Love and Truth – 1 Corinthians 13:6

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. – 1Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)

Love does not delight in evil; instead, it encourages and supports, reflecting God’s selfless love. It is active, supportive, and rejoices in what is right and good. Love does not take pleasure in wrongdoing or tolerate injustice; rather, it advocates for moral integrity. To align with God’s righteousness, our love needs to actively seek what is genuine, good, and righteous.

Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. – John 14:6 (NET)

Love rejoices in truth: the truth derived from following Jesus and modeling His ways. In this verse Paul encourages the Corinthians to look at their actions. Are they seeking what is good, the truth, and acting with honesty?

Are we reflecting Jesus’ heart in all we do? For love is not just an emotion; it is a commitment to righteousness. For truthful love brings unity, trust, and spiritual growth in us, our churches, and our community.

4 Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head,
5 Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
6 Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
7 Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. – 1Corinthians 13:4-7 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, help us to grow in righteousness and love. Guide us to embrace a love that rejoices in what is right and delights in truth. A love that reflects Your goodness, a love that is selfless, and pursues justice. Like the roses, gathered together bringing beauty to our days, let us gather together sharing the beauty of Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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Call On Me – Jeremiah 29:12

12 When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. – Jeremiah 29:12 (NET)

This verse is part of a letter that the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the Israelites exiled in Babylon. Jeremiah reassures the Israelites that God has a plan for their welfare and encourages them to seek Him and call upon Him. God wants us to personally reach out to Him. To call on Him with genuine intent and faith, with a sincere heart. When we reach out to God in prayer, He listens to us. He listens to us no matter what our circumstances may be.

When we sincerely call on God in prayer, our prayers are heard by our loving, compassionate God. He cares about us and wants to help us; he has plans for us, plans to give us hope and a future.

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11

This verse is a reminder of the importance of prayer during our busy, challenging, difficult days. For God is accessible to us and offers us comfort, hope, and direction. God wants us to open our hearts and genuinely seek Him by reaching out through prayer. For He has plans for us. Plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future.

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love, patience, and forgiveness. May we reach out to You and grow closer to You through prayer. Help us grow in faith and communicate with You through prayer regularly. Just as the flowers of the lily reach toward the sun, let us reach out to You and follow Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Temple of the Living God – 2 Corinthians 6:16

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” – 2 Corinthians 6:16 (NKJV)

When we are true believers, we become temples for the living God here on earth. God lives within us. In contrast, idols are just man-made images of gods and cannot communicate with the people who made them.

The Holy Spirit, God’s spirit, lives in everyone who believes in Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, we have a personal relationship with God. He helps us, guides us, and transforms us by renewing our hearts. The Holy Spirit helps us grow in faith and prayer and living in a way that reflects God’s love and actions.

I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.

– Leviticus 26:12(NIV)

We are God’s people, temples of the living God, and our lives should reflect His holiness, grace, and love. We must make a conscious decision to avoid distractions and temptations that lead us away from God by keeping our focus on Him and reflecting His character, love, and truth.

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and grace. Help us to grow in faith, compassion, and love. Teach us to rely on the Holy Spirit for direction and guidance. Guide us away from temptations and strengthen our commitment to follow You. Like the lilies grow and glow in the sunshine, let us grow in faith and glow with love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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