Gregory E. Lang's Blog, page 8

Act With Compassion

Jesus had compassion with everyone, attending first to their worldly hunger and thirst, and then to their spiritual deprivation. Acts of compassion demonstrate the unfailing concern Christ has for the people, his sheep. In this way you will also become a shepherd – act with compassion.

If a person asks you for something, give it to him. Don’t refuse to give to someone who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:42

When he (Jesus) arrived, he saw a great crowd waiting. He felt sorry for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34

Then Jesus said to the man who had invited him, When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite only your friends, your family, your other relatives, and your rich neighbors. At another time they will invite you to eat with them, and you will be repaid. Instead, when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then you will be blessed, because they have nothing and cannot pay you back. But you will be repaid when the good people rise from the dead. Luke 14:12-14,

We ask you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who do not work. Encourage the people who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 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 5:14-15

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

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Calm Troubled Waters

Live and encourage peaceful lives. Christ understood that in order for the gospel to be made known, believers must be peace-loving rather than quarrelsome so that those who had not yet heard the Word would listen rather than turn away. Don’t participate in or encourage foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they lead to conflict rather than peace. Calm troubled waters.

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

So, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up their hands in a holy manner, without anger and arguments. 1 Timothy 2:8

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, a good teacher, and patient. The Lord’s servant must gently teach those who disagree. Then maybe God will let them change their minds so they can accept the truth. 2 Timothy 2:24-25

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. Be careful that no one fails to receive God’s grace and begins to cause trouble among you. A person like that can ruin many of you. Hebrews 12:14-15

But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest. People who work for peace in a peaceful way plant a good crop of right-living. James 3:17-18

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

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Count to Three

Counting to three implies self-control. Self-control refers not only to control of the temper, but the tongue and passion for money or power. Be careful not to act or speak rashly, especially in anger. Under the influence of anger you are easily tempted to commit evil and display something very different from God’s righteousness. If Christ is your example, self-control must be found in you. Count to three.

But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong. Galatians 5:22-23

And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God’s proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the final day comes. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil.  Ephesians 4:30-31

Tell them not to spend their time on stories that are not true and on long lists of names in family histories. These things only bring arguments; they do not help God’s work, which is done in faith. The purpose of this command is for people to have love, a love that comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a true faith. Some people have missed these things and turned to useless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand either what they are talking about or what they are sure about. 1 Timothy 1:3-7

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

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Do No Harm

Christ suffered the punishment of our sins so that we might be reconciled with God. All he asks in return is that we obey the new law: to love one another. Love is compassionate and kind, not harmful. Don’t let the fact that you were treated wrongly cause you to commit another wrong, but overcome evil with love, mercy and restraint. Do no harm.

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. Romans 12:17-18

Love never hurts a neighbor, so loving is obeying all the law. Romans 13:10

Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil.  Ephesians 4:31

God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So always do these things: Show mercy to others, be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Get along with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13

This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as he did. He had never sinned, and he had never lied. People insulted Christ, but he did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but he did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him. 1 Peter 2:21-23

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

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Love Your Enemies

Not one of us is deserving of God’s compassion, yet we are forgiven. Christ on the cross prayed for his enemies; so did Stephen, the first Christian martyr. If someone does you wrong, remember Christ’s example. Just as God loves you, you should love your enemies, forgiving them for their offenses against you. When you do, you give glory to God by multiplying his forgiveness. Love your enemies.

You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemies. But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. If you do this, you will be true children of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on good people and on evil people, and he sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong.  Matthew 5:43-45

But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are cruel to you. Luke 6:27-28

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy. Luke 6:35-36

Wish good for those who harm you; wish them well and do not curse them. Romans 12:14

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

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Love the Least

Take great care not to befriend only with those in prosperous and influential places. Remember that Jesus dined with and cared for the outcast instead of hanging out only in the company of the king’s court and temple priests. If you enjoy the love of Christ you must share your blessings and faithfully care for the poor and downtrodden. Having contempt for anyone only encourages the nonbeliever. Love the least.

Be careful. Don’t think these little children are worth nothing. I tell you that they have angels in heaven who are always with my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:10

Then the King will answer, I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me. Matthew 25:40

Then the King will answer, I tell you the truth, anything you refused to do for even the least of my people here, you refused to do for me.  Matthew 25:45

I will not leave you all alone like orphans; I will come back to you. John 14:18

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

People will no longer have to teach their neighbors and relatives to know the Lord, because all people will know me, from the least to the most important. Hebrews 8:11

Finally, all of you should be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

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

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Love Your Neighbor

You may commit acts of charity and kindness, but unless your acts are motivated by love, your good deeds mean nothing in the eyes of the Lord. It is in your love for your neighbor that you continue Christ’s work of spreading the hope of salvation and everlasting life. Be a disciple; love others so well that there will be mutual regard and affection, all for God’s greater glory. Love your neighbor.

I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other. John 13:34-35

You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:16-17

I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am only a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge, and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

My brothers and sisters, God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love. The whole law is made complete in this one command: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Galatians 5:13-14

This is the teaching you have heard from the beginning: We must love each other. 1 John 3:11

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

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Cherish Your Spouse

Marriage is a relationship of mutual obligations. Each spouse must offer to the other what those obligations require. Your spouse is a great blessing given to you so that you may more fully enjoy your life. Honor and treasure that blessing. You are called to love your spouse just as Christ loved the church, with loving devotion and lifelong fidelity. Cherish your spouse.

And God said, So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one body. So there are not two, but one. God has joined the two together, so no one should separate them.” Matthew 19:5-6

The husband should give his wife all that he owes her as his wife. And the wife should give her husband all that she owes him as her husband. The wife does not have full rights over her own body; her husband shares them. And the husband does not have full rights over his own body; his wife shares them. 1 Corinthians 7:3-4

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Marriage should be honored by everyone, and husband and wife should keep their marriage pure. God will judge as guilty those who take part in sexual sins. Hebrews 13:4

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

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Help Others Succeed

If Christ encourages and blesses you, follow his example! Serve not only your own interests, but also the interests of others, all the while urging them on toward their own good deeds, not letting them fall into confusion or failure. Help others succeed.

I planted the seed, and Apollos watered it. But God is the One who made it grow. So the one who plants is not important, and the one who waters is not important. Only God, who makes things grow, is important. The one who plants and the one who waters have the same purpose, and each will be rewarded for his own work. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8

We do not want you to have troubles while other people are at ease, but we want everything to be equal. At this time you have plenty. What you have can help others who are in need. Then later, when they have plenty, they can help you when you are in need, and all will be equal. As it is written in the Scriptures, “The person who gathered more did not have too much, nor did the person who gathered less have too little.”  2 Corinthians 8:13-15

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. Philippians 2:3-4

God is fair; he will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people. And he will remember that you are still helping them.  Hebrews 6:10

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

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Do Your Share

Do as much as you can in line with your blessings and abilities, no matter how high or low the task may be, with joy in your heart, knowing you are a model of Christ’s great love and mercy. This pleases the Lord. Do your share.

You know I always worked to take care of my own needs and the needs of those who were with me. Acts 20:34

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

Brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ we command you to stay away from any believer who refuses to work and does not follow the teaching we gave you. You yourselves know that you should live as we live. We were not lazy when we were with you. And when we ate another person’s food, we always paid for it. We worked very hard night and day so we would not be an expense to any of you. We had the right to ask you to help us, but we worked to take care of ourselves so we would be an example for you to follow. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9

We want each of you to go on with the same hard work all your lives so you will surely get what you hope for. We do not want you to become lazy. Be like those who through faith and patience will receive what God has promised. Hebrews 6:11-12

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

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