2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Psalms 14 GW; Jeremiah 5-6 GW; 1 Thessalonians 3 GW
Love never fails.
Paul is praying for the Thessalonians that their love will increase. He knows, love is the answer. John Albrecht gets credit for the shortest sermon preached. An Episcopal priest, he stood up, looked around and said “Love.” Then he sat down, message over. Love is the answer. We need to pray for all of us to become better lovers:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV)
Tender strength comes to those who love well. Instead of taking offense, loving people see the hurt behind the actions. Actively loving others, putting their needs before yours creates bonds that are hard to break. When God is the motivator for your actions, He becomes the third cord in all you do.
Strengthen the muscle.
For weight lifters to achieve the finely chiseled look they crave, they must exercise. Sitting around eating Doritos doesn’t give you six-pack abs. Crunching the stomach instead of chips gets the job done. Day after day of doing sit-ups will develop the core. Our love muscle needs strengthened in the same way.
Every time you love instead of hate, you’re increasing the muscle. Every person you interact with today is someone you can practice loving. Choosing patience over irritation requires self-control over our actions as well as our thoughts. Not boasting about self, instead encouraging others is always the right choice. The natural resistance we feel to God’s instructions on loving is what makes us stronger. Just as lifting weights increases the size of your physical muscles, loving increases your love muscle.
Pray for God to increase your love. Ask Him to do the same for others. Strengthen your muscle with each person you meet.
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Lord, thank You for defining love for us. Forgive us for not loving better when we had the chance. Help us today strengthen our muscles. Let us love everyone we interact with today as You have us do. Give us what we need to become better lovers. IJNIP. Amen
Question for reflection
Who can you love for Jesus today?
