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1 Corinthians 13 - Love Is Like That.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (NIV) If I speak in the tongues of men and 
of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a 
clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all 
mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move 
mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to 
the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I 
gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it 
does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not 
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love 
does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always 
protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never 
fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are 
tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass 
away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when 
perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked 
like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I 
became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor 
reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in 
part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now 
these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is 
love.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   When Ruthie and I were dating I was pastoring a church in 
central Ohio; Ruthie was working in Nursing Administration in a large 
hospital nearby. It was a time of high intensity for both of us. But we 
worked hard at staying in touch. As often as I could Id stop by the 
hospital cafeteria and wed have lunch together. Sometimes Id stop 
by her place for supper or shed stop by mine. Or sometimes a 
friend would invite us both. 
   With early morning duties, wed head for home before it got 
late. But inevitably, wed hardly be inside the door before one of 
us would phone the other. We might talk for an hour. She was busy; 
I was busy. I was a single dad with two teenage boys. Yet we made 
time to stay connected. Looking back on it I can understand the 
reason: We were very much in love. We took every opportunity to talk. We 
wanted to get better acquainted. I wanted to know her, she wanted to 
know me. We both wanted to know us. Love is like that. 
   Not long ago, nearly a half century later, we made the 
decision to sell our second car. Not only was it an expense, it made it 
convenient for us to do a lot of things separately. I could run errands in 
one direction and she in another. Now I understand there are seasons 
in every familys journey where this is not a practical idea, but 
for us it was. So with one car we run our errands together. It takes 
twice as long and its twice as much fun. Love is like that. 
   Our new strategy has also given me a more measured response 
to the inquiry I sometimes hear, Pastor, it just seems like I 
dont have as much time as I would like to spend in my quiet time. 
Weve got jobs and kids and deadlines and chores andIm just 
really busy. But love makes a way. Love measures priorities. Love 
sets boundaries. Love is driven to keep in touch. 
   Please know that Im not attempting to shame anyone here. I 
only want to give you permission to be honest about priorities. 
   Think about how this re-shapes our prayer vocabulary. Who of 
us hasnt said something like, Wow, I pray through my needs 
and wants and before you know it Im out of things to pray 
about. But what about if our driving motive is to get acquainted with 
this amazing God? To ask Him questions and wait for His answers. Have 
you ever prayed, God, whats on Your heart tonight? What do You 
want me to pray about? Who has a special target on their back that 
You want me to pray for? What is there in me that You want to clean 
up, that maybe I dont even see yet? Were going to need a 
bit more time than just the generic bless the missionaries and 
colporteurs in the foreign fields prayers that are so easy. Praying 
isnt really about getting things from God, its about getting 
better acquainted. Love is like that. By Don Jacobsen 
http://hope-heals.org/2019/06/04/love-is-like-that/ 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100820-1502.html

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or testimony on this 
passage of Scripture, either personal or otherwise, I would be 
interested in hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep uplifting 
Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782

Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE

Musical Devotional On Christian Living: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/

ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Restoring The Power by Pastor John Bradshaw: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657