“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)
Today is the last day of our 21 day fast, so I felt moved to share with you a few thoughts about biblical love. Fasting is all about sacrificing and sacrificing is the cornerstone of love. It's not enough for love to just be exciting, it also must be lasting! Teen age romance won't satisfy a middle aged couple. Puppy love won't last through the dog days of life [Now that was funny…I see you smiling]. Most people have allowed Hollywood to shape and form their idea and definition of love. Hollywood places fantasy in front of us and presents it as reality. But Paul writes to the Corinthians amidst their turmoil [about spiritual gifts] and tells them the secret of love that makes relationships last. Let’s look at I Corinthians 13 together and get some clues to the daily sacrifices that keep love alive.
“Love is patient...” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Love is alive when it has time... is dying when it is hurried... is dead when it cannot wait. Waiting together is a part of all of our relationships! But many times love also means that I must wait for someone else ‑ wait for them to grow or to understand ‑ wait for them to heal or to get motivated. [That was difficult to say…pray for all the impatience people like me.] Who do you need to have patience with today?
"Love is kind..." (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Love is alive when it cares... is dying when it forgets... is dead when it ignores.
Kindness is the ability to do the little things well. The love expressed in kindness is learning how to turn those grand vows into simple acts and expression of love. Do you ever forget to be kind? We all do! Kindness in our families, with those we are closest to, takes real effort. Who can you show kindness too?
“LOVE does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Today is the last day of our 21 day fast, so I felt moved to share with you a few thoughts about biblical love. Fasting is all about sacrificing and sacrificing is the cornerstone of love. It's not enough for love to just be exciting, it also must be lasting! Teen age romance won't satisfy a middle aged couple. Puppy love won't last through the dog days of life [Now that was funny…I see you smiling]. Most people have allowed Hollywood to shape and form their idea and definition of love. Hollywood places fantasy in front of us and presents it as reality. But Paul writes to the Corinthians amidst their turmoil [about spiritual gifts] and tells them the secret of love that makes relationships last. Let’s look at I Corinthians 13 together and get some clues to the daily sacrifices that keep love alive.
“Love is patient...” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Love is alive when it has time... is dying when it is hurried... is dead when it cannot wait. Waiting together is a part of all of our relationships! But many times love also means that I must wait for someone else ‑ wait for them to grow or to understand ‑ wait for them to heal or to get motivated. [That was difficult to say…pray for all the impatience people like me.] Who do you need to have patience with today?
"Love is kind..." (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Love is alive when it cares... is dying when it forgets... is dead when it ignores.
Kindness is the ability to do the little things well. The love expressed in kindness is learning how to turn those grand vows into simple acts and expression of love. Do you ever forget to be kind? We all do! Kindness in our families, with those we are closest to, takes real effort. Who can you show kindness too?
“LOVE does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Love is alive when it is secure... is dying when it doubts... is dead when it loses trust. Security is one of the #1 issues in relationships. Add a little insecurity to the best of relationships and love does not stay alive. Someone once told me that jealousy is a waste of emotion. I’m not really sure if I would go to that extreme but I will say that if you care deeply for someone it takes time to build a level of trust that can withstand certain challenges. This is even true in our relationship with God. The more we walk with God the more secure we become. The more we experience God the more we can rely on God. The more we learn how to trace God’s hand the more we can learn how to trust God’s heart. What is one step you could take today to make a relationship you are insecure in become more secure? Strengthen a relationship today talk to or call someone and say “No matter what happens, no matter what the future hold for us, I want you to know… I will always love you.”
Family Activity: Here’s your assignment...do two random acts of kindness. One toward a totally stranger and the other to someone in your family.
1 comment:
wow...sacrifice to love. waiting,kindness,security.
What an awesome truth.It opens up so much understanding.learning the secrets. These profound words from God are incredible and timeless. I'll never forget how they speak to me.
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