l-o-v-e

Monday, September 10, 2018 (8:07 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. You are good. And we are blessed. Thank You.

Thank You that it is because of You, Your love and Your Word that we are more than noisy gongs (1 Corinthians 13:1).

The words came to me yesterday while thinking of the good works that are often done. Sometimes in Your name. Many, for the good of community. All potentially lost in translation if not done in love. Your love. Your love as described by the apostle Paul to the believers living in Corinth.

Father, we love You. We come back again and again, eager to learn more of how You would have us love. You, one another and ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).

Here’s this from Illustrated Bible Handbook in 1 Corinthians. Love spelled out. “Chapter 13. Love This brief chapter presents the priority of love in understanding spirituality. No gifts benefit the users if they are not motivated by love (1-3). Love is not shown in the use of a gift, but in the patience, kindness, selflessness, and forgiveness which infuse a person’s character (4-7). Spiritual maturity is revealed by love, and maturity comes through loving. This, rather than the childish approach of the Corinthians and their focus on gifts, is the ‘more excellent way’ (12:31) to gauge and to grow in true spirituality.”

Yes! You are good. You teach us. And we are truly blessed by Your teachings: in patience, kindness, selflessness and forgiveness. Oh yes most Dear and Blessed Father, continue Your work of infusing our characters with that which You know is paramount to our beings. Your love. Spelled out.

Oh! Just when I thought I was done. This from The Life Recovery Bible “13:1-3 Paul was writing to a group of believers who had started to forget what real love is. He showed them that all their abilities, talents, and spiritual gifts amounted to nothing if they didn’t love each other. Without selfless love, we have nothing. Loving relationships are also essential to the recovery process.”

Oh, yes. Yes. Yes, Dear God! Keep working Your love in, with, by, through and for us. Without it, all our efforts only make noise. They become as: “a noisy gong, blaring brass, clanging cymbal, [just an annoying distraction], the creaking of a rusty gate, the sound of a big horn or a loud bell.”

Thank You Father. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Use us this day. Exactly as You know is best. Filled and steeped in Your love. Thank You Father. We love You. Amen.

(440 words ~ 9:28 a.m.)