Cleanse

2 Cor:7:1

Let us cleanse ourselves from the defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

In response to absolute holiness of God; in response to His presence and dwelling in us, let us cleanse ourselves; let us keep ourselves up with the standards of God.

Let holiness be our focus. Let us hate sin as much as He does. Let us make room for nothing which He abhors. Let us not entertain sin. Let us not be entertained by sin. Let us not do things which abase our standards, nor things which abashes our Lord.

More than that; what love do we proclaim to have for him, if we continue to do things which He hates; if we love things which He detests.

Let us perfect holiness in fear of God; because we love God; in response to His love to us.

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Permissible

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Cor:6:12 Everything is permissible. But not everything is beneficial. Let it not overpower you. You shall not be addicted to it. Definitely not the vice things. But the not so harmful things. The harmless habits. Things that you can, but would you? Does it edify you? Is it beneficial? 1 Cor:10:23 is the litmus test. Does it bring God glory? Ask yourself. Why do I want to do this? Does it bless me? Or will it take me farther away from God. Put your thoughts to what you do. Do not go with the trend. Just because others are doing. Just because of the hashtag. Just to be viral. Just to gain acceptance. Is it good? Is it profitable? Will I be mastered by it? Is it beneficial? Image credit: https://www.whoa.in/gallery/funny-men-wallpaper

To discipline

1 Cor:9:27 But I discipline my body and make it my slave. Self control is a discipline. A gift. A fruit. A quintessential quality for a disciplined, gifted and fruitful life. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self control in all things. To beat my body. To discipline literally means, to hit under the eye. To knock the body out, so that you may win. Regarding gluttony, lust, negative thoughts, anger, hatred, vengeful words. Have self control. Keep quiet when you need to. Say no, when you ought to. Keep the mouth shut, when you are supposed to. It is not just the willpower, but about grace too. Both are important for self control. If you don't have the will power ask for GRACE. Grace is always there. Seek grace, because it is made available always. It is just that once you are made aware of the need, you seek, you pursue. You might fall occasionally. But get up and start from scratch. It is worth it. Image courtesy: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/32...

Crave - a poem

We would not crave evil things. 1Cor:10:6 Despite knowing His love unconditional to me. Despite knowing that it was my wretchedness That nailed Him to the cross. Why would I crave the very things He abhor? The very things my husband hate. I end up desiring, longing for This lover who gave His life and privileges for me. Him, I disappoint yet again. For it is the heart's motive that He looks for. It is the heart's desire that He looks into. What my heart longs for And who my lover yearns for? Selfish; idolator; immoral; gambler Dissatisfied; discontented; complainer. Adulterer in the heart. Murderer in the mind. Every thought in my heart, brings a teardrop in His eye. Why am I tuned like this? Why am I so fallen? Oh! Wretched man, that I am Who will deliver me from this hopelessness. The word "grace" is yet beautiful Favour when I don't deserve it. Difficult as I am, He still loves me. Improbable to be rectified; He still gives grace. He would transf...

Love

But do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Cor:13:2 Love is the center. Love is the core. Paul talks about apostleship, prophesy, miracles, gifts of healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues as secondary to love. 1 Cor:12:32. But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. Lord, teach me to love - my loved ones - unconditionally. With no tags. Just as you have loved me. Lord, teach me to love - my neighbour, my brother. Just as I love myself. Remove the self tag in my love. Lord, teach me love. Your love. Love that is patient. Love that is kind. Not seeking my own. Not taking into account the wrong suffered. Help me to still love. Bearing all things. Enduring all things. Teach me to love with a love that never fails. Teach me to love with a love that will always be there. No matter what. Lord teach me to love. Image credit: https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/15niky/just_because_youre_mad_at_someone_doesnt_mean_you/

Comfort in sorrow

2 Cor:2:7-8 You should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. When someone is sorrowful. 1. Forgive - forgive him for what He has done unknowingly or knowingly, personally and publically, verbally or physically, out of his sorrow. Just forgive. Just forget. Give another chance. Keep on giving one more. 2. Comfort - tell him it's okay to feel so. To feel overwhelmed. Tell him, I am there for you. God sees you and knows you. 3. Affirm your love to him - tell him I love you. I am there for you through thick and thin. To the best that I can, I will be there. You are not facing it alone. I am praying for you. Do not judge. Do not label. Do not gossip. Image courtesy: https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/child-and-dog-comfort-and-sorrow-vector-61716299

Be a man.

1 Cor:16:13 Be on the alert, stand firm in faith; act like men; be strong. Watch out. Look out. Be on the alert. Stand firm in faith. That is what men do. Be strong. Stay strong. Dwindling in your trust in God is what children do. Act like the man you are. Be a man. Stay strong on your faith. No matter what happens, hold fast to your God. That is mature faith. Do not let go to fear or anxiety. Be strong. Faith is trusting God, the Father despite what the circumstances look like. Knowing fully that He is in control. That He will take care and thats enough. He is enough. Image credit; https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/hand-holding-fist-symbol-determination_139829368.htm

Endure

2 Cor:4:18 For the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal. Unless we live with this perspective, there is no hope, there is no strength to endure, there is no sap left to hold on. For endurance depends on your ability to look beyond the physical to the spiritual, beyond the present to the eternal and beyond the visible to the invisible. It is not imaginary. But a reality into which we place our trust. Therefore our afflictions though may appear heavy when we face it, it is in reality light and momentary, for the glory awaiting is much more heavy - far beyond any comparison. So look forward. Look beyond. Focus on eternal things. Store up treasures in heaven and not here in this earth. Set your heart in treasures above. That will help you to face your afflictions here on this side of eternity. That will help you to have faith and put your trust in the One who called you. He will not leave you half way. He who has taken care of your et...

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