Father, it is such a comfort to know You are always with me. My prayer is that I would move beyond just knowledge into more active engagement with You – that I would hear You more readily and feel more compelled to seek Your direction in all aspects of my life. Amen.
1 John 4:7-8 (<<click here to read the passage)
Lord, as I read through the notes in my Life Application Study Bible, it definitely makes me think. It says, “Everyone believes that love is important, but love is usually thought of as a feeling. In reality, love is a choice and an action, as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 shows.”
“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].” AMP
I have to let that sink in, Lord. It’s like putting on sunglasses on a bright and sunny day. Karen and I have talked about how they cool and relax your eyes. The glare and brilliance of everything seem so sharp, and then with our shades on, everything is softer and smoother.
Love does that. Our world just glares with sharpness. It so often brings us pain and discomfort, but Your love changes all that. It’s not just some warm fuzzy feeling. We must choose to love and to act on that love. Leaving my shades in my truck’s console doesn’t help me deal with the sun’s glare – I have to put them on for them to do any good.
Lord, as I read through the 1 Corinthians and 1 John passages again, I would ask that I would be more compelled throughout the moments of my life to choose love, and once I have chosen love, to put it into action. Basically, I want to be like You! I can have no better goal. Amen.
(May 9th, 2017, Tues, 6:45 am)
Feb 10th, 2026, Tues, 9:56 am
