August 20
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WITHOUT LOVE, NOTHING MATTERS
A poem by ILMA
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others,
It would be pointless like I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal
If I had the gift of prophecy, and knew all God’s plan and had great faith
It would mean nothing if I didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
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
Love is patient and kind; love isn’t jealous or boastful or proud or rude
It doesn’t demand; it’s not irritable, and keeps no list of being wronged.
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures all things
Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge is useless
But love will last forever! It is the secret for lasting relationships.
When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child
But when I grew up, I put away childish things; Now we see things imperfectly, Like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we’ll see everything clearly
Three things last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest is love.
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MEMORY VERSE
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 Corinthians 13:2
Read: 1 Corinthians 13
This chapter is popularly known as the Love Chapter. This was the reading for my wedding and yet it was something that a lot of people do not really comprehend fully what it means. Until after ten years of marriage, I still often times forget to apply the most important ingredient in any relationships, which is love.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think love covers all and mean everything in relationships?