Morning Coffee

By Robb Jones

Full-time Air Force recruiter and part-time youth pastor, Robb Jones's world was filled with people looking for answers, a better tomorrow, or a brighter future. Overwhelmed with negativism magnified by social media, he found himself seeking a way to make a difference.

One morning, enjoying coffee with his friend Alberto, he asked a question. Realizing social media had somehow replaced his grandpa's morning paper, "What if every day it provided something positive or inspirational?" He pondered writing a blog each morning to inspire, encourage, or teach others utilizing the Word of God.

New Year's Eve 2013, during prayer, Robb was inspired by the Holy Spirit and committed to spend each morning communing with God. He vowed to take his morning inspiration to social media in the form of a daily post. January 1, 2014, the journey began. Over the next 365 days, Robb awoke early, made coffee, and sought inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Posts were personal, inspirational, and often, educational. Some were reflections of past experiences and some were miniature Bible studies. Many included dissection of the written Word and breaking down scriptures over several days. On January 1, 2015, the journey concluded.

Morning Coffee is not just a collection of scriptures to jump-start your day. It is a real-life journey of a military man walking with God and sharing his experience with the world. It is a man up before the sun, praying, looking for inspiration, and writing before putting on his uniform to go to work. It is personal, inspirational, and educational. Most of all, it is real. It was the most difficult, sacrificial year of his life. It was never intended to be a book; it was only intended to be a tool for God to use to reach the hearts of His people.

Hometown: Date of Birth:

Heathsville, Virginia September 30, 1971

Place of Birth: Education:

Mountain Home AFB, Idaho Columbia Southern University

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781098091699

Book preview

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Morning Coffee

Robb Jones

Copyright © 2021 by Robb Jones

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

January 1, 2014

January 2, 2014

January 3, 2014

January 4, 2014

January 5, 2014

January 6, 2014

January 7, 2014

January 8, 2014

January 9, 2014

January 10, 2014

January 11, 2014

January 12, 2014

January 13, 2014

January 14, 2014

January 15, 2014

January 16, 2014

January 17, 2014

January 18, 2014

January 19, 2014

January 20, 2014

January 21, 2014

January 22, 2014

January 23, 2014

January 24, 2014

January 25, 2014

January 26, 2014

January 27, 2014

January 28, 2014

January 29, 2014

January 30, 2014

January 31, 2014

February 1, 2014

February 2, 2014

February 3, 2014

February 4, 2014

February 5, 2014

February 6, 2014

February 7, 2014

February 8, 2014

February 9, 2014

February 10, 2014

February 11, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 13, 2014

February 14, 2014

February 15, 2014

February 16, 2014

February 17, 2014

February 18, 2014

February 19, 2014

February 20, 2014

February 21, 2014

February 22, 2014

February 23, 2014

February 24, 2014

February 25, 2014

February 26, 2014

February 27, 2014

February 28, 2014

March 1, 2014

March 2, 2014

March 3, 2014

March 4, 2014

March 5, 2014

March 6, 2014

March 7, 2014

March 8, 2014

March 9, 2014

March 10, 2014

March 11, 2014

March 12, 2014

March 13, 2014

March 14, 2014

March 15, 2014

March 16, 2014

March 17, 2014

March 18, 2014

March 19, 2014

March 20, 2014

March 21, 2014

March 22, 2014

March 23, 2014

March 24, 2014

March 25, 2014

March 26, 2014

March 27, 2014

March 28, 2014

March 29, 2014

March 30, 2014

March 31, 2014

April 1, 2014

April 2, 2014

April 3, 2014

April 4, 2014

April 5, 2014

April 6, 2014

April 7, 2014

April 8, 2014

April 9, 2014

April 10, 2014

April 11, 2014

April 12, 2014

April 13, 2014

April 14, 2014

April 15, 2014

April 16, 2014

April 17, 2014

April 18, 2014

April 19, 2014

April 20, 2014

April 21, 2014

April 22, 2014

April 23, 2014

April 24, 2014

April 25, 2014

April 26, 2014

April 27, 2014

April 28, 2014

April 29, 2014

April 30, 2014

May 1, 2014

May 2, 2014

May 3, 2014

May 4, 2014

May 5, 2014

May 6, 2014

May 7, 2014

May 8, 2014

May 9, 2014

May 10, 2014

May 11, 2014

May 12, 2014

May 13, 2014

May 14, 2014

May 15, 2014

May 16, 2014

May 17, 2014

May 18, 2014

May 19, 2014

May 20, 2014

May 21, 2014

May 22, 2014

May 23, 2014

May 24, 2014

May 25, 2014

May 26, 2014

May 27, 2014

May 28, 2014

May 29, 2014

May 30, 2014

May 31, 2014

June 1, 2014

June 2, 2014

June 3, 2014

June 4, 2014

June 5, 2014

June 6, 2014

June 7, 2014

June 8, 2014

June 9, 2014

June 10, 2014

June 11, 2014

June 12, 2014

June 13, 2014

June 14, 2014

June 15, 2014

June 16, 2014

June 17, 2014

June 18, 2014

June 19, 2014

June 20, 2014

June 21, 2014

June 22, 2014

June 23, 2014

June 24, 2014

June 25, 2014

June 26, 2014

June 27, 2014

June 28, 2014

June 29, 2014

June 30, 2014

July 1, 2014

July 2, 2014

July 3, 2014

July 4, 2014

July 5, 2014

July 6, 2014

July 7, 2014

July 8, 2014

July 9, 2014

July 10, 2014

July 11, 2014

July 12, 2014

July 13, 2014

July 14, 2014

July 15, 2014

July 16, 2014

July 17, 2014

July 18, 2014

July 19, 2014

July 20, 2014

July 21, 2014

July 22, 2014

July 23, 2014

July 24, 2014

July 25, 2014

July 26, 2014

July 27, 2014

July 28, 2014

July 29, 2014

July 30, 2014

July 31, 2014

August 1, 2014

August 2, 2014

August 3, 2014

August 4, 2014

August 5, 2014

August 6, 2014

August 7, 2014

August 8, 2014

August 9, 2014

August 10, 2014

August 11, 2014

August 12, 2014

August 13, 2014

August 14, 2014

August 15, 2014

August 16, 2014

August 17, 2014

August 18, 2014

August 19, 2014

August 20, 2014

August 21, 2014

August 22, 2014

August 23, 2014

August 24, 2014

August 25, 2014

August 26, 2014

August 27, 2014

August 28, 2014

August 29, 2014

August 30, 2014

August 31, 2014

September 1, 2014

September 2, 2014

September 3, 2014

September 4, 2014

September 5, 2014

September 6, 2014

September 7, 2014

September 8, 2014

September 9, 2014

September 10, 2014

September 11, 2014

September 12, 2014

September 13, 2014

September 14, 2014

September 15, 2014

September 16, 2014

September 17, 2014

September 18, 2014

September 19, 2014

September 20, 2014

September 21, 2014

September 22, 2014

September 23, 2014

September 24, 2014

September 25, 2014

September 26, 2014

September 27, 2014

September 28, 2014

September 29, 2014

September 30, 2014

October 1, 2014

October 2, 2014

October 3, 2014

October 4, 2014

October 5, 2014

October 6, 2014

October 7, 2014

October 8, 2014

October 9, 2014

October 10, 2014

October 11, 2014

October 12, 2014

October 13, 2014

October 14, 2014

October 15, 2014

October 16, 2014

October 17, 2014

October 18, 2014

October 19, 2014

October 20, 2014

October 21, 2014

October 22, 2014

October 23, 2014

October 24, 2014

October 25, 2014

October 26, 2014

October 27, 2014

October 28, 2014

October 29, 2014

October 30, 2014

October 31, 2014

November 1, 2014

November 2, 2014

November 3, 2014

November 4, 2014

November 5, 2014

November 6, 2014

November 7, 2014

November 8, 2014

November 9, 2014

November 10, 2014

November 11, 2014

November 12, 2014

November 13, 2014

November 14, 2014

November 15, 2014

November 16, 2014

November 17, 2014

November 18, 2014

November 19, 2014

November 20, 2014

November 21, 2014

November 22, 2014

November 23, 2014

November 24, 2014

November 25, 2014

November 26, 2014

November 27, 2014

November 28, 2014

November 29, 2014

November 30, 2014

December 1, 2014

December 2, 2014

December 3, 2014

December 4, 2014

December 5, 2014

December 6, 2014

December 7, 2014

December 8, 2014

December 9, 2014

December 10, 2014

December 11, 2014

December 12, 2014

December 13, 2014

December 14, 2014

December 15, 2014

December 16, 2014

December 17, 2014

December 18, 2014

December 19, 2014

December 20, 2014

December 21, 2014

December 22, 2014

December 23, 2014

December 24, 2014

December 25, 2014

December 26, 2014

December 27, 2014

December 28, 2014

December 29, 2014

December 30, 2014

December 31, 2014

January 1, 2015

dedication

Preface

The New Year’s Resolution

On December 31, 2013, my family prayed as the New Year began that we would grow deeper in God. As I thought about it, I remembered praying the same thing several times before in my life. I asked myself, What holds me back? The answer has to be me. God’s never too busy for me; I seem to get too busy for Him. God never forgets His will for my life; I get distracted and lose focus. God never leaves me nor forsakes me; I just forget He is there. God never leaves a prayer unanswered. I am never still enough to hear it, and when I do, I’m often not obedient enough to follow His instruction.

A couple of years ago, I mentioned to my close friend Alberto Tenorio how I felt God leading me to wake up each morning and put a Morning Coffee post on Facebook even though I didn’t have an account. I don’t know why I never did, but I’m sure I let something distract me. Well, January 1, 2014 was Day 1…

Each day that year, I woke early to pray, meditate, and write a blog to be posted on Facebook. This book is a collection of 365 daily blogs meant to inspire, encourage, teach, and uplift my friends and followers who supported me throughout the journey. The path was long and arduous, but God carried me through and eventually inspired me to seek publication. Whether you read straight through or as a daily journal, I pray you will draw nearer to God as I did while taking the journey.

January 1, 2014

Morning Coffee

We have so many routines in our lives. Wake up at the same time, morning coffee or cereal, kids to school, fitness program, work schedule, and whatever else. We set alarms and reminders, and some might still tie strings on their fingers. Then at some point in the day, if we can find the time or if something goes wrong, we might throw up a prayer or read a scripture. In 2014, how about let’s set an alarm to remind us to spend some time with God, the one that created us and breathed life into our existence. Maybe sacrifice that snooze button or make use of setting that clock to be off by thirty minutes so we can sleep a little longer. Take that time to read a little, pray a little, or maybe download a devotion app (that’s what I did). Seek God for His will for you that day or the next, depending on what time you choose. I know it will make a difference.

That’s my resolution for 2014. Who’s with me? If we do this together, we can share our growth together, and through this, we can impact the world, and we can lift one another and ensure we are staying steady and strong.

Below is the scripture for January 1, 2014, from my devotion app.

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness (Psalm 143:10 KJV).

May God bless each of you and keep you as we embark on our journey through 2014.

January 2, 2014

Morning Coffee

But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?

—Galatians 2:14

This morning, I found myself in the book of Galatians, a small book but a powerful message from the Apostle Paul. I wanted to share the above verse with you all as it pertains to us all, not only spiritually but in everything we do.

I know you’ve heard the comments, Do as I say, not as I do. I know I’ve used it as a father, as a supervisor, and I’d venture to say unconsciously as a Christian. Often in our lives, we find ourselves in a position of leading, guiding, coaching, teaching, or directing others. We know what it is that we want others to do or how we want them to act or react. However, what we teach isn’t always the example we present in our action. When challenged, you might respond with Do what I say, not what I do.

There are a multitude of reasons one might use that phrase. Maybe we know the damage of the choices we made and are guiding others in a better path or maybe we are not ready or willing to follow our own guidance and instruction.

Paul is telling the Jews to set a good example or practice what they preach. People are more likely to follow your lead if they can appreciate and emulate your actions.

No one is perfect, and no one is without sin, but we can all strive to live as Christ within us lived, and when we do that, His light will shine through us and reflect on those around us.

Today I encourage you to lead by example in your life to influence those people around you.

God bless you all.

January 3, 2014

Morning Coffee

I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

—Philippians 1:6

As the new year begins, I’m sure many people made resolutions just as I. Maybe you wanted to gain a promotion, lose some weight, quit a bad habit, start a good habit, or complete some tasks.

I always considered myself an idea guy and oh, how dangerous I would be if I could just feed my ideas into a machine or hand them to someone else to be carried through to fruition.

However, like some of you, I think to do something or even begin the process and never finish the job. Maybe it gets more complicated, or it gets too tough. Maybe I get distracted and turn my focus to something else. Maybe I see things start to not turn out the way I’d hoped, and I get frustrated or sometime I just get lazy.

Well, God is an idea guy as well. He started a project in each and every person He created. He had and still has a plan and purpose for each of us, and most of us are projects that do not follow strictly by the plan. However, God does not give up on us. Like only a great designer can, He makes adjustment on the fly so that we can always get back on course to fulfill His purpose in our lives.

As you enter this new year, I encourage you to seek God for the things he would have you to do. Seek His guidance on how to accomplish your goals. Everything will not come easy, but if God is in it, all things are possible. When times get hard, lean on Him for strength and guidance. Just as God will persevere to finish His good work in you, you will find the strength to finish those things God has ordained in your life.

I pray that you continue to be blessed in 2014. Please share these words with anyone you feel would be touched. My inspiration is from God and my desire is that as many people be touch by His word as possible.

God bless you all.

January 4, 2014

Morning Coffee

Remember Lot’s wife.

—Luke 17:32

Such a short verse, but it packs a lot of punch! In the book of Genesis, chapter 19, God reveals the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. These two cities were overtaken with sin and the description of their activities are not too unfamiliar. However, God has not inspired me to discuss the similarities between those cities and our beloved country.

In chapter 19 of Genesis, God rescues Lot and his family prior to the destruction of Sodom. However, He tells them to run away and not look back. Unfortunately, Lot’s wife looked back and was turned to a pillar of salt.

In our lives, God will lead us away from things that will destroy us—mentally, physically, and spiritually. God is constantly drawing us closer to Him and away from sin. When we are lead away from sinful activities, we are to keep our eyes focused on God and moving forward, further from those things that draw us away.

This verse is a warning not to look back at the way we were. Most times, it is just easier to give up or give in to the pleasures of sin or the pressures of the world. However, if we keep our focus on God, He will give us the strength to endure to the finish.

If you have recently made some changes in your life or plan to change some habits in your life, rest assured it won’t always be easy. However, the Bible says that with Christ all things are possible. I challenge you to keep moving forward and don’t look back. If you feel yourself losing momentum, stop and pray for God’s strength to endure. Also, share your challenge with a close friend or someone you can trust so they can help you through encouragement.

God bless you all.

January 5, 2014

Morning Coffee

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

—1 Samuel 16:7

In today’s society, we often attach labels to people or group them in with people we feel are similar. We label people based on where they live, how much money they have, the type of car they drive, and even the behaviors they display.

Once we attach a label to someone, we presume they are going to act a certain way or build a set of characteristics about them and attempt to predict their actions without knowing them. For example, when an individual that is down financially and is not very clean approaches you and asks for money to eat, it is not uncommon for people to assume he/she is just going to use the money for alcohol or drugs.

If it is not bad enough that we label others, many of us label ourselves and determine our self-worth based on those labels. This can be detrimental to our mental and physical health and devastating in our spiritual journey. As we grow in God, we learn that His grace and mercy are sufficient to give us peace. However, we oftentimes reject God’s grace because we don’t feel worthy because of our actions and the sin in our lives. By rejecting His grace and forgiveness, we reject His peace and we make way for the enemy to come in and tear us down.

Let me assure you this morning that no one is worthy, and no one is without sin. But our sin does not define who we are; it is merely an activity. We must learn to identify the sin in our lives, repent, ask for God’s forgiveness, accept His forgiveness and keep pushing through to draw closer to Him. When we can do that, the righteousness of Jesus Christ becomes our righteousness and even though the world may only see our activities, God will see our heart.

Let me encourage you today not to label others, and just as importantly, don’t label yourself by the sin in your life. Don’t try to wait until you are worthy to accept Christ and then invite Him into your heart to be your personal savior. You don’t have to wait until you lose twenty pounds or until you quit smoking or partying. You don’t have to wait until you are older, married, and settled with children. He is there waiting for you right now, and if there are things you want to change, He will be right there to help you. With God, you will not be or become perfect but you will have His peace in every situation and His strength to endure; without Him, you are at the mercy of the world and enslaved to your sinful nature.

I pray this morning that each of you accept Christ as your savior if you have not already done so. I also pray that you will categorize the sin in your life as it should be, an activity that is unpleasing to God, but not who you are. Sin is not your identity.

God bless you all.

January 6, 2014

Morning Coffee

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

—Galatians 5:16–17

Tonight is the big night in college football as the top-ranked Florida State Seminoles will battle the second-ranked Auburn Tigers for the final BCS National Championship. All over the country, people will gather to eat, drink, dress in their favorite football attire, and watch the big game. Some will watch intently while others will merely enjoy the social interaction. All the while, during all the partying and social engagements, there will be a battle raging between two teams that are oblivious to all the activity around them and are solely focus on winning the game.

Why am I talking about football at five thirty in the morning? Well, just like in a football game, in our lives, there are two forces constantly engaged in battle, and most of us are so wrapped up in our day-to-day activity that we are oblivious to the war that is raging.

If you read on in this same chapter, you will find that the works of the flesh are described as sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. Meanwhile, the fruits of the spirit are described as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You can probably see how the two are at odds.

Simply put, the war is pulling us in two opposite directions, creating a battle within each of us. It becomes evident in almost every instance in our lives as we are constantly faced with choices, we must make in how to act or react. For example, when someone cuts you off in traffic, you can respond with anger (road rage) or with love (praying for their safety as they try to get to where they are going in such a hurry). The anger response will only give you undue stress, increased pulse, and higher blood pressure, while prayer will calm your anxiety, turn your focus from the act, and bring inner peace. Besides, you don’t really know why the person cut you off or if they meant it for malice.

I challenge you (and me) to side with the spirit in this battle. Slow down and take notice of what is controlling your life—your flesh or your spirit. Realize that whichever force you feed the most will win the battle. If your spirit is weak, strengthen it with prayer, fasting, and reading of God’s Word.

God bless you all.

January 7, 2014

Morning Coffee

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

—1 Corinthians 13:1–3

This morning, I woke up with a song in my spirit for King & Country sings The Proof of Your Love. The song says, So let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love. Let my love look like You and what You’re made of. The Bible states two important concepts I’d like to link together: (1) God is love (1 John 4:8) and (2) man was created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Therefore, man was created to be love.

While I was home over the holiday, I had the privilege of performing my oldest son’s wedding ceremony, and I used today’s verse to set the foundation for a marriage based on love. The scripture continues on to describe love and I intend to break it down further over the next few mornings. Feel free to read ahead through verse 7.

But let’s get things started with this concept. God is love, and we are created to be like Him. In this world, we can gain many physical possession and learn many skills, but without love, it is all for nothing. And I’m not just talking about marital love, I’m talking about love for one another, love in our actions, love in our words, and love for our creator as well.

Today, I challenge you to act with love in every situation. Let your life be the proof of God’s love. Feel free to share if you acquire a testimony that might inspire someone else.

God bless you all, and once again, feel free to share this and God’s Word. It is our commission. Stay tuned as we continue to break down what love is and continue to apply it to our lives.

January 8, 2014

Morning Coffee

Love is patient and kind…

—1 Corinthians 13:4 (ESV)

As a continuation from yesterday, let’s progress through what just might be one of the most important scriptures in the Bible. Consider this: in Matthew 22:37, Jesus said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. He went on to say that the second was to love your neighbor as yourself. As you can see, our ability to love is of the utmost importance to God and how can we truly love if we don’t understand how God defines love.

Patient is defined as bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune, delay, hardship, pain, etc., with fortitude and calm and without complaint, anger, or the like. In other words, when we love we endure through shortcomings, faults, mistakes, disappointment, etc. I am easily frustrated when things don’t go my way on my schedule. Imagine the mess I would be in if God was not able to be patient with me…or you.

Kind is defined as of a good or benevolent nature or disposition and is derived from the Greek word chresteuomai, which means to act benevolently. If it helps, benevolent means characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings or desiring to help others; charitable. That is a lot of definitions to basically say, be nice. However, as simple as the concept is, how difficult is it to display continuously in our lives, especially when others are not reciprocating?

Patient and kind are the first two descriptors of love in this verse. I challenge you today to put them into action in your life. Try to understand why other act or react the way they do and it will help you be patient. Remember your own shortfalls and mistakes, as to not judge others against an unfair standard. Think on the patience God has displayed for you and every person as we continue to fall short of His glory.

Be kind with a desire to help. If someone is not meeting your expectations, help them to understand and improve. Do so with love, not sarcasm or criticism.

It is easy to do unto others as they do unto us, but we are to do unto others as we would like for them to do unto us. Set the example for others to follow by reflecting God’s love through patience and kindness.

God bless you all.

January 9, 2014

Morning Coffee

Love does not envy or boast…

—1 Corinthians 13:4 (ESV)

Continuing on with defining what love is, the verse goes on to say, Love does not envy or boast.

The word envy is defined as a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another’s advantages, success, possessions and is derived from the Greek word zeloo, which means to be jealous over.

The word boast means to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride, especially about oneself and comes from the Greek word perpereuomai, which shares the same meaning.

A part of loving others is being happy and excited for them when things are going well. Oftentimes, the enemy will use someone else’s success as a way of lying to us and making us feel like we are not as worthy or valuable to God. Boasting on our own success can create envy in the ones we love as we allow the enemy to use his same devices against them. Nothing can tear down a relationship like jealousy!

In the same letter, chapter 1:31, Paul says, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. Today let’s share in the successes of others. Celebrate with them what God has done in their lives. Speak more about what God has done for others and allow them to see what God has done for you through your actions. If you must boast, boast on how good God is and what His Word says, not in material possessions or earthly accomplishments. If someone compliments you, give the glory to God.

God bless you all.

January 10, 2014

Morning Coffee

Love…it is not arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way.

—1 Corinthians 13:4–5

The King James Version uses the phrase puffed up, which is translated to arrogant in the English Standard Version. It is derived from the Greek word phusioo , which means to make proud. Arrogant is defined as making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights.

The word rude is defined as discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way. The KJV uses the term unseemly, which comes from the Greek word aschemosune, which means shame.

This morning’s portion of the definition is not too difficult to grasp, especially the first part. There aren’t many things that drive more people away than arrogance and rudeness.

The rest goes on to say, It does not insist on its own way. Now this portion might be a bit more challenging for some. In a society where there is so much going on and so much to do, it is easy to get caught up in always doing what you want to do or doing things your way (personally guilty). Love is about understanding and compromise. A relationship based on love is about equality not about one person under complete submission to another.

Today’s challenge is to not only not be arrogant or rude, but be sensitive to the desires of others. Take a moment to ask another’s opinion on how something should be done or ask someone what they would like to do. It is a simple concept, but one that could change your life and save a relationship.

God bless you all.

January 11, 2014

Morning Coffee

It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

—1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Anger—what a tough thing for us to control. Each of us has our own particular tipping point and our own particular way of acting or reacting when we are angry. The passage here doesn’t say that you should never be angry, but that it should not happen easily. Today, I encourage you to take some time and meditate on the things that cause you anger. Consider why those things happen and try to gain an understanding of why others act the way they do. This might help you to deal with your anger or frustration as it occurs and help you respond in love.

The second part of today’s passage says that love keeps no record of wrongs. As I thought about this, I was reminded of how awesome God’s memory is that he is able to remember to never remember our sins once they are covered by the blood of Jesus. My pastor, Clyde Johns, was once talking about how we sometimes fight with our loved ones, and he said we should fight fair. This is difficult because when we get angry or get our feelings hurt, we want to (1) make ourselves feel better and (2) make the other person feel bad. What better way to do that than to remind them of something they’ve done in the past, especially if it has hurt you or previously damaged your relationship.

Imagine how horrible it would be if God showed us a replay of our sins every time we fell short? He would never do that. Why? Because He loves us.

Forgiveness is tough for us, but the ability to forget is nearly impossible. Mix that in with a healthy dose of anger, and you’ve got a cocktail for disaster. My challenge for you today is, when you feel you are reaching the tipping point, take a step back, take a deep breath and try to be more understanding to delay your anger. However, in your anger, always put your mind before your tongue. Think about what you are going to say or how you are going to respond. Most situations are not serious enough to warrant destroying your relationship. How can you do this? Pray for God’s assistance.

God bless you all.

January 12, 2014

Morning Coffee

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

—1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)

As we continue on through the journey of learning what love means, I pray this is helping someone other than just me. I know it is taking quite some time to get through this portion of the text, but I feel that it is important to know how God sees love so that we may love as he does.

I have two views in this particular portion of the text. I’ll start with the obvious. Love cannot endure through a relationship based on lies and/or distrust. Have you ever lied to a friend, relative, spouse, or even your children? Have