The Way of Love

1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

 2 If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

 3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

8-10 Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

11 When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

12 We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

13 But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

Powerful Lessons About Love. Thoughts about God 

Corinthians Love Verse: Love Is Kind

The Bible repeatedly tells us to love neighbors more than ourselves, to help strangers and to live out kindness. So, it should come as no surprise that 1 Corinthians 13 4-7 tells us that love is also kindness. As we consider how we treat friends, family and strangers, let’s fully integrate this message into our lives.

1 Corinthians 13 Commentary: Love Isn’t Boastful or Prideful

Love doesn’t boast, nor is it prideful. As we explore each Corinthians love verse, these powerful words might stir our souls. It’s a sure-fire truth that each of us has struggled with pride at one point or another in our lives, but a quick look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 reminds us that we must overcome these characteristics and rise above them — especially if we want to be seen as living out biblical love.

Avoiding Envy: A Convicting Corinthians Love Verse

A quick 1 Corinthians 13 summary also reminds us of the importance of not being envious. The Bible tells us not to be jealous of others, but this verse in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 drives that point home, explicitly telling us that love “does not envy.” Are there areas in your own life where this is convicting? Envy can be a poison to the heart and soul, and can motivate negative trajectories in one’s life.

Read Also: 29 Bible Verses About Wives, Marriage and Love

1 Corinthians 13 4-7: Love Isn’t Self-Seeking

1 Corinthians 13 4-7 also tells us that love isn’t self-seeking. In a culture and world that tells us to love for ourselves, the Bible implores us to show love by caring about the needs of others. Jesus’ command that we “love God” and “love others” is a powerful reminder that it’s not all about us.

And in putting together this 1 Corinthians 13 commentary, it’s essential we drive home that point, as it seems to appear a number of times in some of these Corinthians love verses.

Combat Anger: 1 Corinthians 13 Summary

Another important lesson from 1 Corinthians 13 4-7 centers on the fact that love “is not easily angered.” Some might also struggle with frustration and anger, especially if life takes a difficult turn. But keeping this important reality in mind is indispensable . 

If you struggle with anger, turn to God and pray using this Corinthians love verse as a reminder.

1 Corinthians 13 Summary: Don’t Keep a Record of Wrongs

Part of loving others is forgiving them. Unfortunately, it’s easy to fall into the trap, though, of keeping a “record of wrongs” — a laundry list all of the things someone has done to hurt or harm us. 

1 Corinthians 13 4-7 tells us, though, that love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs, so this should also get us thinking deeper about how we handle those who have hurt us. If we’re truly going to forgive, we must let go of the mental records we’ve been keeping — records that can truly impede forgiveness.

Love Rejoices With Truth: 1 Corinthians 13 Commentary

The gospel offers the ultimate story of God’s love and devotion to mankind. With this comes so many powerful lessons. While this particular Corinthians love verse is common sense, it’s worth highlighting. 1 Corinthians 13:6 tells us that “love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

It’s essential that we always seek and rejoice in truth, and that we do not embrace or delight in evil. The best way to do this? A healthy and robust devotional and prayer life.

Corinthians Love Verse: Love Always Protects

We’re also told in 1 Corinthians 13 4-7 that love always protects. Beyond exploring the truths in this 1 Corinthians 13 commentary, this is a truth we see lived out in God’s love for humanity. And we also see it replicated in the protection loving parents give to their children. This is just one of the truths that a simple 1 Corinthians 13 summary tells us to remember.

Hope and Persevere: 1 Corinthians 13 4-7

And last but not least, 1 Corinthians 13 4-7 tells us to trust, hope and persevere. Love does all of these things. As Christians, we’re told to find trust and hope in God, and that, through Him, we will be able to find the strength to persevere.

COVID-19: ANGOLA REPORTS 60 NEW CASES, 8 RECOVERIES

Luanda - The health authorities announced Friday the registration of 60 new cases, eight recovered patients and two deaths, in the last 24 hours.

According to Public Health secretary, Franco Mufinda, who was speaking at the usual updating session, 49 cases were diagnosed in Luanda, 5 in Cuando Cubango, 4 in Benguela and 2 in Cuanza Sul.

The new patients range in age from 2 to 74 years old, and 33 are male and 27 female.

The two deaths were registered in the province of Luanda.

The recovered patients also reside in the province of Luanda.

Overall, Angola has 21,265 positive cases, with 519 deaths, 19,835 recovered and 911 active. Of the active patients, five are in critical condition, nine are severe, 34 moderate, 25 mild and 838 asymptomatic.

There are 73 people in hospitalisation centres, 20 in institutional quarantine.

The authorities have 1,430 contacts of positive cases under medical surveillance.

Medical teams have processed 1,026 samples, with a daily positivity rate of 5.8 per cent.

China’s next aircraft carrier likely nuclear powered, says report

China is building its fourth aircraft carrier as it seeks to boost its naval power in the Asia-Pacific region, and the vessel is “likely to be nuclear powered”, a new report revealed on Saturday, citing sources close to the country’s military.

The South China Morning Post quoted a person close to the Chinese navy as saying that shipbuilders “are keen on making a significant breakthrough” with the construction of the fourth carrier.

“It will be a technological leap for the shipbuilding industry,” the source told the Post.

Another unnamed source also told the publication that Chinese officials are studying a proposal “to use nuclear power for the fourth carrier”.

The person did not say if a final decision was made, but told the Post it would be “a very bold decision that is full of challenges”.

Construction of the fourth ship, which has already been delayed for two years, resumed earlier this year.

Currently, there are two Chinese aircraft carriers already operating and a third one that is expected to be launched this year – none of them have nuclear capability.

Growing naval arsenal

It was only in 2017 when China launched its first domestically made aircraft carrier, in a demonstration of the growing technical sophistication of its defence industries.

The 50,000-tonne carrier, known as Shandong, is based on the Soviet Kuznetsov-class design, with a ski jump-style deck for taking off and a conventional oil-fuelled steam turbine power plant.

The other vessel in operation is the 60,000-tonne Liaoning aircraft carrier, which was bought from Ukraine.

The third one, expected to be in operation this year, has an estimated displacement of about 85,000 tonnes, according to the Post report.

It was reported in 2017 that China was already building a vessel at a shipyard outside Shanghai that is expected to be closer in size to the US Navy’s nuclear-powered 100,000-tonne Nimitz-class ships, with flat flight decks and catapults to allow planes to launch with more bombs and fuel on board.

Aside from the two aircraft carriers in operation, China already has in its arsenal more than a dozen nuclear-powered submarines.

China is working to hone its carrier operations but has little experience compared with the United States, which has operated integrated carrier battle groups with multiple vessels for decades.

China claims almost all the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea, where it has established military outposts on artificial islands.

That claim has been declared as without legal basis by the International Court of Arbitration at The Hague. China refused to participate in the case and later dismissed the ruling as “null and void”.

Since the court ruling, tensions have been building up further, with the US and its allies increasing the number of its naval exercises and patrols in the South China Sea, asserting freedom of navigation in open seas, to the chagrin of Beijing.

The United States regularly accuses China of militarising the South China Sea and trying to intimidate Asian neighbours who might want to exploit its extensive oil and gas reserves.

In response, China has also started to carry out more military exercises and patrols.In December, the Shandong aircraft carrier sailed through the Taiwan Strait on its way to routine drills in the South China Sea, just a day after a US warship passed through the same stretch of sea.

In January, Beijing also passed a law that for the first time explicitly allowed its coastguard to fire on foreign vessels.

The Coast Guard Law empowers it to “take all necessary measures, including the use of weapons when national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction are being illegally infringed upon by foreign organisations or individuals at sea”.

Amid alarm among the countries surrounding the sea, China said the law was a “normal domestic” measure that was not aimed a particular country.

SOURCE : AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

Japan Post, Rakuten tie-up in digital delivery, cashless pay

Japan’s postal system is investing 150 billion yen ($1.4 billion) in an 8% stake in the e-commerce venture Rakuten to strengthen a partnership in deliveries, fintech and other areas.

Rakuten’s shares shot up 8.6% in Tokyo trading Friday on news of the tie-up with Japan Post. Japan Post’s gained 4.9%.

Japan Post Holdings President Hiroya Masuda said Friday that the deal brought together “the digital and the real.”

The cooperation between the old-style analog mail and Rakuten, founded in 1997 and having 70 digital businesses, was announced earlier. It includes delivery services that allow people to make online reservations to pick up packages and mail in various locations whenever they want, both sides said.

The post office will gain technology advice and personnel from Rakuten. In return, Rakuten can use the post office’s network throughout the nation to sell its mobile service at real-life counters. Up to now subscriptions were mostly taken online.

Cashless payments are another area for possible cooperation. The Japanese post office is one of the biggest banking institutions in the country, holding more than 181 trillion yen ($1.7 trillion) in individual savings.

The shift to digital has been relatively slow in Japan compared to some Western nations, but it is picking up.

Introducing more digital technologies will help the post office deal with the labor shortages that plague many Japanese businesses.

Rakuten lags Amazon in the Japanese market and globally and is eager to expand. The Japanese company racked up a 114 billion yen ($1 billion) loss in the fiscal year through December, hurt by some costly investments.

In a report last month, Hiroko Sato, an analyst for Jefferies, noted Rakuten’s losses partly reflect costs of investments in its mobile infrastructure. She said, “a steady trend” of growth could be expected for its financial businesses, with Rakuten already holding 20% market share in the cashless payment sector in Japan.

Rakuten’s CEO Hiroshi Mikitani said he hopes working with the post office will help “empower” rural economies and “turn a new page” for Japanese industries.

TOKYO (AP) —

Jennifer Lopez And Alex Rodriguez End 2-Year Engagement

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez have reportedly ended their two-year engagement and are now split up.

In a story first reported by Page Six and confirmed by multiple media outlets, J.Lo and A-Rod broke up Friday and have gone their separate ways.

A source close to Rodriguez told Page Six that he’s in Miami getting ready for baseball season, while Lopez is filming a movie in the Dominican Republic.

Although the couple seemed very happy when Lopez performed at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in January, a source told People the breakup “has been a long time coming.”

The 51-year-old entertainer and 45-year-old baseball great became engaged in the Bahamas in March 2019 after dating for two years.

The magazine said that last month rumors began to swirl that Rodriguez reportedly had an affair with ”Southern Charm″ actor Madison LeCroy.

A source told the magazine that A-Rod and LeCroy had never met, but LeCroy told Page Six that she and the athlete have “spoken on the phone” though have “never met up” and “never been physical … never had any kind of anything.”

Neither Lopez nor Rodriguez have publicly commented on the breakup, but Rodriguez posted a photo Friday on Instagram asking his followers their weekend plans.

Inclusive education for disabled and illiterate girls - campaign with Sofonie Dala. Day 4

  Our girls back to school campaign is ongoing

Even when children have educated mothers, the predominant economic investment to education comes from the father.

This mother tells us her story that she never went to school. She is a widow, lost her home and has no way of paying her children's tuition fees. Today we are going to tell the story of a family without a home.

Hi, how are you?

I'm fine, thanks.

What is your name?

My name is Julha.

Julha how old are you?

I'm 19 years old.

Could you tell us what are you doing here on the streets?

I, my mom and sisters are asking for help.

Why are you asking for help on the streets?

Because we are in need. My father passed away, we are walking with our mother. We have nowhere to go to eat or a house to live.

Julha do you study?

No, I don't study.

Did you ever go to school?

Yes.

When did you stop studying and why?

I stopped studying in 2018 after my father's death. We ran out of money to continue paying for my studies. My mother has no money to support us.

What classes were you at that time?

I stopped in the 6th grade.

How many siblings do you have?

We are 5.

Are these your brothers and sisters here?

Yes, they are.

Are they studying?

No, they don't study either.

Would you like to have an opportunity to study?

Yes I would like.

This webisode argues that children who live among women with high educational attainment are likely to have a higher probability of attending school than those living in communities with low levels of women's education.

Moreover, studies on orphanhood have confirmed this observation such that paternal orphanhood is closely related to reduced household earnings and household poverty, which in turn results either in the postponement of school enrolment or the withdrawal of children from school.

Don't miss this opportunity to bring girls back to school. Join us! 

Our campaign aims to identify illiterate and girls with disabilities in such a way that it supports building an inclusive society for all. 

DONATE

Thank you for visiting us! Your generosity and your gift will help children, adults, and families rise above adversity and thrive. No matter the amount, your donation makes a difference.

Learn more about Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law.

The book cover shows Haben Girma in profile, confidently facing forward in a blue dress. The background is a warm red, and white text over the bottom half of the image says, ‘Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law. Haben Girma.’

The first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben Girma is a human rights lawyer advancing disability justice. President Obama named her a White House Champion of Change.

She received the Helen Keller Achievement Award, a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and TIME100 Talks. President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Chancellor Angela Merkel have all honored Haben. Haben believes disability is an opportunity for innovation, and she teaches organizations the importance of choosing inclusion. The New York Times, Oprah Magazine, and TODAY Show featured her memoir, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law.

Haben was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she currently lives. Her memoir takes readers on adventures around the world, including her parents’ homes in Eritrea and Ethiopia, building a school under the scorching Saharan sun, training with a guide dog in New Jersey, climbing an iceberg in Alaska, fighting for blind readers at a courthouse in Vermont, and talking with President Obama at The White House. Warm, funny, thoughtful, and uplifting, this captivating book is a testament to Haben’s determination to resist isolation and find the keys to connection.

The hard cover, paperback, eBook, and audiobook (narrated by Haben herself) are available at most bookstores. Learn more at the book page.

Speaking & Consulting

Choosing accessibility is not just about legal requirements, it’s also good business. Disabled people are the largest historically underrepresented group, numbering over one billion worldwide. Reaching a group of this scale creates value for everyone. Organizations that prioritize accessibility benefit by gaining access to a much larger audience, improving the experience for both disabled and nondisabled people, and facilitating further innovation. Haben explains in this article, originally published in the Financial Times, “People with disabilities drive innovation.”

Haben provides consulting and public speaking on accessibility, diversity, and leadership. Her presentations have touched organizations as wide-ranging as Apple, GE, Lenovo, Microsoft, the New York Times, Oxford Law, Pearson Education, Stanford, and SXSW. The daughter of refugees and a black disabled woman, Haben built her path to success on the belief that inclusion is a choice. We all have the power to advocate. Her engaging presentations ignite audiences to make positive changes in their communities.