TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:20
Read: 1 John 4:19-21
Listen: 1 John 4
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus’s commands to “love God and love people” (Mark 12:29-31) resonate through the early church. The Apostle John returns to them in a letter he writes to churches in the Roman province of Asia near the end of the first century. He tells these early Jesus-followers there is a direct link between their love for God and their love for people. Writing to a church with people from different cultures and beliefs, this was a reminder designed to get their attention.
It gets our attention too. If we truly love God, we’ll love others. It’s what Pastor Jeff Manion means when he says, “Love in, love out.” The love we receive from our heavenly Father isn’t meant to be hoarded. It’s given to us so we can then overflow towards those around us. As “conduits” of God’s love for us, we can love other people. Not because they agree with us on everything or do the right thing. But because of God’s great love for us.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Fill and pray this model prayer. “God, help me love ___________. I confess I don’t want to love them. Please give me ___________ (fruit of the Spirit) the next time I interact with them. Amen.”
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse!
GALATIANS 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
