Daily Devotionals from the previous sermon.
. Day 1: The Call to Love
Devotional: In 1 John 3, we are reminded of the fundamental command to love one another. This love is not just a feeling but an action that reflects Christ's teachings. John contrasts this love with the story of Cain and Abel, showing how jealousy and hatred can lead to destruction. As Christians, we are called to rise above these negative emotions and embody the love of Christ in our daily interactions. This week, let's focus on loving others, even those who may misunderstand or oppose us.
Verse: For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. - 1 John 3:11
Question: How can you show love to someone who may misunderstand or oppose you today?
Quote: Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.
Prayer: Lord, help me to love others as You have loved me. Give me the strength to show love, even to those who may not understand or accept me. Amen.
. Day 2: Facing Hatred
Devotional: John warns us that as Christians, we may face hatred from the world. This hatred often stems from misunderstandings or misrepresentations of our faith. However, we are called to respond to this hatred with love and righteousness. Our lives should be a reflection of Christ's teachings, even when it is difficult. Remember, your life that looks like Jesus is a walking rebuke to those who love the world.
Verse: Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. - 1 John 3:13
Question: How can you maintain a Christ-like attitude when facing hatred or opposition?
Quote: Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
Prayer: Father, give me the courage to stand firm in my faith and respond to hatred with love. Help me to reflect Your teachings in all that I do. Amen.
Day 3: Living Righteously
Devotional: Living righteously means holding to a biblical worldview and reflecting Christ's teachings in our actions. This can create uncomfortable situations, as divided loyalties often do. When people are uncomfortable spiritually, they can either choose repentance or war. Our goal should be to live in such a way that others see Christ in us and are drawn to repentance.
Verse: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. - Colossians 3:23
Question: In what areas of your life can you better reflect Christ's teachings?
Quote: Divided loyalties create uncomfortable situations.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live righteously and reflect Your teachings in all areas of my life. May my actions draw others to You. Amen.
Day 4: Responding with Love
Devotional: When faced with opposition, our natural reaction might be to defend ourselves or retaliate. However, John encourages us to respond with love. This love should be evident in our actions and truth, not just in words. Those who oppose us still deserve our love and compassion, just as Christ loved us while we were still sinners.
Verse: Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth. - 1 John 3:18
Question: How can you show love through your actions today?
Quote: Those people that hate you still deserve everything that you can give them, including your life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to respond to opposition with love. Help me to show Your love through my actions and truth. Amen.
Day 5: Choosing Christ
Devotional: Every day, we are faced with choices that reflect our commitment to Christ. John reminds us that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. This love is a testament to our faith and our relationship with Christ. Let us choose Christ every single time, embodying His love and teachings in all that we do.
Verse: We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. - 1 John 3:14
Question: What choices can you make today that reflect your commitment to Christ?
Quote: Father, we choose you every single time we choose you.
Prayer: Father, I choose You today and every day. Help me to embody Your love and teachings in all my choices. Amen.
Devotional: In 1 John 3, we are reminded of the fundamental command to love one another. This love is not just a feeling but an action that reflects Christ's teachings. John contrasts this love with the story of Cain and Abel, showing how jealousy and hatred can lead to destruction. As Christians, we are called to rise above these negative emotions and embody the love of Christ in our daily interactions. This week, let's focus on loving others, even those who may misunderstand or oppose us.
Verse: For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. - 1 John 3:11
Question: How can you show love to someone who may misunderstand or oppose you today?
Quote: Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.
Prayer: Lord, help me to love others as You have loved me. Give me the strength to show love, even to those who may not understand or accept me. Amen.
. Day 2: Facing Hatred
Devotional: John warns us that as Christians, we may face hatred from the world. This hatred often stems from misunderstandings or misrepresentations of our faith. However, we are called to respond to this hatred with love and righteousness. Our lives should be a reflection of Christ's teachings, even when it is difficult. Remember, your life that looks like Jesus is a walking rebuke to those who love the world.
Verse: Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. - 1 John 3:13
Question: How can you maintain a Christ-like attitude when facing hatred or opposition?
Quote: Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
Prayer: Father, give me the courage to stand firm in my faith and respond to hatred with love. Help me to reflect Your teachings in all that I do. Amen.
Day 3: Living Righteously
Devotional: Living righteously means holding to a biblical worldview and reflecting Christ's teachings in our actions. This can create uncomfortable situations, as divided loyalties often do. When people are uncomfortable spiritually, they can either choose repentance or war. Our goal should be to live in such a way that others see Christ in us and are drawn to repentance.
Verse: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. - Colossians 3:23
Question: In what areas of your life can you better reflect Christ's teachings?
Quote: Divided loyalties create uncomfortable situations.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live righteously and reflect Your teachings in all areas of my life. May my actions draw others to You. Amen.
Day 4: Responding with Love
Devotional: When faced with opposition, our natural reaction might be to defend ourselves or retaliate. However, John encourages us to respond with love. This love should be evident in our actions and truth, not just in words. Those who oppose us still deserve our love and compassion, just as Christ loved us while we were still sinners.
Verse: Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth. - 1 John 3:18
Question: How can you show love through your actions today?
Quote: Those people that hate you still deserve everything that you can give them, including your life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to respond to opposition with love. Help me to show Your love through my actions and truth. Amen.
Day 5: Choosing Christ
Devotional: Every day, we are faced with choices that reflect our commitment to Christ. John reminds us that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. This love is a testament to our faith and our relationship with Christ. Let us choose Christ every single time, embodying His love and teachings in all that we do.
Verse: We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. - 1 John 3:14
Question: What choices can you make today that reflect your commitment to Christ?
Quote: Father, we choose you every single time we choose you.
Prayer: Father, I choose You today and every day. Help me to embody Your love and teachings in all my choices. Amen.
How to Study the Bible
Loving and Learning How to Study the Word of God
2 Timothy 2:15 15 Be diligent to (A)present yourself approved to God as a worker who [a]does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling (B)the word of truth.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 14 But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is [k]discerned by no one. 16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? (Isa 40:13) But we have the mind of Christ
2 Timothy 2:15 15 Be diligent to (A)present yourself approved to God as a worker who [a]does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling (B)the word of truth.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 14 But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is [k]discerned by no one. 16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? (Isa 40:13) But we have the mind of Christ
