Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The power of love rings loud in my ears, brings tears to my eyes, and joy to my heart as I read one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. The Love chapter (1 Corinthians 13) as it is commonly known. Love is powerful and is one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. I am humbled by Christ’s love for me. I don’t deserve it, but His reason for loving me is not because I deserve it. He loves me just because. My experience with love before Christ was that you love to receive something in return. There was always a condition and the condition wasn’t in my best interest. As a result, this always left me with a negative consequence or emotion. For the most part, my love for others was conditional.
In the world today, love is needed like never before. The evidence of darkness is escalating daily. The love that 1 Corinthians 13 teaches and Jesus modeled is what the world desperately needs. Love that is not puffed up. Love that is patient and kind. Love that doesn’t envy and is not boastful or conceited. Many times we exhibit just the opposite. Our love is conditional. We love our four and no more. We love those who look like us and we love those we can relate to. We forget there are many lonely, without hope, confused and desperate ones who need love, kindness, patience, attention, grace, mercy or an act of kindness.
We are experiencing new levels of crime including terrorism, violence, murders, abuse, divorce, assaults, racial injustices, rapes, police brutality, and identity theft – just to name a few. Darkness (sin) is blatant and without apology. Love is not present in any of this. Hatred for mankind and God is at all-time high. Satan is on a rampage trying to defeat as many as he can.
However, the grace, mercy and love of God prevails at an even greater level. Thank God for His love that covers a multitude of sin.
According to the Word of God, love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. It is the Love of God that will bring us through victoriously. There is no need to fear. The Word of God reveals in 1 John 4:18, Perfect love casts out all fear.
Prayer: Father God, with you all things are possible. Let our desire to be more like you increase today and forever more. I pray for a spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude to overwhelm us and that we would not rest until we have shared your love with every person that you have given to us to make a difference in their life regardless of their shape, size, color, education or even religion. I pray that we would love like you even to the point that we would be willing to give our life for the purpose of the Kingdom. It is in Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.
Rev. Carolyn Stovall Gilbert is the Founder and President of Missionaries With The Vision (MWTV). She resides in San Antonio, Texas. This year, MWTV celebrated 23 years of faithful service as they ministered God’s love through the preaching, teaching, training, and demonstration of His Word, in the local and surrounding communities, as well on nationally and internationally. To contact Rev. Carolyn
Stovall Gilbert or to inquire about MWTV ministry and training opportunities, please use the following information:
Physical Address: 10635 IH 35 North, Ste. # 302, San Antonio, Texas
Telephone: 210-227-6988
Fax: 210-227-6990
E-mail: mwtvpray4me@mwtv.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 39015 San Antonio, Texas 78218-1015
Facebook: facebook.com/mwtv
Blog: Chat with Rev. Gilbert on her Blog at mwtvpray4me WordPress.com