Wednesday August 9

Scripture
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

Focus
Our first command is to love! First God and then one another. One of the biggest challenges in our society today is lack of love. This expresses itself in many ways, including the lack of civility and character displayed in our disagreements—even in the Church. We allow our preferences to divide our families, friendships, and churches. We must remember that as broken as the Body of Christ seems at times, Christ gave His life for us. His is the only unshakable Kingdom, and we, the Church, must seek to love each other even in our disagreements if we are to help others find their place in the Kingdom.

It is crucial that the Church returns to her first love, Jesus Christ, if we are to love one another and then the lost in a way that brings healing and hope to our communities and nation.

Prayer
Thank you, God, for loving me and for loving your Church even when we have not been able to love You or love others the way You have loved us. We confess and repent for allowing our own preferences to bring division into our families, friendships, and churches. When we fail to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, we fail to be a witness and testimony to those who are far from you; forgive us and cause us to place love over personal preference. Father, transform us so that we, Your Church, demonstrate Your unconditional love in how we love one another, even in our disagreements. Help me and Your Church to love as we have been loved. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen

Tangible Expression of Our Prayers
Who in your relationships needs an encounter with God’s unconditional love? Lay down your preferences and agenda today so you can be a tangible expression of love to that person or group. Seek ways to serve them today in love, without any expectation of something in return.