“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” John 13:34 (NLT)
CHALLENGE
God help me to love others the way you loved me and to show my love through action by meeting a need (not just using words). Lord bring to my mind three other people that need your love.
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
- Help me make others feel welcome and valued at Westheights
- Remind me to slow down long enough to connect with others
- Help me to genuinely care for someone new in my life
- Give me a desire to meet a person’s need of relationship and to listen to their story
- Help me see the value and good that you see in others
THANKSGIVING
- Thank God for hearing you
- Trust that God is at work to accomplish His will
OPTIONAL READINGS
- Romans 1:12
LIFE STORY
When I read how Jesus washed his friends’ feet, and of how he accepted the woman at the well, and forgave the adulteress woman, and how he forgave Peter after his denial, I know Jesus loves me. Jesus gives us so many examples of how to love and accept people in the scriptures and commands us to do likewise.
We obey Jesus when we accept people who are different; when we help or give to others even when it’s inconvenient; when we have people over to share a meal; when we consider that we’re all very similar in our need for love, acceptance and forgiveness on this journey of spiritual maturity.
Not too long ago my mother shared a need with me of someone who came to our church that needed a clothes dryer. I asked a couple in our church and they brought their truck all the way to Paris to move and install our dryer in this person’s house. All four of us felt so good to have given together to meet someone’s need.
Recently a family in our church invited our family over for dinner. We had a wonderful time to connect and get to know each other better. We were encouraged as we shared of what God was doing in our lives. We felt loved and valued.
I enjoy connecting during Sunday over a coffee. Greeting new people and chatting with them briefly during Sunday morning is such an important first step in connecting with each other.
I really believe a strong community is built when we connect with people new to our church and also with long standing friends. When we welcome and accept them for who they are and demonstrate that by giving to them I believe we are following Christ’s command of loving each other as he loved us.
Contributed by: Paul Slater