Devotionals for December 1, 2023
Our service times are now at 9:00am & 10:45am! Will we see you this Sunday?
READ
1 CORINTHIANS 13:1–7
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
REFLECT
Paul concludes his long section about the body of Christ and its diverse parts by focusing on love. Reread the above passage again, pausing and thinking over each sentence. Then, use the questions below to prayerfully reflect on what the Holy Spirit is saying to you:
APPLY
Q: How does the Bible’s definition of love differ from our culture’s view of love?
Q: Which parts of loving are you struggling with and excelling in? Pray for Christ to lead you and challenge you to become more like Him.
Q: Pray for God to bring to mind someone you can love more. Ask God to open your heart and lead you in how to do this.
Q: Which parts of loving are you struggling with and excelling in? Pray for Christ to lead you and challenge you to become more like Him.
Q: Pray for God to bring to mind someone you can love more. Ask God to open your heart and lead you in how to do this.
SING
PRAY
"And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."
Lord, help me not to care only for myself. Help to walk in love and live it out today. Lead me away from temptations and actions which would harm others. Rather, lead me in your truth so I can be used for the sake of the Gospel. Amen.
Lord, help me not to care only for myself. Help to walk in love and live it out today. Lead me away from temptations and actions which would harm others. Rather, lead me in your truth so I can be used for the sake of the Gospel. Amen.