THOUGHTS ON LOVE
| love_checklist.pdf |
Many years ago a missionary visited my church and shared some thoughts on 1 Corinthians 12b:31-13:13 (1153). If you are not familiar with the reference, I am sure that you will have read and/or heard the passage many times before.
He explained that he had a daily practice to read these four particular verses:
Love is patient, love is kind. 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 in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (1154)
Having read those four verses, he would then write out the sixteen attributes or characteristics of love. However, for the word ‘love’, he would instead insert his name: Mark is patient, Mark is kind; and so on. (Mark is not his actual name.)
When he got to an attribute that he knew was not true, he would stop and pray over that lacking in his own characteristics. His aim, he said, was to one day get through the whole list without stopping.
Whenever I remember this I will start the process myself: Allen is patient, and always stop there. No-one who knows me well will find no surprise in that.
D L Moody is reported as having said, “The one great need in our Christian life is love, more love to God and to each other. Would that we could all move into that love chapter and live there.”
God is love. Love should be the number one priority on your daily walk requirements. It should be what your life is all about.
Every time I look at the list I know that I am being challenged to sort my priorities out. What about you? I have placed a pdf download document on this page. Can I suggest that you download it and then print it out. In the blank on each line, created by removing reference to the word ‘love’, write in your name.
Then – get praying!
He explained that he had a daily practice to read these four particular verses:
Love is patient, love is kind. 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 in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (1154)
Having read those four verses, he would then write out the sixteen attributes or characteristics of love. However, for the word ‘love’, he would instead insert his name: Mark is patient, Mark is kind; and so on. (Mark is not his actual name.)
When he got to an attribute that he knew was not true, he would stop and pray over that lacking in his own characteristics. His aim, he said, was to one day get through the whole list without stopping.
Whenever I remember this I will start the process myself: Allen is patient, and always stop there. No-one who knows me well will find no surprise in that.
D L Moody is reported as having said, “The one great need in our Christian life is love, more love to God and to each other. Would that we could all move into that love chapter and live there.”
God is love. Love should be the number one priority on your daily walk requirements. It should be what your life is all about.
Every time I look at the list I know that I am being challenged to sort my priorities out. What about you? I have placed a pdf download document on this page. Can I suggest that you download it and then print it out. In the blank on each line, created by removing reference to the word ‘love’, write in your name.
Then – get praying!