Have You Accepted God's Gift of Love, Salvation through His Son Jesus Christ? Tell Me More
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I Love You... I think
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love seems to be the one thing that everyone is seeking, and when you're single... everyone else is finding. We look around, and we see how much fun couples are having, and how in love they are with each other, and we realize that type of love is missing from our lives... And so we search for it, and sometimes we force it just so we can "think" we're in love.
Of course, parents always make fun of teenagers for this, especially when they have their first crush. That first day they are in "love." High School couples show how much they love each other by holding hands, and kissing. And in a romantic moment, they look into each other's eyes (just like the movies) and say those magical words, "I Love You."
Then, 2 weeks later they have broken up, and are both seeking their true love. That next wonderful boy or girl who is going to fill their heart. This is one of the biggest challenges we all have, because we forget what Love REALLY is. We see couples holding hands, kissing, and cuddling, and we say to ourselves, "Wow, they really love each other." But love isn't only in what you do, but what you don't do. It's not only about sharing, but about sacrificing.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
- John 15:13
- John 15:13
In 1st Corinthians, we are told exactly what Love is... Love isn't always easy, because it means we have to care more about others than we do ourselves. Love isn't about going on dates, and having the other person buy you things. It's not even about physical attraction. Love is about a deep caring for the person, on a level you cannot even describe. Love is making yourself be patient, even when you don't want to be.
Love is being kind, even to their parents or your mother-in-law! It's being kind to them, even when they are not being kind to you. To care more about their feelings than your own.
Love does not envy, it does not want things for itself. This is the biggest mistake people make today, they see a relationship and they become envious. They compare their relationship to others, and forget what they have already. They start focusing on more, and on the things their partner cannot provide for them. Love is not envious, but it is gracious and thankful.
Love is not proud. This means that when you love someone, you are willing to set aside your pride, and your dignity for them. You are willing to admit when you are wrong, and accept their comments and criticism... even when you don't want to.
Love is not easily angered, and keeps no records of wrongs. This is the biggest problem with high school relationships, and it is usually due to two things:
- The couple was not looking for a real relationship, but rather what they thought the relationship should be
- The couple was not mature enough to forgive and forget
Love is being honest, being open, and accepting the other person's honesty and openness to you.
And Love is wanting to protect the other person from all hurtful things... even yourself! It's worrying about hurting the other person, more than you worry about hurting yourself, or having them hurt you. Love is putting your trust in the other person, that they will take care of you.
This is the kind of love we need to look for in a mate. This is the kind of love we need to find when pursuing a romantic relationship. And this is the kind of love we need to offer them in return. Because when you find true love, this kind of Godly love, then you have been truly blessed.
And when you find this kind of love, this true love, your relationship will survive anything that is thrown your way. As long as you and your mate stay focused sharing this Godly love with each other, your relationship will last. Because true love perseveres.
On June 08, 2012 by Sarah
Wow, love perseveres. I keep thinking love should all fall into place for it to truly be considered love, but this helped me realize that love is in fact struggle or at least contains it. I am praying that this relationship I am entering will please God. I pray that my relationship will in fact glorify God's name. True love pushes forward even when everything is pushing you back. Thank you for this realization. I have a surge of faith now in hopes that things will work out. Now I just have to hope and pray that the guy in my life will prove to love me enough to push forward. That will show me the answer to whether he is the one. God Bless!!
Wow, love perseveres. I keep thinking love should all fall into place for it to truly be considered love, but this helped me realize that love is in fact struggle or at least contains it. I am praying that this relationship I am entering will please God. I pray that my relationship will in fact glorify God's name. True love pushes forward even when everything is pushing you back. Thank you for this realization. I have a surge of faith now in hopes that things will work out. Now I just have to hope and pray that the guy in my life will prove to love me enough to push forward. That will show me the answer to whether he is the one. God Bless!!
On December 05, 2011 by janice
This is absolutely cool. thanks for specifying what the verse meant. ive been dating, looking for the general traits that a christian guy should have, but not really thinking about it this way. this makes waaay more sense lol and fills in the gaps/questions that ive bn thinking about recently. great devo.
This is absolutely cool. thanks for specifying what the verse meant. ive been dating, looking for the general traits that a christian guy should have, but not really thinking about it this way. this makes waaay more sense lol and fills in the gaps/questions that ive bn thinking about recently. great devo.
On October 26, 2011 by Annie
I've waited for Jacob to realize that we are supposed to be together for about a year. God told me July 2010, he asked my father's permission to court me this June. Everything feels right to me. Now, it's been four months and things are feeling disconnected. He seems far away from God, and from me. I still feel peace about us being together when I pray. But he doesn't. This devotion is really good, and encourages me that love is not always easy. If what we have is right, we will have to fight for it. I pray that God will give Jacob the peace about us that he once felt. Response: Annie, absolutely, my wife and I also had several struggles early on, and we did have to fight through them. Thankfully, it was God's will for us to be together. However, I would also suggest reading "God are You Listening" (under the Feeling Alone category). Regardless of what happens, God has a plan for you and for Jacob. Through all of this, continue to pray and look for God's will, because in the end He has something amazing planned for you! God Bless, Mike
I've waited for Jacob to realize that we are supposed to be together for about a year. God told me July 2010, he asked my father's permission to court me this June. Everything feels right to me. Now, it's been four months and things are feeling disconnected. He seems far away from God, and from me. I still feel peace about us being together when I pray. But he doesn't. This devotion is really good, and encourages me that love is not always easy. If what we have is right, we will have to fight for it. I pray that God will give Jacob the peace about us that he once felt. Response: Annie, absolutely, my wife and I also had several struggles early on, and we did have to fight through them. Thankfully, it was God's will for us to be together. However, I would also suggest reading "God are You Listening" (under the Feeling Alone category). Regardless of what happens, God has a plan for you and for Jacob. Through all of this, continue to pray and look for God's will, because in the end He has something amazing planned for you! God Bless, Mike
On October 05, 2011 by Justin
This was truly and an amazing devotional. This helped me cope with a long distnace relationship with the woman I Love. The distance apart has really started to effect our relationship. i feel that she is tired of only seeing me on the weekends and wants to go out and find a guy that can be there for her all the time. We have been praying that God will help us through this tough time, but all i can think about is losing her. God has giving me strength in 1st Corinthians. If we truly are ment to be together, God will help us cope with the things troubling our lives. I have a patience for her that can flood a sea, but i feel that soon I'll need more than patience, but ill need healing. Without God in a relationship, there CANNOT be love. for God is love.
This was truly and an amazing devotional. This helped me cope with a long distnace relationship with the woman I Love. The distance apart has really started to effect our relationship. i feel that she is tired of only seeing me on the weekends and wants to go out and find a guy that can be there for her all the time. We have been praying that God will help us through this tough time, but all i can think about is losing her. God has giving me strength in 1st Corinthians. If we truly are ment to be together, God will help us cope with the things troubling our lives. I have a patience for her that can flood a sea, but i feel that soon I'll need more than patience, but ill need healing. Without God in a relationship, there CANNOT be love. for God is love.
On July 06, 2011 by Marie
I am attending a retreat in Florida for teenage girls with 10 of my friends next week. I am in charge of putting together a devotion, and this was PERFECT!
I am attending a retreat in Florida for teenage girls with 10 of my friends next week. I am in charge of putting together a devotion, and this was PERFECT!
On January 12, 2010 by Jennifer
I memorized 1 corinthians when i was a little girl...and it was just a nice verse. Now i am in my mid-twenties and in a relationship and this verse has so much meaning. I love this devotion and cant wait to share with my partner and my friends. Thank you and God Bless.
I memorized 1 corinthians when i was a little girl...and it was just a nice verse. Now i am in my mid-twenties and in a relationship and this verse has so much meaning. I love this devotion and cant wait to share with my partner and my friends. Thank you and God Bless.
On August 26, 2009 by Kristia
This is a nice devotion! Thank you for posting this! It shows the kind of love one needs to look for. Thanks a lot. GOD bless you always.
This is a nice devotion! Thank you for posting this! It shows the kind of love one needs to look for. Thanks a lot. GOD bless you always.
On April 09, 2008 by Ashley
I loved this devotion, it made me think a lot. It also has confused me, because I knwo that God says we need to love everyone, so growing up, I have loved everyone. I can't think of anyone that I have treated without love. I am single, and have struggled with wanting to find my significant other. It's hard being single when your greatest desire is to be someone's wife and a mother. God has been helping me work in this area of my life, and has been preparing me for it. This devotion has truley been a blessing. Thank you.
I loved this devotion, it made me think a lot. It also has confused me, because I knwo that God says we need to love everyone, so growing up, I have loved everyone. I can't think of anyone that I have treated without love. I am single, and have struggled with wanting to find my significant other. It's hard being single when your greatest desire is to be someone's wife and a mother. God has been helping me work in this area of my life, and has been preparing me for it. This devotion has truley been a blessing. Thank you.
On January 29, 2008 by Steven
Beautiful, and really encouraging. Myself being single ( and hating that fact ) I actually found alot of comfort in these words and I would recommend this reading to anyone out there who is also single and struggling within the area of being single.
Beautiful, and really encouraging. Myself being single ( and hating that fact ) I actually found alot of comfort in these words and I would recommend this reading to anyone out there who is also single and struggling within the area of being single.
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