Devotionals for September 19, 2022
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READ
I Corinthians 13:1-3
1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
REFLECT
We could pursue the accolades of mankind, but it is meaningless without the love of God in the expression of our gifts. Only in the pursuit of the love of God can we advance the Kingdom of God in the lives of others. To truly express Godly love to others we must first love God, then love ourselves in the light of His forgiveness and Glory, and then we are able to express God's love to others through the gifts that He has bestowed on us.
Words are not needed to demonstrate compassion and love in simple and meaningful ways. These actions transcend spoken languages or interpretations. It's not difficult to understand love when put into action. It's also easy to spot when actions are performed without love and they become disingenuous. For example, Christ had all these gifts and more, but he used compassion as a prelude to healing in Matthew 14:14.
Without love, without compassion for each other, all our gifts and actions are hollow and nullified.
Words are not needed to demonstrate compassion and love in simple and meaningful ways. These actions transcend spoken languages or interpretations. It's not difficult to understand love when put into action. It's also easy to spot when actions are performed without love and they become disingenuous. For example, Christ had all these gifts and more, but he used compassion as a prelude to healing in Matthew 14:14.
Without love, without compassion for each other, all our gifts and actions are hollow and nullified.
APPLY
Q: What do these three verses mean to you in light of the things you do for others?
Q: How can you change the way you do things to be encompassed by love?
Q: When you do something truly out of love, what does that show others about Christ?
Q: How can you change the way you do things to be encompassed by love?
Q: When you do something truly out of love, what does that show others about Christ?
SING
PRAY
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."
Our Father, let us not take for granted the love, talents, and spiritual gifts you have given us. Help us to use them to bring glory to Your name in a way that shows others the infinite depth of your love.
Our Father, let us not take for granted the love, talents, and spiritual gifts you have given us. Help us to use them to bring glory to Your name in a way that shows others the infinite depth of your love.