LOVE NEVER FAILS
Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 12-13
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
In the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth many artifacts are on display. This is the Marble head of Dionysos, 2nd century A.D.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:31
But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
The “MORE EXCELLENT WAY” is LOVE! From 13:1 to 14:1 “LOVE” is found 10 times. It is appropriate that both chapters, 12 & 13, are included in today’s reading, for they are usually read in exclusion, one from the other, and sadly also in opposition, one to the other. We should make sure that we do not stress the gifts of chapter 12 while failing to emphasize the love of chapter 13, or stressing the love of chapter 13 and ignoring the gifts of chapter 12. God has given the gifts of the Spirit to His people, and He expects them to be used to show love to one another. God’s love manifested through us is also only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit. A gift is not an indication of spiritual maturity, but love; a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) is an indication of the growth in Christ of the believer. We give gifts to our children, not because of their conduct, but because we love them. If we based our gifts on good behaviour, our children would earn them and, therefore, they would not be gifts. The Corinthians did not exhibit the best behaviour, but God still gave them gifts. Let us “desire spiritual gifts” (14:1), and use these gifts in “A MORE EXCELLENT WAY,” exhibiting the LOVE described in chapter 13!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I recognize that Your character is described in chapter 13. Live and love through me, Lord Jesus, I pray. Thank You for the gifts You give to build up Your Church, to exhort me to seek the good of others, and to comfort others. I gladly receive and desire to exercise all these gifts. In Your Name, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Before I became an ordained minister, I taught public school. I was so impressed with 1 Corinthians 13 that I required my students to memorize all 13 verses. I had read that many scholars considered the King James translation of these words to be the most beautiful in the entire English language. Of course they were written originally in Greek and translated by those assigned the task by King James during the first years of the 1600’s. I see chapters 12 to 14 as a sandwich in which 13 is the meat and 12 & 14 are two slices of bread above and below the meat. To be well-nourished spiritually, we need to eat the whole sandwich. As a child during our meal, I remember leaving the table, riding my little scooter into the living room and depositing my crusts behind the couch. That practise ended abruptly when the remnants of the bread were discovered. I must confess that I went through a period in my Christian life when I did not want to partake of what may have seemed like the bread crusts of the gifts of the Spirit, particularly the speaking gifts of tongues and interpretation of tongues. One of my theological professors gave the interpretation to a message in tongues, and the thoughts that came immediately to me were the same as his words. After the church service concluded, the teacher, Rev. Gordon Atter, came to me and reprimanded me. He said, “David, God gave you that interpretation and you disobeyed God in not giving it. Because you failed, I had to give it for the proper exercise of this gift in a public meeting.” As far as I know, I’ve not made that mistake since.
Yours for yielding to the love of Father God, shown in the life of Jesus Christ, and implemented by the Holy Spirit,
David
Statue of the god Serapis found in ancient Corinth. There were two precincts dedicated to this god on the Akrokorinth (the Acropolis) of the city. Serapis was worshiped throughout the Mediterranean basin; his worship seemed to transcend ethnic boundaries and earned him reverence in the Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultures.
A Christian artifact from the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth.
The photo of the Christian cross included today is wonderful. Can you imagine how precious it was to whomever owned it during the days of Ancient Corinth? The love chapter is so significant as I spend my last week-end in Picton before moving back to Kingston. It has been a sad time saying good-bye and the devil attacked me again to bring up old wounds that remain painful. Forgiveness and faithfulness, mercy and grace–I pray for God’s favour. Was reading the blog posts from two years ago and so many names we haven’t heard from for ages, came up: Lynda, Deanna, and Sah. Certain you are in the nursing home now, Irene, and trusting someone is reading the comments to you. Know you are loved and missed by us, dear sister-in-Christ. His blessings upon you, fellow saints in the Lord.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV
Here is Charlene’s song:
Raise A Hallelujah – Jonathan and Melissa Helser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awkO61T6i0k&list=RDawkO61T6i0k&start_radio=1
I pray that God will assist you in your move to Kingston , in each and every way. I am in my nineties, but God has been very good and I thank Him for it. I lived in London until 1980 , but am now on the west coast. I read you r blog daily, it surely inspires me.
God’s blessings on you and all bloggers.
Beverlee… you have a kind and giving heart, it is wonderful that you remember and bring to mind some of the names from past bloggers.
I think of you as also having a sharp and intelligent mind…..what a wonderful combination, God has blessed you!
May our loving Heavenly Father surround you and Bless and protect you this last W/E in your old home and as you move into your new home this coming week.
I have old emotional wounds……even tho they are well healed thanks to the mercy and power of God every once in a while they can still raise up, but I believe that God has taught me that like a large well-healed physical surgical scare that I have can sometimes ache in damp weather, so can these a little …..but PTL we are freed by the precious blood of Jesus.
May God bless and bring healing and comfort to all bloggers!
Love the beautiful music.
Thank you and God’s richest blessings on you, Anne. Freed through the precious blood of our Saviour Jesus. Amen!
Just a verse in 1 Corinthians 13:8
I practiced living out 1Corinthians 13 in my marriage of almost 50:years.
When my husband passed away in 2012, I had that verse inscribed on his tombstone, Love Never Fails
I give God the glory for my husbands salvation and keeping our marriage together all those years.
He is faithful to His word when we live and do it.
God continue to bless you richly, Karen. I am sure your husband is smiling on you from heaven and your reunion will be great with him and the Lord, when the day comes. Until then, rest assured God is smiling.
What an amazing healing of little Jaxon (& now he sings the song as well)! Powerful praise song 🎵 that God gave to Dad! The news on CP24 is speaking of much unrest in many countries. The topics are revealing (to me, anyway), that Jesus return is getting close. Praying for families (my family includes 3 great grandbabies born during this pandemic). Education disruption, isolation, & winter weather, are challenges. Thankfully, thankfully, the Lord is in control. Praying for a peaceful resettlement for you Beverlee. Blessings all.
Amen to all above prayers and comments. I so enjoy seeing posts from you all. You help lift me up.
I pray for you Beverlee that your move will go smoothly.
Baby Jack has not made his appearance yet. Grandma is trying to wait patiently for the event to happen. Angie is doing well. I will for sure let you all know when he arrives.
God bless you all.
Amen
God Bless you all, and give You His ‘Perfect Peace.’
Amen Laur, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read all your posts and following along. God’s blessing on your move back to Kingston Beverlee and all saints as we watch and wait and listen to the voice of God to guide us in our daily life. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” Heb. 12:2. Sensing a fresh inspiration and hope in the Holy Spirit this morning. Praise God!
Amen to all the prayers and blessings to all. Thanks to all that joined me in my prayer yesterday, I continue to pray
Beverlee and all those contending with old wounds. I am participating in a zoom webinar Choose a Changed mind by Anita Pearce. Following is a quite from her book which I hope may help you and others struggling with old wounds
” That thought pattern has become a stronghold in your mind. How can it be destroyed and transformed? By taking the whole situation, including your attitudes, to the cross of Christ and submitting it to the power of the blood of Jesus. ……. Every time you think those bitter, unforgiving thoughts, paint them with the blood of Jesus. it may take a few days, weeks, or months, but sooner or later the blood of Jesus will destroy the bitterness and heal the pain. the transformation will be accomplished depending on the frequency and strength of faith with which you apply the blood of Jesus.”I
I hope this helps. God blessings and peace to all