“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.” 1 John 4:11 (NLT)
CHALLENGE
Thank God for all those you come in contact with. Give us the opportunity to love them as God loves us.
PREPARATION
- Praise God for who He is
- Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing
- Allow His Spirit to draw you near
- Listen as He speaks to you
REQUESTS
- Give us the heart to love everyone we meet.
- May the needs of those we love be met.
- Help us to give thanks for those we have a chance to share with today.
- Make us realize how much God loves us.
THANKSGIVING
- Thank God for hearing you.
- Trust that God is at work to accomplish His will.
OPTIONAL READINGS
- 1 Timothy 2:1
QUOTATION
“You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you .” – Frederick Buechner
LIFE STORY
I have been fortunate to travel and see the different parts of the world. It is not just what we have seen but the people we have met who have made it so rewarding. We have gotten to know and love both college students to 90 year olds. It should not surprise me but God seems to put in our paths someone whom we can share our lives and beliefs with. We have kept in contact with a lot of these people through correspondence for many years.
Edna was from Melbourne Australia and we kept in touch for over 15 years. She came to visit us and we also visited her. I loved her like a sister and when se passed away, I felt a great loss.
Cheryl was also from Queensland, Australia and we met her on a tour in 1991. Though she was the age of my daughter we had a great relationship. She has visited us a couple of times and we are glad to show her around. She was stricken with breast cancer but thankfully is doing well and hopes to visit us again. She knows we care for her and pray for her.
God has blessed us with many people to love with Agape love. Even being with folks a short time, you can feel for them. We know God loves them, too.
Contributed by: Jean Page