1 Corinthians 13:1-3 – “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  ² And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  ³ If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, but do not have love, I receive no benefit.”

Today, as I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God, the word love echoed in my spirit.   The Holy Spirit challenged me with thoughts of what love is and is not.  I was challenged to consider the power of love, hate, and even indifference.

Some say I don’t hate but am indifferent and lack compassion.  I remembered the words of Jesus, “He who does not gather with you scatters.  He that is not for you is against you.”   There are only two choices – love and hate.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 lays the foundation for understanding love, its value, and power.  Spiritual gifts, acts of benevolence, religious activities, revelation, prophecy, and the like are meaningless without agape!

Then he tells us what love is and does.  Love seeks to edify.  The word “edify” in Greek means to expand or create a larger capacity.  Love creates a larger capacity in the heart.  Love enlarges.  Love protects.  Love disciplines.  Love sacrifices.  Love loves!

• Love gave us the Cross. 
• Love gives us hope.  
• Love gives meaning to life.

We are to love one another just as Jesus loves us.  That is a thought to think on.  As Jesus loved.  Love is a bottomless pool that never exhausts itself.  I cannot love “just as” until I am filled with HIM!  Only as I surrender all can I receive all and become a conduit!  Therefore, the first objective is to receive Him.

May this day be a day of gathering, not scattering!