LOVE readings for the week:
UPDATE: Nancy (my wife) told me about this video link that you might find interesting. I opened the sermon on Sunday with the question, "What image comes to mind when you hear the word "Christian?"" Then I followed up with the question, "What do you think the people who opt out of worship think about when they hear the word "Christian?"" The video (scroll down to the bottom of the page on the link) is a "man on the street" interview done right here in KCMO.
Sunday – Matthew 5:43-48
Ask Yourself: Verse 44 in The Message translation has this sentence “Let them [your enemies] bring out the best in you, not the worst.” In what ways can you allow your enemies (detractors, troublemakers, etc.) bring out the very best in you?
Monday – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Ask Yourself: What is one change I can make in my life this week to allow love to be my primary motive in my decisions?
Tuesday – 1 John 3:11-18
Ask Yourself: If “hate” and “murder” are equated as one by God, then “love” and “life” must also be. In what ways will I give “life” to others today?
Wednesday – John 15:4-10
Ask Yourself: The only way you can be living the way God intends is for you to connect your life with the author of life, God. We do this be keeping the commands that Christ has given. What words of Christ will you allow to nourish you today so that you will be able to keep his commands?
Thursday – Galatians 5:1-6
Ask Yourself: Verse 6 tells us that the only thing that is important is living out our faith by expressing it with love. Love must be an active expression of what we feel for and believe about Christ. As you approach this weekend, what action can you take to express your faith in Christ to others?
Friday – John 15:12-17
Ask Yourself: Like Tuesday’s reading, “love” is equated with “life.” In this case, though, that “life” is a “life” willingly sacrificed for the sake of others. Jesus teaches us that sacrifice is necessary for life. Sacrifice is the greatest illustration of your love for the life of another. What Christ-like sacrifice will you make in the coming week?
Saturday – 1 John 4:17-21
Ask Yourself: Loving God must include loving others, we are taught in this passage. Churches are notorious for being places where love for God is not always lived out in love for other people. (The Church Lady from Saturday Night Live came to life for all of us as she is a painful caricature of the truth.) What can you do on Sunday to assure that the people you worship with experience the love of God?
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