Wednesday, May 14, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Acts 18

Today’s scripture verse is well known. It’s often read at weddings, but it wasn’t intended exclusively for marriage. The verse explains what it looks like to live out of love compared to what it looks like to live without love.  

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Love is becoming more natural for me as I mature spiritually. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been a nearly impossible feat to achieve at times. Sometimes, I’m haunted by what real love requires from me. 

Full disclosure: I’ve lived through divorce and beyond. What do I mean by beyond? I’m glad you asked!

I had to learn to love myself as God loves me. I had to give God the injustices done to me, the circumstances I found myself in, and the hopelessness I held on to. As I opened my hands to let go, I was finally able to receive God’s patience and kindness and find the faith and hope to love myself and others. 

Honestly, though, I’m still a work in progress. I still get intimidated by people and places when I show up in my own strength. But God gently reminds me that he didn’t give me a spirit of timidity but one of power and love (2 Timothy 1:7). 

If I host a birthday party for my grandson, I can invite my ex. I can attend my daughter's wedding. I can if I do so in his power, not mine. As long as I'm willing to keep learning his ways, I can stay the course (Ephesians 4:13-14). It’s in this way that God demonstrates to me that the truth will set me free (John 8:31-32). 

God equips us to love others with no strings attached, just as he loves us. As we allow him to live in us, fully embracing who he is, God gives us an abundance of love to share with others! When we live FROM God’s love, it shows in how we interact with each other - our colleagues, neighbors, friends, spouses, and community. 

Questions:
Who are your “nemeses,” those people or groups who intimidate you and to whom you have a hard time extending love? 

Can you think of someone who has consistently extended God’s love and grace to you? 

Next Steps:
Take an intentional step toward showing God's love to someone you find difficult - from his love for you. This could be a greeting, a note, a conversation, or a gesture of kindness. 

Prayer: 
Father, thank you for showing me grace and mercy when I didn’t deserve it. Thank you for loving me through the difficulties of learning to love myself and others. Continue to teach me your ways and help me let go of the hurts and hang ups that keep me from being useful. I love you, and I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you and the people in your church! Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

John 8:31-32
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

This post was written by Julie Estep, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.