Bible passages that highlight God’s priorities:
(1Peter 4:8) Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins.
(1Cor 13:1b NIV) If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
(1Cor 14:15 NKJV) I will pray with the Spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the Spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. (Importance of praying in the Holy Spirit first? like seeking the Kingdom first as in Matt6:33?)
(Psalm 62:11-12 TPT) God said to me once and for all, “All the strength and power you need flows from Me!” And again I heard it clearly said “All the love you need is found in Me!” And He said “The greater your passion for more – the greater reward I will give you!” (Interesting to relate this to Jesus’ parable of the talents Luke 19:11-24 where 3 men were entrusted with vast amounts of money while their master was away)
(2Peter 1:3-4 NIV) His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires.
(Matt 22:36-40 NIV) ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
(Matt 5:43-45a TEV) You have heard that it was said ‘Love your friends, hate your enemies.’ But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the sons of your Father in heaven.
Jesus’ prayer for his followers: (John 17:20-23 NIV) My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one. Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
(Matt 6:14-15 The Message) ‘In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.
(Matt 5:3,5 and 8 TEV) Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!…. Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!…. Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!
(Luke 22:26 TEV) Rather, the greatest one among you must be like the youngest and the leader must be like the servant.
(Heb 11:6) But without faith (trust) it is impossible to please God.
(Col 3:17 TPT) Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to god the Father because of what Christ has done for you!