Beloved Brothers and Sisters
I know that many of us would say that tomorrow holds no significance. Many people hold the view that Valentine’s Day is merely an excuse to celebrate unbridled romanticism, a day created and magnified by card writers, jewelers, and restaurant owners. Whether or not you choose to use this day as an excuse to go out and show your affection to your sweetheart (and the motives for doing so, or not doing so, can both be either righteous or wicked), a holiday built around love is a welcome reminder to reorient our understanding of love according to God’s Word.
1 Corinthians 13:1–7 (NASB95)
1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Worldly love, the kind of love that is most often celebrated for Valentine’s Day, is very different from what Paul described in this passage. If we are not diligent to always reorient ourselves to the truth of God’s Word, the ways of the world will creep in and influence, eventually even dominate, our thinking.
The romantic love the world so often idolizes is at its heart self-centered. It is all about what the other person does for me; I love you because of how you make me feel, because of what you do for me, because of the fun that we have together. We have all seen this kind of self-centered love; we have all been guilty of self-centered love. Self-centered love is the default for fallen humanity, not just in romantic relationships, in every relationship. But with us who are in Christ, this must not be the case; this cannot be the case.
Love is absolutely necessary, but not the kind of love that the world recognizes; we need the kind of love that is defined by actively seeking the good of others, even at great personal inconvenience. Godly love sacrifices what I want for what will build up those around me. Godly love is quick to listen, quick to forgive, quick to think the best of others no matter how great an offense is felt. Godly love always seeks peace and harmony; reconciliation is a priority, even when it will not come easily.
So then, every time you see or hear something celebrating love remember what true God born love is, and exploit every mention of love as an excuse to once again reorient our hearts toward the love that is of God.
In Case You Missed It
Sunday we continued our study of Hebrews by looking at how Jesus is greater than the angels because He has a greater destiny (listen here). Look over the first section of Hebrews 2, as this week we will be studying the greater judgment that comes with rejecting a greater message.
We were blessed to be able to hear Prentice Allen’s testimony of God’s grace in her life (listen here). What a blessing it is to feel the love of God and to know that we are His. May we grow into greater maturity and greater worship as we continue to rehearse God’s miraculous work in the lives of His people.
Ken brought a recent sermon from John Piper to my attention that he believes will be a great encouragement toward a global outlook in kingdom advancement. Listen to Perseverance in God-Centered Missions.
The Allens have invited anyone in our fellowship who desires, to come to their home (see directory) tomorrow evening at 6:30 for a time of Scripture reading and wherever that reading leads us.
The plan is to take turns reading through books of the Bible. No one need have anything prepared, but as the Spirit leads we are welcome to share a word, lift up prayer, or join in song.
Scripture Reading and Prayer
In order to promote unity of heart and mind among us, we are encouraging as many as are willing to join with us in reading through the entire Bible this year together, as well as devoting specific Scriptures to prayer each day. It is our prayer that as we meditate and pray over the same Scriptures each day, that God will work in our midst to bind us to one another, and to give us a common vision for the ministry here in Maynardville. Prayerfully consider joining with us in this endeavor, and we will see how God will work in our midst.
Our Scriptures to pray over this week are:
- Thur (2/13): Ps 37:4; 1:2; 16:11
- Fri (2/14): Ps 27:4, 8
- Sat (2/15): Ps 42
- Sun (2/16): Ps 63.1-3
- Mon (2/17): Ps 51:17; Heb 13:15; Ps 51:15
- Tue (2/18): Heb 12:1-2
- Wed (2/19): Heb 13:20-21
- Thur (2/20): Luk 17:5; Mark 9:24
Our Scriptures reading schedule for the week is:
- Thur (2/13): Ex 35:10-36:38; Matt 27:32-66; Ps 34:1-10; Pr 9:7-8
- Fri (2/14): Ex 37:1-38:31; Matt 26:1-10; Ps 34:11-22; Pr 9:9-10
- Sat (2/15): Ex 39:1-40:38; Mk 1:1-28; Ps 35:1-16; Pr 9:11-12
- Sun (2/16): Lev 1:1-3:17; Mk 1:29-2:12; Ps 35:17-28; Pr 9:13-18
- Mon (2/17): Lev 4:1-5:19; Mk 2:13-3:6; Ps 36:1-12; Pr 10:1-2
- Tue (2/18): Lev 6:1-7:27; Mk 3:7-30; Ps 37:1-11; Pr 10:3-4
- Wed (2/19): Lev 7:28-9:6; Mk 3:31-4:25; Ps 37:12-29; Pr 10:5
- Thur (2/20): Lev 9:7-10:20; Mk 4:26-5:20; Ps 37:30-40; Pr 10:6-7
With Love and Affection in Christ,
Caleb
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