FEBRUARY 14, 2022

BIBLE READING

I Corinthians 13:4-7

“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

SIMPLE GESTURES

I Corinthians 13 is the famous biblical love chapter. It’s beautiful because it describes the kind of perfect love that God has for us and through him, we are able to love our spouses, children, extended family, co-workers, and neighbors this same way, yes even our enemies. It’s an active love; a love that is more committed to the other person than our own feelings at the time. It is important to notice that “Gift” giving isn’t even mentioned in this list, I believe the reason is that this love is worth so much more than anything we could ever afford to purchase.

I like a gift as most of us do, I like to give gifts too. Don’t you find that sometimes a gift is a hit and sometimes it’s a miss? I remind you, whether you are the giver or receiver, the gift is never the sum of how much we love or are loved. We can enjoy absolutely enjoy Valentine’s Day as a good excuse to spoil the ones we love and share God’s love in a special way with those who are lonely and hurting. But let’s stay focused: no material thing or sentimental card can ever replace the simple gestures of God’s love expressed every day.

My suggestion today is that is what 1 Corinthians 13 above reminds us of is that simple gestures and gifts of love are to be our everyday gifts to others, not just on one day a year.




REFLECTION

Reading over the key passage, what aspects of love are your strengths? Weaknesses?




PRAY

Ask God to show you practical ways you demonstrate his perfect love to others daily.