• Love Shuns Pride

  Love and pride cannot coexist, they are mutually exclusive in their motives. Pride is concerned first about getting its own way, while love looks out first for the needs of another. Love is not proud and loves the proud, but pride perceives those who live by love as weak and easily overcome. Love walks in humble dependence on the Lord, while pride walks in arrogant dependence on self. The flesh makes fools out of pride, but the wise rise out of humble love.

• Love Patiently

  Patience is a natural expression of love, as people who are loved are shown patience. However, some relationships are harder to patiently love. An unprovoked patience requires a small capacity for love, but a provoked patience requires a greater grace.

  

• Be Yourself

  Those who are comfortable in their own skin are content in how the Lord has made them. However, those who strive to be someone they’re not end up frustrated, failing to enjoy authentic living. Saul desired to honor David by giving him his armor that worked well in past battles, but what Saul found effective was not the best plan for David. Yes, wise followers of Christ focus on what aligns with the unique. Therefore, those who know themselves can be themselves.

• A Friend’s Rejection

  The worst kind of rejection may be the rejection of a friend. You expect it from an enemy, but not from a friend. It doesn’t make sense that someone you communed with around Christ would come back and crush you with rejection.

• Sought By God

  God seeks out men and women who are sensitive to His heart. Saul motivated by pride and fear did not keep the Lord’s command, so God appointed David as the next King. A leader risks losing the Lord’s respect when he disrespects the Lord’s commands.