Love
Such a common word, but powerful, none the less.
Let’s go right to the source and break it down:
1 Cor 13:1-12
1 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.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
So, what IS love?
4 Love is patient
Does that mean…like…when he is not doing something that I want him to do- WHEN I want him to do it???
Love is kind
Even when I am exhausted and he comes home late?
It does not envy
But what about when I do something and HE gets all the credit??
It does not boast
But I AM more spiritual than him and I read my Bible way more often than he does.
It is not proud
But I WAS right. Why should I be the one that ALWAYS has to apologize?
5 It is not rude
Is calling him a jerk rude? He really did act like a jerk!
It is not self-seeking
I really kind of like things MY way though.
It is not easily angered
~sigh~
It keeps no record of wrongs
Oh…I can forgive, but I’ll NEVER forget, I may need “that one” for another argument!
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth
7 It always protects
So….I shouldn’t tell others things that embarrass him?
Always trusts
Always hopes
Always perseveres
Always??????????????
8 Love never fails
Ok Lord…but You are going to have to help me with this….
I think that pretty much says it best.
The Word has set quite a high standard for us, but God never asks us to do anything that He won’t help us do.
Whenever I read this chapter it challenges me.
I challenge you to read these everyday this week and ask the Lord to help you do them throughout your day.
Your nugget is: LOVE.
I’m praying for our marriages.
Our hope is in Him,
Sue
I’m praying for our marriages.
Our hope is in Him,
Sue
40 comments:
Love is such a beautiful precious nugget, thanks for this.
I believe that when we do the right things,God changes hearts,shows favor, and changes our lives.
even when, and especially when the right thing is so very hard to do
love is hard sometimes but is the right thing to do and it brings JOY
Thanks for another great Tuesday post. So much to think about and remember!
Gulp, ok I can use some work in this area.
LOVE so simple yet so complex.
That was a yummy nugget.
What a great post! Thanks for challenging us to put these words into action!
Such a small word with such large implications. There are things in that list I need to work on.
We are a teasing family, and I now know that sometimes teasing can be considered mockery.
I will work on making sure my words are edifying and not words that tear down.
This passage seems like such a beautiful picture of love when you hear it at church or read at a wedding. But when you break it down into pieces like that, you can see what hard work it can be.
This is why marriage takes work and commitment. This is why God needs to be in the center of them.
Thanks for sharing this today!
Xandra
Thanks for that one today Sue...I really needed it!
A very simple word carries SO much meaning and depth.
Thanks for challenging us Sue.
Much love to you~
Fran
thank you for such a wonderful reminder of love~
blessings,
missy
I love they way you broke this down. Such a good reminder of what love really looks like. Thanks, I always enjoy Tuesdays. I didn't read last weeks so I'm going to go do that now.
I LOVE how you break it down!
You are a blessing. Thanks for sharing these thoughts.
Please stop over and pick up an award I have for you.
Don't we love to learn about love??? :~D
The portion of this passage that is challenging me this week is that love hopes all things, and never gives up. We can't love like this in our own strength, but fortunately with His Spirit, all things are possible.
An encouraging post!
Hugs, e-Mom
Sue....todays post really hits home to me!!! My dh and had a LONG discussion about this very passage on Sunday night.
You are SO right...(or rather..God's word is so right) that without LOVE...we are NOTHING!!!
We can say all the right things, do all the right things, appear to be a certain way...BUT..without LOVE..we are nothing.
I've been pondering this very thought ALL week...and I'm so thankful for the confirmation, and reminder from your post.
I want to OZZ love!!!
Go Kim! Amen!
I agree with you all. Love is WAY harder than just sending flowers or saying the words.
It is a daily act of laying down our own wants and needs for others.
Laying down our life can be painful, but it is blessed by God!!!
Alrighty, Sue, don't mince words or hold anything back now!
Whew! Talk about applying a scripture!
Now please don't go meddlin' in any other parts of my life! :-)
Great post!
Okay, God brought me right here to "Praise and Coffee" for a reason!!!!!
I will come back to this every day this week AND next because God wants me to get this down. I needed some encouragement and you gave it to me, sister!
What else can I say besides THANK YOU for your obedience?!
In His LOVE!
Angie xoxo
Ang,
I'm so glad!
Hugs,
Sue
Its amazing to me how often that verse is used at weddings and how few couples really end up practicing it. I am guilty too.
Oh Sue...you are a wise woman...and that wisdom comes straight from GOD!!
Those three words,,,"I LOVE YOU"...mean so much more than just saying "I love you!!
Thanks for the sweet reminder of all the wonderful adjectives of "LOVE"...and ya know..I have to say that my sweetie is almost a perfect example of these verses! Really he is! I am one very blessed wife!
Hugs to you!
It's interesting you should post on this because for quite some time now I've been thinking I need to post that First Cor. 13 list up in my house... it needs to be highly visible in bold letters - for me :)
Thanks for the reminder to love. That is the greatest commandment and you wonder why, huh? It's so hard to do esp. when it's not returned but we have to love just as He loves us.
Yep, I am back again this morning... :)
Ang, Yay!
I also need a constant reminder of this one. This chapter is just so powerful. I should probably have it written on my hand just to gt through the day!
Thanks for this reminder about love ! It is a real challenge to love like this in our marriages especially. God's love is sooo different than human love that comes with lots of expectations. Oh to be able to love more selflessly !
Helen
Priceless!
Oh how I needed to read this. My husband Gene has been laid up with a back injury since Feb. 3rd & March 11th we'll find out if he has to have surgery. I have been horribe. Short, rude and just not the wife God wants me to be. Thank you so much for sharing this. I'll be printing this one off and re-reading it!
Great truths!
And hopefully it will not take an entire life time for me to get some of them down pat.
Counting big time on the Spirit. :)
Definitely needed this today Sue. I actually made myself write down all 12 verses. Such powerful words really. Not easy to live out all the time - but loving people who are difficult to love is what makes us look most like Jesus. That is what I want more than anything else.
Thanks for this today.
Darnelle
love this verse!! My husband and I had this read by a friend at our wedding. To me, this is thee definition of Love and how to Love. While its not the easiet, it is what we are called to do. Love is such a beautiful thing, but wow can it be something that is so hard to do!
it is so hard to stand by and let someone else receive the praise..
but...I hate the buts....
That is what Jesus did, isn't it...
so, if it's good enough for Him, why not me...
very good post....
WOW Sue - this list is unbelievable. If it's okay I'd love to copy this and use it (counseling, etc) - it's a real keeper.
Don't worry I'll give you the credit so we can avoid "the envy thing"... just kidding. LOL
Help yourself Shari!!
:)
Thank you for this great reminder!
My pastor will be preaching on 1 Cor. 13 this week! Looking forward to the reminder of the perfect love of Jesus!!
Sue, I love the way you broke the verses down in our real life language and feelings!! You rock my friend, and I needed that! THANK YOU:)
We have this verse and a paraphrase of it on our "wedding wall" in our bedroom. It really is a convicting list of instructions! Thank you for the reminder!
Praying with all... that we are reminded always of His powerful ways to love us so perfectly; and willing to help us love that way!
God Bless, HL
Its hard to argue when it is laid out there very plainly for us to read and live by.
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