[1 Corinthians 13:3-8]

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not 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 have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.  Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, 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.” 

TRUTH TO BELIEVE:
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14, NIV

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7, NIV

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16, NIV

The one sure thing I can tell you about the coming weeks and year is this: God’s love never fails.  He promised His son, and His son He gave.

His love never, ever fails.

His mission does not fail.

His Word will not fail.

Immanuel means God with us… that God saves… and that our Father’s love never fails.

HOPE TO CLAIM:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose… For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28, 38-39, ESV

God’s love will not and does not fail.

He is sustaining the family reeling from a cancer reoccurrence in their vibrant son.

He is guiding the single foster mom as she opens her home to the children sent her way.

He is healing the father who just endured a second surgery for another round of yet a different cancer.

He is giving peace to families sleeping in hospital rooms, watching their children breathe with machines.

He is granting courage to the couple driving miles in order to adopt a third into their family of four.

He is watching out for the single mom who seems to always battle uphill for the care of her son.

He is moving in all of these situations that make it hard for me to breathe.

He is working in every challenge, every joy, every tear, and every moment.  He is with you today and He will be with you tomorrow.  His love will not fail.

CHALLENGE TO EMBRACE:
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV

List out your need for His mercies this morning… every situation that steals your breath.  After each line write out Lamentations 3:22-23.  Soak in the words and let them move from your head to your heart.  Any time you feel ready to worry or despair today, recite the words of this verse and remember that God’s love never fails.

Love never fails.

Following,
Ginger 

Advent Resource:  Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace) performed by Yo-Yo Ma.  I could listen to this delicate rendition with cellos all day long.  It calms my heart and focuses my mind on the simple lyrics: Give us peace… over and over and over.