Love, Corinthians-Style

Saturday, March 15, 2014
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say"1 (Lyrics)

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (ESV)

Years ago when I was first married, I made a large poster-like sign of today's verses and proudly hung it above a common staircase wall leading up to our second-floor apartment. I was in love, and I was going to spread it everywhere. Each time someone walked down those stairs, they would see God's Word, and lives would be changed. I was so excited.

Isaiah 55:11 – So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (ESV)

At the time of hanging my poster, I had never imagined the various neighbours that I would meet over the years while living in the apartment or the number of times I, myself, would be called to live out the words of the text that literally hung over my head. Eleven years, two kids, and a myriad of neighbours, guests, and family traversed up and down those twenty-two long steps, yet those words called out to me, personally, again and again.

I am not aware of these words impacting anyone else's life as directly as they impacted me, but I do know that they stemmed more than a few disagreements, and changed my heart and thinking about my own behaviour on a multitude of occasions.

God knows what we need long before we know, and He is excited to be involved in our lives. Life doesn't always unfold the way we planned it, yet we can rest assured that God is the love that has our highest interest at heart.

Have you ever wanted to reach out to others for God, and seen the hand of God reach out to you first?

Prayer: Lovingly patient heavenly Father, we thank You for loving us, bearing with us, and pouring out Your endless mercy and grace upon our lives. Help us to change the world by changing our own hearts and minds. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lisa McLaughlin-Kent <gotzboyz@rogers.com>
Scotland, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Thank you Lisa.


    Thank you Lisa. Blessings.


    Good advice! What a witness you have been!


    My son and daughter-in-law chose this scripture for their wedding and they believe in this also just like you. You are not alone in this. It is much appreciated.


    Dear Lisa, In the years I have been a Christian I have been very aware of God’s presence with me. I did not grow up in a Christian home so the miracle to me is He is just a prayer away.


    Amen sister. God’s Word is powerful and awesome in deed. May God continue to bless you and yours by it, in Jesus’ name, amen.
    Blessings.


    Dear Lisa,
    Thank you for a devotional that is LOVE-ly blessed and blessing.
    Well-written and good theologically.
    I am with you in the prayer too. Help us to change the world by changing our own hearts and minds.
    Keep writing.

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