No.249 Love Never Fails

The Love of God’s Children

Love Never Fails


1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"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. Love never ends."
Starting Prayer
Lord, grant me wisdom and understanding as I delve into Your Word today. Help me to grasp the true meaning of love and how it never fails. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Background
In 1 Corinthians 13, often called the "Love Chapter," the apostle Paul writes about the supremacy of love. He addresses the Corinthian church's divisions and emphasises that love is the highest virtue. The selected verses outline the characteristics of genuine love: patience, kindness, humility, selflessness, forgiveness, and perseverance. Paul underscores that love is eternal, contrasting it with temporary spiritual gifts. Today's focus on "Love Never Fails" highlights the enduring nature of love as a central theme in the lives of God's children.
Be Encouraged
Love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is not merely an emotion but a deliberate choice and action. It is patient in times of waiting, kind in times of difficulty, and humble in times of success. Love seeks the well-being of others above self-interest and does not keep a record of wrongs. When we encounter challenges in relationships, whether with family, friends, or neighbours, let us remember the example of love set by Christ Himself.

Imagine a world where love guides every decision and action, where conflicts are resolved with patience and understanding, and where forgiveness flows freely. This is the world God desires for His children. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this sacrificial love in all aspects of our lives. When we choose to love unconditionally, we reflect the very character of God and draw others closer to Him.
Additional Verses
- 1 John 4:18: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."
- John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
Invitation
Let us commit ourselves to living out the love described in 1 Corinthians 13, knowing that love never fails.. If you have not obeyed the gospel, I invite you to do so now, and experience the transformative power of God's love. You obey the gospel through faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance from sin (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31), and baptism for the forgiveness of all past sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). Join us in worship at a local Church of Christ near you, where you can be part of a loving community dedicated to serving God and one another.
Concluding Prayer
Lord, thank you for the reminder that Your love never fails. Help me to love others with the same selfless and enduring love that You have shown me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
May the Lord bless your day.
Theodore J. Quist
Evangelist
Church of Christ
Abokobi - Accra
Ghana

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Read Posts

Blessed is the Forgiven

Image
The Grace of God’s Forgiveness Blessed is the Forgiven Psalm 32:1 "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Starting Prayer Heavenly Father, as I reflect on the words of Psalm 32:1 today, I humbly seek Your insight. May I understand the depth of Your forgiveness and the blessing that comes with it. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. Background The title "Blessed is the Forgiven" encapsulates the theme of Psalm 32, which explores the joy and blessing that arise from God's forgiveness. This psalm is attributed to David, expressing the joy and relief he experienced when he confessed his sins and received God's pardon. Be Encouraged Psalm 32:1 reminds believers of the blessed state of those whose sins are forgiven. Ephesians 1:7 and 1 John 1:9 reinforce the concept of God's forgiveness through the blood of Christ and the confession of sins. Today's meditation invites you to wholly surrender your life to
Read more

God's Omnipresent Joy

Image
The Joy of God ’s Presence God's Omnipresent Joy Psalm 139:7-10 "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." Starting Prayer Heavenly Father, as we contemplate the omnipresence of Your joy, grant us the wisdom to comprehend the depth of Your constant presence in our lives. May our hearts be filled with the assurance that Your joy accompanies us wherever we go. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Background The title "God's Omnipresent Joy" is derived from Psalm 139, a profound psalm attributed to David. In this chapter, David reflects on the omniscience and omnipresence of God. The selected verses, Psalm 139:7-10, beautifully articulate the inescapable nature of God's presence, emp
Read more

Anxiety and Trust

Image
The Faithfulness of God’s Provision Anxiety and Trust Philippians 4:6 (ESV) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Starting Prayer    Dear Lord, as I come before You today, I seek Your wisdom and guidance. Help me to understand the depth of Your provision and faithfulness. Grant me peace in knowing that I can trust You completely, in Jesus' name. Amen. Background *   The book of Philippians was written by the apostle Paul to the church in Philippi. In chapter 4, Paul encourages believers to rejoice in the Lord always and to pray without ceasing. Verse 6 specifically addresses the issue of anxiety, urging believers not to be anxious about anything but to bring their concerns to God through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. Be Encouraged    In Philippians 4:6, Paul provides a clear directive for dealing with anxiety: prayer and trust in God. When faced with worries and
Read more

The Eternal Word Incarnate

Image
The Power of God’s Word The Eternal Word Incarnate John 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Starting Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I reflect on the profound words of John 1:1, I seek Your divine insight. May the revelation of the eternal Word fill my heart and mind. Guide me in understanding the significance of Your Word becoming flesh. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. Background: The opening verse of the Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the Word. It signifies His eternal existence, His close relationship with God, and His divine nature. This verse sets the foundation for understanding the Incarnation, where the Word became flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14). Be Encouraged: In contemplating John 1:1, recognize that Jesus, the Word, predates time and holds divine significance. His presence in the world brings light and life. As we conclude the theme "The Power of God's Word," embrace the truth that t
Read more

The High and Lowly One

Image
The Holiness of God’s Name The High and Lowly One Isaiah 57:15 (ESV) "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" Starting Prayer Lord, I come before you today seeking insight into the holiness of Your name. Help me to understand Your greatness and Your willingness to dwell with those who are humble and contrite in heart. In Jesus' name. Amen. Background Isaiah 57 addresses the sins of Israel and the promise of restoration for the humble and repentant. In verse 15, God reveals His transcendence as "the One who is high and lifted up," dwelling in eternity, and whose name is Holy. Despite His exalted nature, He promises to dwell with the lowly and contrite, reviving their spirits. Be Encouraged God's holiness is not only displayed in H
Read more

In His Love We Find Refuge

Image
The Assurance of God’s Love In His Love We Find Refuge Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." Starting Prayer Heavenly Father, as we delve into the assurance of Your love today, grant us the wisdom to understand the depth of Your joy and the peace that comes from being embraced by Your love. May Your Word enlighten our hearts and minds. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Background In Zephaniah chapter 3, the prophet addresses the people of Jerusalem, conveying both a message of warning and a promise of hope. Despite the impending judgment, there is a glimpse of God's love and compassion. In verse 17, we find a beautiful depiction of God's character – a mighty Savior who rejoices over His people with gladness, quiets them with His love, and celebrates them with joyful singing. Be Encouraged In the
Read more

Forgiveness: A Blessing in Disguise

Image
Forgiveness Forgiveness: A Blessing in Disguise Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." Background : In Luke 6:37, Jesus imparts a profound lesson about forgiveness. He challenges us to refrain from judgment and condemnation, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of forgiveness. The act of forgiving, Jesus affirms, opens the door to receiving forgiveness. It is a powerful reminder that forgiveness is not only a selfless act but also a blessing that returns to the forgiver in ways beyond comprehension. Be Encouraged Embracing a forgiving heart is a transformative journey. When we release the burden of resentment and judgment, we experience a sense of liberation that can only be described as a blessing in disguise. Forgiveness is not weakness; it is a courageous choice that brings healing to wounded hearts. As we extend forgiveness, we create space for God's grace to work in o
Read more

Cleansed and Set Free

Image
The Grace of God ’s Forgiveness Cleansed and Set Free Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." Starting Prayer Heavenly Father, I seek insight into the profound truth of Your forgiveness. May Your grace and mercy be evident in my heart as I understand the depth of Your love. In Jesus' name. Amen. Background The title "Cleansed and Set Free" captures the essence of Psalm 103:12, where the psalmist marvels at the vast distance God places between our sins and His forgiveness. This verse reassures us of the completeness of God's forgiveness, removing our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. Be Encouraged Psalm 103:12 marks the beginning of the theme "The Grace of God’s Forgiveness" for this week. The imagery of the east and the west highlights the infinite nature of God's forgiveness. Micah 7:19 complements this idea, emphasizing God's ability to cast
Read more

Patiently Awaiting the Unseen

Image
The Hope of God’s Salvation Patiently Awaiting the Unseen Romans 8:24-25 (ESV) "For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Starting Prayer Dear Lord, as I delve into Romans 8:24-25 today, grant me insight. Help me understand the beauty of patiently waiting for the unseen hope that comes from salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen. Background Romans 8 is a chapter rich in the assurance of salvation and the hope found in Christ. In verses 24-25, the Apostle Paul reflects on the nature of hope, emphasizing that true hope is found in patiently waiting for what is unseen. Be Encouraged Consider a farmer planting seeds with the hope of a future harvest. He cannot see the full growth at the moment of planting, but his patient anticipation is fueled by the promise of a fruitful outcome. Similarly, our hope in God's salvation is unseen, yet we wait with patien
Read more

Proclaiming the Good News

Image
The Call of God’s Mission Proclaiming the Good News Mark 16:15 (ESV) "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" Starting Prayer Dear Lord, as I explore Mark 16:15, grant me wisdom to understand the call to proclaim the good news as part of Your mission. May my heart be open to embracing this calling and may I find courage to share the gospel with others. In Jesus' name. Amen. Background Mark 16 concludes with Jesus instructing His disciples to go into the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. This command signifies the universal scope of God's mission, calling believers to share the good news of salvation with all people. The call to proclaim the gospel extends to every corner of creation. Be Encouraged    Imagine being entrusted with a message so powerful that it can transform lives. In Mark 16:15, Jesus instructs us to take the gospel to every corner of creation, sharing the good news with everyon
Read more