Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Happy Valentine’s Day! Today is a day to celebrate love! It’s not just about the love between man and woman. It’s the love that God has poured out in abundance on His people. It’s the love that we receive from each other. The love we receive from our parents, siblings, friends, mentors, etc. Today, we celebrate the love of more than just a spouse or special someone. Today, we have the opportunity to celebrate the greatest love of all. The love of God. The love that gives us the ability to love one another.
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
Let’s celebrate what True Love is!
Love is patient!
Love says, “I’ll wait for you, no matter how long it takes.” This kind of love waits for a son or daughter to come home to Christ. This kind of love waits on God’s timing. This kind of love does not have an agenda!
Love is kind!
Have you experienced kind and encouraging words from someone? If you have, you have experienced love!
Love does not envy!
Envy will steal your joy. It will steal every good thing that God has given you. Get re-focused and remember that God loves you. He wants to take care of you. He’s concerned with your walk and how you will live for Him. How are you going stay true to the journey God has called you on?
Love does not boast!
God has called us to love others and lift them up. He has not called us to lift ourselves up. Jesus Himself came to lift God up and make sure all glory was given to His Father.
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” ~John 8:28
Love is not proud!
Love does not go around saying, “I’m the best”, “Look at what I have done”, “Aren’t I amazing?”, etc. Love continues to point back to God and says, “Look at God, isn’t He amazing! It’s because He loves me that I can love others!”
Love is not rude!
Love is not rude and it does not push others out of the way. Love puts others first and let’s them know that they can succeed in God.
Love is not self-seeking!
Love does not seek to promote oneself. Love seeks to promote God’s purpose!
Love is not easily angered!
God does not want us to be easily angered! He wants us to control our feelings and love those who offend us! May your next response to painful words and actions be love. May someone experience God’s love through you!
Love keeps no record of wrongs!
Have you been keeping score on someone who has hurt you? It’s time to let go. God is not keeping score when it comes to your sin. Why would you keep score of the sins of anyone who has wronged you…when you have wronged God far worse?
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
~Psalm 103:11-12
Love does not delight in evil!
God calls us to live righteously and forsake anything that would lead us astray from Him.
Love rejoices with the truth!
Rejoice in the Truth found in God’s Word! Continue to seek God and know the love that is found in only Him!
Love protects!
Will you protect others with God’s love?
Love always trusts!
Will you trust God, knowing that His love is greater than all things?
Love always hopes!
Place your hope in the Lord and know that He will come through for you. His love will never fail you!
Love always perseveres!
God’s love will help you persevere through any trial you may face!
Love NEVER fails!
God’s love never fails.
This is what we celebrate on this Valentine’s Day! A love that never fails! A love that comes from God and has been given freely through His Son Jesus Christ. We have the opportunity to now respond to that love. How will we respond in love this week?
Challenge: Read 1 Corinthians 13
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Dear Father God, Your love is all of the things that are mentioned in 1 Corinthians. I can only pray that my love will be the same. Please help me to love people in a way that is kind, that is patient, that is true, that is unfailing, and all the things above. May I be Your love extended to all those I know and continue to meet!
Loving People to Jesus,
