Conjuring Up Love Today
Thursday’s Verse:
From 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
It’s understandable to feel gritted down by the world around us. When we watch, listen to, or even read the news lately, it can feel like there is only yuckiness out there. Fear-filled news cycles. Sharp conversations. Hearts that grow thin and tired in their patience and generosity. When we take an honest look inward at ourselves, how often do we fail to love others well? We love others when it’s easy. We retreat when it costs us something. God’s law searches us and finds that reality, and isn’t afraid to show it to us.
But Paul doesn’t want us to find comfort when we look inward; he wants us to look to what abides.
Our faith abides because Christ abides. Our faith doesn’t have strength because of us. Our faith lives because Jesus lived, died, and rose again FOR us. Even when faith feels weak or misguided, its foundation never moves.
Our hope abides because God keeps his promises. Christian hope is not optimism or pie-in-the-sky thinking. It is confident hope built on the foundation of the resurrection. Things may look very broken around us, but the end of the story is already secured in Christ.
And love abides because God is love. Notice this is not about what we do first; it’s about what God has done. The greatest love was displayed on the cross. Jesus loved us by giving Himself up for us while we were sinners and could not love Him back. Because of that love a new love springs up in us. Flawed? Yes. Weak? Often. Real? Absolutely.
So let’s not try to conjure up love in the world today. Let’s receive it. Jesus forgives us, restores us, frees us up, and sends us out to love our neighbors one day at a time. In practical, ordinary ways. A kind word. An ear to listen. A simple act of mercy. None of these things are little things in God’s economy.
Faith, hope, and love abide. And because Christ sits at the right hand of God interceding for us, nothing will separate us from His love.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, when we feel weighed down by this world, and our ability to love others feels small and weak. Draw us back to the cross. Fill us with faith. Anchor our hope. Let your love flow through us for the sake of others. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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