Orlando Tragedy

Orlando Tragedy.

Shock.

Here I am in Orlando. The news flash shook the area and continued throughout the day -- and will continue in changed emotions and reactions on this, the second day, after the mass shooting and murder in Pulse night club.

The extent of damage and death caused by this one individual is shocking.

There is an immediate and crucial need. Please join me in turning my thoughts to those 50-some people who were injured and in hospitals in the area. It is a sobering action.  It rivets us away from the shock of the evil to a completely higher conscious awareness -- because those who need to heal need to have such mental and spiritual qualities as love, compassion, forgiveness, and a sense of the caring, ministering angels of mercy. Condemnation and judgment, anger, frustration, or fear, are not elements that carry healing.

What can we do?

To add to the mental atmosphere of the healing force that will aid in the recovery of those injured, we must lift our conscious thought into the realm of Spirit, Love. Otherwise, we are not adding any energy to the much-needed healing essence that delivers from violence and makes whole.

Jesus taught us to go into the closet of prayer and silently pray, and listen, to our Father, divine Mind, Love. Here we turn away from persons and judgment; we look up to the Allness of God as a healing Light that disperses shadows of pain, condemnation, terror, injuries, threat, panic, shock, sadness, or grief.

Not only do we turn to this Light, as a flower turns to the sun, to realize its presence resting on the injured and their helpers, we also observe this powerful healing agent encircling the ones who have moved on through "the valley of the shadow of death," and their families and loved ones. This comforting energy of Love only needs to be spiritually observed to be seen and felt more concretely by those who need its aid. It does not need to be directed; it needs only be seen and acknowledged through our spiritual sense.

This is what we can do. This will bring much needed relief and healing.

Let us go on a "watch" that we guard against standing appalled at the tragedy and actions of this one man that harmed so many, and instead turn our thoughts to the peace and calm, the gentleness, of the divine Presence and angels that bring comfort and healing to all who have been affected by the shooting in Orlando. Let our thoughts bear witness to Love's ever-presence, thereby settling down the shock and bringing in the healing Christ presence.

Comfort and Spiritual Empowerment

As a Certified Christian Grief Coach (Joy-Restoration Coach), my main concern is to bring comfort and spiritual empowerment to those struggling with adversity and loss.

For this reason, I would like to invite you to take my new course, Training Today's Twelve found on my website (scripturalstudycenter.org). If you are suffering disappointment, loss, grief, sadness, stress, or a sense of insecurity -- you can find comfort, direction, healing, and spiritual empowerment by making use of this course. 

Besides finding increased peace and comfort, you will learn how to heal through Spirit based on God's laws as shown in Christ Jesus' ministry. You will be able to comfort others and gain deeper insights into your own self and identity. Your life-purpose will come alive, be clarified, and more active. These are good unselfish things that help us overcome debilitation from grief, loss, or disappointment. 

The first Unit, based on the Gospel of Mark is free. You will be directed to the course by one easy click on my home page. Start at any time. The preceding Modules remain available. There is also a wonderful Journal with ideas, quotes, how-to notes, and contemplation prompts and questions (free download). 

We have launched Module 3 this week, with a specific focus on healing. You can reflect on comments and questions throughout the module, and put what you learn into practice immediately with full confidence in Spirit and divine Love. Observe the compassion of Jesus in dealing with those in sorrow or need, as well as with those who opposed or hated him. Studying the masters in any field or discipline is required for fast and accurate progress. How important, when needing comfort, to turn to the Master of Comfort and sit at his feet as a humble disciple (learner) today. 

Let divine Love encircle and embrace you. Be still and think on this, feel after it, and let yourself be strengthened by the grace of Spirit. Be quiet and "listen" to the angel messages. Then reflect and express the Love that enters your heart. 

Resolution Sure of Success

My New Year's Resolution is to assimilate and express the qualities of love as found in I Corinthians 13: 1-13. Reviewing the past series on the healing power of Love, including sage insights from Henry Drummond's, The Greatest Thing in the Word, equips us for this resolution. You will see Drummond's specific challenge to us in the last paragraph of this blog. Let's resolve together to take him up on it and see what happens.

Know that today Love is ready to complete its healing action within you in some particular situation of your life or condition of health. The greatest healer in the world, Christ Jesus, instructed us to ask and to believe that we receive. Ask for the endowment of Love through the Holy Spirit. Ask that it permeate consciousness and overflow from your heart. Conform your words and actions to this Love. I Corinthians explains the ingredients of Love. We have them all for the expressing!

Put your pure desires, requests, and wishes in the Father's hands and affirm that He is caring for us perfectly through His law with harmonious and wise adjustments and precise timing. Trust and be grateful. Put your burden at His feet. Gratitude and expectation open the way for healing emotionally and physically.

 This blog post concludes our series on Love's healing based on I Corinthians 13:

1Cor. 13:1 ¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

1Cor. 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 

1Cor. 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 

1Cor. 13:4 ¶ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 

1Cor. 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 

1Cor. 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 

1Cor. 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 

1Cor. 13:8 ¶ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 

1Cor. 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 

1Cor. 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

1Cor. 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

1Cor. 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

1Cor. 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

Henry Drummond, concluding his remarks on I Corinthians 13, in his short book, The Greatest Thing in the World, challenges us to take action. He writes, "Now I have all but finished. How many of you will join me in reading this chapter once a week for the next three months? A man did that once and it changed his whole life. Will you do it? It is for the greatest thing in the world. You might begin by reading it every day, especially the verses which describe the perfect character. “Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself.” Get these ingredients into your life. Then everything that you do is eternal. It is worth doing. It is worth giving time to" (21). You may want to read over the past series of blogs focusing on the healing power of Love as herein described. Commit to three months as Drummond advises, and see if you do not have more joy, health, and peace in this new year! This is a resolution sure of success!

Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 21). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Practice Love

How do you become an expert on something? Isn't there a kind of pattern? If you want to be an expert at golf, isn't it highly effective to observe the best, the professionals -- to seek out lessons and practice, practice, practice? Is it not good to continually monitor yourself and/or have experts check your progress and the elements of your game? Yes. This same strategy for excellence in any given endeavor can be utilized to acquire and nurture the most important thing in the universe and throughout eternity.  -- expressing and being the pure expression of Love! There is nothing higher. It should permeate everything you do, every decision your make, all responses to that which comes into your experience. We are each given a talent of Love. We have it by reflection of Him who is Love. Jesus instructed that we do not "hide" our "talents" but take them in hand and work to multiply them (Matthew 25:14-30). It has been the purpose of this recent series of blogs to analyze this "greatest thing in the world" (Drummond) and perhaps inspire its multiplication.

Henry Drummond explains that talent "develops itself in solitude— the talent of prayer, of faith, of meditation, of seeing the unseen;" while "character grows in the stream of the world’s life. That chiefly is where men are to learn love" (14). He also notes that while the elements of Love can be analyzed for deeper understanding, "love is something more than all its elements— a palpitating, quivering, sensitive, living thing" (14). So to multiply this talent of love, we must first desire to let it take over our being, study it, and then consciously work to assimilate this living thing as seen in perfect expression in the life of our Master, Christ Jesus. Just as one who would become an expert at golf, or tennis, or another language, or in cooking, or anything else, must study the masters in these fields, we must observe Jesus' practice of love, as preserved in the Gospels and in the writings of Paul and early church fathers. He is the Way-shower and illustrates what this thing, Love, looks like in our present experience. Through spiritual sense we can discern the pure unselfish thought and motive behind his words and works, and make ourselves like him. Practice, practice, practice love. Meditate in prayer on this precious living thing. We each have this love within by reflection, as "image and likeness" (Gen. 1:26).

Drummond elaborates this point with the passage,We love— because he first loved us (I John 4:19). He continues, "Look at that word “because.” It is the cause of which I have spoken. “Because he first loved us,” the effect follows that we love, we love Him, we love all men. We cannot help it. Because He loved us, we love, we love everybody. Our heart is slowly changed.

ACTION STEP: Today, choose a portion of the writings about Jesus, and look for how love is expressed in your selected passage(s). Next, keep the lesson of love, the way he expressed it in the verse(s), and find a parallel in your experience today in which you can actively follow that example. Before going to sleep tonight, think over his example of love and review how you did with it during the day. What did you do that was like it, what could you have done better, and what opportunities might you have improved? Pray to feel Love and ask that His angels be with you to better express it tomorrow. Make a habit of love. This is the "greatest thing in the world," and the most healing and comforting.


Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 14). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Christmas Eve Healing through Love

Added note: One grace of Love is forgiveness -- and I ask forgiveness that I've been writing I Corinthians 15 through this series, when in fact, to my discomfiture, it is chapter 13! We will have to address the 15th chapter after this out of curiosity if nothing else!!!!  Love includes humility so here I am. Stuff happens, as they say.

So here is today's offering:

I Corinthians 13: 5-6

[Love] thinketh no evil; 

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 

Henry Drummond interprets thinketh no evil as guilelessness. He writes, "Guilelessness is the grace for suspicious people. The possession of it is the great secret of personal influence. You will find, if you think for a moment, that the people who influence you are people who believe in you. In an atmosphere of suspicion men shrivel up; but in that atmosphere they expand, and find encouragement and educative fellowship" (11). 

Example. A mother called me for prayerful support and help because her teenage son had been arrested for car theft. He pleaded innocent. He explained what happened to his mother, but she didn't really believe him. I told her to give him the benefit of the doubt -- what if he was innocent and his story was true but she did not believe in him? Bad all the way around. What if she believed in him but was wrong? That was the higher way -- and what if he was telling the truth? Either way, better to accept and believe in your child and be proven wrong, than to join the accusers and then find him or her innocent. If nothing else, the support rather than suspicion, is healing and shows highest love. As it turned out, this teenager's story was true, he was innocent, and this mother was so very happy that she told him she believed him and was on his side no matter what. The relationship was strengthened through this exercise of guilelessness. Show confidence, not suspicion, and nurture love in your relationships.

Drummond elaborates, "Love “thinketh no evil,” imputes no motive, sees the bright side, puts the best construction on every action. What a delightful state of mind to live in! What a stimulus and benediction even to meet with it for a day! To be trusted is to be saved" (12). 

Let's go on a Christmas Eve 'watch' and express the above concept from Drummond -- spreading that wonderful aspect of Love as a gift to all we meet or think upon. Merry Christmas Eve!

Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 12). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Love is Not Provoked

In further contemplation of the healing power of Love in our lives, let us consider the next passage in our series on I Corinthians 15, "Love is not provoked." Henry Drummond, author of The Greatest Thing in the World, calls the elements of love described in Corinthians, "ingredients." This would infer that the entirety is as a recipe for love that heals, comforts, saves, and produces peace.

Drummond asks that we consider this ingredient, love not provoked, to be synonymous with a bad temper. If one is easily provoked they may suffer an ill temper, be prone to quick anger. Many believe this misfortune simply to be built-in temperament, perhaps even inherited -- something that can't be helped and that is difficult to control. On the contrary, being easily provoked or angered is not the true nature of man, and certainly it is not something one would inherit from our heavenly Father, divine Love. Man is the "image and likeness" of God, and God is patient Love, tender and kind (Gen. 1:26).

Drummond writes, "For embittering life, for breaking up communities, for destroying the most sacred relationships, for devastating homes, for withering up men and women, for taking the bloom of childhood, in short, for sheer gratuitous misery-producing power this influence [evil temper] stands alone" (10). He continues to dissect the ill-temper, "What is it made of? Jealousy, anger, pride, uncharity, cruelty, self-righteousness, touchiness, doggedness, sullenness— these are the ingredients of this dark and loveless soul" (11).

There is an antidote, and it is the light of Christ in our consciousness, heart, and soul. It is the true nature of God that comes to us on eagle-wings! What are the exact spiritual counter facts of these elements of ill-nature? These make up your true and eternal nature. Not jealousy, but generosity; not anger, but patient loving-kindness; not pride, but humility; not uncharity, but love in good deeds; not cruelty, not gentleness; not self-righteousness, but humbleness in spiritual understanding; not touchiness, but Christly response; not doggedness, but pliable and open-minded; not sullenness, but joy. This produces the feeling and experience of a Light-filled loving individuality that blesses all and opens the way for healing.

Drummond has more text on this one ingredient than any other. I will add a final snippet of his wise counsel. To reach the core of the bad-temper issue, he explains that "the Spirit of Christ, interpenetrating ours, sweetens, purifies, transforms all. This only can eradicate what is wrong, work a chemical change, renovate and regenerate, and rehabilitate the inner man" (11).

Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 11). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Healing Power of Unselfishness

As we analyze the healing power of Love as illustrated in I Corinthians 15, we arrive at "seeketh not her own." Not seeking what it is your right to have for yourself, but rather turning from "self" to seek that which will benefit others. Such unselfishness should bring a win-win situation; it should bless everyone.

Henry Drummond explains in his book, The Greatest Thing in the World, "Unselfishness. “Love seeketh not her own.” Observe: seeketh not even that which is her own. ... “Seekest thou great things for thyself?” said the prophet; “seek them not.” Why? Because there is no greatness in things. Things cannot be great. The only greatness is unselfish love. The most obvious lesson in Christ’s teaching is that there is no happiness in having and getting anything, but only in giving. I repeat, there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Half the world is on the wrong scent in pursuit of happiness. They think it consists in having and getting, and in being served by others. It consists in giving, and in serving others. “He that would be great among you,” said Christ, “let him serve.” He that would be happy, let him remember that there is but one way—“ It is more blessed, it is more happy, to give than to receive.”

I have been considered a most precious gift from Jesus that is ever-present for our receiving -- this is the kind of gift that transcends the "things" and moves to the "heavenly treasures" we need.  Once we have it, we can give it without measure. It is a gift of the highest nature -- peace.

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).

Prayerfully meditate with gratitude on receiving more of this peace right now. Feel after it. Seek it for others by exuding it from your heart and soul, especially in 'stormy' circumstances. The peace and calm of God are upon you. Seek peace for yourself for the purpose of helping other find peace for themselves, it is the gift of Christ with healing power in its wings.


Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 9). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Love in small things heals

Following the passages of I Corinthians 15 on love, we now consider love expressed in small ways -- in Paul's language, "Love does not behave itself unseemly."

Henry Drummond, whose small book we have recommended, The Greatest Thing in the World, explains this as the "fifth ingredient" of love, and defines it "courtesy" (8). He elaborates, "This is love in society, love in relation to etiquette. ... Politeness has been defined as love in trifles. Courtesy is said to be love in little things. And the one secret of politeness is to love. Love cannot behave itself unseemly" (8). This is an interesting word choice, "unseemly." What does it mean exactly?

Dictionary-reference.com defines it as "not in keeping with established standards of taste and proper form; unbecoming or indecorous in appearance, speech, conduct, etc.; an unseemly act; unseemly behavior." Additionally, unseemly means "inappropriate for time or place."

It has been said that if you love, if you love God, if you love your fellow man, you will automatically keep all the Commandments. The same is true for deporting yourself harmoniously in any situation, with anyone, in any culture, in any circumstance. When consciousness glows with even a small pinpoint of love -- in the way of compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, gentleness -- words and actions will be at least polite. Oppositely, the unseemliness of words and actions fueled by anger, self-righteousness, cold indifference, fear, and so forth, leads to discord and strife, and to scenes that may later cause remorse, embarrassment, and require a good deal of forgiveness.

The love that does not "behave itself unseemly" is not personal love which could switch to animosity be tainted or lost. The real love is God's love, the Love that is the one I AM. It is the nature of the Infinite. Know that since "man" is the "image and likeness" of God (Gen. 1:26), you reflect and include in your eternal identity, this perfect Love that is all Light and never feels less than absolute peace and lovingkindness. Nothing is lost in a mirror -- it shows everything that is before it. Just so, you include the fullness of God's Love right now and always. Holding to this fact about yourself, you will feel it and express it more and more. It will take over for you in situations that are uncomfortable or fearful. It will protect you and govern your words and actions.

To nurture this outcome, be sure to take at least five minutes to prayerfully meditate on this truth about yourself reflecting the perfect Love that is God. Do this each day at least one time -- more is better -- you cannot do it too much! When one does not behave unseemly, this additionally acts as a mental medicine that permeates the body "searching the joints and marrow" so that health shows forth more tangibly (Hebrews 4:12). No part of body can act in an unseemly manner when Love brings its healing presence to every cell and fibre. Prayerfully meditate on Love as Light, "in whom in no darkness at all" -- nothing unseemly at all (I John 1:5).


Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 8). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Love not "puffed up" brings specific healing

We have reached the part of this healing by Love mini-blog series where we will consider the passage from I Corinthians, “Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.”

In Henry Drummond's book, The Greatest Thing in the World, he calls this "humility." To "vaunt" is to brag or speak boastfully. It is not a loving nature or character to speak with exaggerated or excessive pride about yourself. It is so much more loving to be meek and humble, and it is so much more powerful as well. A side-effect is that others will like/love you more (rather than be repelled). To not speak of your wonderful accomplishments unduly -- but as necessary with gentleness, always keeping the value of others in mind -- is truly loving. This meek-love is an element of healing that especially targets puffed up or swollen areas on the body, as the mental state is so powerful when applied through prayer to the fear-producing appearance. This medicine of Love brings the healing power of humility exactly to where it is needed.

Do not fear being under-appreciated. God, the one Intelligence and Creator, is actually expressing His own qualities in you and loving your unique manifestation of these. He knows all things. You are appreciated and valued beyond measure throughout eternity. Without you, God would not be complete -- the universe would not be complete. You are necessary and loved.

You are "daily His delight" (Proverbs 8:30).



Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 8). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Empty the Envy in Favor of Love and Healing

In this mini-series on healing through Love with focus on I Corinthians 15, the following verses have already been considered -- the new addition is at the end -- "love envieth not."

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I gave my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; 

To "envy" is to "see against." Its origin contains the Latin video, to see. 

Henry Drummond's book, The Greatest Thing in the World, based on this Scripture, translates this short passage to one word, "generosity." Why? He explains that envy "is a feeling of ill will to those who are in the same line as ourselves, a spirit of covetousness and detraction;" it is a feeling of ill will to anyone who possesses or accomplishes something another wants, or wants to do better.

Drummond admonishes us to have "the grace of magnanimity." He urges that we recognize the one and only thing that truly should be envied — "the large, rich, generous soul which “envieth not” (7). Envy the one who does not envy!

Okay, so let's stop all this "seeing against" and instead see through God's eyes. Pray, "Father what do You see?" He will show you.


There is an equality, not an imbalance. God's perfect Self is expressed perfectly, Each one of His children is endowed with spiritual gifts unique to his or her identity.

The whole is the allness of the one Perfect Being, or I AM, moving and acting harmoniously to the glory of the One, our Father, God. Paul writes, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). As image and likeness (Gen. 1:26) we each include (like a mirror reflection) all the wonderful and good qualities of the one Infinite -- each in our own way. We are part of the whole. God would not be complete without  you. Therefore, envy not -- there is not one good thing that you do not already include that will manifest to His glory and your happiness and fulfillment of purpose.

See from God's eye-view and make best use of all the gifts you already have. Look not at each other in a limited, personal, and faulty way, but look to God and you will become consciously and tangibly all that He is in your own uniqueness -- nothing lost and nothing withheld. You are like a mirror held up to all good. Focus on that!

The right motive is the desire to show forth Good clearly and fulfill your purpose in harmony with all the universe and glorify God. Hell means unable to see; heaven is clear spiritual vision that "envieth not," but loves generously with magnanimity. The good you see in another is good that is part of yourself, good that is God expressed, good that makes all things harmonious, healthy, and balanced. Praise God by praising good and being grateful for it as seen in each one of us.


Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 7). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

4th in Mini-series Heal by Love

Following along I Corinthians 15 and Henry Drummond's small book, The Greatest Thing in the World, we now move to the portion of the passage he entitles, "The Analysis." Drummond compares Love to the compound of light that comes out through a prism in many colors.

Paul, in writing of this great thing we call love, has broken it into nine beautiful pieces:

• patience
• kindness
• generosity
• humility
• courtesy
• unselfishness
• good temper
• guilelessness
• sincerity

These are the more modern words that Drummond uses to clarify Paul's writing, for example, Paul writes, "Love suffereth long," translated "patience."

We will take one of these elements per day in this mini-series, look at it more in-depth, and find ways to apply it to our lives. Then we must each go on "watch" to do our best at maintaining it (try a 24-hour watch with each of the nine). You may not be perfect, but when you slip, just remember to come back over to the patience line.

Be patient with yourself.

Drummond notes that these nine elements make up "the stature of a perfect man" (5).

Drummond writes that patience "is the normal attitude of love; love passive, love waiting to begin; not in a hurry; calm; ready to do its work when the summons comes, but meantime wearing the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit" (5). ACTION STEP: Write a few of those inspiring words on a small piece of paper and put it either in your pocket to pull out at time during the next 24-hours that you are on watch, or tape it up somewhere that you look frequently.

The angel response to my desire for healing said gently, "All you have to do is love." That is all we have to do. So, all we have to do is be patient. We must at least work on it and go on a watch. Also, please watch that you do not declare against yourself by repeating the lie, I have no patience, or I am not a patient person. We can overcome this lie. God, Love is patient, and we each reflect the one God and His true nature.

Patience. The quality of bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like (Websters). It is also quiet, steady persevance, even-tempered care, and diligence.

Please add any helpful parts of that definition to that small paper you have written a few Drummond words upon.

Jesus said, "In your patience possess ye your souls" (Luke 21:19).

As a final benediction or blessing on you and your endeavors, Paul writes in Romans, "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus" (15:5). Do your best. It's like turning to the light. Surely there will be some measure of healing and uplifting of character and nature. Your efforts are all supported by the infinite One who loves you.


Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 6). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Sacrifice with Love

In this third of a mini-blog series, we continue to analyze and apply Paul's explanation of Love in conjunction with healing (emotionally, physically, financially, in all ways). You are encouraged to get Henry Drummond's short writing, The Greatest Thing in the World, paperback or Kindle, from Amazon.

Today's passage from I Corinthians 15: "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I gave my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing."

Drummond notes that you "can take nothing greater" than love with you wherever you go, and you "need take nothing less." Basically, even if you make the ultimate sacrifice of your own life, if you did it without love, there would be no profit, no real benefit, for you or anyone else. Imagine Jesus at crucifixion if he did not maintain his incredible love. He expressed love and compassion through his statement of forgiveness as they nailed him to the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." He was teaching the eternal, universal lesson of Life and of Love, and maintaining his God-given purpose to save. Nothing less that the greatest love could accompany Jesus' supreme sacrifice, and nothing less could have brought resurrection or ascension.

So whatever sacrifice you may have the opportunity to make today, do it with love, not out of obligation or fear. There are many kinds of sacrifices that we can make each day, ones that will benefit ourselves and others -- but only if permeated with love -- tenderness, compassion, forgiveness. You might sacrifice an hour of your time for some good purpose -- to care for someone that needs help or encouragement, or to work an hour for a colleague with a need. You might sacrifice that sarcastic remark, that judgmental attitude,  or a coldness toward someone or something. Warm yourself with tender Love and be moved with compassion. There are many ways and opportunities to "lay down your life for your friends" as Jesus instructed, but all must be done with love to be of any use.

Drummond writes, "You may take every accomplishment; you may be braced for every sacrifice; but if you give your body to be burned, and have not love, it will profit you and the cause of Christ nothing." So take love with you today and you need nothing less.

Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 4). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.