TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Read: 1 Peter 4:8-10
Listen: 1 Peter 4
TODAY’S MESSAGE
By nature, humans are self-focused. But Jesus instructs us to be others-focused. The early Jesus community spread because of its concern for others. Throughout the New Testament, the Greek word for “one another” is used a hundred times. It’s a point of emphasis.
We are to be kind to one another, forgive one another, serve one another, love one another, tolerate one another, not complain to one another, be at peace with one another, be devoted to one another, regard one another as more important than ourselves, pray for one another, be hospitable to one another, encourage one another and bear one another’s burdens. All of these are both challenging and life-changing.
It would be impossible to do all the “one anothers” well for everyone. But the key is that you don’t have to do everything for everybody. An essential aspect of life is choosing the people you should be looking out for. To do this well, we have to be intentional about it, or we will find ourselves not doing it for anyone. It requires a conversation with God and an openness for him to bring people into our lives.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Have a conversation with God about who you should be looking out for. If someone comes to mind, thank him and ask him to help you see the best way to look out for that person. If someone doesn’t come to mind right away, ask God to make it clear to you as you encounter people. Ask him for the wisdom to recognize it when he does.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
