REACHING OTHERS THROUGH GOD’S UNFAILING LOVE
Opening Worship: “Hold Us Together” (Matt Maher) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwJxVVK0TV8)
“When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, “Where I am going you cannot come.” A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.’” — John 13:31-35
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” — Romans 12:9-12
“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14
The New Testament is filled with verses about how we are to love one another. In John 13, Jesus gives His disciples a new commandment, “Love one another.” Just as Jesus loves you, you are to love one another and do everything in love. John, the beloved disciple, writes in I John 4 that if we love one another, God’s love is perfected in us. What an awesome honor it is to reciprocate God’s love by walking daily with Him in alignment with His truth!
Prayer Prompt: As you seek the Lord, read aloud the Scriptures about loving others. Ask the Lord for understanding and wisdom to love others out of an overflow of His love for you. Pray that the Lord would make you increase and abound in love for others (specifically, anyone He brings to your mind today). Thank God for the privilege of loving Him and others earnestly from a pure heart.
Additional Scripture: Matthew 22:39, John 15:12-13, 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 4:7, 11-12
Journal: Take a few moments to reflect on and note what God is showing you through His Word about Himself and how it applies to you.