Read 1 John 4:16
Meditate on this verse. If you need to time yourself, set a timer for 2 minutes. Really think about this verse. What is God trying to tell you about love and the way you are loving?
*In your becoming journal, write at least 5 ways you are going to need to rely on the love of God through this week journey to OUT LOVE.
Now pray through these to your Father. Ask Him to love through you, give you an extra measure of patience and strength.
Now, use the timer again if need be. Set it for another 2-3 minutes, more if you’d like.. Just sit in silence, listening. What is the Father saying to you about the person you’re outloving? What is He saying to you about YOU? After sitting in silence, when the timer goes off, write down your thoughts. What did He have to say?
DAILY CHALLENGE #1:
Today, choose one of the following to do for the person you are OUT LOVING:
Write a letter of encouragement, listing all the positives you see in his/her life.
Go out of your way to compliment that person with something SPECIFIC.
Do something for them silently without complaining or mentioning it.
If this is someone who is an enemy, and it’s a big step, just try and smile at them once today—SINCERELY.
Keep OUT LOVING in EVERY WAY!
It is easy to give grace, mercy and forgiveness to those I love and Jesus has called me to love so why is this so hard? The Lord showed me today that my human nature makes assumptions from the second I meet someone so my prayer is that I want to see everyone from the eyes of the Lord the very first time I meet them. First impressions can make a big difference so if I can see them just as Jesus does from the beginning, I can't help but love!
ReplyDeleteLord, help me to see EVERYONE from your eyes from the moment I see them and allow me to LOVE just as you love them, even when I don't understand why I should and allow me to accept your love for myself when I feel like I do not deserve it!
Hannah,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with these heart felt statements! To see everyone even CLOSE to the way the Lord sees them puts EVERYTHING in perspective, doesn't it?
This challenge has given me a freedom I can't explain. I've been so hurt (Even more so knowing how much It hurts my Redeemer) by the way a close friend is living in sin. Over the past several months I have somewhat tried to take it into my own hands. Like I'm even in control! ha God has given me peace! I have to trust that He is writing her story, just like He did mine, and let it go... AND JUST LOVE!!! It feels good to just release that to HIM! :)
ReplyDelete