Here's some spiritual food for you.
      
Looking to Jesus,

2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
How do we get the God of love and peace? That was my question as I read my Bible just recently. This verse says BE PERFECT, BE OF GOOD COMFORT, BE OF ONE MIND AND LIVE IN PEACE, Let's us explore the following:



BE YE PERFECT:
The Bible says in Lu 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
Our Master (the Lord Jesus) is long suffering, especially to the brethren (NOT easily offended)
Jesus delights in mercy -- He is Understanding!!! Are we impatient with others?
He was a servant! Now I know we don't practice washing feet - so I'm just using it as an example here -- are we doing what that example set forth in our lives towards others? Are we willing to be THAT giving?
Now remember we are still looking at "Be ye perfect" here so lets look at:
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
This is our common bond, it is CHARITY..If we don't have and practice this then all of the above means nothing. Charity to me is something that costs us something.. sometimes money, it could be time.. etc. I think a good definition of Charity would be : Someone benefits and it costs YOU. ;-)
And lastly in regards to perfection:
1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
We see here that perfection is PRECEDED by suffering. In Verse 8 of the same chapter we find: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" -- we see here that satan brings it -- and God allows it. He is working in us perfection with trials.



Let's move on to BE OF GOOD COMFORT:
This is a command! Why is this so important I asked myself, in seeking the Scriptures I found my answer, (isn't it a blessing to find how the WHOLE Word of God works together ;-)
It is commanded so we don't give up. So we will have the right attitude for service also to be a testimony to this world. So that we don't just rely on the fruits of our own labors.
1. Considering the rapture:
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. We see here we should be talking of it with each other! Taking comfort that even in hard times we have reason to be comforted.... comforting each other in reminding each other the promises of God.
2. Comfort with the Holy Ghost:
Ac 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Being in fellowship with the Holy Ghost brings comfort.
3. The BIBLE brings comfort:
Ro 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and
4. Preaching brings comfort:
1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Let' go on now to BE OF ONE MIND:
The verse we are concentrating on here is still 2 Cor. 13:11, being of one mind here is meant to say ALL OF US a collective group of born again believers? Why? SO THOSE OUTSIDE OF THE GROUP WILL WANT WHAT WE HAVE!!.
1Co 1:10-12 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
We must be steadfast! (not our own opinions - but what does God say?) Division comes from not being of one mind. Do we have problems with brothers and sisters in Christ? We need to do one of two things if we do.
1. confront and settle it 2. FORGET it. (really forget it! - as if it never happened, otherwise there will be bitterness in your heart)
Those are the only two choices OR you have a DIVISION:
Ro 5:5-6 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Php 2:1-2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Why do we need to be of ONE MIND? it says in the two verses above that it is because it FULFILLS THE LORD'S JOY!!! What better reason? We shoud be ready to praise in song - in giving - in service!
And finally lets look at this verse:
Ro 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Living in peace is more than 'not fighting' we can all for appearance look good BUT not be in harmony. To be 'in peace' means HARMONY.
Websters 1828 says:
H`ARMONY, n. [L. harmonia; Gr. a setting together, a closure or seam, agreement, concert, to fit or adapt, to square.]
The just adaptation of parts to each other, in any system or composition of things, intended to form a connected whole; as the harmony of the universe.
Concord or agreement in views, sentiments or manners, interests, &c., good correspondence; peace and friendship.



Back to the beginning, I had to ask myself why at times I don't sense the peace of God like i should...... ??
Is my relationship with the brethren right? Seems to all stem back to that. Am I striving to be perfect (like Jesus?) Am I seeking comfort in his Word? Am I striving to be of ONE MIND with the believers? Steadfast? WE must all face these questions if we want the God of love and peace to work in our lives ;-)

This is not mine it comes from a wonderful lady named Chris at http://www.momof9splace.com