PRAY: Lord, I want to be so filled with your love that it overflows into action. Show me what I can do for my three people.
Friday – Day 17
Approaching God – Ever wonder just how much God loves you? Allow yourself to be filled with the awe and wonder of a little child as you slowly read these words several times.
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16)
Listening to God – Love! If our lives are to be witnesses, we need to love. Love is one of the greatest needs of human beings. God is love. Love is the summary of the law. Love is a powerful witness. Meditate on these familiar words and reflect on the importance of loving as Christ loved.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
Talking with God – After you are done listening, pray that verse back to God. Is there reason for praise and thanksgiving? Do you need to confess anything? What do you need from God? What do you need to surrender to him? Pray the verse over your three people.
Ministering in God’s Name – We must love one another sincerely and from the heart, but for that love to have its full effect, it must give expression in actions. Jesus’s words in 1 John 3:18 challenge and inspire us: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Ask God to give you creative thoughts about small ways you can show the three people on your list tangible expressions of love (small gifts, a meal, babysitting, rides to appointments, a note or email of encouragement, etc.)
Surrendering to God – To love as Christ loved is not easy because his love is so selfless and sacrificial. We tend to be self-centered creatures. Surrender yourself to the Spirit’s empowerment to let the love you have received from God flow through you to others.
By Jolene DeHeer
