A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of May 22-26, 2023
MONDAY
Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:8a
Love never fails. When we demonstrate love through the power of the Holy Spirit, good will always come. This is the power of love. It never fails. Can you imagine anything so foolproof? There is a guarantee that when we walk in the power of love, everything we do will turn out right.
This is why God gave the life of His Son to allow us to receive this power. Love enables us to do the unimaginable. We do need faith, but ultimately faith depends on love to work properly.
Love is the greatest power on the earth. The power of love will dispel wickedness, darkness and fear. Love conquers all. When in doubt, reflect on the love of God and faith will arise in your heart.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: 3 John 2 ~ Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
May 22: Numbers 31, Psalms 75-76, Isaiah 23, 1 John 1
May 23: Numbers 32, Psalms 77, Isaiah 24, 1 John 2
May 24: Numbers 33, Psalms 78:1-37, Isaiah 25, 1 John 3
May 25: Numbers 34, Psalms 78:38-72, Isaiah 26, 1 John 4
May 26: Numbers 35, Psalms 79, Isaiah 27, 1 John 5
May 27: Numbers 36, Psalms 80, Isaiah 28, 2 John 1
May 28: Deuteronomy 1, Psalms 81-82, Isaiah 29, 3 John 1
TUESDAY
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is longsuffering. Have you every prayed for a loved one to come to know Christ? Has anyone close to you been rebellious against the Lord, and you desired to see that person saved? Then if they have been saved, you know what longsuffering is able to accomplish. If they are yet unsaved, then it will help you endure until they surrender to God.
Longsuffering allows us to endure disappointment, heartache, fear of failure and the temptation to give up. It is a spiritual fruit that enables us to keep our word. It matures us. Kindness is a part of love and helps us to bear burdens without resentment.
When patience is added to kindness, we can be a proper witness for God while we endure all the temptations to act out of our circumstances instead of our faith.
WEDNESDAY
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love does not demand its own way. Love allows everybody but self to have a turn. This is important. This facet of love allows us to reflect and demonstrate God’s true character.
God is not anxious to let everybody know He’s here. He is not insecure and needing to be boosted by our attention. He is very secure in His ability, and as children of God, we should be, too. We should not need to have things our way all the time. We should willingly relinquish “rights” in order to attain friendship, peace, and salvation for others.
When we demonstrate love, the other person feels worthwhile and is built up. Love is content in the knowledge that our reward comes from God. If we humble ourselves to Him, He will exalt us in due season. It becomes easier to let the other person have his way.
THURSDAY
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is not easily provoked. Love doesn’t cause us to walk around with a chip on our shoulders, waiting to see who will upset it. Love is not touchy, wanting others to always be considerate. Instead, love encourages us to forgive quickly and treat the person as if they never offended us.
We can easily see how love is able to help us grow and bring help and healing to others. Love is an overcoming power because it gives us a force that cannot be overtaken. Love expands our hearts to be able to consider those outside of ourselves. Love conquers us, and helps us to pour love out to others.
FRIDAY
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Loves puts up with a lot… without complaining. Have you ever thought to yourself that your life would be perfect if it were not for one minor thing that you wish would change? It may be an unanswered prayer, or a difficult relationship, or a desire that you have had for many years that has not come to pass.
Love gives us the ability to keep our joy, peace, and cheerful countenance and not focus on the fact that we’re still waiting. Our cup is half full rather than half empty. We see what we have instead of what is missing. We rejoice in the truth that the blessing will not escape us. We trust God above all things, because God is love.
“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
The power of love has been made available to us through the new birth. If you have never given your life to God and experienced the power of love, you have the opportunity to do so right now.
With all sincerity, pray the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I believe you love me, and I want to live in your love forever. Please forgive my sins and come into my heart. Change me. Wash away my guilt and make me like you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I am forgiven and I can now live for you. Amen.