An Act of Love Endures Forever
by Joyce Meyer - posted May 14, 2016If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
—1 Corinthians 13:1
Most of the things we devote our time and energy to are things that are currently passing away, things that will not last. We strive to make money, build businesses, achieve great accomplishments, be popular, own buildings, cars, and jewelry. We want to expand our minds and see the world, yet all of these things are temporal. They will all come to an end.
Only love never comes to an end. An act of love goes on and endures forever. Thankfully, God allows us to have a lasting impact when He asks us to love others. Henry Drummond says that “to love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever.” In order to “love abundantly” and “love forever,” I encourage you to first receive God’s love for you...then you can walk in love toward everyone else.
Prayer of Thanks: Father, I am grateful that I can live my life in such a way as to have a lasting impact. Thank You for the power of love. Help me exercise that power and make an eternal impact by showing love to those around me today. Help me to always know what is truly important.
The Testimony of Blood
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.”
Luke 11:49–51
The early church father Tertullian wrote, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” Throughout the history of God’s work, there have been men and women who have been willing to take a stand for the truth even at the cost of their own lives. They would not deny the Lord even in the face of death, but remained faithful. In fact, the English word for martyr comes from the Greek word for witness—signifying those who were willing to give everything for the sake of the truth.
Though America has long enjoyed great religious freedom, and most of us have never faced any serious consequences for our faith, that is not true in much of the rest of the world, and it may not remain true in our nation forever. Thousands of Christians are dying for their faith around the world, choosing to join the line of heroes who have stood for the ages instead of denying the Lord.
It is easy for us to be confident that we would stand firm when we have not been put to the test. Peter certainly had no doubt what he would do. “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended” (Matthew 26:33). Yet that very night Peter denied even knowing who Jesus was. We need to be firm in our commitment to Christ regardless of what consequences may come as a result.
Luke 11:49–51
The early church father Tertullian wrote, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” Throughout the history of God’s work, there have been men and women who have been willing to take a stand for the truth even at the cost of their own lives. They would not deny the Lord even in the face of death, but remained faithful. In fact, the English word for martyr comes from the Greek word for witness—signifying those who were willing to give everything for the sake of the truth.
Though America has long enjoyed great religious freedom, and most of us have never faced any serious consequences for our faith, that is not true in much of the rest of the world, and it may not remain true in our nation forever. Thousands of Christians are dying for their faith around the world, choosing to join the line of heroes who have stood for the ages instead of denying the Lord.
It is easy for us to be confident that we would stand firm when we have not been put to the test. Peter certainly had no doubt what he would do. “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended” (Matthew 26:33). Yet that very night Peter denied even knowing who Jesus was. We need to be firm in our commitment to Christ regardless of what consequences may come as a result.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Our faith must be built and strengthened before the challenge comes so that we can stand the ultimate test.
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