“Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4, NKJV).

The Missing Ingredient

There was a ’70s R & B group called, “The Main Ingredient” whose hit song was, “Everybody Plays the Fool.” As we approach the most significant election of our lifetime, I believe we must approach it with love in our hearts for each other regardless of political ideology. At the same time, we must do our due diligence and work to elect candidates that we honestly believe reflect love and caring for the people of our nation and are not trying to play us as fools.

 In my alone time with God, one of my scriptures was 1 Cor. 13.  Because it is such a well-known scripture, I contemplated skipping over it in hopes of delving deeper into something less familiar. But the words seemed to leap from the page and reverberate in my spirit in a way I had not experienced before!  No matter what talents, gifts, academic degrees, how much faith, how much I give to the needy, how well I preach, teach, prophesy, and speak in tongues, if I do not have LOVE, I am NOTHING. 

 So how do I know if I or the candidates have love? “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.” [AND] “Love never fails” (1 Cor. 13:4-8a, NIV). When we have the main ingredient, we have the heart of Jesus Christ! Love is the main ingredient! And too often, it is the missing ingredient! To God be all the GLORY! 

Focus Quote: “If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3 NLT).

altonesumner.com – an inspiring motivational ministry

Reminders: 

2024: “If My people who are called by my name would humble themselves and pray…” Also, please do not neglect to  in November!

And please continue to join us at 5:14 p.m. each day as we pause to pray.

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). 

Just pause and pray wherever you are