Scripture Text: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:" 1Co 13:4-8 (KJV)

"I just can't stand that guy! I hate everything about him."

Ever hear anyone say that? Have you perhaps said those very words yourself?

The Apostle Paul has made some very revealing statements about what love is; or at least what love should be in the life of a Christian. That's why many marriages that are performed by a Justice of the Peace end in Divorce because the couple is not reminded of the Scriptural basis for their relationship - which is first and foremost "until death us do part". (Gen 2:23,24; Romans 7:2,3; 1 Corinthians 7:39)

After careful study of the Original Greek - here's a more up to date translation I wrote years ago for some of the young couples as well as old. We used this in all of our Sweetheart banquets in our church.

"A true lover never gives up on his mate for he will love her more than life itself. He will not wish for or covet what he doesn't have, for she will be enough to fulfill his every desire. The True Lover will never strut around like he's Mr. Universe, or behave like he's the end in all. He will never force himself or his ideas on anyone thinking that what he has to say is more important than anyone else. A true Lover will never fly off the handle when wronged, nor will he keep score of those who have wronged him in order to get revenge. A true Lover always take pleasure in truth, and he will put up with anything - trusting God through it all, always expecting the best. Oh, and a true Lover never looks at the past, drudging up old memories, but sees that Love is the pathway that leads to a togetherness that never dies." -- Wayne Clabaugh I (Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13)

This my friend is the kind of promise, the kind of vow that could never be lived out with out the Help of God and the manifestation of The Holy Spirit in our Lives. This preacher will admit to you that after 33 years of marriage - I have not lived up to that vow that My Dear Wife and I made before the Lord and before the circle of friends that we shared our marriage day with. but Oh friend, I love her more today that I ever knew I could. I Love Him - Jesus my Savior and Lord, more than I ever thought I could. 

Love is the filler of all of those places that ache for attention. Only God can know what or where those places are in your life. Only He can fill them with His Love so that you can LOVE AGAIN!

Won't you call on Him today?

Let's Pray:

Father I Love you more today than I ever loved anyone. I know that I have failed you and yet Your Love for me will not allow you to even see that failure because it is already covered by the blood - Your display of love that has lasted throughout all of the ages and will carry us home. Let me show forth that same kind of love today Father to all who I meet. In Jesus' Name, Amen.