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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.
If someone in your Crew needs care, we want to come alongside you. Our Care Response Team is designed to equip you to walk with people in different seasons of their life.Our team is committed to celebrating life’s best moments with you and offering support through its hardest ones.We would love to come around you for the following life events:
+ Marriages
+ Births
+ Deaths
+ Hospitalizations/Illness
Please submit a request at vouschurch.com/requestcare
Saying yes to Jesus marks a brand new beginning. Baptism is your next step. It's how you go public with your faith and celebrate the new life God has given you. The past is behind you, and a fresh future is ahead. This is your moment. We are having baptisms this Sunday, July 27th, across all of our locations, and on the beach.
To sign up for baptisms, please click here.
This back-to-school season, we have the opportunity to show up for our city in a meaningful way. On Saturday, August 2, we’re hosting a Back to School Bash at the Samuel K. Johnson Youth Center, located inside Charles Hadley Park. It’s a chance to serve local families by distributing backpacks filled with school supplies and making sure every student feels seen, supported, and ready to start the year with confidence.
Donate - Fill backpacks for families in need for the school year. You can purchase supplies locally and bring to a VOUS Location or donate online.
Serve - Help host our annual Back To School Bash for families in our community — distribute backpacks, check-in guests, and serve our city during a morning of fun and games.
When: Saturday, August 2nd
Where: Samuel K. Johnson Youth Center
Address: 4900 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33127
Team Rally: 10:20AM
Starting Sunday, August 3rd, we will be moving to brand new service times at all of our locations!
VOUS SoMi
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
VOUS Design District
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
The countdown is on! If you're ready to take your next step in ministry, leadership, or higher education, now is the time to apply. VOUS College application deadline is July 31st for both our degree-seeking and leadership programs. Don’t miss your chance to be part of a life-changing semester. Start your journey at vouscollege.com/apply.
VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM
VOUS Design District
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack
