Page 5 - Living Light - A Message of Joy! Sample

Wednesday November 29 - Sharing in God’s grace It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my
heart... all of you share in God’s grace with me. Philippians 1:7
The litmus test of our new life in Christ is love; love not only for God but also for one another. 1 John 3:14 states, ‘We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other.’ When asked to name the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God... and the second is to love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). Jesus was asked for one commandment and yet he gave two, because they are inseparable. Put simply, if you love God you must love those whom God loves! “God so loved the world...” (John 3:16) – so must we!
It goes without saying that the church in Philippi had a special place in Paul’s heart. Why was this? It was because they shared in God’s grace. God’s grace is the ground on which we stand – 100% dependent upon the saving power of the cross and the enabling of God’s Holy Spirit. Here there is no room for pride, arrogance, judgmentalism or selfish ambition. We stand together before God – humbled, undone and overcome by his unrelenting love.
Two blades of grass were in conversation in the Himalayan foothills. One boasted that he was taller, greener and healthier than the other – until they both looked up and saw Mount Everest towering in splendour above them. The debate ended! Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, and love one another as he loves us.
Gracious Father, may everyone know that we are your disciples, by seeing our love for one another. Amen.
Thursday November 30 - The affection of Christ
God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:8
Yesterday, we saw how sincerely Paul held the Philippian church in his heart. Today’s verse reveals the depth of Paul’s love; he longed for the church with the affection of Christ. The Greek word for affection used here expresses gut-level compassion; profoundly deep emotions. This is ‘inner being’ stuff, not the romantic superficial love of sweet words and a bunch of flowers! It’s far, far more. In fact, it is supernatural; the perfect, agape love we read about in 1 Corinthians 13. This is the love of Romans 5:8 – ‘God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ It’s a compelling and consuming love, engaging our whole being in total commitment.
The love we read about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is in effect Jesus’ love, to be mirrored in the hearts and lives of his followers. This love treats people with affection; it is patient, kind, and is not jealous; it’s a love that does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, it’s not easily provoked, it chooses not to harbour resentment for wrongs suffered; it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Is it possible to love in this way? I believe it is, so with God’s help let’s start today!
Father, may my every relationship be an expression of your affection for mankind. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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