Love, the Superior Way

Open Your Bible

1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Psalm 145:8-10, Psalm 145:14-19, John 15:9-17

Love, as framed in 1 Corinthians 13, was framed for me as a child of six. It was a perfect square made of 15 smaller squares, each cross-stitched in pastel blues and pinks and yellows. I stared at it for hours of my childhood because it sat above the baby grand piano where I endured years of lessons.

Every week I would stare at those squares in the dim light of my piano teacher’s studio and count with the metronome until I could leave. It’s no wonder she told my parents I was a hopeless case and to put me in soccer or horseback riding when, after four years of lessons, I was still incapable of playing the most rudimentary scales. I wasn’t listening to a word she said. But I still remember the cross-stitched squares perfectly today.

I don’t know about you, but love is hard for me. Love as a noun is okay. It’s very ethereal and nebulous and conjures up good feelings and emotions. Love as a noun is the smell of a newborn or the flutters of a new relationship or the feeling you have toward street tacos or getting the thing you want. But love is also so much more and so much harder than those things. It can feel more like a tone-deaf person practicing scales than it does anything sweet or nice or pastel.

If I’m honest, real love (the kind Paul writes about in this chapter) sounds like a symphony I’m never going to be able to play. It sounds beautiful and hopeless at the same time. I am never going to be capable of being perfectly patient, perfectly kind, perfectly without envy or boasting. I can barely bear some things, but how could I possibly bear all things? If what Paul is talking about is the definition of love, I’ve been practicing for a long time, and I need to find another hobby.  

The comfort of this chapter for the ones who are as hopeless about love as I am is further down: “Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known” (1Corinthians 13:12).

The harmony of these two sections clues us in to the true meaning of this text: just as my knowledge is partial, my love is partial. But just as I am fully known, I am fully loved. By whom? By the only One whose love is perfect. By the only One whose love is perfectly patient, perfectly kind, perfectly able to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things. There is only One who has endured all things, and this is Christ.

Practice will not make my love perfect or even easy in this Christian life, no matter how diligently I practice my scales. Discipline is good and sanctification is sure; kindness will come more easily, patience more freely, but still imperfectly. But Paul assures us our dim sight won’t last forever and the scales will someday fall. Even still, “these three remain: faith, hope, and love” (v.13). One day we will see fully and be seen fully by the greatest of all these—love Himself, Jesus.

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107 thoughts on "Love, the Superior Way"

  1. Rachel Callan Callan says:

    Beautifully put. God’s Love is so incredible. I’m in awe.

  2. Jeanna Vance says:

    ❤️

  3. Jade Gaines says:

    ❤️

  4. Marina S. says:

    Thank you for your prayers on behalf of my mom and brother, sweet Kelly. I prayed for your hard conversation that you have to do today. May the person see your love and be able to talk it out and may the situation be resolved, so it won’t hinder you both serving together in ministry.

  5. Caroline Bridges says:

    Reminds me of Love Never fails by Elie Holcomb and Love feels like by Toby Mac. I’m sure there are others. I’ve never seen love before, but know what it’s like in song lyrics.

  6. Gwineth52 says:

    “The Lord is good to everyone;
    His compassion rests on all He has made.”
    Psalm 145: 9
    Doesn’t that just break you wide open?!
    Unmerited. Unequivocal. Unimaginable.

  7. Brooke P says:

    So thankful for this reading & devotional today.

  8. Elizabeth Muzljakovich says:

    The Lord is so sweet. My husband and I are adopting a baby after 10 years of trying to make a baby and losing one. We just found out that the majority of the finances are due before we can get on the waitlist. We don’t see how on earth that’s possible le, especially quickly. BUT GOD! He reminded me through psalm 145 that He wants to provide for us and even when we don’t see it, He’s working.
    He also reminded me with John 15 about when I first gave my life to Him… at 5 years old, I said I wanted to be friends with Jesus. And look at that passage!! He chose me to be His friend and He wants to provide for me, after seeking Him! For real, you guys!! God is so sweet. I don’t know how He is going to provide for this baby to be in our arms… but Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!

    1. Cee Gee says:

    2. Marina S. says:

      What a precious blessing Elizabeth! I will be praying that God give you the resources you need to adopt that sweet baby. I have seen first hand God helping friends, financially, to be able to adopt. Where He leads, He will provide.

      1. Elizabeth Muzljakovich says:

        Thank you so much, Marina! Yes, amen!!!

    3. Tricia C says:

      Wow! Praying now for the Lord to make a way.

    4. Tina says:

      ♥️.
      He is faithful. Trust Him..
      Praying with you, dear heart..♥️

    5. AZ Walker says:

      I will pray this all works out Elizabeth. Did you know there is a tax credit for adopting a child in 2024 for $16,800. I know it’s hard, we paid bits and pieces and were reimbursed later for most of an International adoption. God is good!

      1. Elizabeth Muzljakovich says:

        Thank you!!! Yes, I’m so thankful for that aspect! Trusting God every little dollar along the way is definitely hard…. But I know it’s going to be so sweet!
        Congratulations on your adoption!! I love it!!

    6. Rhonda Johnson says:

      I LOVE this Elizabeth!! First, and mainly that you are praising the Lord even after losing a child, and then trying for 10 years and just now having success! And you call the Lord GOOD! And He IS!! Prayers for this adoption to happen and the financial aspect! Please keep us informed and we will keep praying knowing God will bring your faithfulness to fruition!!

      1. Elizabeth Muzljakovich says:

        Oh thank you so much, Rhonda!! I can’t explain this process other than the Holy Spirit has been so evident every step of the way!

    7. Tami says:

      Hi Elizabeth. I join my prayers with the others here today. He will make a way, he always makes a way! I can’t wait to hear your testimony!

    8. Kim B says:

      Hi Elizabeth! My prayers are with you. I can’t wait to hear more about your journey!

      1. Elizabeth Muzljakovich says:

        Thank you so much Kim!!

    9. Kelly (NEO) says:

      ShowHope . Org is a group that offers grants for adoption expenses.
      Agreeing with you for God to make a way

      1. Elizabeth Muzljakovich says:

        Thank you so much!! I was JUST looking at that last night!!!

  9. Heidi says:

    I definitely find my kindness and patience come during times I am more aware of my own need for it. When I intentionally consider what God has done for me while IN MY SIN, I seem more capable of doing for others.

    In the Ps 145 reading – The Lord is good to everyone;
    his compassion rests on all he has made.
    That’s so powerful. How quick we (I!) are to judge and decide who we will be good to, typically based of how much we think they deserve it, but God sits there and says NOPE! I made everyone and I will be good to every.one! Not just the nice, honest, sacrificial, kind, etc… If I’m focused on living in a manner that is actually Christlike, then that’s my calling. It discourages me so much to see so many leaders, churches, groups who find it is their right to sit judging others in their sin. Even with the woman at the well – who was LIVING in sin – Jesus had intimate, PRIVATE, truthful AND kind words with her. The calling out of personal sin in a public forum is divisive and is a play invented by the enemy himself. What a world we would have if our goal was to be good to ALL people, for no other reason than our God has been beyond good to us and we are CAPABLE of being good to others. I think the hardest place (for me) to start that is in my own home, sadly! But, if I set my mind to replace all my behavioral “expectations” with HOPE in who God has made my kids to be, my leaning towards gracious instruction for them would grow for sure.

    PRAYER-
    If I may ask – So I have basically a year of seminary left. I’m taking 3 classes this semester which is insane with 3 kids out of school, but in doing so I’m set up to have a light spring semester and graduate May ’25. I think I’ve mentioned, I also have ADHD and figuring out medication/dosage along with how to plan and organize when I legit do not have a frontal-lobe that innately does that, it can become chaos in a matter of minutes. I can’t speak enough to the amount of failure, shame, emotional hurt that accompanies having “invisible” disabilities (ones without a physical component that others can see/understand). My husband once told me – “asking yourself to meet the expectations you put on yourself is like asking a person with no legs to walk up the stairs. With no intervention, it is impossible. With prosthetics, they’ll get better and better at it. Meds right now are your prosthetics. The more you learn to work with your medicine, you will get better and better at executive functions. But you have to give it time.” But I don’t like to give anything time – I want to do it NOW. I’m really struggling with managing all on my plate. It’s a season – I know that. But some days I just am drowning and I leave most days feeling like I’ve failed everything in front of me.
    I have a ton of work in front of me this month in particular – I need wisdom in how to do it, and the hard part – I need to focus and motivation to be ABLE to do it. I’ve never in my life had so many responsibilities and expectations and roles at one time and it can become paralyzing.
    Thanks for your prayers. Thanks for your interactions – I do love this community so much! :) :)

    1. Cee Gee says:

      Heidi, thank you for sharing that prayer need with us! I will be praying that the meds kick in when you most need them and that you and your doctor are successful with any necessary adjustments. Love you, sister! ❤ Thankful for Ryan and his wisdom and understanding!

    2. Tina says:

      Heidi, praying by and in His grace, things will fall into place and that you will take your guidance and help from the Lord who will order your steps, and lead you on the right path.
      He is faithful!
      Much love dear heart..♥️

    3. Rhonda Johnson says:

      Love what you wrote, I copied and put down in journal to remember! Prayers for you in this time. It is hard, yes, I have invisible pain, and also working with medicine to try to help is hard! Prayers for you in this season! Love ya!

  10. Kris says:

    I must be blind but something just jumped out at me. As I’ve tried to figure out what love is all my life, it’s right there in front of me. Love is when I am patient. Love is when I am kind. Love is when I’m not envious or boastful or arrogant. Love is when I’m not rude or self-seeking. Love is when I’m not irritable. Love is when I’m not keeping a notebook of all the offences someone has done against me. Love is when I’m rejoicing in the truth… Why have I not seen this before? I have experienced love from so many sources, so many people, all throughout my life. It’s easy to think “no body loves me”, but if anyone has acted in these ways towards me, I have been loved. The clerk at the checkout line has loved me when she patiently waits for me to find my loose change. The car behind me has loved me when I’m trying to make a left-hand turn. My mother loved me when she went without so I could have something. The list goes on. There is so much love being shown to me, but I never saw it as love because I wanted to make love something it’s not, some sort of gushy feeling. Love is all around us, even when the person giving “love” doesn’t know it.

    1. Lisa H says:

      I love this. Thanks for sharing!

    2. Gwineth52 says:

      Indeed,Kris.
      “For there’s always light, if only we were brave enough to see it, if we were only brave enough to be it.”
      Amanda Gorman, “The Hill We Climb”

    3. Mercy says:

      ❤️

    4. Rhonda Johnson says:

      So good, YES!! Love is all these, not a feeling!

    5. Morgan says:

      Thank you for your wisdom! This meant so much to me ❤️

    6. Lexi B says:

      Love this Kris!!! Thank you for putting it this way. Helps me see love better in my own life.

  11. Traci Gendron says:

    I learned long ago that love is also a verb. We need to practice it. To show love even when we don’t feel like it. It is an action. And it can be very hard to do. We tend to overuse the word love. I love a cup of tea…I’ve tried to change that to “I enjoy” or “I like”.

    I remember when I accepted God’s love. I felt I know longer needed to find it in other ways. It was so freeing to know that God loves me in a way no one else can.

    1. Tina says:

      It was so freeing to know that God loves me in a way no one else can.
      Such truth. We will never measure up to human ideal of love, BUT GOD..
      Love you Traci. Hope all is well with you and your heart is knowing peace..♥️

  12. Rachel Bozeman says:

    Our love doesn’t have to be perfect, but genuine and humble. Thankful we serve a God who doesn’t expect perfection. We are not perfect, but we are perfectly loved! Thankful for my weaknesses in loving and serving others, so that the Lord can boastfully more evidently love those who need it. My weakness in love shows his greatness! And His greatness is unsearchable!

    1. Tina says:

      I love that Rachel! Our love doesn’t have to be perfect, but genuine and humble… Amen to that..♥️

  13. LVT says:

    Yes, and yes Lori. Me too! Your words are a blessing.

  14. Heidi says:

    RHONDA-
    My niece is great.. I’ll be seeing she and her little pumpkin later today in fact because she has been helping my with my 3 for a couple days a week while I’m in school and they are out and “SOOOO BOOOOOOORRRRREDDD”… (eyeroll). Babygirl was born in January and is 6m old and doing so well. She and her husband have a lot of space to grow still but honestly? What 22 year olds don’t, you know?? Pray for she and her husband to have wisdom and courage to set boundaries and to work TOGETHER. Uhg, I remember the struggles of being newly married, much less with all of the added stress they have, financially, experientially, a new baby, TONS. of awful influences from their families of origin… it’s a lot. But God has them – praying for their growth in wisdom and courage to love well! :) And they’ve both been sober over a year – I think it’s almost two years for her!! It’s a miracle no doubt!

    1. Cee Gee says:

      ❤ I was just remembering this morning how you so faithfully visited with her and encouraged her!

    2. Rhonda Johnson says:

      That’s amazing! 6 months already! And of course she still has a long way, But God..I pray He will keep pulling at her heart.

  15. Heidi says:

    KIM B- I saw your post this morning that you left on Day 16 (2nd Devotional of this week) – I hope you’ll go check your comment because I and another Sister have responded and I want you to be encouraged in your God-given heart for loving animals. People like you are such an honor to him, caring for his creating the way you do. I hope you will pursue it!! :) Don’t compare your ministry to anyone else’s – you do what GOD has put on your heart and fill that place that nobody else but YOU can fill! :)

  16. Cee Gee says:

    LORE, this is one of the best devos I have read! Thank you!
    Commentaries reminded me of the context of this chapter. Paul had recently introduced the importance and use of spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church (ch. 12). Apparently, the Corinthians began doing what they did so well – fighting and arguing/acting out in jealousy because someone had a gift they wanted. Enter Paul with the ‘love chapter’ to attempt to straighten out their crooked attitudes. He wanted them to understand that none of those gifts mattered/would be effective without LOVE (agape love). Understanding the chapter in this context really helps! I have a history with this chapter, too, and have always felt like Lore when I read it. Never again!
    This song instantly came to mind this morning. I usually hear the Jesus Culture version on the radio, I think.

    One Thing Remains
    Song by
    Bethel Music, Brian Johnson
    Oh oh oh ooh whoa
    Oh oh oh ooh whoa
    Higher than the mountains that I face
    Stronger than the power of the grave
    Constant in the trial and the change
    Cos this one thing remains
    Oh oh oh ooh whoa
    Oh oh oh ooh whoa
    On and on and on and on it goes
    It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
    And I’ll never ever have to be afraid
    Cos this one thing, it remain
    This one thing, it remains
    Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me
    Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me
    Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me
    Your love
    Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me
    Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me
    Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me
    In death, in life, I’m confident and covered by the power of your great love
    My debt is paid and there’s nothing that can separate my heart from your great love
    For non-commercial use only.
    Love (agape LOVE) to each of you ad I pray along with requests! ❤

    SEARCHING ❤

    1. Cee Gee says:

      Oops, I intended to share this verse, too:
      1 John 4:10
      This is real love — not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

    2. Tina says:

      Cee-Gee… I love this song..

      Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me.. sooooo good!
      Love ya sister… ♥️

      1. Cee Gee says:

        Love ya back, sister! ❤

  17. Rhonda J. says:

    These are the “famous” scriptures usually read at weddings and mock us soon after!! They are hard in a marital relationship, hard in any, but in marriage it is hard to keep them in the forefront after disagreements, hurts, history, selfish ways and on..and on.

    I try as I might, good to know I will never have that perfect love except in Jesus Christ. And how encouraging to my soul that He loved me through all my mistakes and wayward ways. Trying to find love and acceptance through my young life..now it kinda looks so sad, desperate, and heartbreaking. Dear younger self…turn to Jesus, have a relationship with him. Don’t find your love and self fulfillment in random men. ICK..those soul ties that you gave a precious part, really your whole self to, now seem so disgusting and regergetatingly gross. Thank you Lord, that you made me whole again when repenting and turning to you. There are mistakes and regret that will stay with me, and maybe the consequences that remain, still reaping havoc from my choices. But God- He had great plans for me now and ahead. Living his love by serving and loving all people is totally selfish but because it fills me with Joy of the Lord, is that selfish? I only want to BOAST in the Lord!! Praise him with all my heart.

    My marriage is where I lack..from stubborn pride and self-preservation. Help me Lord, to forgive 77 time 7, and then some! I love my husband so much and with God in the center he is growing us both. Help me Lord to look at you bettering me and not look to how you are growing my husband. That is his path in his own timing. Release that from me Jesus!

    If anyone has any wonderful advice on Prayer, that is our subject today at Jail Ministry with me leading! Would love a way that would speak to them on the how, why, or what of Prayer that you have learned and never forgotten?!

    1. Cee Gee says:

      You just said the most important thing, Rhonda- you love your husband!
      As to prayer, Jesus model prayer in Matthew6 and the ACTS prayer midel
      Adoration
      Confession
      Thanksgiving
      Supplication
      There are printable resources inline for that. Praying for a great time of understanding and prayer/praise! You are such a gift! ❤

      1. Tina says:

        RHONDA, Might I second Cee Gees last comment YOU ARE SUCH A GIFT! Praying double double blessing over you as you go and pour into your prison ministry and the ladies.. Bless you dear heart! ♥️

    2. Allison Bentley says:

      Rhonda- just posted something from a book I am reading in the SRT Facebook group. I think your ladies might enjoy it!

      1. Rhonda Johnson says:

        Thank you, I just saw this (after Jail!)..but I will look, and use it next week! Um…I barely got through a half a page of the lesson (it was like 4 pages for this week and then continued for next week when leader will be back!! I guess I kinda went astray on my own!! lol! But I tried to make it more interactive to let them talk about how they feel about prayer and ask questions. It went well though I believe! Anxious to go see what you shared on our FB page!

    3. Mercy says:

      praying for you dear sweet Rhonda.

  18. Donna Wolcott says:

    Lore Ferguson Wilbert thank you for your message this morning. I read your words after reading the scripture and it gave me hope in my feelings of unworthiness!
    Just an aside, my husband read Corinthians 13 to me on our wedding day as we exchanged vows. It will be 50 years in December on DDay lol!

    1. Rhonda J. says:

      That’s amazing Donna! What a celebration that will be!! I always feel unworthy when reading these passages as well. We used them at our wedding too, and just had our 14th anniversary..and we were in a not speaking day…so saddens me. :/ But God!

    2. Tina says:

      Wow. Donna, thst indeed will be a celebration! 50 years!
      Praying this feeling of unworthiness is lifted and that you remember YOU are loved by the One who knows you, sees you and absolutely delights in you as He sings over you.. that Agape love is for everyday of your life, no ifs or buts..
      BUT GOD..

      ♥️

  19. Cheryl Blow says:

    Beautiful lesson and comments! I’ve heard it said that love is a noun but also an action verb. My mom told me we don’t always feel like loving someone but we make a choice to love. We do the right thing, plod on and the feeling will come sometimes. But not always but we walk in the way Jesus would want us to walk. Like Paul said it is not perfect but we pray and ask for help. To me that’s the way we live our lives here in our imperfection, pray, pray, and pray some more. Asking God to help us love like He loves, see as He sees, and be His hands and feet to our world.

    1. Cee Gee says:

      ❤ well said, sister!

    2. Tina says:

      Beautiful Cheryl..
      I love your mums words..we don’t always feel like loving someone but we make a choice to love.
      Choice.. Lord may we always make the choice to love, even when.. Amen..
      ♥️

  20. Laura Dianne says:

    Love is a word that is used so much in today’s world. From “I love your outfit” to “love is love.” And everything in between. Talk about a misinterpreted, misunderstood, over-used 4-letter word! I have thought a lot about love in the past several years. I am grateful for the many passages in the Bible that spell it out and make it clear. Paul’s writing isn’t always easy to understand, but wow, he really makes love crystal clear in this passage. And Jesus elevates it to the highest level and gives us example after example of what true love is by living it out during His ministry. So why is it so misused? Why is it so twisted in our culture today? I think part of the reason for this is because true Biblical love IS so hard and unattainable. Perfect love is beautiful but also impossible. So our hearts make love what WE want it to be: pleasurable, easy, non-committal, accepting, emotional, about whatever feels good to us and seems right to us. Perfect love by us, on Earth, is unattainable. Because if we rely on ourselves to get perfect love right, we will get it wrong every time.

    I love to go through the list of descriptors about love and really think and meditate about each one (ha! I used “love” again!) When I was at my lowest point, while trying to deal with my husband’s affair and my daughter’s rebellion, I memorized chapter 13 in order to comfort my heart and help me to understand true, perfect love. One descriptor that doesn’t often get highlighted is verse 6 “Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.” God really helped me see through that trying time that love and truth go hand in hand. God is truth. The opposite of truth is deceit. And I was experiencing the fall out of deceit, both through my husband’s deceit in having an affair, and then my daughter’s believing a lie about her sexuality and being deceived. It made me want God’s truth so much more. Because truth and love go together.

    1. Rhonda J. says:

      Love! Thank you! So true..that love is truth, and truth only, not what we feel!

    2. Cee Gee says:

      Thank you for sharing from your heart, Laura! ❤

    3. Tina says:

      “… because truth and love go together”
      Amen, Laura… Amen!
      Sending some healing love across the pond..♥️

  21. Adrienne says:

    I have a board on Pinterest, called “Did I Say That?” One of my pins says “Grammar Saves Lives.” (The pin says,”Let’s Eat, Grandma” versus “Let’s Eat Grandma”!) Did you notice that today’s title says “Love, the Superior Way” and not “Love the Superior Way”. (Note the comma placement on this too.) We are being taught how, sweet sisters not told how. There is a difference. And I return to a verse that we read (in a love one another study recently)…. that He CHOSE US. I love that… despite all I do and all I am. He loves me and chooses me, chief of sinners though I be.

    And… auto correct is NOT my friend today…. I’m just sayin’! (I had to make numerous corrections this morning. Grr!!)

    Love as best you can today, sweet She’s! (Today is Day 2 of VBS… I am hoping a problematic child is not gonna be as bad as I fear. Please pray that I can love him today and direct him. And that he is pleasant and not problematic. Thanks!)

    1. Cee Gee says:

      Great idea for Pinterest! That is one of my favorite grammar examples and always makes me smile! I guess it should make me grimace. Oh well… Hahaha anyway!
      I had a little boy in my class just like that last year in VBS. Every day was a struggle during worship time, but on the last couple of days, he wanted to lean against me and seemed to appreciate all the’correction/discipline I had exposed him to all week. He told me hus dad had been in prison and was coming home. We just never know what kind of home life these precious kids have. Praying for you and your little guy – that the love in your heart will shine through! ❤

  22. Erica Chiarelli says:

    The great esthetic is love…and while we may not yet fully know, we are fully known and fully loved. What a wonderful thing to think on! Jesus knows Everything about me and still chose me, accepts me, loves me!! And every single one of us!

    1. Gwineth52 says:

      Yes, Erica!
      Absolutely Amazing!

    2. Tina says:

      Erica, Amen.♥️

  23. Karen Elizabeth says:

    Good morning, She’s! What a great devotional. My love is definitely flawed and imperfect. Any love I have that is good and pure is only be the leading of the Holy Spirit.

    Prayer request: the pastor at my former church (where I still attend Bible study) and his wife have been on a long road of trying to adopt a baby after years of infertility. The first adoption fell through after the mom changed her mind (after they had already held the baby and fell in love with her). They are now again out of state to adopt a sweet premie girl. There is concern now that she may have a congenital defect as her head was smaller than average. They’re doing an MRI today. If confirmed they may be able to determine the severity which could range from difficulty developing into adulthood to not living much longer. My heart breaks for this sweet couple and this baby. Please pray for a miracle and that the Lord gives them peace that passes all understanding ❤️

    1. Jerri Thompson says:

      Praying!

    2. AZ Walker says:

      Praying with you Karen Elizabeth that Pastor and his wife will have wisdom to make sound decisions and trust in the Lord on their journey to parenthood. Praying for this baby girl.

    3. Cheryl Blow says:

      Praying

    4. Donna Wolcott says:

      Prayers.

    5. Cee Gee says:

      Praying for all involved! ❤

    6. Marina S. says:

      Prayed for your pastor and his wife. May God give them wisdom and peace to decide on what steps to take. Prayed for the precious baby girl, too.

    7. Tina says:

      Praying for this wonderful couple whose hearts are open to love.. and to give a home to this little person. Dear Faithful God, in your mercy we ask for all to be right for all concerned..♥️

    8. Karen Elizabeth says:

      Update from the email I received today:

      “It does appear that she suffered a significant brain injury early in utero. Much of her brain, which should be tissue, is fluid.

      What this means for the future is hard to determine and we will learn more about that every day of her life. She will likely have severe development issues in terms of her speech, eating, vision, and general physical abilities.

      It does appear that she suffered a significant brain injury early in utero. Much of her brain, which should be tissue, is fluid.

      What this means for the future is hard to determine and we will learn more about that every day of her life. She will likely have severe development issues in terms of her speech, eating, vision, and general physical abilities.

      While this is very hard news to receive, it is better than the initial hypothesized diagnosis. We know this isn’t exactly what we and many of us prayed for—the miracle of a completely normal scan—but we know God is not a barista who takes and delivers our customized orders. And so, while it’s not the answer we wanted, it’s the answer he has given at this time.

      We promised to praise God and bring him glory in whatever we found out today and going forward, and we are so grateful that we will hopefully be able to bring our daughter home on a timeline that is similar to that of “normal preemies.” What comes after that, God only knows, and we know that he loves and cares for this baby girl.

      We are thankful that he gave us the gift of our daughter, and hope that we can be his gifts to her. We are thankful for all of you who did, are, and will continue to pray for her to reach milestones so that we can bring her home.”

      1. Eileen Dowd says:

        Dear sister in the Lord, my heart is for you and your dear family to continue to put your hope in the giver of life, Our Dear Savior. I so admire you for your steadfast love in the midst of such news. Please know I am praying mightily for whatever Jesus has for you all in the coming months, weeks and years for you and your baby girl. ♥️♥️♥️

    9. Kelly (NEO) says:

      Praying❣️

  24. Aimee D-R says:

    Amen. Such a wonderful gift that we don’t have to strive. God is love and through Jesus we are and will be perfected.

  25. Danielle B says:

    Ladies, I intended to ask for prayer and then it was the love chapter which Lore correctly points out that in our current state we can’t perfectly do, which as a perfectionist is hard. Help me Lord to see where I need to grow in sharing the love you give me.

    Ladies, I am to meet up with a friend later today and I ask for your prayers as I address the fact that she has been excluding me and not being honest with me about it. I also ask that you pray God would continue to prepare me to hear what she may share with me that may be a place I need to grow. This is a friendship I’ve had several years and up until last year was a person I spent a lot of time with and met other friends through her.

    1. Carol M says:

      Relationships can be so complicated…when I face “daunting circumstances” I ask Jesus to help me “empty me of myself”, and allow Him to flow through me to minister His love to the other person, in spite of me. It sometimes helps to move “me” out of the equation…. Hope this helps… ♥️. Praying,Danielle

      1. Rhonda J. says:

        I love this prayer, it is a good one as I lead jail ministry together. We always pray that our will will not hinder God’s will as we speak and lead there each week!

    2. Cee Gee says:

      Praying joy in the fellowship will bring a desire in her heart to gather more frequently! ❤

    3. Marina S. says:

      It’s not fun feeling excluded, but grateful that you are willing to open up to your friend about how you feel. Praying all will be done with love and that she will take it with love and be able to share with you her thoughts and that you can continue on with your friendship without any hindrances.

  26. Kelly (NEO) says:

    Wow, LORE, so good. Thank you.
    .
    Loving as God would have us to love indeed seems impossible most days. My brokenness and the brokenness of others and this world seems impossible to overcome most days.
    .
    “But take heart; I have overcome the world” John 16:33.
    .
    MERCY – so sorry for your troubles yesterday. Prayers for healing and wisdom with your job.
    .
    MARINA S. – agreeing with the othe Shes in prayer for your mom and brother.
    .
    If you could please pray for me today. I need to have a hard conversation with a woman I have been serving in ministry. Need God’s words and love to come through, not mine.

    1. Danielle B says:

      Oh Kelly, yes I will lift you up in prayer for this conversation, as I was going to ask a similar prayer. I pray Kelly you will sense the Spirit leading you as you speak to this woman. May He also be preparing her heart to hear what God gives you to say.

    2. AZ Walker says:

      Praying with you Kelly that the Holy Spirit will be all over this conversation and you will have confidence during and peace afterwards.

    3. Cee Gee says:

      Praying God puts just the right words in your mouth and His love in your heart! ❤

    4. Allison Bentley says:

      Praying for your situation Kelly!

    5. Marina S. says:

      Thank you for your prayers on behalf of my mom and brother, sweet Kelly. I prayed for your hard conversation that you have to do today. May the person see your love and be able to talk it out and may the situation be resolved, so it won’t hinder you both serving together in ministry.

    6. Tina says:

      Don’t know if I am late, but praying nonetheless for the conversation goes well and thst God will for sure be in it.. calming both hearts and bringing peace to the table..
      He is faithful..
      It will be well..
      Love you Kelly..♥️

    7. Mercy says:

      Praying Kelly ❤️

  27. Mary Ann Graves says:

    Amen

  28. Dana says:

    Lore, I enjoyed this lesson so very much! Thank you!! ❤️

  29. Tina says:

    @LORE FERGUSON WILBERT, I am with you re the piano!

    My sisters and I were sent to Miss Skillycorn for lessons! I came home most days angry.. she would use a ruler on my knuckles because I had clumsy thick fingers.. To this day, mention piano, and I shudder!

    Let’s talk LOVE!

    We are ALL looking for love! Some of us look in the wrong places, eager to experience it. Some of us believe, to find it will solve our problems. Some look at others, and wish they could have what they have because they look good on the outside..
    I think in this world, this long ago broken world, we will never find perfect love, we fall too short each time. I speak for myself here, three attempts and the in betweens and still.. I search. I hope. I dream.

    BUT GOD..
    Dear Wonderful, Loving, Ever-present, all consuming, I have loved you with an everlasting love,(Jeremiah 31:3) God..
    The one constant Who is patient with this foolish sinner.
    Who is kindness to a fault.
    Who does not boast.
    Who is not irritated by my ‘situations’.
    Never rude, or disrespectful, even when I am.
    Who, OMG does NOT keep a record of my wrongdoings, big or small.
    Who finds joy in me, ME!
    Bears all my iniquities.
    Took on my sins and still believes in me.
    Covers me in Hope.
    His LOVE NEVER ends.. NEVER ENDS, no matter what, unlike things of this world..
    I am so very thankful for the perfect love of God that surrounds me, and absolutely covers me in the hope of being fully known, warts and all, and STILL loved fiercely and without judgement..
    His perfect love casts out fear, and in being ‘fearless’ I can put one foot in front of the other, by His grace, and seek to love my fellow man.
    AMEN..

    Sending love, love, love across the pond this overcast day to you dear sisters wherever you are.. and covering you in prayers, requested or other..♥️♥️

    1. Tricia C says:

      Beautifully said, Tina. Thank you.

    2. Kelly (NEO) says:

      ❤️

    3. MaryMargaret says:

      ❤️ Amen

    4. Cat-tee says:

      Amen ❤️

    5. Danielle B says:

      Tina thank you for being you and sharing in your most wonderful God-given way. Your comments bless me regularly! ❤️ Love from this side of the pond on a hot and humid day

    6. Jennifer Fritz says:

      ❤️❤️

    7. Shannon McGuffin says:

      ❤️

    8. Meme Faye says:

      ❤️

    9. Carol M says:

      I received God’s love through your beautiful words, Dear Tina… Thank You… from the bottom of my ♥️!!

    10. Cee Gee says:

      Beautiful ad always, sweet Tina! And now those pudgy little fingers are God’s tool for serving others! How wonderful you are! ❤

    11. MARTHA HIX says:

      ❤️