SEPTEMBER 3, 2023

 “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” 

― Mahatma Gandhi

PROVERBS 3-4

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight. (3:5-6)

1 CORINTHIANS 13

1If I speak in the tongues^a of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If 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 do not have love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^b but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

JOURNAL 

Love is the one test as to whether I serve God or serve myself. If I do "good" things but have not love then it is all for nothing and my life and efforts are meaningless. I am to trust God above everything. God is to be my God and if so then everything I do will be colored with his love.

This seems so simple yet my normal habit is to think of myself first. While that is normal, it can certainly put me at odds with God and other people. I don't think it's possible to not think of myself first. But maybe it is the way I think of myself. Do I think my needs are more important than others? Do I see God as a means to an end? Do I fear and worry about my fate more than I seek to serve God?

These are the questions that can reveal my heart and whether or not I am truly accepting God's love and then returning it in loving others. As long as I am alive, I will think of myself first but if in doing so I think of how I can love others and obey God, then I'm definitely closer to living a life that fulfills God's purpose for my life.

3Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

4Then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man.

- Proverbs 3:3-4