Good morning. It’s Wednesday, February 25th, aka National Clam Chowder Day.

🥳 Congratulations on starting today with God, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.

— 1 Corinthians 13:4

If you’ve ever been to a wedding, you’ve probably heard these verses.

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (NIV)

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

And outside of these two verses:

1 John 4:8 (NIV)

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

John 15:13 (NIV)

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

These verses in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 are probably the best explanation of love we get in the Bible.

The kind of love this verse is describing wasn’t written about a man and a woman in holy matrimony, but to a divided church.

And just to be clear, this passage fits holy matrimony perfectly.

So here’s the backstory:

The church in Corinth was divided. They were arguing over leaders in 1 Corinthians 1. He says there were “divisions” among them.

In 1 Corinthians 3, he tells them they are acting “carnal” because there is “envying, and strife, and divisions” among them.

By chapter 12, they are focused on spiritual gifts. Who has the better gift. Who is more important in the body.

Then in chapter 14, he corrects how they were using tongues in worship because it was causing confusion.

So chapter 13 sits between two chapters about spiritual gifts.

Paul’s point is simple:

Spiritual gifts without love are worthless.

That’s why in verses 1–3 he says you can speak in tongues, have prophecy, understand mysteries, have faith to move mountains, give everything away, and still be nothing without love.

It’s not just for weddings. It was written to a divided church and everything in between.

So these verses aren’t just saying what love is and what it looks like, but how and why it’s so important.

Love isn’t optional for those who follow Christ. It’s non-negotiable, because without it, everything else means nothing.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: God, You are love.

Confession: Forgive me when I don’t love like I should.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for showing true love through Jesus.

Supplication: Help me make love non-negotiable in my life.

In Jesus name, Amen

“God Is By My Side” by Caleb Gordon

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Thanks for letting us be a part of how you start your day with God.

See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God