Merry Christmas!Today's Readings:
New Testament -
Luke 23:50-56
1 Corinthians 13
Old Testament -
Psalms 89:19-52
Judges 17-18
Click on Text Links to Read Online
Focus Verses: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Insight:
Love is lived out through patience, kindness, contentment, humility, civility, unselfishness, forbearance, and graciousness. Love requires honesty, concern and care for others, and hopeful perseverance.
Response & Action:
I want to be a loving person. The virtues and qualities of love described in these verses help me to see what that means. Paul's words also give me some very practical guidance for self-examination.
O God, by the power and grace of your Holy Spirit, teach me to love. Help me to clearly see Christ's example and transform my heart and mind that I might follow him more completely each day. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: 1 John 4:7-9
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
Resources:
Love Walked Among Us: Learning To Love Like Jesus
by Paul E. Miller
