1 Corinthians 13 NIV
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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. 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. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Additional Scripture References: 2 Peter 3:9, Proverbs 11:17, Proverbs 12:25, Colossians 3:12, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 14:30, Galatians 5:19, 1 Peter 2:1-3, Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Corinthians 10:17, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Galatians 6:14, Romans 12:16, Proverbs 8:13, Romans 12:9-16, Proverbs 12:15, Isaiah 53:6, Proverbs 16:32, Ephesians 4:31-32
What is love? Some may say love is an emotion, others may say love is a choice. Love can often be defined by the way the world believes it to be. As we mature in our relationships, it is important to look to Jesus to know what the true meaning of love is and give from the love we already have through Him. 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a beautiful picture of what it looks like to receive this love, and as we pursue Jesus, how we should reflect this love to others. As we look at our relationships, we can do a heart check-up by asking ourselves, “is this love?” Jesus has the perfect answer to what love is, and what it is not.
The definition of love comes from the creator, not the modifier.
If we are going to walk in love, we have to understand what love is. God has given us the definition of love – it is patient and kind. It rejoices in the truth and keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus modeled true love in his words and actions. Because of Him, our life becomes a story of love. The more we walk with Jesus, the more we love others the way He loves us.
As we take inventory of our thoughts, behaviors, and words and reflect on where we speak and act out of love, it’s vital that we recognize what love is not. Love does not envy or boast. It is not arrogant or proud. It is not self-seeking or dishonorable, and it is not easily angered. What we carry inside overflows into our relationships – when we see these qualities in ourselves, we can invite the Holy Spirit to transform us in a way that only He can.
We can trade the love we know as emotion for a love that is eternal. God clearly defines love, listing all that love is and all that it is not, giving us a plan for how to shape our own behavior, how to treat others, and how to walk in love. Lean on His Word to know love and to not rely on how the world and others define it.
Take some time this week to take note of the actions you step into and how you react. As you engage with others, ask yourself, “is this love?” If the answer is no, invite the Holy Spirit into your life to transform behaviors that are not love.
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VOUS High Nite is a night for Junior High and High School Students to meet friends, worship and encounter God. It will be taking place Wednesday, April 2nd at both VOUS SoMi and VOUS Miami Gardens at 7PM.
To RSVP, click here.
There will also be a VOUS High Nite Parent Hangout. This will be an opportunity to learn more about VOUS High, have some dinner and get to know other parents in our community.
To RSVP for the Parent’s Hang, click here.
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens & VOUS SoMi
When: Saturday, April 2nd
Address:
VOUS Miami Gardens - 17801 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33169
VOUS SoMi - 6767 Sunset Dr, Miami, FL 33143
Doors Open at 7PM.
Are you looking for a place to grow in leadership, community, and culture? Join us at VOUS College Preview Day on April 3rd to learn more about program offerings, connect with students, and ignite your journey to help fulfill the Great Commission!
RSVP now at vouscollege.com/preview
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens
When: Thursday, April 3rd
Address: 17801 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33169
The Easter Egg Drop is a family fun-filled day, including food, games, entertainment, and the crowd favorite: a helicopter egg drop with eggs stuffed with goodies and prizes!
For more information on the Easter Egg Drop, click here
If you are interested in serving, click here
Where: Charles Hadley Park
When: Saturday, April 19th
Address: 1350 NW 50th St
Miami, FL 33142
Join us for Easter at VOUS as we celebrate the power of the cross. This is a weekend for the whole family! Pick a service time and invite a friend — there's room for you.
Join us on the road to VOUSCon as we embark on a 40-day relay run through the state of Florida. From Jacksonville to Miami, runners from every region are invited to participate in carrying the good news. Our finish line? VOUSCon 2025. Led by a core VOUS team, we’ll link arms with partner churches along the way, spotlighting the body of Christ and championing the local church through weekly outreach initiatives.
Starting Line: Sunday, May 11
Finish Line: Thursday, June 19
VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM
VOUS DD
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
10AM / 12:00 PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack