A year of change

I have noted that much of the ministry lately has been repeats of previous words, so I have found little I wanted to publish. At the start of this year I have detected a shift, so here are some new words.
I saw a picture of someone laying down flowers at a funeral. For many this would seem a pointless waste of money. Yet the flowers were an expression of love, and love is never wasted.


Love is eternal. That is why the apostle Paul says that the gifts of the Spirit will pass away, but love never fails. The Bible uses the word "charity" in the Authorised King James: it means much more than the word we use now which is "love". It implies selflessly giving ourselves on behalf of others in the love of God. The Chambers Dictionary defines love as "The disposition to think favourably of others and do them good."

We will receive a revelation of love in our hearts if we are open to God this year. A shift will happen in which we will see our lives and the things we do in terms of love. As a consequence many wrong attitudes will drop away, as follows:

We will no longer do things out of selfishness. We will no longer do church activities to impress others, whether Christians or non-Christians.

We will no longer do things out of self-effort to try to please God.

We will no longer work to draw people to ourselves.

We will have no need to prove anything to ourselves or others.

We will no longer give tithes and offerings out of duty.

We will want to benefit others rather than ask "What's in it for me?"

Worldly success, rewards, praise or position will no longer dictate our actions.

We will no longer perform deeds out of compulsion, or lay compulsion on others.

We will be willing to suffer disgrace, humiliation, criticism and loss of face rather than compromise on love.

"Charity never faileth". We will not begin a task and then fail to complete it.

We have often read 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 and discussed it. We will now receive the revelation needed to live it.

By Martin Cooke