Thursday November 17, 2022

Today is Thursday, November 17 and we are exploring what the Bible says about our church’s mission statement.

Making Disciples of Jesus Christ who love God, love others, and serve the world.

I am here to pray. I still my body, quiet my mind and slow my breathing. As I inhale, I breathe in God’s love, joy and peace. As I exhale, I breathe out negativity, worry or fear.

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, I draw near to Your presence this morning and listen for Your voice speaking into my life. Open the ears of my soul and the eyes of my heart so I may gain understanding of Your perfect will for me. Amen.

I seek God’s blessed presence and praise Him with the words of Psalm 15.

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others. Psalm 15:1-3

Pause and Pray

This week I consider the collective mission of the church and those who follow Jesus Christ. I am to follow the Great Commandment – to love God and love others. In his letter to the Roman Christians, Paul identifies the marks of a true Christian and explains that love fulfills the requirements of the law. Disciples are to pay every debt and owe nothing to anyone, however there is a continuing obligation all believers bear – the obligation to love others.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:8-10

I have an outstanding debt to other people – to love them. Jesus Christ died for me and shed His blood for my sins out of love for me and now he tasks me with the great mission to love others. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) are all fulfilled if I practice genuine and sincere love toward God and others. If I truly love someone I will not want to hurt them through betrayal, violence, envy or pilfering possessions. Love will not cause harm to another person. Love cannot. My mission in life is to treat others how I would like to be treated.

Ask: How do I daily express my love for others? What does it mean to love my neighbor as myself?

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, You have so graciously and generously loved me that You sent Your Son to die for me and redeemed me from a life lost to death and sin. Now You ask me to love others. Reveal the places where I continue to fall short in my love and show me where I am lacking. Create in me a heart of compassion and fill me with kindness for others.

I read Romans again, listening for the message You have for me today.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:8-10

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Today’s scripture passage reveals new truths and insights that God wants me to know so I can mature in my discipleship. Today I focus on my mission to love others with a true and sincere love that spurs me into unselfish action. Whatever image, word or phrase that stands out to me today, I will carry it in my heart throughout the day.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I invite you to come and shine a light upon my soul. Show me where I continue in my narrow and selfish perspectives that prevent me from growing in my love for others. Expand the interests of my heart to consider the cares and concerns of those around me and help me place their needs above my own. Amen.

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 13:34-35

As I leave this time of prayer, I go into the world to live a life of love – loving others in the name of Jesus.

Amen