1 Cor. 13:4 “it does not boast, it is not proud”
Dear friends, I hope you’ve been enjoying this journey through 1 Corinthians as much as me. The Apostle Paul was intentional in the way he pieced together this letter to the church of Corinth. Imagine reading this letter for the first time, close to two thousands years ago, wow! These words were meant for the church patrons of Corinth, but they still speak so greatly to Christians today as well.
We live in a world of distorted images. Movies, television, and books tell us that love revolves around beauty, money and success. Paul’s “Love Chapter” in 1 Corinthians 13 stands in strong opposition to this. Instead of being consumed with the things of the world, this type of love is self-sacrificial. As we have discovered already, this love is patient, kind, and doesn’t envy. In addition, this love does not boast and is not proud.
I have to admit that I am not completely guilt free in this department. I enjoy success as much as the next girl. I have been known to boast about my own accomplishments, instead of focusing on the needs of those around me. However, God calls us to be humble. I love these verses from Philippians 2:1-4:
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if
any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
It is when I start looking to my “own interests” that I get in trouble. At times I get so preoccupied with my own accomplishments that I forget to consider the needs of others around me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s wonderful to recognize the things you and I have accomplished in Christ Jesus, this just shouldn’t get in the way of loving others. Paul reminds us to “consider others better than [our]selves.” This is one of the best ways to love. What does this look like? For me, this involves listening to my husband a little more, investing in friendships, and truly trying to serve those around me. What would this type of love look like in your life?
Lord Jesus, thank you for the way you unconditionally love me. Help me to consider the needs of others before myself today and every day, amen.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Love is... not envious
1 Cor. 13:4 “It does not envy”
Newly married, my outlook on life has drastically changed. One look around my apartment and I can easily find myself wishing I had something better. The mismatched furniture and ancient kitchen appliances fall short of my desires for an up-to-date, trendy household. Not that there’s anything wrong with our second hand things, but they’re not new. When I was a college student the used furniture was fine, but now that I’m married, it’s not. It’s easy for me to get into the pattern of comparing my lot in life to my friends and family. Before long, I start wishing that I had what they have. This cycle of envy is never ending. If I’m not careful I could constantly pick out the shortcomings in my own life and compare myself to my friends. This is not a peaceful way of life. Proverbs 14:30 says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Envy rots… it’s an ugly thing. My encouragement for you today is to not get stuck in this cycle of envy. Instead, thank God for the blessings he has placed in your life, big and small.
Lord, please help me to not focus on the things I don’t have, but instead focus on all that you have given me. Today I will chose to give thanks, for you are good and your love endures forever (paraphrased, Psalm 107:1).
Newly married, my outlook on life has drastically changed. One look around my apartment and I can easily find myself wishing I had something better. The mismatched furniture and ancient kitchen appliances fall short of my desires for an up-to-date, trendy household. Not that there’s anything wrong with our second hand things, but they’re not new. When I was a college student the used furniture was fine, but now that I’m married, it’s not. It’s easy for me to get into the pattern of comparing my lot in life to my friends and family. Before long, I start wishing that I had what they have. This cycle of envy is never ending. If I’m not careful I could constantly pick out the shortcomings in my own life and compare myself to my friends. This is not a peaceful way of life. Proverbs 14:30 says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Envy rots… it’s an ugly thing. My encouragement for you today is to not get stuck in this cycle of envy. Instead, thank God for the blessings he has placed in your life, big and small.
Lord, please help me to not focus on the things I don’t have, but instead focus on all that you have given me. Today I will chose to give thanks, for you are good and your love endures forever (paraphrased, Psalm 107:1).
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Love is... kind
“Love is . . . kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
When thinking of kindness I recall my brother when he was a little tow-headed boy of four or five. On Sundays he would stand by the front doors of the church and hold the door open for the women entering. Even at that young age he understood that an act of kindness could brighten someone’s day. I’m sure his small act of kindness blessed more than one person.
Simple acts of kindness are a great way of showing God’s love. God has shown “unfailing kindness” to each of us (Psalm 18:15). He loves us despite our failings, and forgives us time and again. Today, take a moment to consider how God has been kind and generous to you, and then turn around and share that generosity with someone else. This act of kindness could be as simple as opening a door, paying for someone else’s lunch, or sending an encouragement card in the mail, but it’s one more way to express God’s love and “unfailing” kindness to each of us.
Prayer: Lord, help me to show kindness to someone today in an unexpected way. Reveal your love through me.
When thinking of kindness I recall my brother when he was a little tow-headed boy of four or five. On Sundays he would stand by the front doors of the church and hold the door open for the women entering. Even at that young age he understood that an act of kindness could brighten someone’s day. I’m sure his small act of kindness blessed more than one person.
Simple acts of kindness are a great way of showing God’s love. God has shown “unfailing kindness” to each of us (Psalm 18:15). He loves us despite our failings, and forgives us time and again. Today, take a moment to consider how God has been kind and generous to you, and then turn around and share that generosity with someone else. This act of kindness could be as simple as opening a door, paying for someone else’s lunch, or sending an encouragement card in the mail, but it’s one more way to express God’s love and “unfailing” kindness to each of us.
Prayer: Lord, help me to show kindness to someone today in an unexpected way. Reveal your love through me.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Love is...patient
In 1 Corinthians 13:4 the Apostle Paul tells us that love is “patient.”
I have something to admit here: I am a horribly impatient person. I keep a rigid schedule in life, and hate it when people make me late. Whether it’s church, a movie, or dinner out with friends, I don’t like waiting on people who are perpetually late. At times, I don’t act all that graciously because of this. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God, the definitive example of Love, has been waiting on human beings for centuries. As stubborn and slow as we have been, he exhibits the greatest patience of all. He loves us so much that he is willing to wait for each of us to turn from our selfish ways and claim salvation in Jesus Christ.
If God is this loving, shouldn’t we all show a bit more patience in our every day lives?
Prayer: Lord, help me to suppress my restlessness and respond with love when I am confronted with delays in life.
I have something to admit here: I am a horribly impatient person. I keep a rigid schedule in life, and hate it when people make me late. Whether it’s church, a movie, or dinner out with friends, I don’t like waiting on people who are perpetually late. At times, I don’t act all that graciously because of this. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God, the definitive example of Love, has been waiting on human beings for centuries. As stubborn and slow as we have been, he exhibits the greatest patience of all. He loves us so much that he is willing to wait for each of us to turn from our selfish ways and claim salvation in Jesus Christ.
If God is this loving, shouldn’t we all show a bit more patience in our every day lives?
Prayer: Lord, help me to suppress my restlessness and respond with love when I am confronted with delays in life.
Love is...
What does real love look like? On my wedding day I promised to love and stand by my husband no matter what happens in life. Our vows were a paraphrased version of 1 Corinthians 13, in which we promised to be patient, kind, and to withhold envy or boasting as we work to love each other the way God intended. I meant the things I promised to my husband on our wedding day, but I have since thought that it would be helpful to study these verses from 1 Corinthians 13 in greater detail. And so a devotional series on the Love Chapter was born.
So grab your favorite cup of coffee, I recommend a vanilla latte, and take a trip with me to 1 Corinthians 13. As, always, my prayer is that you will draw closer to God through these devotionals.
Blessings my friends
So grab your favorite cup of coffee, I recommend a vanilla latte, and take a trip with me to 1 Corinthians 13. As, always, my prayer is that you will draw closer to God through these devotionals.
Blessings my friends
Monday, February 9, 2009
God delights in you
I found a great word of encouragement the other day, in the most unexpected place. I was reading in the Old Testament book of Zephaniah about God’s wrath and judgment on the world. In the third chapter of this rather depressing book, I stumbled across some amazing words of blessing. In chapter 3, the prophet Zephaniah tells the Israelite people that, even when the rest of the world faces ruin, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with signing.” (Zephaniah 3:17). What words of promise! If you have ever doubted yourself or your ability, take heart that the Lord is mighty in power and in majesty. He is there to rescue you from whatever battles you face, and to remind you of how much he loves you. In fact, he loves you so much that he “rejoice[s] over you with singing.” You are a work of art, created precisely the way God wanted you to be (See Psalm 139). So greet the world with confidence today, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made!
Lord, thank you for this reminder that you rejoice over me, just the way I am. Help me to live every moment for you.
Lord, thank you for this reminder that you rejoice over me, just the way I am. Help me to live every moment for you.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Peppermint lattés and envy
Here's a devotional I wrote back on 11/22/08. I stumbled across it today and thought I'd post it online. Enjoy!
Today I sit with a wonderful espresso creation called “Peppermint Patty.” It is warm and rich, so good that I’m wondering how it could possibly still be sugar free! As I sit sipping my drink, my thoughts turn toward the holiday season. With the Christmas season around the corner, my list of wants is starting to grow. For Christmas is the time of year when I have the possibility of getting all the things my friends have. As long as it makes the Christmas list, and enough hints are given verbally to my family, I stand a good chance on getting that new sweater or electronic device I’ve been wanting for so long. Greed and envy are big nemeses of mine. In the 21st century I am surrounded by the material day in and day out. Anything and everything I want is only a credit card away. Instant gratification is key.
Wow, I’m painting a really poor picture of myself here. A picture of a greedy, envious woman who would stop at nothing to get what her friends have. And this is what I would be like, where it not for the saving grace of God. He is the one that has to rein me in from time to time and remind me of the kind of person I could become. Consumed by envy and greed, I could live my life feeding on instant gratification, never really happy or fulfilled. But I’m not.
As Paul writes in Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” What a promise. He will take care of me, not necessarily supplying all my wants, but my needs. God knows the difference between the $100 sweater I want and the boots I actually do need to keep my feet warm this winter. And he will continue to provide for me, reminding me of that wonderful chapter in Corinthians where Paul talks about real love. Paul writes that love does not envy (I Cor. 13:4). What a reminder to me, when I start to envy things my friends own. Instead of envying, I need to somehow learn how to love? But learning how to love will have to wait for another day. For today, I’m praying that God will create a new heart inside of me. One that is not consumed with what I do or do not have, but is thankful for the things he has given me, such as peppermint lattés.
Today I sit with a wonderful espresso creation called “Peppermint Patty.” It is warm and rich, so good that I’m wondering how it could possibly still be sugar free! As I sit sipping my drink, my thoughts turn toward the holiday season. With the Christmas season around the corner, my list of wants is starting to grow. For Christmas is the time of year when I have the possibility of getting all the things my friends have. As long as it makes the Christmas list, and enough hints are given verbally to my family, I stand a good chance on getting that new sweater or electronic device I’ve been wanting for so long. Greed and envy are big nemeses of mine. In the 21st century I am surrounded by the material day in and day out. Anything and everything I want is only a credit card away. Instant gratification is key.
Wow, I’m painting a really poor picture of myself here. A picture of a greedy, envious woman who would stop at nothing to get what her friends have. And this is what I would be like, where it not for the saving grace of God. He is the one that has to rein me in from time to time and remind me of the kind of person I could become. Consumed by envy and greed, I could live my life feeding on instant gratification, never really happy or fulfilled. But I’m not.
As Paul writes in Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” What a promise. He will take care of me, not necessarily supplying all my wants, but my needs. God knows the difference between the $100 sweater I want and the boots I actually do need to keep my feet warm this winter. And he will continue to provide for me, reminding me of that wonderful chapter in Corinthians where Paul talks about real love. Paul writes that love does not envy (I Cor. 13:4). What a reminder to me, when I start to envy things my friends own. Instead of envying, I need to somehow learn how to love? But learning how to love will have to wait for another day. For today, I’m praying that God will create a new heart inside of me. One that is not consumed with what I do or do not have, but is thankful for the things he has given me, such as peppermint lattés.
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