Love Never Fails: A Question or a Declaration

"Love never fails" 1 Corinthians 13:8a

One of the most well-known Biblical passages is First Corinthians, Chapter 13 - the Love Chapter (as it is sometimes called). The verse cited above is often quoted but rarely trusted. Our lives reflect this portion of Scripture as more of a question or crisis of our faith rather than the declaration or exclamation the words are intended to be. These words are the emphatic conclusion to a heart-stopping resume on the heart of God. Verse 4 of the same Chapter begins:

"Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres."
And the portion ends with Love Never Fails!

Love never fails is the caption beneath the picture of Christ on the Cross.
Love never fails is the heartcry of Lazurus when he was raised from the dead.
Love never fails is the truth that existed in the heart of Mary, who Jesus forgave for all of her sins.
Love never fails is my banner of honor that waves everytime the enemy tries to sift me BUT GOD He prays for me.
Love never fails is the last line in the story of your life when you believe in the Love that God so freely offered in the Person of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

God's love is everything this passage of Scripture says and so much more. If you believe in God, if you have accepted His Son as your personal Savior, don't give up when times get difficult. No matter what it looks like, no matter what it feels like, no matter what you think...LOVE NEVER FAILS!

Look to the hills Beloved of the Most High. Your Help is coming! Greet Him with a song in your heart. Cry out...
LOVE NEVER FAILS! LOVE NEVER FAILS! love never ever fails
Our prayer: Lord, when our hearts are failing and our strength is weak, remind us Your Love never fails. In Jesus' Name we trust and believe, Amen!

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Single? Interested in making new friends? Maybe you aren’t as open as you think…

Your mind and your heart agree – you are ready for love, life, and new friends! But what is your body saying? You may be sending out signals that stop others from approaching you. It is important to make sure your body is saying what you want it to. I see many Singles in the trenches struggling through their lives with sad faces and an even sadder appearance yet they wonder why they are not being approached by others.

There is certainly legitimacy to the argument that a few people are not approached because they intimidate other people. Intimidation is internal; so this is a stronghold within the other person which you cannot control. But for the rest of the Single population, let’s check out the tips below to make sure our body language isn’t sending out mixed signals.

1) Open arms: You might be nervous; you may be deep in thought. But your crossed arms are telling others to stay away! Always be conscious of what your body language is saying. If you want to make new friends, communicate the message “I’m open for conversation!”

2) Smile: No one knows you’re friendly unless you tell them? May be your face is telling another story. Advertising that you are friendly, but not appearing to be approachable sends a mixed message. So turn that frown upside down and show the world how friendly you are! Your words address the envelope, but a warm smile delivers the invitation to friendship!

3) Welcome casual conversation: If someone says “Where’s the nearest great restaurant?” it could mean they’re trying to start a conversation. Don’t tell them to get a GPS!

4) Make eye contact: It’s a fact: confident people attract attention. And cool, confident people attract even more attention. So, don’t avert your eyes when you see someone interesting approaching. Look them in the eye and smile!

5) Don’t wear earphones all of the time and STOP TALKING ON THAT CELLPHONE: Sporting headphones says, “I’m interested in meeting new people. But not right now. Don’t bother me.” Cellphone conversation takes you out of the moment and places you in another space with the person on the phone. No one will approach you while you are talking to someone else! Headphones and other similar entertainment gear block the relationships you are so eager to experience.

6) Groom as a rule; not by Destination: Food stains on your shirt? Rollers in your hair? You say you’re just running to the store…Good grooming is not a morning ritual you want to skip! You don’t want to send the wrong message. Sure, we know you’re busy and on the go. But instead of looking like you’re handling business, you’re wearing your business all over you! With all of the home products available at affordable prices, no one can use the economy as an excuse to look a hot mess. Our grandmothers looked like millionaires in dime-store clothes. Trim those dead ends, clean up that facial hair, and iron those clothes. Ladies and Gentlemen, First impressions are lasting — so remember, keep it clean!

Remember: The next time you express interest in getting to know a potential new friend, make sure your body isn't disagreeing!

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Lesson II: “How to Say I’m Sorry” Real Relationships Bible Study Series, Part III

LISTEN to this Bible Study series LIVE on BLOG TALK RADIO

6. Say it as often as you sin! Peter asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive someone. “Seven times?” he asked Jesus (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus told him seventy times seven. The exchange is so funny to me because Peter sounds like someone asking a question about themselves but using the imaginary “friend” as a cover. You know Peter has been hurt by the same person numerous times and he is ready to cut him off. All Peter wants Jesus to do is co-sign Peter’s decision!
Instead Jesus tells Peter forgiveness is limitless.

The Spirit shared this with me as it relates to apologies. “Just as forgiveness is limitless, so are apologies.” This means you apologize as long as it takes. So often the offender gets fed up with the offended person who cannot seem to get over the offense. They feel like there should be a limit on how long it takes for the offended person to move on. In the text Jesus is illustrating the process of forgiveness. The apology may be spoken and received in one conversation but it could take years to re-build the trust. And you must be willing to do what it takes to earn that person’s trust back!


7. Say it and Show it! What is the goal of your apology? The Bible says let your yes be yes and your no be no. This means do not waste your words. Like God, every one of our words should have meaning. If your goal is to reconcile, then you must repent. Repentance is more than words. Repentance is a change of mind. Since what we think dictates our behavior, we must change the way we think about the offensive action so we will not repeat the offense.

An adulterer believes they are entitled to be happy. They believe their marriage is standing in the way of that. They are selfish and cannot see anything else besides what they want. The devil has a way of making good things look bad and bad things look good. Marriage is certainly not the problem since God created marriage. The problem begins and ends with us. The delusion is if we were with someone else, things would be better. The truth is if we were with someone else the problem would remain. Because we are the problem! We must change our thinking to correct our behavior. We change our thinking through the Word of God. It transforms us by renewing our mind.

8. Say it and Share it! You may need to share your situation with someone else if you cannot seem to resolve it yourself. 1 Corinthians 6:5 suggests there should be those around us that can help us resolve a dispute. We should not need to take the situation to a worldly judge. Believers, we must have accountability partners and wise counsel around us to live the life we are called to. If you have a problem with another believer that is affecting the church, you should be able to take the situation and the other person to your pastor for assistance. Our pride often keeps us from reaching out for help. We have to value the relationship above ourselves if reconciliation is to occur.

9. Say it and PRAY it! Read James 5:16 again. Did you see that? “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” Prayer is often the piece of reconciliation that is forgotten. We must always say what we did wrong in an apology but sometimes you need to say it in a prayer. Invite God into the resolution. Pray with the person you offended if they are willing. Can you imagine, hearing someone apologize to you and God for hurting you? Imagine the offended party offering forgiveness and praying for the healing of the offender!

True repentance and reconciliation cannot occur without God at the center of it all. He has given us the ministry of reconciliation, the Bible says. And we can do NOTHING without Him. Make sure the next time you seek to apologize you take Christ with you. Without Him, second chances would not be possible!

LISTEN to this Bible Study series LIVE on BLOG TALK RADIO www.blogtalkradio.com/katrina1

Lesson III: How to Accept an Apology LIVE 08/02/2010 on Blog Talk Radio; transcript available here the same day!Please connect to the weblink for

Lesson I “How to End Situations Graciously”, Parts I and II http://realpainrealgod.blogspot.com/2010/07/get-up-get-out-and-get-over-it-how-to.html

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Lesson II: “How to Say I’m Sorry” Real Relationships Bible Study Series, Part II

LISTEN to this Bible Study series LIVE on BLOG TALK RADIO

2. Say “It’s my fault”! James 5:16 says we are to CONFESS our sins to one another so we can be healed. This verse has three elements of a biblical apology within it.

a. Confess – we must speak our apology. Many try to skip this key aspect to apologizing by giving gifts (as Jacob tried to do) or ignoring the issue altogether. You will find conflict resolution can be delayed but never denied. James says we must confess so we can be healed. Healing cannot take place in a broken relationship until we verbally acknowledge the wrong we have done.
b. Confess the specific fault - We must confess because spoken word gives shape. The Bible says when God speaks His Word accomplishes His intention. When we speak our apologies, we close the door on the enemy who is waiting to give shape to our offense. The enemy will create scenarios about the offense that are inflated and completely untrue. When we confess what we have done specifically, we remove the opportunity for the devil to create a lie.
c. Own the offense – accept full responsibility for your sin. Don’t blame it on the neighbor, the boss, the church, or the devil. James also says in his epistle that we enticed to sin through the lusts that exist inside of each one of us. In other words, “It’s all my fault”!

3. Say it QUICKLY! Ephesians 4:26 cautions us NOT to let the sun go down on our anger. In other words, do not allow the offense to fester in the mind of the offended and create a stronghold of bitterness.

4. Say it BEFORE you sacrifice! God values your relationship above your offering to Him. As a matter of fact, the Bible says if we have unresolved conflict with our brother we are to leave our offerings at the altar and go to our brother and reconcile with him. Reconciliation with others must come first before offerings to God because God will not accept offerings from a heart tainted with unforgiveness and stained with sin. Many believers try to use ministry to mask a life full of dead relationships. God wants us to offer our pride on the altar instead by initiating reconciliation.

5. Say it with wisdom! Ok, you don’t know how to apologize. You have no idea what to say. James 1:5 says when we lack wisdom ask God for some! God knows what you should say, when, and how you should say it. He knows the tones and the inclinations you should use when you speak. He knows the other person and He knows you. You have the inside scoop! Take advantage of being on the winning team. Ask God for help with your apology.

Read Part III...

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Lesson II: “How to Say I’m Sorry” Real Relationships Bible Study Series, Part I

LISTEN to this Bible Study series LIVE on BLOG TALK RADIO

In Lesson I of this Series, we learned how to end a relationship with grace. God impressed upon me, many in the Body of Christ lack the knowledge of how to live well. The Church spends quite a bit of time teaching people how not to sin while we miss the mandate to train them how to live! Christianity is more than a ‘get out of hell card’. Christianity is a way of life modeled after the Author of our Faith, Jesus Christ. This “way” is foreign to us. We cannot expect people to know how to live the Christian life.

One area where we lack knowledge is in the area of relationships. We don’t know how to relate with one another effectively. When relationships become toxic or when their season has ended, we don’t know how to exit graciously. When we are called to stay in the relationship, we don’t know how to maintain the connection in the midst of sin and conflict.

Beloved, do you know what an apology looks like? Have you ever seen biblical repentance demonstrated in real-time? If we don’t know what a real apology looks like, then we cannot give one and we certainly cannot receive one! This lesson will focus on how to apologize while Lesson III next week will teach us how to accept an apology.

This is not a comprehensive study on apologies. Many great resources are available to the believer on the topic. Namely, Gary Smalley is a pioneer in the subject of relationships. You can find out more information on the plethora of information he offers on his website http://smalley.cc/

Nine Top Tips to help you say “I’m Sorry”

Genesis 32 gives us a vivid picture of a broken relationship. Jacob had not seen his brother Esau in 20 years! The last time Jacob saw Esau he had stolen his brother’s birthright and blessing (these events are chronicled in Genesis 25 and 27 respectively). Jacob, along with his mother, manipulated his father into betraying Esau. Jacob fled the scene of the crime and spent the next 20 years enduring his own tumultuous times. The Chapter begins with Jacob seeking reconciliation with his brother.

The first tip to help you say I’m sorry effectively is found in Genesis 32:1.

1. Say It FIRST! One of the most frequent complaints I hear from people in conflict is the offended often has to seek the offender out and initiate conflict resolution. How frustrating! This conversation does not generally go well because the offender can often become defensive or downplay the seriousness of the issue. When you know you are wrong, you have an obligation to seek the person you harmed and make restitution.

Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to initiate conversation with his brother. If you have offended someone, don’t further the offenses by making them seek you out for resolution. When the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin against another, make it a practice to initiate conversation and Say I’m sorry FIRST!

Read Part II...

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