Thursday, February 12, 2026
Bible in a Year: Psalms 30-32 | Acts 13
Seems to me that a useful tool to living out the Christian faith would be an app that provides on-the-spot guidance for all relational situations. For all I know - maybe there is such an app! However, I am going to pretend there isn't - AND - that I’m tasked with developing it.
Ideally the app will let us know when we are being reactive and not responsive, when we engage in scorekeeping, and when we are resting on good intentions instead of actions.
Whew! That’s a lot. Thankfully, there is a great resource to find the input that would drive this Love app.
1 Corinthians 13:4–5
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.
These often-quoted verses capture love from every dimension and address how we should be intentional with our actions rather than driven by feelings - in relationships and everyday challenges.
Even though most of us would find it hard to disagree with any of these principles of love, they aren’t easy. The first challenge is to respond - not react. It’s difficult to provide a thoughtful response when we’re irritable or not getting our way. This is a good time to pause.
The second obstacle is to not keep score. But how are we supposed to win an argument if we can’t bring up past wrongs? When we realize we’ve hurt someone we love, our nature is to feel remorse and to want to make it right. Love invites us to let go of winning.
Lastly, we need to show our love through action. Far too often, we coast on our good intentions and hold back on deliberate acts of love, which never produces good results in our relationships or our daily faith walk among our brothers and sisters.
James 2:16 NIV
If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
Are you always ready to pause and show love to a stranger in need … even when you are already behind schedule?
As Christ followers, we are called to be imitators of Jesus. Ask him to come into your heart and guide you to thoughtful responses and not instinctive reactions.
Who needs a Love app?
Questions:
When is it most difficult for you to respond with deliberate acts of love - in relationships or with strangers?
When are you most tempted to trust your feelings over Scripture?
Have you been keeping records of those who have wronged you?
Next Steps:
Spend a couple of days journaling when/where you saw an invitation to love and how you responded … or reacted.
Write down 1-2 actionable things you can do - at home and in public - when you see someone in need.
Consider or journal about a debt you’re ready to cancel to find freedom.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for being the almighty and all-loving God whom I can always count on. Help me to look inward and see how to best imitate our Lord Jesus at home and in public. I pray that everyone I encounter will see the light of your love shining through me and know it is you. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
This post was written by Nick Thomas, a Findlay attendee and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.