Gregory E. Lang's Blog, page 7

Live In Peace

You are called to be a peacemaker. If you are filled with the love of peace it must reign in your heart, and then rule in your deeds. There must be no disagreement, separation, or rebellion between you and your neighbors, for without peace no one will see the Lord. Live in peace so that through you others may see God at work. Live in peace.

Do your best to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

So let us try to do what makes peace and helps one another. Romans 14:19

Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Try to live in peace with all people, and try to live free from sin. Anyone whose life is not holy will never see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

The Scripture says, A person must do these things to enjoy life and have many happy days. He must not say evil things, and he must not tell lies. He must stop doing evil and do good. He must look for peace and work for it. 1 Peter 3:10-11

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Swallow Your Pride

Although he was from most high, Jesus spent time with the lowest of the low, showing that his mercy and grace are for all. Let there be harmony and a spirit of agreement wherever you go, for the way to secure grace more abundantly is to be humble before the Lord. Be humble with others, just as Jesus is with you. Swallow your pride.

Live in peace with each other. Do not be proud, but make friends with those who seem unimportant. Do not think how smart you are. Romans 12:16

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4

When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Philippians 2:3

But God gives us even more grace, as the Scripture says, God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. James 4:6

This person is full of pride and understands nothing, but is sick with a love for arguing and fighting about words. This brings jealousy, fighting, speaking against others, evil mistrust. 1 Timothy 6:4

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Refrain From Revenge

Justice belongs only to the sovereign Lord. Do not make it your business to judge and avenge, for as you judge, you too will be judged. Rid yourself of a wrathful mind. If it is possible, as far as you have any say or influence in the matter, live at peace with everyone. Refrain from revenge.

If someone does wrong to you, do not pay him back by doing wrong to him. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do your best to live in peace with everyone. My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: “I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19

Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to do what is good for each other and for all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

We know that God said, I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them. And he also said, The Lord will judge his people.  Hebrews 10:30

Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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Share Your Blessings

The Lord gave himself for you, what shall you give for him? All that you have is not your own, but was provided to you by God. Make the needs of others your own and help them, giving freely and cheerfully in order to be blessed. Share what he has given you and in the process please and honor him who has made you rich in Heaven. Giving for God’s purposes are indeed sacrifices that please him. Share your blessings.

John answered, If you have two shirts, share with the person who does not have one. If you have food, share that also. Luke 3:11

You are rich in everything – in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in truly wanting to help, and in the love you learned from us. In the same way, be strong also in the grace of giving. I am not commanding you to give. But I want to see if your love is true by comparing you with others that really want to help. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know that Christ was rich, but for you he became poor so that by his becoming poor you might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

Tell the rich people to do good, to be rich in doing good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. 1 Timothy 6:18

Do not forget to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God. Hebrews 13:16

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Share Your Blessings appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Share Your Blessings

The Lord gave himself for you, what shall you give for him? All that you have is not your own, but was provided to you by God. Make the needs of others your own and help them, giving freely and cheerfully in order to be blessed. Share what he has given you and in the process please and honor him who has made you rich in Heaven. Giving for God’s purposes are indeed sacrifices that please him. Share your blessings.

John answered, If you have two shirts, share with the person who does not have one. If you have food, share that also. Luke 3:11

You are rich in everything – in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in truly wanting to help, and in the love you learned from us. In the same way, be strong also in the grace of giving. I am not commanding you to give. But I want to see if your love is true by comparing you with others that really want to help. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know that Christ was rich, but for you he became poor so that by his becoming poor you might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

Tell the rich people to do good, to be rich in doing good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. 1 Timothy 6:18

Do not forget to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God. Hebrews 13:16

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Share Your Blessings appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Do Your Best

In all that you do you are a representative of Christ, therefore in whatever you do, do it will all your heart to honor Christ and his message. To this end, spare no time, self-denial or effort, for it pleases the Lord when you do your deeds often and well. If you render good service anywhere to anyone, the Lord will see that you are rewarded. Do your best.

You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! All those who compete in the games use self-control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Do your work with enthusiasm. Work as if you were serving the Lord, not as if you were serving only men and women. Ephesians 6:7

In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Colossians 3:23

Make every effort to give yourself to God as the kind of person he will accept. Be a worker who is not ashamed and who uses the true teaching in the right way. 2 Timothy 2:15

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Do Your Best appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Act with Tenderness

Opposers of the Word must be corrected, but not rudely; rather gently, kindly, humbly. Jesus’ tenderness drew people to him and in his gentle company they stopped and listened to his message. Be like-minded, and be heard. Act with tenderness.

Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2

Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to do what is good for each other and for all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, a good teacher, and patient. 2 Timothy 2:24

People who think they are religious but say things they should not say are just fooling themselves. Their “religion” is worth nothing. James 1:26

Are there those among you who are truly wise and understanding? Then they should show it by living right and doing good things with a gentleness that comes from wisdom. James 3:13

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Act with Tenderness appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Act with Patience

Do nothing that would discourage others from turning to Christ, but instead let the Holy Spirit use you to inspire others to follow Christ. If your heart is filled with love, patience will be one of your defining qualities and reason why others draw nearer to you. Patience leaves time for anger to fade away. Act with patience.

Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love. Ephesians 4:2

But I was given mercy so that in me, the worst of all sinners, Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. His patience with me made me an example for those who would believe in him and have life forever. 1 Timothy 1:16

Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times, and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2

Brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord comes again. A farmer patiently waits for his valuable crop to grow from the earth and for it to receive the autumn and spring rains. You, too, must be patient. Do not give up hope, because the Lord is coming soon. James 5:7-8

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Act with Patience appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Act With Mercy

For mercy begets mercy, and the lack of mercy earns you nothing. Act with mercy.

Then the master called his servant in and said, You evil servant! Because you begged me to forget what you owed, I told you that you did not have to pay anything. You should have showed mercy to that other servant, just as I showed mercy to you. The master was very angry and put the servant in prison to be punished until he could pay everything he owed. This king did what my heavenly Father will do to you if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:32-35

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36 (NIV)

What I say is true, and you should fully accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. But I was given mercy so that in me, the worst of all sinners, Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. His patience with me made me an example for those who would believe in him and have life forever. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

Show mercy to some people who have doubts. Take others out of the fire, and save them. Show mercy mixed with fear to others, hating even their clothes which are dirty from sin. Jude 22-23

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

The post Act With Mercy appeared first on Gregoryelang.

Act with Humility

You are a representative of Christ; your actions should reflect positively on him. You are not forbidden from behaving righteously before men, but from making it your goal to be seen for the sake of receiving their praise.  Do nothing for your own glory, for you cannot save yourself. Jesus has done that work for you, therefore, bring glory to Him; represent him well. Act with humility.

Be careful! When you do good things, don’t do them in front of people to be seen by them. If you do that, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to the poor, don’t be like the hypocrites. They blow trumpets in the synagogues and on the streets so that people will see them and honor them. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know what you are doing. Your giving should be done in secret. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4

We must not be proud or make trouble with each other or be jealous of each other. Galatians 5:26

Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose. When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others. In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:1-5

In the same way, younger people should be willing to be under older people. And all of you should be very humble with each other. God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. Be humble under God’s powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes. 1 Peter 5:5-6

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

The post Act with Humility appeared first on Gregoryelang.