Be Completely Humble

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. — Ephesians 4:2 

Another month has dawned.

And the Chinese New Year of the dragon.

The dragon is regarded as representing bravery, strength, and luck.

When Abby was born, my Chinese friends gave me a red envelope with lucky money to celebrate her birth.

The year she was born was the year of the fire rat.

We are thankful to God for the blessing of our duaghter.

Abigail means "Father's joy!"

Bear With One Another in Love

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. — Ephesians 4:2 

As we approach February and Valentine's Day, this Scripture verse is a fitting reminder:

God calls us to love each other, just as He has loved us.

He commands us to be completely humble and gentle.

At best, I'm only partly humble.

And He asks us to be patient with others.

I'm not very patient, but God has been extremely patient with me.

God calls us to bear with one another in love.

I often have a hard time putting up with others.

Lord, please help me to follow you in showing these traits to those around me.

A Gentle Response

A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. — Proverbs 15:1

Sometimes it's difficult to give a gentle response when someone says something unkind or treats others badly.

I feel like lashing out instead of responding with gentleness.

In that moment, I just have to bite my tongue and ask God for wisdom.

So I don't blurt out the first thing that comes to mind,

And then regret it later when I end up with foot in mouth disease.

But God's Word is true.

A gentle response turns away wrath.

And the opposite is true.

A harsh word stirs up wrath.

Give me a gentle spirit today, Lord.