The LOVE Chapter...Verse by Verse

He says,

"Three things will last forever

- faith, hope, and love -

and the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)

I hear:

"Well, I hear what it says...

these three things will last forever:

Faith in my Savior to do as He has promised;

Hope in my Savior as I live in His perfection;

Love - loving Him and others in perfect capacity.

The greatest of these is LOVE."

1 Corinthians 13:13 (My Interpretation)

The LOVE Chapter...Verse by Verse

He says,

"Now we see things imperfectly,

like puzzling reflections in a mirror,

but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. 

All that I know now is partial and incomplete,

but then I will know everything completely,

just as God now knows me completely."

1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT)

I hear:

"I can only see my little bitty piece of the puzzle,

like looking into the foggy mirror after I shower,

I cannot decipher why things are happening,

I do not have the big picture yet. 

I have to wholly trust in His perfect plan. 

In order to have that trust,

I must be able to look back on my life

to reflect on his continual faithfulness through the years. 

His faithfulness is not only evident in my life;

I can see His hand in the lives of those I love. 

When I get to Heaven, I will be perfect;

I will be able to see the whys and the hows I now ask. 

He knows me better than I know myself, that, too,

is why I must trust Him."

1 Corinthians 13:12 (My Interpretation)

The LOVE Chapter...Verse by Verse

He says,

"When I was a child,

I spoke, thought, and

reasoned as a child. 

But when I grew up,

I put away childish things."

1 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)

I hear...

"When I was a child I said inappropriate things,

because I didn't know better,

my thoughts were incomplete,

lacking common sense that comes from years of experience, and my reasoning's were always selfish. 

I was the only one I thought or cared about. 

But, when I grew up and became a more mature Christian,

I put myself aside. 

I now strive to put others before myself,

think before I speak,

lest I tear someone down or lead them astray,

I ponder on God's word minute by minute,

allowing the Holy Spirit to complete my thoughts. 

 And I seek where and what Christ has for me to do,

 looking outside of myself to please my Savior."

1 Corinthian 13:11 (My Interpretation)

The LOVE Chapter...Verse by Verse

He says,

"Now our knowledge is

partial and incomplete,

and even the gift of prophecy

reveals only part of the whole picture!"

1 Corinthians 13:9 (NLT)

I hear,

"At this point in time

-right now-

what we know is only

a very, very small piece

of a monstrous puzzle;

even people who have the gift

of explaining God's Word

can only reveal a little bit

to such a large puzzle!"

1 Corinthians 13:9 (My Interpretation)

It amazes me that God thinks it is so important for us to understand that the way things are right now will not be so when we are in Heaven.  Right smack in the middle of this lovely, sweet chapter specifically about love, He begins to explain to us the uselessness of these other gifts in light of our Eternal home.

Those who have the gift to explain God's word, get to work, because you will be out of 'that' job when the Savior comes calling you home!  :-)  Then, love can truly abide!

Have a blessed and loving day!

The LOVE Chapter....Verse by Verse

He says,

"Prophecy and
speaking in unknown languages
 and special knowledge
will become useless. 
But love will last forever!"
1 Corinthians 13:8 (NLT)

I hear,
"Being able to explain
what the Word of God says
to other believers,
being divided by language barriers
that only a few people can translate for,
and having God-given insight
to His ways
are going to be absolutely GONE
when we go to Heaven. 
There will be no need for those gifts any longer...
HOWEVER,
LOVE WILL LAST FOREVER,
even in Heaven;
PRAISE GOD!"
1 Corinthians 13:8 (My Interpretation)

The Love Chapter...Verse by Verse

He says....

"Love never gives up,

never loses faith,

is always hopeful,

and endures through every circumstance."

1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

I hear...

"If I truly have God's love in my heart,

I will not look on circumstances around me

and give up because it 'looks' impossible. 

I will not lose the faith God has set within me-

HE is in control of all situations, not me. 

I will allow the hope I have in HIS ability to remain alive;

like a flicker of a candle in a dark room;

that He is working all the circumstances of my life 

together for my betterment. 

He will use even the most ugly circumstances

in my life for my good

and the good of those around me. 

And through HIS provision,

I can endure victorious through every circumstance,

holding to HIS word,

not seeking my own vengeance,

but waiting on HIM to reveal my every need. 

Not all things are what they seem,

I will wait for HIS revelation."

1 Corinthians 13:7

(My Interpretation)

The Love Chapter....Verse by Verse

He says...

"It does not rejoice about injustice

but rejoices whenever the truth wins out."

1 Corinthians 13:6 (NLT)

I hear...

"Love does not rejoice when bad things
happen to God's people;
however, knowing they are God's people
gives the needed faith to realize
that God's truth will prevail."
1 Corinthians 13:6 (My Interpretation)

The LOVE Chapter...Verse by Verse

He says...

"(Love is not) rude.

It does not demand its own way.

It is not irritable,

and it keeps no record of being wronged."

1 Corinthian 13:5 (NLT)

Oh, man, I hear...

"Love does not act ugly to anyone,
regardless of my mood or circumstances. 
Love does not demand things
always be done my way,
but allows (my children) to explore
and come up with their own God-given
creative ways to conquer the tasks
and difficulties He has given them to overcome. 
Love does not lose it's temper
when things do not go my way
(esp. with the children),
it does not act foolishly in the
process of instructing my children
to not act foolishly. 
Love does not get upset or
angry over 'spilled milk'. 
Love lets go
of past mistakes...Mine and Others..."

1 Corinthians 13:5

(My Interpretation)

All I can say is this is getting a little too close for comfort!  I praise God for the 'interpretation' He is speaking to my heart because He reminds me of it as I walk it out through the day.  I am a mom of 6 children from 10 down to 1 1/2, so my interpretation at this stage in my life has a lot to do with the children I am constantly with.  Your interpretation may be about going to school, going to work, or dealing with life while being single and alone.  Regardless of your life situation right now, I urge you to get a notebook and jot down your own interpretation of these verses. 

What we are doing here is in part what you call 'studying the Scriptures'.  God's word is timely and meaningful to everyone-regardless of where they are in life.  We have to apply His word to our life in the right here/right now.  Your interpretation will probably look a lot different than mine!  I encourage you, write it out!  Or, leave an anonymous comment with your version of one of these verses, wouldn't it be great to see all the various interpretations that could be pulled from this single verse of God's word?

I pray you have a VERY blessed day!

The LOVE Chapter...Verse by Verse

He says...

"Love is patient and kind.

Love is not jealous

or boastful or proud"

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NLT)

I hear...

"Love takes time to reflect on the

blessings already within my grasp

which enables me to be patient

with those around me...especially my children. 

Love is showing my children

how to be kind by being kind to them

and to my closest family and friends. 

Love does not see the success or

accomplishments of a good friend and envy it,

but rather is genuinely happy for their

success or accomplishment. 

Love does not taunt my great feats

in the faces of those who are struggling. 

Love declares the great things

God has done,

not the great things I think I have done."

1 Corinthians 13:4

(My Interpretation)

...I do not think I can expand anymore that what has already been described by my interpretation of this verse...  Oh, the GREAT things He teaches us!

Have a blessed day!

The LOVE Chapter: Verse by Verse

He says...

"If I gave everything I have to the poor

and even sacrificed my body,

I could boast about it;

but if I didn't love others,

I would have gained nothing. "

(1 Corinthians 13:3 NLT)

I hear...

"If I give money to needy causes,

donate items we don't need;

even those items we still use or want

to worthy causes,

and if I work my self crazy doing

good things for other people and worthy causes..

but if I do not love those around me,

I am not learning anything,

teaching anything or gaining anything,

all that work and energy will be worthless."

1 Corinthians 13:3

(My Interpretation)

The Christmas season is upon us...many, many wonderful things are going on around us!  Many opportunities to give and to serve...but what kind of heart are you doing it with?  Stop and evaluate why and even how you are giving or doing...are you doing and giving in Jesus name?  Is there someone close by you that has heard you complain about doing or giving?  If so, you need to stop....stop giving, stop doing...then refocus your heart, and try again!

Don't let this Christmas season pass you by, and all you have to show for it is stress.  Savor the moments, even if it means you may run a little late! :-)  Last night was my 1st graders Christmas program.  She was supposed to be there no later than 6:15.  I had plans to be out the door by 6pm.  However, as we were dolling up, and 'manning' up, the Lord whispered to my heart...'How are you going to remember this night if you rush through it?  Take a picture.' 

And it was a wonderful night.  My kids were especially excited that I took the time...allowed us to be a few minutes late so we could savor how wonderful they all looked!  :-)  I didn't realize how much that little picture would mean to some of them, but my Lord...their Lord... did!  Had I not listened to Him, I may have rushed us all along, making my children feel like I didn't care about the work they put into looking their best.  They matter to me, I love them with all my heart.  I need my Lord to remind me from time to time to slow down and make sure I show them.

Have a blessed day!!



The LOVE Chapter...Verse by Verse

....He said....

"If I had the gift of prophecy,

and if I understood all of God's secret plans

and possessed all knowledge,

and if I had such faith
that I could move mountains,

but didn't love others,

I would be nothing."

(1 Cor 13:2)

....I heard....

"If I have the ability to explain verses in the Bible

 so it can be easily understood,

and an understanding of what God's plan is,

and gain knowledge through schooling and experience,

and exercise great faith to overcome any obstacle,

But do not love those around me,

Those words, understanding,

knowledge and faith will be for not;

because I would be nothing -

who would care what I have to say,

what my insight is, what 'my' faith could do."

(1 Corinthians 13:2 My Interpretation)

God gives prepares us for what He has us to walk through.  When we study God's word, He provides us exactly what we need:

He gives each of us an understanding of various verses so we may encourage/challenge others. 

He give each of us a small bit of insight to pieces of His will.

He provides us all with a multitude of life experiences to gain knowledge from.

He provides us all sufficient faith to endure those trials around us...

He does all this so we can later encourage others...  Don't waste it by not loving those around you.

Have a blessed day!

The LOVE Chapter...Verse by Verse

.....He Says:

"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal."

(1 Cor 13:1)

.....I Hear:

"If I could clearly communicate

with those around me,

especially those closest to me,

but I did not love them,

I would simply be another blaring TV,

radio, or irritating cell phone ringing."

1 Corinthians 13:1

(My Interpretation)

Reading the Bible isn't supposed to be an item to check off our to-do list.  He uses it to speak directly to us...Listen to what He says to you when you read His word...hint: you have to open His word to hear what He says...

Have a blessed day!