Powerful, Profound Love

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

This is such a familiar verse.
This is such a powerful, profound verse!

I love, love, LOVE the way my Spirit Filled Life Bible breaks this Scripture down. I want to share it with you because I believe it offers us food for thought.

"Love suffers long, having patience with imperfect people. Love is kind, active in doing good. Love does not envy; since it is nonpossessive and noncompetitive, it actually wants other people to get ahead. Hence it does not parade itself. Love has a self-effacing quality; it is not ostentatious (indulging in vain and pretentious display). Love is not puffed up, treating others arrogantly; it does not behave rudely, but displays good manners and courtesy. Love does not seek its own, insisting on its own rights and demanding precedence; rather, it is unselfish. Love is not provoked; it is not irritable or touchy, rough or hostile, but is graceful under pressure. Love thinks no evil; it does not keep an account of wrongs done to it; instead, it erases resentments. Love does not rejoice in iniquity, finding satisfaction in the shortcomings of others and spreading an evil report; rather, it rejoices in the truth, aggressively advertising the good. Love bears all things, defending and holding other people up. Love believes the best about others, credits them with good intentions, and is not suspicious. Love hopes all things, never giving up on people, but affirming their future. Love endures all things, persevering and remaining loyal to the end. Love never fails."

Didn't you just love that?! Such a blessing...

I would like for you to do something.
I would like for you to read it again and substitute your name every time you read the word "love".
I promise it will give you food for thought.

Let's pray for one another and commit to overflowing with God's love into a hurting world.

The world will know we are Christians by our love.

Father, this is SO beautiful! Thank You for making it so clear to us how we are to love others. I guess it's safe to say that You know how hard it is for us to love others the way You do. Only Christ in us can make that possible. Lord, we surrender our hearts to You. Empty them and refill them with Your love. Teach us to overflow with Your love. Open our eyes to see others the way You do. Thank You, Father.