Devotional - Day 1

Have you ever watched a house being built? Before the walls go up, before the roof is installed, there's a foundation that must be carefully laid. Without it, everything else crumbles. In our spiritual lives, love serves as that essential foundation.

When we think about our gifts, talents, and spiritual abilities, it's easy to get caught up in what we can do or how impressive our contributions might seem. We might excel at teaching, serving, or leading. We might have deep theological knowledge or be able to pray eloquently. But here's the sobering truth: without love as our motivation and foundation, all of these impressive abilities amount to nothing.

This isn't about diminishing the importance of spiritual gifts or knowledge. Rather, it's about understanding that love gives meaning and purpose to everything we do. When love is absent, even the most spectacular spiritual displays become empty performances. When love is present, even the simplest acts of service become powerful expressions of God's heart.

Think about the people in your life who have impacted you most deeply. Chances are, it wasn't because they had the most impressive abilities, but because they loved you well. They saw you, valued you, and invested in you with genuine care.

As we begin this journey together, let's remember that building up our church community starts with love. Every conversation, every act of service, every moment of worship becomes an opportunity to demonstrate the love that makes everything else meaningful. Without this foundation, we're just making noise. With it, we become instruments of God's grace.

Today’s Bible Verse

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

- 1 Corinthians 13:13

Reflection Question

What would change in your relationships and service if you filtered every action through the lens of love first, rather than focusing primarily on results or recognition?

Sermon Quote

Without love, According to chapter 13, we are nothing. Paul said that someone can think that he is super spiritual, that he has all knowledge, he may know all mysteries. In fact, this person can sacrifice absolutely everything he or she owns. Without love, he or she is nothing.

Prayer

Lord, help me to build my life on the foundation of love. May everything I do and say flow from a heart that genuinely cares for others. Show me where I've been operating without love, and transform my motivations to reflect Your heart. Amen.