Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
— 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

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What Love Is, What Love Isn’t
By Jennifer Kane

Love is patient in the long and restless hours,
It is not quick to strike or seethe with blame.
Love is kind in secret, not parading its power,
It does not boast, nor clamor for a name.

Love rejoices when the truth is found and lifted,
It does not dance when others lose their way.
Love bears all things, even when the heart is sifted,
It does not demand its will or push away.

Love hopes beyond the ruin and the breaking,
It is not suspicious with a guarded heart.
Love endures when heavy winds are shaking,
It does not tear its promises apart.

Love is rooted deep in fields of mercy growing,
It is not proud, nor hardened into stone.
Love is a river, endlessly bestowing,
It does not leave the weary soul alone.

Love chooses peace, and freely grants forgiveness,
It does not count the tally of each wrong.
Love is a light undimmed by storm or witness—
It never fails; it ever sings its song.

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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

The heart of the Christian life is love — not merely affection or emotion, but a deep, self-giving, Christ-reflecting love.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13 that no matter what we say, no matter what we accomplish, no matter how gifted or wise we seem, without love, we gain nothing. Without love, we become noise rather than music.

In every word I speak, every place I go, every act I perform, my prayer is that love would be the thread woven through it all. A love that is patient when patience feels impossible. A love that is kind when kindness feels undeserved. A love that does not envy or boast, that refuses to dishonor others or seek its own way.

It is this kind of love — Christ’s love — that has the power to point others to Him. It is this kind of love that draws the weary soul into the arms of Jesus, our Savior, Lord, and forever Friend.

When I let love be my foundation, I become more than a speaker, a doer, or a traveler — I become a living signpost pointing to the cross.
When I let love lead, I reflect the One who first loved me — not with half-hearted affection, but with a love so deep it carried Him to Calvary.

Where in my life am I tempted to act, speak, or move without love?
How can I slow down today and let Christ’s love fill and flow through me?
Who in my life needs to experience Jesus’ love through my words or actions?

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Father God, fill my heart with Your perfect love. Let everything I do today — every word, every step, every deed — be shaped and backed by love. Help me to point others to Your open, welcoming arms, that they too might know You as Savior, Lord, and Friend. Teach me to love not only when it is easy, but especially when it is hard. Thank You for loving me first. In Your name Jesus I pray, Amen.

April 28 2025