Love is…

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.com2 Comments

PRAY

Take time to pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“And I will show you a still more excellent way.”
1 Corinthians 12:31

WRITE

In the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul talks about spiritual gifts and the necessity of each part of the body of Christ. He reminds us, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27), and  he encourages us to “earnestly desire the higher gifts” 1 Corinthians 12:31. It is a powerful message spurring  us on to both use our gifts for the benefit of the body of Christ and to seek after Him so as to grow  deeper in Him. And still, after these powerful words revealing to us how we grow in Christ and how we help the body – the church – he simply states… “And I will show you a still more excellent way” 1 Corinthians 12:31b. You see – all these gifts mean nothing if we do not act in love. If we do not speak in love. If we have any other motivator than love. 1 Peter 1:22 reminds us that we are called to “love earnestly from a pure heart.” So – what does that look like? 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a picture of just such love. I am confident that most of you have read, or heard this many many many times. Take time now to ask God to give you fresh eyes to see what He has for you in these precious verses.

  • Using 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Make a list of all the things that love is.
  • How is God calling you to change the way you love. Write it down…
  • Write down one thing you can do today to love in a more excellent way.

GROW

Praying that the Lord would perfect your love. That you can love others with a pure heart and in a way that will shine His love to the world. May we all live in the more excellent way!

Better

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PRAY

Read Philippians 3:8-9

“Indeed, I count everything as loss
because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Philippians 3:8

Take time now to meditate on God’s word. Then be silent and let Him speak to you…

WRITE

Write your response…

 

GROW

Praying that the Lord will continue to grow you as He impresses upon your hearts of His amazing love, peace, strength. There is nothing better than knowing Christ Jesus our Savior. Praying for you!

Peace

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PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
John 14:27

 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ”
John 14:27

WRITE

I am listening to my kids “play” a video game together right now. There is arguing, and yelling & general frustration! It is far from peaceful – I’m just waiting for the real fight to begin. The sensory overload I am feeling right now has every nerve in my body on alert. It’s so silly! So insignificant! And yet… the peace of Christ is still available in this situation – just like every difficult, gut wrenching, devastating and soul searching event in our lives. Jesus offers us that… His peace in every situation. Do not let your heart be troubled He says to us… do not be afraid. Ask Me he invites…

  • What are you afraid of?
  • What are you troubled about?
  • Big or Small – put it in the hands of Jesus… write down your prayer now!

REMEMBER
 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ”
Philippians 4:6-7

GROW

Praying today that you will take your fears and frustrations, big and small, to God… Jesus is our peace. Praying that the peace of God would guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus! Praying for you!

Help

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PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
Psalm 63

 “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
    my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. ”
Psalm 63:1

  • How does the psalmist characterize his relationship to God.
  • What is his reaction to God’s love and provision?
  • I absolutely love the picture drawn by verse 7. What does it mean to you that God is your help and you can rest in the shadow of His wings?
  • How does this Psalm shape the way that you live your life? How does this direct your focus, your desires, and how you pray to our Almighty God?

GROW

A friend began praying verse  over my children and shared with me how she had been praying. It often enters my prayers for my kids as I desire that they would earnestly seek God and their souls would thirst for Him. Praying for you today that you would hunger and thirst for the Lord as you rely on him for His steadfast love and help. Praying for you!

Just Pray About It

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PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
1 Timothy 2:1-6

 “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ”
1 Timothy 2:1

WRITE

  • According to verse 1, who does Paul implore us to pray for?
  • What are the three things he specifically asks us to pray for them?
  • Why does God want us to pray for all people (v. 3 & v.4)
  • Find a headline from today & write a prayer lifting it up to our mighty God!

Keep Praying…. Christ Tomlin reminds us in his beautiful song “God of  This City” that God has a beautiful plan…

GROW

Thanking God that He is love! Thanking God that He has a desire that all will be saved. Praying for you that you feel His love and direction today as you pray for this lost and lonely world. May all come to know our amazing Savior! Praying for you!

Wise Living

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PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
Colossians 4:5-6

 “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
Colossians 4:5-6 NLT

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Colossians 4:5-6ESV

WRITE

  • How is it possible to live wisely in a world that does not know Christ (John 14:1)(Luke 12:12) (2 Timothy 3:10) (1 Corinthians 1:20-25)?
  • When you go through your day – are you making the most of every opportunity, or are there times when God has encouraged you to share (or not) and you have not been obedient?
  • Read Romans 12:9-21. Think of these verses in terms of a discussion. How does it help you understand what it means to have a conversation “seasoned with salt”?
  • Why is it important to be prepared for every opportunity?

GROW

Praying that the Lord would use you today. That your conversation would be perfectly seasoned, and full of God’s love, grace and truth. May we all seek to be prepared for every situation, and may the Lord provide us with His Spirit to guide and strengthen us. Praying for you!

Tired? Just Keep Going

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PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
2 Thessalonians 3:13

 “…do not grow weary in doing good.”
2 Thessalonians

WRITE

When I moved to the Washington D.C. area about 20 years ago. I was a fresh faced 20 something. I had recently graduated from college and was a transplant from the mid-west. I smiled and said “hi” to everyone. I held doors and waved at neighbors. I went out of my way to greet people and engaged in conversations with the cashiers. Sadly, many of my efforts were not reciprocated, ignored or rebuffed. It got tiring, and I even began to feel foolish. Slowly my kindness to strangers dwindled, and I was the one tooting my horn,  and walking with my head down. But I soon realized that instead of shining the light of Christ into the world, I was allowing the world to cover my light with a bushel basket. It’s still hard when I walk past a stranger and greet them with a cheery “hello” and I’m ignored. But, I just say a prayer and look  forward to my next opportunity to shine some light into this dark world.

  • Do you ever feel weary in doing good?
  • It could be the service you provide at church, the hard work you do in the office, or the tireless job of parenting, but remember… it is not man you are serving, but your heavenly Father (see Colossians 3:23). How does this change your perspective?
  • It is so cliche, but we may be the only opportunity to meet Jesus some people may have. Write a prayer asking God to use you and your daily interaction for His glory and His kingdom.

GROW

Praying for you today, that you will not grow weary, but will continue to do good as you serve our Almighty Father! May His strength, His wisdom, His love, His patience & His joy be yours today! Praying for you!

The Path

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PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
John 14:4-6

 “And you know the way to where I am going.”
John 4:4

WRITE

  • Even though Jesus reassures His disciples that they “know the way.” Thomas asks what question?
  • Jesus gives a clear answer as to the path to where He is going. What is the way?
  • In our day and age truth has been watered down and moral relativism reigns. Here, Jesus thwarts the idea that everyone gets to decide their own truth in one simple statement. What is it?
  • What do you think Jesus means by His statement, “I am the life” (see also Romans 6:20-23)?
  • Christianity is completely inclusive in that Jesus’s invitation is extended to everyone (Genesis 26:4) (John 3:16) (Matthew 28:19) (Galatians 3:8). Still Jesus makes it very clear, while all are invited there is but one path. What is the path?
  • More than anything… as Christians we must remember that we have a beautiful gift. We know the way, the truth, and the life! Alleluia! Paul says it beautifully in Colossians 1:27-29NLT – How does the following passage encourage & direct you?

    “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.  That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”
    Colossians 1:27-29

GROW

May our lives be an eternal witness to the power of Christ! May we live our lives looking to Him as The Way – The Truth and The Life. May we desire to share with others the beauty of His life changing love, and seek His glory in all things!