New Hope Missionary Baptist Church

Posted on Tue, Mar 16, 2004

The Women�s Mission meets the�third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 PM.� This section contains the weekly lessons.� Each week, a new�

lesson will be added for your study, review, and discussion.� If you have questions or need clarification on any points, send an email to Pastor Williams at [email protected] and someone will respond.

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March 14:� Four Major Characteristics of Love

����������������������� 1Corinthians 13:4-7

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����������� Whether you believe it or not, there are at least four major characteristics of love.� They are: exercising the virtue of patience, humility, truth, and eliminating jealousy and envy.� Through exercising patience, we show that we recognize that all humankind grows spiritually at a different pace.� God exemplifies patience for His children every day as we struggle with the temptation to sin.� Because He loves us, He is not quick to pass judgment when we fall.

����������� How often do we seek praise and recognition?� In Proverbs 15:33 God says �before honor is humility�.� Humility brings about riches and honor and life, but pride only brings about a fall (22:4).� As Christians, God does not want us to think greater of ourselves, but of others.

����������� Truth tends to be one of the most difficult characteristics for a Christian to live by.� Whether we lie with good intentions or bad, God is not pleased.� There is no such thing as a little white lie, just like there is no such thing as a small miracle.� All of God�s miracles are great.� Even envy and jealousy can be coupled with lies.

����������� Let�s not forget about envy.� All envy is rooted in evil.� God has promised each of His children His blessings.� When we covet what others have, we weaken our appreciation for what God has already blessed us with.� Until we learn to be grateful for that which God has bestowed upon us, how can we expect to receive more?

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