Living Out “Love” This Christmas
For Our Friends
A Humble Heart and Willing Spirit
As Christ Loves Us
Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a day to express love and most notably, romantic love. The history of Valentine’s Day, along with the saint for whom it is named, is shrouded in mystery. Both Christian and ancient Roman traditions make up its origins, but the exact details of what happened to St. Valentine are uncertain. What is certain is that through a series of events dating back to the middle ages, February 14 became the date to commemorate Valentine’s Day. Roses and chocolates will be sold at exorbitant prices and in massive quantities, all in hopes to express our love in that special way. What is the most special way to express our love?
The thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians is known as the lovechapter of the Bible. The apostle Paul writes about true love, what it is and what it is not. It “charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up;” (verse 4). It “doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;” (verse 5). Paul puts it very simply in verse 8, “Charity (love) never faileth.” Flowers fade and candies melt, but true love never fades, never dies, never fails. The most special way to express our love is to practice these qualities Paul speaks of as we learn to love beyond ourselves.
Romantic love is a wonderful feeling and being in love is truly a gift from God. Those feelings of heightened joy and excitement seem to make everything else less significant. But today, let’s ask the Lord to help us love beyond the feelings of the gifts and the favors. Let’s pray that we can love as Christ loves us and that we can express that love in ways that bless those around us more than anything else we can give. Why not make today a day to take love more seriously than you ever have before? Pray that love becomes the motivation for all that you do. Enjoy the flowers and candies and candlelight dinners, but remember to keep love in your heart, not just in the festivities.
When I read this it blessed me. Love is far greater than any tangible gift we could be given. We must remember to love as Christ loves us and know that He loves each of us as if there were only one of us. What love!
Have a beautiful day in The Lord and a Happy Valentines Day!
Today’s Reading is 1 Corinthians 13
Choose to Love
As a child, one of my favorite words was “why.” I know it drove my parents crazy when I used it repeatedly. Why do I have to brush my teeth? Why do I need to eat those green things? The answer was always the same, “Because I told you so.” There are times when we must submit and do as we are told. Children have little choice in the matter, but as adults we can choose our own course. Jesus tells us to “love one another.” And even in this command, we have a choice. Have you ever found yourself wondering why you have to love that person who seems so undeserving? The answer is because Jesus says so.
Love is so important to Jesus that He summed up all Ten Commandments into two: love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. The Apostle Paul says in First Corinthians 13 that nothing we do really matters without love. But in today’s world, we are confused about love. Movies and television lure us into fantasies about “true” love using sex, guilt and manipulation as tools to obtain love. When we are hurt by someone who says they love us, we begin to wonder if love really exists at all. Is love a feeling or is it an attitude or a behavior? Jesus knew exactly why He had to command us to love each other. Because we would not do it based upon our own feelings. We are human and our nature is sinful.
The only way to keep this commandment is to pray. Pray for God’s love to fill your heart. Pray that you will love your enemies as well as your neighbor (the good and bad). Pray that you will love Jesus more everyday. It is only when we stop asking “why” and start asking “how” that we can truly know what love is.
I missed posting a devotion yesterday and I only have a few more minutes left in today but I felt I needed to share this with you before another day slipped by, weather you read it tonight or in the morning, it will get to whomever needs to read it in the moment they need it. I have been going so much in the past couple of days and after reading this devotion I can recall asking God why, many times, and so I needed this before I laid my head on my pillow and it has inspired me to stop asking why and start saying how. Forgive me Lord, help me to love more and to see past the failures and imperfections of those around me, it’s not nor is it ever my place to judge but to love, love beyond measure.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 19
Someone to Touch
And he put forth his hand, and touched him . . . (Luke 5:13)
Commuters on a Canadian Metro train witnessed a heart-moving conclusion to a tense moment. They watched as a 70-year old woman gently reached out and offered her hand to a young man whose loud voice and disturbing words were scaring other passengers. The lady’s kindness calmed the man who sank to the floor of the train with tears in his eyes. He said, “Thanks, Grandma,” stood up, and walked away. The woman later admitted to being afraid. But she said, “I’m a mother and he needed someone to touch.” While better judgment might have given her reason to keep her distance, she took a risk of love.
Jesus understands such compassion. He didn’t side with the fears of unnerved onlookers when a desperate man, full of leprosy, showed up begging to be healed. Neither was He helpless as other religious leaders were—men who could only have condemned the man for bringing his leprosy into the village (Lev. 13:45–46). Instead, Jesus reached out to someone who probably hadn’t been touched by anyone for years, and healed him.
Thankfully, for that man and for us, Jesus came to offer what no law could ever offer—the touch of His hand and heart.
Father in heaven, please help us to see ourselves and one another in that desperate man—and in the merciful eyes of Your Son who reached out and touched him. Amen.
As I read this I couldn’t help but stop and think about those in my life who just need a touch, a hand extended when no one else will and today I will be more open to take a risk of love for those I don’t even know. Use me today Lord and even in those moments when that love may be rejected, help me to stand firm and continue to love and remember, Love can build a bridge.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 5:12-16
Love: Displayed More Than Defined
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Can you come up with a definition for love (that accurately describes what love is) in two or three sentences?
It’s not an easy task. No matter how we define love, our definition always seems to be lacking. Trying to define love can be like describing chocolate to a tribesman in sub-Saharan Africa who has never heard of nor tasted chocolate before. We may have trouble defining it, explaining it, and even finding it, but we know deep down inside that we need it.
In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul wrote one of the most famous descriptions of love. Notice that he does not give a dictionary definition but instead a description of love displayed.The love Paul describes values:
-Commitment over feelings
The scripture is clear. You can see this love displayed in patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, integrity, and ongoing perseverance. This kind of love survives and stands the tests of time and tribulations.
Does this describe the love you’re seeking? More importantly, does this describe the love your sharing?
When I read this today it caused me to stop and ask myself, does this describe the love I’m sharing all the time, every day? Take a moment today and ask yourself that very question. We have been called to love by being patient, showing kindness, humility, forgiveness, integrity, and ongoing perseverance. I don’t know about you but I needed this today, Thank You Lord!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Does it Spark Joy?
I recently read, the apostle Paul urged the Christians in Philippi to pursue joy in their relationship with Christ. “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). Instead of a life cluttered with anxiety, he urged them to pray about everything and let God’s peace guard their hearts and minds in Christ (vv. 6–7).
Looking at our everyday tasks and responsibilities, we see that not all of them are enjoyable. But we can ask, “How can this spark joy in God’s heart and in my own?” A change in why we do things can bring a transformation in the way we feel about them.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true . . . honest . . . just . . . pure . . . lovely . . . are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (v. 8).
Paul’s parting words are food for thought and a recipe for joy.
Lord, show me how You want to spark joy in the tasks I face today. Amen.
God is so good. He creates so much joy in our lives and although at times we tend to focus on times of sadness, bitterness, anger and hurt may we be reminded today, this day, that by truly focusing on The Lord is just the beginning of joy. He wants to see your mind at peace and your heart at rest. How can you spark joy in your heart today? Start by counting your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. May we begin and end each day with this on our lips.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Philippians 4:4-9
In Times of Controversy
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16)
Even amidst our Christian lives, arguments, disagreements, and tension-filled conflict will come; but when it does, here are five Biblical principles to consider before we ever open our lips:
Listen. Be silent in your mind as well as in your mouth. “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:27-28).
Be teachable. Are you in the wrong? If so, how can you respond in humility, grace, and repentance? If you genuinely desire to grow in Christ-likeness, then remember that God uses iron to sharpen iron, and frequently, there will be sparks (Proverbs 27:17).
Think. Take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). We are in a spiritual struggle against an enemy who seeks to divide us. Don’t let your thoughts grow vengeful, spiteful, or believe lies about others. Be disciplined in your thought life.
Seek unity. We are one body with many parts. If this is true (which today’s text says it is), that means each believer’s mission is the same. Think about it, is the eye’s mission different than the heart’s? In its function—what it does—yes. In its mission—why it does it—no. Remember, we are one, a unified whole. Seek unity between yourself and your brothers and sisters because we’re playing for the same team.
Model love over winning an argument. Always speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), because love seeks unity over division and peace over strife (See especially 1 Corinthians 13:1-7). Sometimes though, people are simply wrong, misled, or in sin. When this is the case, don’t shrink from the truth, but don’t use it as a weapon to wound either. Love reconciles; pride dominates.
Our lives will not be free of controversy until Jesus returns. Until then, let’s remember his words, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Amen.
When I read this I felt it was important to share. What wise council when we find ourselves in a controversial situation. Listen, Be Teachable, Think, Seek Unity and Model Love over winning an argument. Wow!! Look to The Word for guidance and direction. It has all you will ever need for clear direction in any situation. May we Show The Love of Christ today, even to those who don’t show it back in return. Let us be different so we can make a difference today. You never know who’s life you will impact for the Kingdom by showing love amidst controversy.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Ephesians 4:15-16 – 5
Truth in Love
We also need to speak truth in love to each other when certain parts of the body are failing to thrive. If the arms are too weak to lift or the legs too stiff to walk, we cannot ignore these broken parts, but must point out the weakness and act in love to help support that struggling part of the Body until they can fully function once again.
If the Body of Christ is too busy people-pleasing to point out areas of weakness in itself, it will quickly come to a grinding halt and fail to serve the Head. We often think we are doing each other a service by holding our tongues and not sharing the insight the Lord has given us into areas of weakness in one another. We are afraid to stir the pot or to hurt feelings. But when we speak truth in love, we can constructively criticize. We can rebuild alongside one another, making an even stronger body as it collectively supports itself in the strength of Christ and for His glory.