Chosen with Virtues

Prayer – Lord God, hear my prayer and fill me with Your joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and particularly, love. The greatest thing in the world is love—to love You and to love others is what I strive for most in my life. You created these values and I’m sorry for times that I didn’t focus on these virtues and make them a part of my life yesterday…and today. You are an awesome God and I am thrilled to be part of Your family. Thank you. 

Are you a Prickly Cactus...
or can you live as God's chosen one?

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15

 

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

 

God chose you…God chose me. Sounds like it should be in the lyrics to a song—praising my Savior!

Since we are chosen, He expects a lot of us. What do you expect of your children? God wants the best for us. He wants these virtues to be part of us and to be used to draw others to Him. (Underlined for emphasis.)

Tenderhearted mercy - Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 1 Peter 3:8 NLT

Kindness (part of the Fruit of the Spirit) - And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God's people. Philemon 1:6-7 NLT

Humility – modesty or lowness of mind - In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for "God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 NLT

Gentleness (part of the Fruit of the Spirit) – fairness, meekness, or sweet reasonableness—the gentleness of Christ. Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Corinthians 10:1 NLT

Patience (part of the Fruit of the Spirit) – endurance, constancy, steadfastness, or perseverance especially as related to troubles and tribulations.  Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4 NLT

God expects us to forgive others. He has forgiven us big time. If you have repented, He has forgiven your lifetime of sins—as you’ve confessed them.

But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15 NLT

Love and peace. Very important virtues to observe and cling to. “Peace” is a common Christian greeting year around, but especially at Christmas when we seek tranquility, harmony, and the way that leads to salvation. Of all virtues, love is the greatest—as spoken of by Paul in the chapter of love, 1 Corinthians 13 which sums up the importance of love to everyone. We cannot live without love. Be thankful that God bestows His great love on us—He loved us first.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. ...Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13 NLT

Being part of God’s family is a privilege and an honor, but it holds a responsibility to live in a way that honors God…beginning with His command to love one another. Have you made a choice to do that today?

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. Psalm 85:7 NLT

 

© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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