I found this article very interesting..



Jesus warned about our days, saying, "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold" (Matt. 24:10). The Lord's warning was not just about conditions in the world; He is speaking to His disciples. He warned about conditions in the church.

Today, the church is overstocked with Christians whose love has grown cold. As a result, rancor fills our conversations. We have become a sub-culture that is mad that the world has not become Christian, while we are tolerant that we are not Christlike.

When you discuss things that are wrong, does rancor come forth or prayer? The word rancor came from Latin rancere, which meant, "to stink." (See rancid). This is exactly what we exude heavenward when all we do is find fault and criticize. The smell of our rancor ascends into the awareness of God. These things ought not to be.

On the other hand, intercessory prayer is a sweet aroma to God. Again, when we pass through trials and determine to emerge more like Jesus, our very lives become "a fragrance of Christ to God" (2 Cor. 2:15). Amazing! in spite of our flaws and weaknesses, while we are living in this harsh world, we can actually become like Christ. Indeed, may this be the passion of all who trust God's Son: to become a fragrance of Christ to God.


Quotes by Francis Frangipane

I sure want to be a fragrance to God. My life in everything to glorify Him.

We must love ALL as Christ did and does.

Titus 3:4-8
"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone."

Dear Child,

This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go: of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete. Take time to bask in the Light of My Love. As you relax more and more, your grasping hand gradually opens up, releasing your prized possession into My care.

You can feel secure, even in the midst of cataclysmic changes, through awareness of My continual Presence. The One who never leaves you is the same One who never changes: I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. As you release more and more things into My care, remember that I never let go of your hand. Herein lies your security, which no one and no circumstance can take from you.

Love,

God

Psalm 89:15

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,

who walk in the light of your presence, LORD.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Isaiah 41:13

For I am the LORD your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

--Jesus Calling

"like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand....." Jeremiah 18:6

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

God is love. God has transformed our spirits in the image of love. Love is the first commandment Jesus gave us, yet it is something greatly missing in the body of Christ. We get so attracted to the power of God. But His power will not work without love because faith works by love. This love is the unconditional, 'agape' love.

Follow the example of Jesus

John 8:3-11, talks about the lady who was caught in adultery. The Pharisees and the scribes were ready to stone her. They asked, 'What do you think we should do, Jesus? What's your verdict? They thought, Jesus is not going to disagree with what Moses said. But Jesus did something strange. The Bible says that 'He stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger as though He did not hear'. He basically ignored them.

If we talk that accusing talk, Jesus is not going to hear us. He will ignore us too. He will do the same to us as He did to those accusers. Jesus is such a tremendous example for us to follow. God is love. He knows that we have made mistakes but still loves us. He always sees our potential.

John 3:17 says,' For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world'. Our God is full of compassion. When you show love, that is when people see Jesus in us.

The Bible says in Galatians 6:1, "When a person falls into sin, you who are spiritual should restore him with all gentleness." That gentleness goes a long way than condemnation. You will never go wrong living a life of unconditional love.

Allow the Lord to deal with People

We need to realize that as Christians, we are on the same team. You may ask but what about the differences? Let God deal with it! He is well able to take care of the situation and the people. God is able to teach them.

Their doctrines may different. There is not a single one in this earth whose doctrine is 100% correct. Our God loves variety. No two individuals are identical. No two churches are identical. God has allowed it to be like that because different kinds of churches can reach different kinds of people. We should never say they are wrong and we are right. It is so pitiful to see Christians stop having fellowship just because they disagree on petty things. There is such a cold war in the body of Christ that they cannot stand the other brother. Friends, start loving them in spite of who they are.

We must learn to be inclusive and not exclusive. Life is too short to get caught up in our petty differences. The Bible says in Hebrews 3:13, "Exhort one another daily." That word "exhort" means to encourage. And if we do anything other than encouraging and comforting others, that will hinder your walk with God. Give others the benefit of the doubt. Nothing does more damage than spreading bad news about others.

There may be people who don't treat you right. They may be disrespectful. Jesus said that we are to even love our enemies. He said if your enemy's thirsty, give him something to drink. Get him a 'chilled coke'. He said if he's hungry, give him a 'Happy meal'. Make him happy! He said if he wants your shirt, give him your coat as well. He said, by doing this, you will heap coals of fire on his head and the Lord will reward you (Rom 12:20)

Love sees the best in every person:

1 Corinthians, chapter 13 talks about love. Verse 8 talks about, how love believes the best in every person. Love overlooks a person's faults. We can find some good, even in our worst enemies, if only we made the attempt to.

We've got to be quick to show God's mercy. Psalm 18:25 says, 'With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful' .The meaning is that the Lord is merciful to those who show mercy. Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy." And what we've got to realize in life is that at one time or another all of us are going to need God's mercy. We need to learn to be quick to show mercy to other people so that God will be quick to show mercy to us.

But have you noticed how the carnal nature is to point out each other's faults. We just say, They deserve it. Lord, 'give them their rightfully deserved punishment. They're guilty. They need to learn their lesson'. This type of attitude displeases God. It is against the very nature of our God.

When Jesus walked the earth, He showed love and compassion, even to the people who were not good to Him. He always saw the best in people. He encouraged and loved them.

We must make sure that you're living a life of unconditional love and looking for the best in every one. Just make sure that you're keeping yourself pure. And we've got to be extremely careful, especially as Spirit-filled Christians that we don't look down on or criticize somebody else just because they are different. They are never looked at as second class citizens in the kingdom of heaven. Just love them like Christ loved us.

May the Lord help us to live a life of unconditional love. Amen.

By Jemima Rayan

The Measure of Spiritual Strength

 "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1

It’s not how much you can do, but rather how much you can bear of the weaknesses of others.

It is very satisfying to to be strong in your own ability, in your own ministry, in your own experience---to be the man with all the answers. But that does not require much spiritual strength. However, it does require spiritual strength to bear the weaknesses of others.

Spiritual strength is measured by God and by the Scriptures in proportion to the amount that we are able to support and bear the weaknesses of other people. This is exactly the opposite of the spirit of this age. Once we begin to make what suits us the measure of what is right, we are on a slippery path that goes downward into a horrible mess.

If I am a Christian, my first motive needs to be to please Jesus Christ in all that I do. Once we begin to live by seeking to please Jesus, we will inevitably lead a life that is completely different.  We won’t need to peddle a lot of doctrine, for, in itself, pleasing Jesus will make us different.

Quotes taken from the book The Grace of Yeilding by Dereck Prince...thank you Robin!!!