In 1 Corinthians we can find what many call “The Love Chapter.” During the week of Valentines Day this section of chapter 13 is shared on social media, preached on in church, and spoken from one to another:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “(4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (5) It does not dishonor others, 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.”
Wow. I bet we can all admit that there have been times when we have not met these standards. We are selfish with our love, we anger too easily, we keep record of the wrongs our loved ones have committed against us… On St. Valentine’s Day we honor our significant other with expensive gifts, love letters, and sweets. We dress up, go out to dinner at a nice restaurant, and dedicate our day to spending time with the one we love.
But loving ourselves, God, and those around us shouldn’t be a once a year commitment. We should try to love those around us every day and out into practice what is written in 1 Corinthians 13.
Love is being patient with your new coworker who can’t get the hang of a complicated task. Love is being kind to the cashier who is scanning your groceries. Love is being proud and not envious of your friend’s accomplishment, even though you wish you were at that point in your life. Love is pushing past the hard times in your marriage and committing to honor your spouse despite their failings. Love is protecting your family, trusting in God, and hoping for the future He holds for you. We all fail, but Love never does.
This week, meditate on how you can genuinely show love and support to those around you, and commit to being loving in all that you do.
A Heart for Marriages
FireStarters Ministry has a heart for marriages! We want to teach couples strategies and scripture that will help to strengthen their marriages.
In the past, we have held couples retreats with the goal of pouring into married couples. The couples we have ministered to in the past are all doing incredibly well and have marriages that are strong and built on the foundation of God’s Word. These couples are a married team, disciples in their personal lives, are involved in ministry and are committed to furthering the Kingdom of God.
For your marriage to thrive, you must implement God’s principles in your lives and relationships. You have to work for your marriage, you can’t expect it to thrive when you are not putting effort into your relationship with your spouse.
To any couple that hasn’t had the opportunity to attend one of our couple’s retreats, we invite you to register for our 2022 Couple’s Retreat that will be held in November. We would love the opportunity to help you strengthen and thrive in your marriage. If your marriage is being attacked by outside forces, if you are struggling and battling to hold your relationship together, then we would love to fight and pray alongside you.
We have a Heart for Marriages and want to help you fight for yours. Sign up for our Couples Retreat in November 2022 or fill out our prayer request form below and let us pray for your marriage!
