THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Day 13
CHAPTER: 1 CORINTHIANS 13 KEY VERSES: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4,7 (NKJV) “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; … [love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” HEAR IT: We sometimes can read these verses as a picture of God’s love for us, but I believe it is not only that, but also an instruction manual for how we are to love others. We know that His love is kind and does not envy. We have seen it bear all things, believe all things, give hope, and always endure. We have a revelation of His love and in one way or another we have tested and tried it. We have found that His love never fails. This is easy to believe when we refer to God loving us, but what about us loving others? How powerful is the love we carry in our hearts? With a revelation of HIS love I’d guess it’s much greater than you know! We see a common theme throughout scripture: Jesus loved. Jesus went around loving on the people who seemed to be “blacklisted” by society. There was no road He wouldn’t walk and no person He wouldn’t extend love to. He did not live in fear of what religious leaders thought of Him and He also never seemed 26
concerned with how difficult the problem was. You see, He knew who He was and stood firm in that truth. You learn quickly that there is nothing that can stand in the way of love. Things may try and fight against love but they cannot win. There is no line He wouldn’t cross for the sake of loving someone who needed it.
SEE IT: I’ve learned over the years of working out regularly and eating right, that my body is capable of a lot more then I knew possible. The more strength and endurance I build, the more I find how little my limitations are. When my body is screaming to stop running, I know it can handle a few more laps. In the same way I’ve learned the capacity of the heart is very similar. I’ve learned that things my mind may not want to handle, or even believe it can, my heart has the strength to. Times I thought I had no words to say, I would have a well flow up within me. We often let our minds tell us what to do, and place limitations on ourselves that don’t even exist. Situations seem too big or too messy, so we shrink back and don’t push ourselves or don’t get involved. I think far too often we are so caught up in protecting ourselves that we neglect to see the need directly in front of us. I think there is a correlation between loving people and fitness. To stay fit, I never limit my
amount of exercise, but I do limit the food and quality of food I take in. It is important to be cautious of what I let in while being less careful of what I give out. In the same way, I can’t put limitations on how much I love those around me, even when it hurts or may cost me something. This doesn’t mean I take on offense or carry what only the Lord can carry, but loving people sometimes isn’t “picture perfect”.
the right answers or possess all the right tools- you simply need to be willing. A “yes” in your heart can go a long way and your sacrifice can change the course of time. Try loving with no strings attached, no expectations. What if we truly loved like He did? I promise you this: He won’t let you run out.
DO IT: Who do you have in your life that needs love? Not just prayer or a few kind words but someone to stand and fight with them? Loving well does not mean you need all
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