LOVE

TODAY’S READING: Judges 4,5; Ps. 39,41; 1 Cor. 13

SCRIPTURE

1 Cor. 13:[8] Love never fails.

OBSERVATION

This chapter in Corinthians tells us what love is and in doing so the author implies what love isn't or when He is describing what love isn't it implies what love is. Let's give it a try. Love is patient [love isn't short-tempered] love is kind [love isn't mean] . It does not envy,[it gets excited for others] it does not boast, [it's content] it is not proud.[it's humble] [5] It does not dishonor others,[it is respectful] it is not self-seeking, [it serves] it is not easily angered,[it's calm] it keeps no record of wrongs. [it keeps score] [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects,[doesn't endanger] always trusts,[doesn't suspect] always hopes, [doesn't doubt] always perseveres. [doesn't come up short.]
LOVE NEVER FAILS, [LOVE AWAYS SUCCEEDS]

APPLICATION

Patient______________+______________________short-tempered
Kind________________+________ ___________________ mean
Excited 4 others ________________+___________________envy
Content_________________+________________________boast
Humble___________________+______________________proud
Respectful________________+_______________________dishonors
Serves others_____+_____________________________self-seeking
Calm________+___________________________________angry
Forgets___________________________+______________keeps score
Rejoices in truth_+_____________________________delights in evil
Protects___+_____________________________________endangers
Trust__________________+________________________suspects
Hopes_____+____________________________________doubts
Perseveres_______________+_______________________falls short
SUCCEEDS___________+___________________________FAILS

So I've placed myself between the extremes, and although I think it's good to take the quiz now and then, I'm trusting that "love never fails" and that God looks beyond my score, I'm thinking that LOVE doesn't make demands, because Love doesn't fail. I think the score is reflective of a day in time, and that God looks across my lifetime. I think I can score better than I did today, but not because I have too, but because I want too.

PRAYER

Abba, I believe you love me in spite of myself, because LOVE never fails.