40 Day Devotionals 2014 Day 37

So I was thinking about what to write tonight for some insight. I really have to write about the small group that our group experienced tonight. We did a lesson on the power of words. Some of the students came up to me over the last few weeks and told me they had been hurt or had hurt others by their words. In fact, it was so bad, students were gossiping to me about other students! When you are done reading this part, think about how the devotional for today, plays a part in your life through your words.
We talked about the impact of our words. We all have people that frustrate us or irritate us. But when we express those negative feelings in hurtful ways, in essence we express those feelings towards the creator of that person. So how can we praise God with the same mouth we curse His creation with. So when you decide to curse someone for hurting you, you curse God. When you give the finger to the guy who cut you off in traffic, you give the finger to God. When you gossip about the flaws in someone behind their back, you are telling God he is flawed. When you feel hatred for one of God's children; your family, friend, enemy, or stranger on the street, pretty much every human ever, you express hatred towards God. You get the point, at least I hope you do.
In order for our students to understand the point, we broke bread together (well, its youth group, so we had cupcakes... Oh My GOODNESS! Communion Cupcakes! We would be the most attended church EVER!). But in order for a student to take a cupcake (or in Lizzie's case, apples and caramel since she gave up dessert for Lent) they had to make a positive comment to 7 people in the room. By the end of the sharing time, which went overboard, we were about 15 minutes late leaving small group (Sorry Parents, I love you and your patience!) each person had received at least 2 compliments that made them smile, brightened their day, or in some cases, brought them to tears. There were amazing positive emotions. There were hugs in the end, hearts were mended, smiles for everyone, and everyone was happy with one another.
I have been doing small group since I was 18, this has been one of my favorites. I was honored to be a part of such an amazing moment of Love that was shared. This was a God thing. I was just happy to be along for the ride. Thanks Jesus!

Day 37

Scripture

1 Corinthians 13:1-8
-     1 If 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. 2 If 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. 3 If 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.  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.

Wisdom

-    We are visiting the passage of love once again to examine what Paul wrote about this important topic. He talks about how love is more important than being generous, than understanding everything, even from a strong faith. He then goes on to describe how important love is.
-    But it is hard for us to love like this. Think about when you didn’t keep track of the times people hurt you? Think about when you always trusted or hoped in God. Were you always patient and kind? Have you dishonored your parents of family? These things are really tough! Pure Christian love is putting the interest of others before our own. Helping someone else, even someone we may not like, is love.
-    It is easy for us to not like or love people that don’t like us. We don’t want to love someone that doesn’t love us. But the scriptures challenge us to love even when we are not. It is easy to point out when someone is being mean or evil, but it is difficult to see it in ourselves.
-    We are called to love God and others. Experiencing God’s love and then sharing it with others should be two of the greatest joys you will ever feel.

Apply

-    Who can you share God’s love with today? Is there someone that really needs a healing touch or forgiving hand?
-    Is there someone in your life that you need to express love to so that you can repair your relationship with them?

Prayer

-    Praise God for the love He has and the love he shares with us. Pray for His love to pour into your heart so that you can pour into others. Ask the Lord to show you the people in our life that you need to pour more love into. Ask Him to help you be more loving. Pray that His love be shared with everyone.