like an impossible dream, but it’s not! Because as a born-again believer, you have the love of God inside of you (Romans 5:5).

If you’ll yield to that love, it will set you free. Remember when Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave? He was alive but still bound in the grave clothes. Jesus commanded the bindings to be loosed so that Lazarus could be free to walk.

Jesus wants that same kind of freedom for you! So get into agreement with Him. Say to those deadly habits that have you bound, “In the Name of Jesus, loose me and let me go! I’m putting hostility, unforgiveness and selfishness behind me. I’m going on with God. I’m going to live the life of love with others!”

It doesn’t take a medical miracle to turn your life around. All it takes is your decision to yield to the force of love. Do it today!

(PR)

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Security Blanket

My Manna — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 17:00:00 +0000

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

Are you gripped with fear about something?
Love is the answer to overcoming your fear!
Because love is the Christian’s security blanket!

When you were a child-
– did you have a teddy bear or a blanket that gave you a sense of security,
– something you wanted to hold close to you and get wrapped up in?

The Holy Spirit of God-
– is the believer’s warm, loving security blanket!

“Perfect love casts out fear!”
But it never rang true to me because I had never done anything perfectly except sin.

God’s perfect love can eliminate all dread.
It is not our love for Him, but His perfect love for us that will cast out our fears.

The question isn’t:
Am I brave enough?

The question is:
Do I trust His love enough?

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

(PR)

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You Did It to Me

My Manna — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 22:00:00 +0000

The following article is received from one of our contacts.

A young lady named Sally relates an experience she had in her seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr Smith. She says that Dr Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.

One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.
On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts.

Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked, hated or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture.

Sally’s friend Joe drew a picture of one who had stolen his girl friend.
Another friend Susan drew a picture of his brother who cheated her in her property.
Another person drew a picture of someone who spoiled her moral dignity.
Another person drew a picture of one who black mailed him for a long time.

Sally drew a picture of a former friend, (later became a slanderer) putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face.

Sally was very pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.
The class lined up and began throwing darts.

Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart.
Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.

As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn’t have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr Smith began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus.
Needless to say a hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.

And at the bottom the following verse was written:
“‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.’ Matthew.25:40.

No other words were necessary; as tears filled eyes of the students, as they focused
only on the mangled picture of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ said:
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:35-36).

(PR)

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Friendship with God

MyManna — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 22:00:38 +0000

“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).
How do we show our friendship for Jesus?
How do we show our love for Him?
In John 15:14-
Jesus points out three things we can do to show our friendship with God!
First-
True friends of Jesus will affectionately obey Him.
Quite simply, we will do what He says.
If we don’t, then we have no right to call ourselves His friends.
When we are in love with God, obedience will not be a duty; it will be a delight.
Next-
This friendship with Jesus will actively obey Him.
Some people think it’s enough if they avoid what He forbids.
And certainly being a Christian means ceasing to do certain things.
But it also means starting to do certain things.
It is not merely avoiding the wrong, but it is doing the right.
How do we find out what God wants us to do?
By reading the Bible, by becoming familiar with its content.
The more we know of His Book, the more we will know of Him.
The more we know of this Book, the more we will know about what He requires of us and what friendship with Him actually is.
Lastly-
True friends of Jesus will always obey Him.
In other words, we are constantly obedient—not perfect, but trying.
And if we fail, then we repent and get up and try again.
This obedience should not be too hard because of whom we are obedient to.
This is Jesus asking for our obedience.
That changes everything, because we love Him.
(PA)

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This is wrong!

MyManna — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 22:00:03 +0000

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
You would think that, after observing the behaviour of some people, they have a verse in their Bible that says, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, go and tell as many people as possible. And then ultimately go and try to drive that person away.”
But this is not what Scripture tells us to do.
In Matthew 18, Jesus gave us the steps we should take when it appears someone has fallen into sin.
And I emphasize the word appears.
First, we must know all the facts.
When you hear something about someone,
– instead of talking about it,
– determine to go to that person and say,
-“I heard this about you. Is it true?”
Hopefully-
– you can get the issue resolved immediately.
But to fail to go to someone when you know a sin is being committed is-
– to actually cause that individual, and the church as a whole, the greatest harm.
Scripture says, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Gal 5:9).
In most cases, you will find that believers rarely approach a sinning believer or allegedly sinning believer.
Instead of seeking to help a person who possibly may have never sinned at all, they end up slandering that individual.
This is wrong!
This is sin!
If you have ever had this happen to you-
– then you know how painful it can be.
Remember, the devil wants to turn believers against each other.
He will attack us from the outside, but many times, when that does not work, he seeks to infiltrate our ranks and divide us.
Be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
(PA)

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It displeases God!

MyManna — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 22:00:10 +0000

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).
It seems as though we are living in a day of tabloid mentality.
The society is so obsessed with gossip, innuendos, and rumors.
Just turn on the TV and you’ll find all kinds of programs that probe into the personal lives of others.
This tabloid mentality has even entered the news media, where reporters hunt for that juicy piece of gossip.
The tragedy is that if someone is charged with a crime today, we try him or her in the media before they ever have had the opportunity to enter a court of law where evidence is presented and where they face their accusers.
Sadly, this kind of thinking can even enter the church.
When we hear something about someone else, immediately our ears perk up.
But what does the Bible tell us?
It says that love believes the best of every person.
It doesn’t say that love believes the worst.
This means when someone says something about a Christian brother or sister-
– you should immediately have some disbelief in your heart.
The reason is that you are to believe the best of that individual.
We must be very careful, because many times we accept rumor as truth.
Then to make matters worse-
– we start repeating what we’ve heard without checking the facts.
One of the things the Bible says that-
God hates is the one who sows discord among others. Proverbs 6:16–19.
This is the person who spreads rumors, who spreads innuendos, and who slanders others.
God hates this.
Don’t be someone who spreads rumors.
Don’t be someone who gossips.
It’s wrong.
It’s sinful.
It displeases God!
(PA)

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Security Blanket

MyManna — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 22:00:37 +0000

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
Are you gripped with fear about something?
Love is the answer to overcoming your fear!
Because love is the Christian’s security blanket!
When you were a child-
– did you have a teddy bear or a blanket that gave you a sense of security,
– something you wanted to hold close to you and get wrapped up in?
The Holy Spirit of God-
– is the believer’s warm, loving security blanket!
“Perfect love casts out fear!”
But it never rang true to me because I had never done anything perfectly except sin.
God’s perfect love can eliminate all dread.
It is not our love for Him, but His perfect love for us that will cast out our fears.
The question isn’t:
Am I brave enough?
The question is:
Do I trust His love enough?
Memorize 2 Timothy 1:7-9 this week.
(PA)

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Security Blanket

MyManna — Tue, 09 May 2017 22:00:30 +0000

The post Security Blanket appeared first on My Manna.

Be Blameless

MyManna — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 22:00:33 +0000

“I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment.” Philippians 1:9.
Love without discernment-
– love that doesn’t have any thought behind it,
– is not really love.
Parents who show love to their children by overindulging and refusing to discipline are really hurting them in the long run.
The guy who asks his girlfriend to prove her love by having sex with him is using her, not loving her.
A person who isn’t truthful with someone for fear of losing a friendship is not acting as a true friend.
Love has to be discerning.
It has to include an awareness of what God wants.
It has to seek the best for others.
Is it possible to love like that?
How can you tell the difference between-
– sentimental love and
– genuine love?
Only by letting God help you.
He will tell you when to be gentle with someone and when to be firm.
The Holy Spirit will help you know-
– when to get involved in someone’s problems
– and when to leave them alone.
He will show you how to give without asking for something in return.
When you love others this way-
– you’re loving them the way Christ loves them.
So seek to be blameless in all your relationships.
This means guarding your thoughts, your words, and your actions to make sure you have the other person’s best interests at heart.
Ask God to teach you how to love people with discernment-
– to treat them with a love that comes only from him.

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Self-serving!

MyManna — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 22:30:56 +0000

“The LORD of Hosts says this: Make fair decisions. Show faithful love and compassion to one another.” Zechariah 7:9.
When our relationship with God is spiritually healthy-
– the people around us will know it by the way we treat them.
Too often we’re like the Israelites in Zechariah’s time-
– involved in religious activities that are more about ourselves than truly worshiping God.
God spoke through the prophet Zechariah to expose His people’s sinful hearts-
– as they mourned and fasted during an annual festival that commemorated the
destruction of the Temple.
God declared straightforwardly that their pious observances were-
– more about pleasing themselves
– than worshiping Him.
If the most important relationship we have has turned selfish and sinful-
– other areas of our lives will be affected.
Our relationships with the people around us will become self-serving and dysfunctional.
Nearly every prophet in the Bible, as well as our Lord Jesus-
– made a direct connection between loving God and loving people.
Worship God wholeheartedly, with selflessness and integrity-
– and His compassion will flow through you to others!

“Father, may my love for You be demonstrated in the ways-
I love the people You have placed in my life.”

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