Devotional archive

Love as a Verb

A dated devotional archive on love as something lived, practised and embodied.

Love as a Verb is the devotional heart of Humble Theologian.

Christian love is not merely something we admire, feel or discuss. Love is something we practise. It becomes visible in patience, service, forgiveness, prayer, hospitality, pastoral care and ordinary faithfulness.

The original Humble Theologian site included a full dated devotional archive. For the relaunch, these are published as normal web pages rather than bulky PDFs so they are easier to read on mobile, easier to search and easier to link to directly.

Dated devotional archive

January

January 1: Faith for the Future - Psa 31:5
January 2: New Every Day - Lam 3:23
January 3: Have to or Want to - Rom 12:18
January 4: Keeping them in Prayer - Rom 1:9
January 5: Trust His Love - 1 John 4:16
January 6: A Lesson in Patience - 1 Cor 13:4
January 7: Personal Presence - 1 Cor 13:2
January 8: A Meeting of Hearts - Luke 22:28
January 9: God Sticks With You - Rom 2:4
January 10: A Risk Worth Taking - 3 John 1:5
January 11: Finding Love in an African Slum - Josh 1:9
January 12: Chosen by Him - Rom 8:30
January 13: Always Watching - Psa 121:7
January 14: The Too Big House - 1 Pet 4:9
January 15: Softened by His Love - Matt 5:9
January 16: Receiving to Give - Rom 12:6
January 17: ABC’s of Love - Psa 119:28
January 18: A Sister’s Unfailing Love - Psa 13:5
January 19: Great Performance - Rom 2:29
January 20: Finding Land Again, Together - Psa 40:2
January 21: Kevin’s Lifelong Lesson - Col 4:6
January 22: Heavenly Perfection - 1 Cor 15:43
January 23: Meatloaf Blessing - 2 Cor 9:7
January 24: Pay It Forward - 2 Cor 1:4
January 25: For Us All the Way - Rom 8:31
January 26: Fresh Clothes, Fresh Perspective - 1 Pet 4:8
January 27: Mummy Meltdowns - Luke 7:47
January 28: Not Another Refugee - Prov 14:21
January 29: The Blessing of Expressing Love - John 15:17
January 30: The Boy with the Stoney Heart - Eze 11:19
January 31: In God We Trust - Psa 16:8

February

February 1: My Family Next Door - Rom 12:13
February 2: Tackling the Love Challenge - Matt 18:10
February 3: Don’t Tire, Even When Tired - Gal 6:9
February 4: Courageous Friends - Prov 27:9
February 5: Victim to Victor - Phil 2:5
February 6: Through God’s Eyes - Matt 9:36
February 7: A Father’s Care - Zeph 3:17
February 8: Never Give Up - 2 Cor 4:8
February 9: The Silence of Love - Prov 11:12
February 10: When Love Isn’t Easy - 1 John 3:17
February 11: The Blessing of Blessing - Phil 4:10
February 12: Thank You, God, For Mr Wrong - Rom 8:28
February 13: The Most Unlikely Place - Rom 3:23-24
February 14: Late for an Important Date - Heb 13:4
February 15: Growing Love - 2 Thes 1:3
February 16: One Horse, Three Friends - Job 5:9
February 17: Warm Feet - James 3:13
February 18: Redeeming the Years - Joel 2:25
February 19: Reflect, Unite and Conquer - John 4:35
February 20: Honor Your Leaders - 1 Thes 5:12
February 21: A Reason to Pray - Eph 6:18
February 22: From Friends to Family - Prov 18:24
February 23: The Sanctity of Forgiveness - Psa 130:3-4
February 24: Noah’s Best Gift - Rom 12:15
February 25: She Didn’t Thank Me - Prov 19:11
February 26: Renewed Spirits - Prov 18:14
February 27: A Better Way - Titus 2:15
February 28: An Uncomfortable Choice - Matt 25:36
February 29: Fix It, Daddy - Matt 19:26

March

March 1: Rabbit Rabbit Day - Psa 23:6
March 2: A Special Rest - Heb 4:9
March 3: Drawing on the Past - Prov 15:23
March 4: Blessing Circle - Job 29:13
March 5: Praying in a Holy Way - 1 Tim 2:8
March 6: Changed My Attitude - Psa 86:11
March 7: Power Lunch - Matt 5:44-45
March 8: I’m Included - Rom 1:6
March 9: Put on the Armor of God - Eph 6:11
March 10: God’s Plan - Jer 29:11
March 11: What Can I Do for You - Matt 7:11
March 12: A Bucket of Paint - 2 John 1:3
March 13: The Power of Anonymous Giving - Matt 6:4
March 14: Two Wounded Hearts, One Healing Touch - Psa 36:7
March 15: Impulse Spending - Rom 12:8
March 16: Promise Made, Promise Kept - Num 23:19
March 17: Share Your Life - 1 Thes 2:8
March 18: My To-Do List - John 15:12
March 19: The Little Red Sports Car - 2 Cor 9:8
March 20: A Confident Love - 2 Cor 7:16
March 21: All in the Family - John 13:35
March 22: Great Grandma, God and Me - Matt 5:46
March 23: A Child’s Love - Matt 19:14
March 24: Burdens Shared in the Parking Lot - Gal 6:2
March 25: Heart Rocks - Psa 61:2
March 26: Total Love - Rom 9:3
March 27: Love That Know No Borders - 1 Thes 5:17
March 28: It Takes Togetherness - Ecc 4:9
March 29: Real Comfort - 2 Cor 2:7
March 30: Love in the Buttercups - Song
March 31: Cracked Pots Patched by Love - 2 Cor 4:7

April

April 1: Foolish or Wise - 1 Cor 1:27
April 2: The Lovable Girl - 1 Sam 16:7
April 3: A Baggie of Love - Rom 12:9
April 4: Show and Tell - Prov 22:6
April 5: Is It Friday Yet? - Luke 5:32
April 6: That’s Not My Job - Rom 14:19
April 7: In Touch of Sympathy - 1 Pet 3:8
April 8: Brotherly Love - 2 Pet 1:5-7
April 9: Wrestling with God’s Provision - James 1:17
April 10: Freed by Stern Words - Prov 27:5
April 11: A Walk to the Library - Psa 22:24
April 12: A Special Coat - Psa 20:4
April 13: The Love of Money - Heb 13:5
April 14: Love Is Patient and Kind - 1 Cor 13:4
April 15: The Grumpy Professor - Heb 13:7
April 16: My Rockin’ Rollin Daze - Psa 18:2
April 17: God Is a Special-Ed Teacher - Psa 10:17
April 18: Knowing All the Answers - 1 Cor 8:2
April 19: He Has My Collar - Job 30:18
April 20: Across Continents - Phil 1:3
April 21: Come As a Little Child - Psa 94:19
April 22: I Make a Difference - Isa 40:31
April 23: What Love Does - James 2:17
April 24: Too Harried to Be Sacred - Neh 8:10
April 25: Protection in the Night - Psa 17:7
April 26: The Perfect Job - Prov 3:5-6
April 27: Loving Others Through Prayer - James 5:16
April 28: But What About Me? - Phil 4:19
April 29: Me? Feed My Enemy? - Prov 25:21
April 30: You’re Someone Special - 1 Cor 12:18

May

May 1: Love in Bloom - Luke 12:28
May 2: Keep My Heart Soft - Psa 95:7-8
May 3: Honored by God - James 1:9
May 4: A Cure for That Relationship - 1 Cor 13:7
May 5: Anxious Heart, Healed Heart - Psa 147:3
May 6: Pressed Buttons - Eph 4:26
May 7: God’s Love Teaches US Endourance - Rom 5:3
May 8: Mission Made Possible - Luke 1:37
May 9: The Meal We Don’t Serve - 1 Sam 24:6
May 10: When I needed Help - Psa 124:8
May 11: Welcome Home, Aunt Dorothy - John 21:16
May 12: My Christian Burqua - Col 3:14
May 13: Like Mother, Like Daughter - Eze 16:44
May 14: Holiness Topped With Love - 2 Cor 7:1
May 15: Surely You Repay - Psa 62:12
May 16: Ask, Seek, Knock - Matt 7:7
May 17: Mining for a Heart of Gold - Rom 15:7
May 18: Useless Talk - Titus 1:10
May 19: More Than Enough - Psa 86:13
May 20: I Gave - 1 Cor 13:3
May 21: Meet My Friend - Exod 33:11
May 22: The Forgiveness Test - 1 John 4:20
May 23: Love Made the Difference - Prov 19:8
May 24: Financial Famine and Heaven’s Cents - Psa 37:25
May 25: Two Best Men - Prov 29:3
May 26: The Sacrifice of Silence - James 1:26
May 27: The Presence of Love - Job 2:11
May 28: Investing in Love - Gal 6:7
May 29: The Blessing of Friends - Ecc 3:11
May 30: The Look of God’s Love - John 12:45
May 31: The One Who Wants to Help - Matt 8:2-3

June

June 1: Boldly Loved - John 13:34
June 2: Sharing One Man’s Dream - 1 Pet 2:17
June 3: Caring in Secret No Longer - 1 John 3:18
June 4: Only Love Will Work - Col 3:15
June 5: Send Out a Blessing - Rom 12:14
June 6: Big Wheel Brother - Philem 1:7
June 7: Love Moves Mountains - Prov 17:17
June 8: Pool Boys and Pure Lives - Psa 119:9
June 9: Learning Obedience - Heb 5:8
June 10: Room for One More - 2 Cor 1:4
June 11: He Only Has Eyes for You - Matt 18:12
June 12: Dreams of the Heart - Prov 13:12
June 13: Love Never Lets Go - Rom 5:5
June 14: Enter the Holy Place - Heb 10:19
June 15: The Weight of Guilt - John 8:36
June 16: Lawn-Care Blessing - Isa 66:14
June 17: The Father Who Cares - Deut 1:31
June 18: God’s Love Changes Things - Luke 6:27
June 19: Hugs, Pass Them On - Eph 4:32
June 20: He Will Lift You Up - 1 Pet 5:6
June 21: Life Is a Beach - Psa 121:5
June 22: Easy to Pray for - Matt 6:10
June 23: Get Up and Go - Matt 14:29
June 24: Living in a Jaguar - Deut 15:7
June 25: Postal Requirement - Lev 19:34
June 26: Broken Hearts - Gen 6:6
June 27: Discipline With a Purpose - Heb 12:8
June 28: You Let Me Dance - Acts 3:6
June 29: Spiritual Intercession - 2 Tim 1:7
June 30: To Forgive a Thief - Matt 6:15

July

July 1: Love for a Lifetime - 1 Cor 13:13
July 2: Blackberries and Borders - Prov 15:18
July 3: Grumblers and Complainers - Jude 16
July 4: Love and Freedom - Eph 1:7
July 5: Happily Ever After - Psa 145:13
July 6: A Bit of Marital Advice - 1 Pet 3:7
July 7: Ray of Sunshine - Prov 3:3
July 8: Words of Love - Job 4:4
July 9: A Good Example - 1 Thes 1:7
July 10: Reaching Out - Psa 112:9
July 11: Waiting on God’s Promises - Gen 21:1
July 12: Deflated, But Not Defeated - John 16:33
July 13: A Love Overwhelming - 1 John 3:18
July 14: Rainstorm Reprieve - Prov 3:28
July 15: When God Calls - Prov 19:17
July 16: Never Invisible to God - Gen 16:13
July 17: Love Leads the Way - Luke 6:41
July 18: A Different Way to Worship - Rom 1:20
July 19: God the Gardener - Ecc 3:1
July 20: The King of Compassion - Luke 7:13
July 21: Faith Gives Us Righteousness - Rom 4:5
July 22: Deere Love - 1 John 3:7
July 23: Let It Go - Isa 11:6
July 24: Genuine Religion - James 1:27
July 25: Never Alone, No Matter What - Josh 1:5
July 26: All Because of Food - Prov 22:9
July 27: Becoming a “Why’s” Mother - Eph 6:4
July 28: I Am Distinctly God’s - Jer 17:14
July 29: Doing What God Has Commanded - 2 John 6
July 30: Life Lessons in Grace - 2 Thes 2:16-17
July 31: Loved for Being Me - Rom 5:8

August

August 1: Late for Kim Again - Phil 2:4
August 2: Dinner With Billy Bob - Lev 19:18
August 3: Ultimate Betrayal, Ultimate Love - Gen 41:16
August 4: The Height of Security - Rom 8:39
August 5: A Strong Grip - 2 Thes 2:15
August 6: Imperfect Hands, Perfect Heart - Luke 3:11
August 7: Staying Power - Ruth 1:16
August 8: From Duckling to Swan - Mark 9:37
August 9: Just the Way You Are - 1 John 4:12
August 10: Love Is Faithful - Psa 25:10
August 11: It’s Not Fair - 1 Tim 1:12
August 12: Called to Cross the Aisle - Heb 13:2
August 13: Ties of Love - Hos 11:4
August 14: Words that Still Speak - Eph 4:29
August 15: Never Forgotten - Isa 49:16
August 16: Our Priceless Inheritance - 1 Pet 1:4
August 17: Need More Love - 1 John 4:16
August 18: In the Company of Sinners - Luke 18:11
August 19: Full of Mercy and Good Fruit - James 3:17
August 20: Nights of Deep Sighs - Psa 55:22
August 21: Small Blessings - Gal 5:22-23
August 22: When It’s More Blessed to Receive - Phil 4:17
August 23: Crunchy Love Notes - Eph 5:1-2
August 24: A Little Prayer Warrior - 2 Thes 3:1
August 25: Rejoicing in the Lord - Psa 68:3
August 26: Love or Money - John 12:8
August 27: End of Life Love - 2 Cor 1:3
August 28: Radiating God’s Love - 2 Cor 3:18
August 29: No Job Too Small - Matt 25:40
August 30: Abundantly, Freely - 1 John 3:1
August 31: The Art of Love Giving - Prov 21:26

September

September 1: Friendship With the World - James 4:4
September 2: Loving Last Words - Prov 12:25
September 3: Loving Aunt Jane - 1 John 4:18
September 4: Kindness in a Crowd - Prov 3:3
September 5: A Love That Confronts - Gal 2:11
September 6: A Forgiving Prod - Col 3:13
September 7: When Love Shines Through - 1 John 4:8
September 8: An Oen Door - Rev 3:20
September 9: I Choose Love - Hos 11:8-9
September 10: I Still Love You - Rom 8:38
September 11: Lay Down Your Life - 1 John 3:16
September 12: What Can I Do - Gal 6:10
September 13: Saying “I’m Sorry” - 2 Cor 13:11
September 14: Seek Him First and Foremost - Psa 27:4
September 15: We’re a Temple - 1 Cor 3:16
September 16: One Size Doesn’t Fit All - Rom 15:1
September 17: Looking Beyond the Packaging - 1 Thes 3:12
September 18: Wrapped in a Holy Embrace - Matt 18:5
September 19: Throuh the Eyes of Love - 1 John 4:16
September 20: A Lesson of Love - Matt 25:45
September 21: Grace in an East Asian Apartment - Rom 12:16
September 22: Still Praying After All These Years - James 4:2
September 23: Helping the Next One - Rom 13:10
September 24: Standing With a Friend - Exod 17:12
September 25: Relying on God Only - 2 Cor 1:9
September 26: The Touch of Compassion - Psa 34:18
September 27: Special in Someone’s Eyes - Isa 49:15
September 28: Forgiven More, Love More - Luke 7:42-43
September 29: The Son Who Saved the Day - Prov 15:4
September 30: Harvesting Fields of time - Lev 19:9

October

October 1: Truly Free - Rom 6:23
October 2: A Letting Go Love - Phil 1:6
October 3: A Forgiving Touch - Matt 8:3
October 4: The One Who Weeps With Us - John 11:35
October 5: God Delights in Me - Isa 65:19
October 6: Punkin Duke - Psa 139:14
October 7: Being Instead of Doing - Exod 3:14
October 8: The Most Easterly Neighbor - Gal 5:14
October 9: Windfalls - Eph 1:8
October 10: The Power of Words - Prov 16:24
October 11: Love Written on Stone - 1 John 4:19
October 12: The Investment - Prov 17:9
October 13: Seeing Is Believing - Luke 15:32
October 14: A Gentle Pat - Luke 22:51
October 15: The Still, Small Voice - Col 3:12
October 16: In Times of Trouble - John 14:1
October 17: Being “Named” - Isa 43:1
October 18: The Ministry He Gives - 2 Cor 4:1
October 19: Carried by Him - Isa 40:11
October 20: Go Directly to Jail - Matt 5:47
October 21: I Love You More - 1 Pet 2:17
October 22: It’s All Right to Be Human - 2 Cor 12:9
October 23: Muck and Frozen Snow - Eph 4:23
October 24: 70x7 People - Matt 18:21-22
October 25: Friends Don’t Let Friends Jump - Prov 27:10
October 26: Teach Them Their Father Loves Them - Deut 4:9
October 27: Expecting Nothing in Return - 2 Cor 11:7
October 28: Fair Dealings - Psa 112:5
October 29: My Shattered Stain Glass Soul - Isa 42:16
October 30: Gold in the Ashes - Prov 25:11
October 31: Lessons From Big Bird - Phil 2:8

November

November 1: I Want It All - Psa 107:1
November 2: A Simple Act of Love - James 2:1
November 3: My Favorite Day - Psa 118:24
November 4: Love in a Dumpster - Prov 3:27
November 5: Let It Snow - Isa 1:18
November 6: Why We Live - Phil 1:25
November 7: Can You Hear Him Now - Psa 145:18
November 8: Enduring Love - Psa 138:8
November 9: Make a Difference - Eph 4:2
November 10: Spiritual Wisdom - Eph 1:16-17
November 11: Thanks to a Vet - Heb 10:25
November 12: Love and Prayers - Jude 1:20
November 13: He Isn’t Heavy - Matt 11:28
November 14: God’s Blanket of Protection - Psa 4:1
November 15: A Kind of Patient Love - Prov 16:32
November 16: Caryy a Friend to Jesus - Mark 2:3-4
November 17: My Mentor, Peggy - Titus 2:4
November 18: On My Best Behavior - Psa 101:2
November 19: Real Life and Love - Gal 3:11
November 20: Do the Good Things - Eph 2:10
November 21: The One in Charge - Gen 50:20
November 22: You Fed Me - Matt 25:35
November 23: A Tarp and Two Boots - Luke 10:27
November 24: Let’s Talk Turkey - Prov 11:30
November 25: Will I Sing Praise - Psa 30:11-12
November 26: His Understanding Is Unlimited - Psa 147:5
November 27: Reconciliation Begins at Home - Matt 5:23-24
November 28: God’s Heartwarming Hug - Isa 65:24
November 29: Endless Treasures - Eph 3:8
November 30: Epicurean As a Second Language - 1 Cor 10:24

December

December 1: Repent, Christmas Is at Hand - Rom 2:4
December 2: University of Adversity - Matt 10:42
December 3: God’s Rules Rule - 2 Sam 15:22
December 4: Love In, Fear Out - Psa 34:4
December 5: The Escape Hatch - 1 Cor 10:13
December 6: Love Your Neighbor - Lev 19:18
December 7: Blanket of Love - John 14:16
December 8: The Love Habit - 1 John 4:7
December 9: Everyday Living for Jesus - 1 John 5:3
December 10: God Cares - Matt 6:8
December 11: Being a Refuge - Psa 5:11
December 12: Explosive Evil - Eph 5:10-11
December 13: Going My Way - Matt 1:23
December 14: Quiet Servant - Matt 6:1
December 15: The Game of Encouragement - 1 Thes 5:11
December 16: The Christmas Carol - Rom 13:10
December 17: Loving Fruit for Christmas - John 15:5
December 18: Showing His Love - Matt 10:8
December 19: Giving Christmas Coffee - Act 20:35
December 20: No More Holiday Grumbling - Phil 2:14
December 21: The Gifts of Christmas - Luke 1:28
December 22: Knock, Knock, Who’s There - Prov 14:21
December 23: The Big Event - Matt 2:1
December 24: Finishing My Christmas List - Luke 6:38
December 25: Still Seeking Him - Matt 2:11
December 26: Surprised by Service - Matt 20:28
December 27: He’s Watching - Psa 34:15
December 28: Follow His Leading - Gal 5:25
December 29: God’s Always Right - Matt 7:8
December 30: A Friendly Kiss - 1 Thes 5:26
December 31: Pressing Ahead - Phil 3:13-14

Why this series matters

Theology should never become a substitute for love. The more deeply we learn Scripture, the more faithfully we should love God and neighbour. This series exists to keep those things together: learning, loving and living the faith.