Week 2 LOVING GOD’S FAMILY (Oct. 13 - 19)
>Our Prayer Focus: “Beloved in God”
Jude 1:1-3
Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.
Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.
In the Greek, BELOVED is agapaō pronounced ag-ap-ah'-o and it is a verb, an action word (something we do). It was used often in the First Epistle of John of the love of Christians toward one another; of the benevolence which God, in providing salvation for men, has exhibited by sending his Son to them and giving him up to death
DEVOTION By Brenda Schaefer:
Jude 1:3 is a very challenging directive and reminds me that we have a common salvation with many (a spiritual family), and some of that “many” are struggling in their faith. According to this verse, we are called to CONTEND/STRUGGLE for their faith, especially when we can see them struggling in their faith or are weak.
I confess that this is an area that I need to grow in. It’s easier to judge others for their lack of faith and walk away from them to deal with their own mess, than it is to pray for or help them. But that is not what we are to do as the BELOVED IN GOD. We have a calling and a mandate that should move us beyond what we think or feel.
These BELOVED IN GOD who are struggling are not strangers to our Father even though they may be currently estranged or distant from Him. We are called to pray for them the way that we would want someone to pray for us if we were struggling. Praying Scripture passages for them can help us overcome unrighteous judgments and bad attitudes so that we can begin to see them the way that God does. We also need to treat them the way that we would want to be treated if we were dealing with the things that they are.
Here are some questions to help guide your thoughts and prayers this week:
I confess that this is an area that I need to grow in. It’s easier to judge others for their lack of faith and walk away from them to deal with their own mess, than it is to pray for or help them. But that is not what we are to do as the BELOVED IN GOD. We have a calling and a mandate that should move us beyond what we think or feel.
These BELOVED IN GOD who are struggling are not strangers to our Father even though they may be currently estranged or distant from Him. We are called to pray for them the way that we would want someone to pray for us if we were struggling. Praying Scripture passages for them can help us overcome unrighteous judgments and bad attitudes so that we can begin to see them the way that God does. We also need to treat them the way that we would want to be treated if we were dealing with the things that they are.
Here are some questions to help guide your thoughts and prayers this week:
- Who do you know that is a person of faith and is struggling to walk in it? Will you pray for them?
- Who in the church have you been hurt or offended by that is difficult to pray for? Will you reconcile with them?
- Do you know someone in the faith that you have given up on because they are struggling? Will you serve them?
- Have you considered what Jesus said to Peter in Luke 22:31-32 and how does that help you?
Luke 22:31-32
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail; and you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail; and you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
❖ Day 8 (Oct. 13) THOSE WHO KNOW GOD
>Our Prayer Focus: “Beloved in God”
(READ: 1 John 4:7-17)
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Father, thank You for Your Spirit of Truth is known by both doctrine and love, and unites us in love to each other!
Lord, help us to love each other genuinely, as You have loved us - not a self-serving or pretentious love that is counterfeit. You Father, are the Source, Author, Parent, and Commander of love and it comes to us from Your heart and heavenly home!
You have provided for us through Your great love in all of creation and grace, forgiveness, wisdom, understanding, reason, intellect, senses and so much more!
You have proven Your love for us in the life, death, and resurrection of our risen Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!
God, help us to practice loving each other with excellence and goodness because we know Your love! We ask these things in Jesus’ name, amen.
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Father, thank You for Your Spirit of Truth is known by both doctrine and love, and unites us in love to each other!
Lord, help us to love each other genuinely, as You have loved us - not a self-serving or pretentious love that is counterfeit. You Father, are the Source, Author, Parent, and Commander of love and it comes to us from Your heart and heavenly home!
You have provided for us through Your great love in all of creation and grace, forgiveness, wisdom, understanding, reason, intellect, senses and so much more!
You have proven Your love for us in the life, death, and resurrection of our risen Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!
God, help us to practice loving each other with excellence and goodness because we know Your love! We ask these things in Jesus’ name, amen.