Defining Love

Written By Betty Predmore

1 CORINTHIANS 12:27 - 13:13

(August 20)

Do you consider yourself a "gifted" person? Perhaps you are really crafty, or a good cook. Maybe you like to sew or crochet. You might be one of those strange beings who have all of those magnificent Pinterest boards of things you have done in your home. Or you are excellent when it comes to flower beds or gardening.

Each of us have our "thing" that we excel at. Hopefully it is something positive that inspires you and brings you joy. I have known people whose "thing" was gossip, manipulation, or control. Those things are not so pleasant when on the receiving end.

Along with those gifts, we also receive spiritual gifts. The spiritual gifts we receive are the things God has purposely given us for the advancement of his kingdom. Have you recognized your spiritual gift yet? If you have ... GREAT! If not, I am including a link where you can go and take an assessment.

https://www.spiritualgiftsassessment.org/quiz....

In today's portion of 1 Corinthians, Paul is describing some of those spiritual gifts to the believers of the church in Corinth. He notes such gifts as being apostles, being prophets, teaching, doing miracles, having the gift of healing, helping others, being a good leader, and the gift of tongues.

What is the gift of tongues? In this chapter, Paul is speaking about the ecstatic utterances of those who have the gift. But there are some very specific requirements for the gift of tongues. We will get into that in more detail in the very near future.

Paul urges the believers to pray on and recognize their gifts. But he also warns them that the gift alone is not enough to mean anything in the Kingdom of God.

No matter which gift you have, if you don't have love ... the essential element for everything ... then your gift is useless. The type of biblical love Paul is speaking about IS NOT envious, nor proud, nor self-centered, nor rude or provoking. This typed of love IS patient and kind, persevering, and hopeful.

All the other gifts may become useless, but love is the one thing that will last forever. What we see now, we see as children.

I remember as a child, there was a ditch that ran around the house I lived in when I was about five. This ditch was deep and scary. A couple of times my brother pushed me, and I fell down the ditch bank. I remember holding on to the weeds along the side of the hill and pulling myself up.

A few years ago, I was giving my sister-in-law the "tour" of my hometown. I took her to that house, which now sat empty and forlorn. I told her, "Come check out this ditch. I was so scared of this as a little girl."

We walked over to the far edge of the yard, and I peered down the side. I immediately busted out in laughter. That "ditch" was all of two feet deep, and about as scary as a sweet old grandmother. You see, my perception as a child was very different from my perception as an adult.

Paul is telling us that the way we see things now (on earth) is childlike. But it will all make sense when we get to Heaven. And while most things will disappear, faith, hope, and LOVE will remain forever.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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