2 Corinthians 13:11-13  (HCSB)11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. 13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.Patrick Nix Paul ends his letter with a profo...  Read More

2 Corinthians 13:1-10 (HCSB)Final Warnings and Exhortations13 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 2 I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient, 3 since you seek proof of Christ s...  Read More

2 Corinthians 12:11-21  (HCSB)Signs of an Apostle11 I have become a fool; you forced it on me. I should have been endorsed by you, since I am not in any way inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of an apostle were performed with great endurance among you—not only signs but also wonders and miracles. 13 So in what way were you treated worse than the other churches...  Read More

2 Corinthians 12:6-10  (HCSB)6 For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so ...  Read More

2 Corinthians 12:1-5  (HCSB)Sufficient Grace 12 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows. 3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, God knows— 4 was caug...  Read More

GODLY LOVESpiritual gifts and virtues are hollow and meaningless if not done in love.KEY TRUTH: Without Love We Are Nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)KEY TRUTH: Love Puts Others Ahead of Self (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)KEY TRUTH: Love Endures Forever (1 Corinthians 13:8-13)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!In 1 Corinthians 13:4--8, which attitudes show love, and which do not?  Why sho...  Read More

1.  Have you considered the weight of carrying around unforgiveness? What are some tangible steps you can take to move toward forgiveness? I challenge you to pray about it and feel the burden lift off your shoulders.2. Can you define love in your own personal relationship with God? How? When have you seen this most apparent in your own life or in others?3. When was the last time you truly spoke to...  Read More

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (HCSB)8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for languages, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  10 But when the perfect comes, the partial will come to an end. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man,...  Read More

1 Corinthians 13:4-7  (HCSB)4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, 5 does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Tim Kirkup These verses give a summary ...  Read More

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (HCSB)Love: The Superior Way 13 If I speak human or angelic languages but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body in ...  Read More

Matthew 5:43-48  (HCSB)Love Your Enemies43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what re...  Read More

John 15:12-17 (HCSB)12 This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard...  Read More