Thoughts on Today's Verse

Breaking Down the Key Parts of 1 Corinthians 13:11

#1 “When I was a child,”
Jesus generally points to children as an example of the kind of faith, love, and trust for Father that he wants to see in his disciples. In this example, Paul is referring to the ways of childhood as an immaturity to be left behind.

#2 “I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.”
Again, while Jesus had a way of thinking about children, that their talk, thoughts, and reasoning would be something to imitate, Paul is talking about the immaturity of children. He wants his hearers to grow up into maturity and “put childish ways behind…”

#3 “When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”
Referring to the fact that we must grow into adulthood and adopt responsibility, Paul is making an analogy. While we should put “childish” ways behind us, keeping in mind Jesus’ call to “childlike faith,” that is not really Paul’s point. His point is that partial spiritual reality, made dim by living in the midst of a fallen world in an age still ruled by Satan, will be put behind us when the world reaches the maturity that will come with the return of Christ, and the judgment of evil and imperfection. For now, the one perfect concept is love. It is the greatest of the three constants, faith, hope, and love because it will remain long after faith and hope are no longer necessary.
Love Never Ends
Carry My Soul
From the Upper Room
Psychologist Jean Piaget carried out psychological experiments in which he observed that very young babies (under six months old) would be clearly interested in a toy placed a few yards in front of them until Piaget placed a blanket over the toy. Then, the infants showed no further interest, assuming that the toy was no longer there

Sometimes we are like those infants. We focus clearly on the Lord while in church, when at prayer, while reading the Bible, and when meditating. But when such activities cease, our focus on the Lord is often directed to other affairs. We are not alone in concluding that God has stepped out of our lives. Jonah thought that by taking a ship going in the opposite direction to Nineveh, God would no longer be in control of his life. (See Jonah 1:1-10.) However, this proved not to be true, and in the fullness of time Jonah did indeed come face-to-face with God once again. God is still there for us, still interested in us though we may have temporarily lost interest in God. God is always with us.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to feel close to you not only during worship and prayer but at all times. Amen.

Bill Findlay (Scotland, United Kingdom)
Prayer Through The Ages
We offer you our hands, O Lord, to do your work; our lips to sing your praise; our life to proclaim your glory and our heart to serve you in our neighbour; for Jesu’s sake. Amen. 

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

Our Prayers and Prayer Requests

You call us to speak to you in prayer– even when the places we would usually go to are not available. Help us to know you Spirit’s presence wherever we pray. Today we especially pray for...

For Mary and Tom Kovoor who ask for prayers for the family of Siby Cherian. Tom’s cousin who passed away unexpectedly last week.

Father of our souls, Mother of our hearts, we know your love for us is limitless beyond imagining. You care for us as a loving parent. Through our smallest Lenten sacrifices, help us to become less selfish and more aware of your ways.

For those prayers too personal to share with anyone but You.

Lord, we know you receive what is in our hearts. Let us be inspired by your words and by the actions of your son, Jesus.

Help us to use our lives to reflect your glory and to serve others as your son Jesus did.

We are saddened by the deaths of 500,000+ of our fellow citizens. We join everyone across our nation in mourning.

We ask for guidance for parents, children, youth and teachers adjusting to new ways of learning.

Guide us to make sacrifices this Lent in the spirit of self-denial and with greater attention to you and to those around us.

Help us to believe that you will grant us this because of the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
 
We pray for their families, friends and all those they influenced either directly or indirectly. That they may keep close the positive memories of those they have lost and carry on with their daily lives in peace..

God, you call us back to you with all of our hearts. We feel your call for us deep in our hearts and we know you want us back as much as we want to return. Give us the wisdom to know how to return. Make our journey back to you this Lent one of grace, forgiveness and gentle love.

We pray for protection for the vulnerable the elderly, the poor, those with health issues and all who at risk..

For doctors and scientists diligently working to heal the sick.

For all persons on the frontlines, especially Alayne Snyder, Dr Johnny and Riny Kovoor. and Erik Lindholm who are risking their lives to help those who are sick and dying

Lord we continue to remember that our call is always to respond to the good news in Jesus. We are a people of hope we need to declare and model good news in these difficult times. We place our prayers before you through your Son, Jesus. Amen.
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Valhalla United Methodist Church | 200 Columbus Avenue, Valhalla NY 10595
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