Rick Costa

bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

– Colossians 3:13 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

There will be times where you may get in a disagreement, an argument or an all out fight with your brothers and sisters.  We still have to live together and work together for Christ so forgive those who hurt you just like God forgave you when you hurt Him.

One of them, seeing that he was cured, came back, adoring and praising God in a loud voice,

– Luke 17:15 (Weymouth New Testament)

If God heals you (or does anything for you really) you need to shout about it in front of everybody!

Give thanks to the LORD. Call on him. Make known among the nations what he has done.

– Psalm 105:1 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

People don’t want to hear about how great you are but it’s always appropriate to tell about how great God is!

Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

Don’t be like the world in thinking that if you were wronged in some way that you have the right to “get back” at that person.

Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly.

– Colossians 3:14 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

More than anything people will remember your love for them.  You want to make sure an unbeliever will listen to you?  Let them see the love of Christ flowing out of you.

They claim to know God, but they deny him by what they do.  They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.

– Titus 1:16 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

Anybody can claim to have a relationship with God.  But if they are living unholy, then their life contradicts that statement.

Dear friends, since you are foreigners and temporary residents [in the world], I’m encouraging you to keep away from the desires of your corrupt nature. These desires constantly attack you.

– 1 Peter 2:11 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

We must be CONSTANTLY on guard against temptations that the enemy puts in front of us.  The more you do for God the more the enemy works to bring you down.  Be alert and live holy!

Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to farm the land and to take care of it.

– Genesis 2:15 (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

Yes we can have fun and enjoy life along the way but God gives each of us a job to do and He expects us to fulfill our responsibilities.

So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Teach them to do everything I have commanded you.  And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.

– Matthew 28:19-20 ((GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

Notice this doesn’t say go “if you feel like it” or go “as long as it’s convenient.”  It’s not a question of whether you are specifically called to do it either.   This is something we are ALL commanded to do.

Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.

– Matthew 20:26b (GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995))

Only those who put others before themselves does God consider truly great.