Sunday (8/29)

Throughout August we have united together as a congregation to focus on a few of the many virtues of Jesus. The first three virtues were “humility,” “compassion,” and “forgiveness”. As we conclude our journey through the Discipleship: Virtuous Life in Christ all-church sermon and small group series, you are invited to use this daily devotional to help you to focus on the virtue of “love” this week. Our hope is that the four virtues will guide us throughout the next few years as the Holy Spirit forms us more and more into the likeness of our Savior as individuals and as a church family.

 

You are encouraged to begin your devotional time with a portion of Psalm 25 or part of the lyrics of the hymn, “The Gift of Love”, by Hal Hopson. With your heart and mind focused on the God of love, then read the daily Bible verses about love and conclude your time praying in response to the Lord.

 

 

Monday (8/30)

Read Psalm 25:1-15 as a way to center your heart and mind in the Lord as you prepare to receive God’s message to you for today.

 

Read 1 John 4:7-21. What do these verses reveal about God and love?

 

Pray to the God who is love. Your heavenly Father is listening.

 

 

Tuesday (8/31)

Read a portion of the lyrics from the hymn, “The Gift of Love”, as you set your

thoughts, will, and emotions on the One who is love:

 

Though I may speak with bravest fire,

and have the gift to all inspire,

and have not love, my words are vain,

as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

Though I may give all I possess,

and striving so my love profess,

but not be given by love within,

the profit soon turns strangely thin.

 

Read the apostle Paul’s description of “love” in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a. What stands out to you about this description of love? Consider what these verses reveal about the God who is “love.” As you seek to live the virtue of love, ask yourself if verses 4 through 8a describe who you are becoming?

 

Pray to our loving God. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you to become more like Jesus, using the descriptions in verses 4 through 8a as a guide for your prayer.

 

 

Wednesday (9/1)

Read Psalm 25:1-15 as a way to center your heart and mind in Christ as you prepare to receive God’s message to you for today.

 

Read Jesus’ message in John 15:1-17. What do these verses reveal about love? Are you remaining/abiding in Christ and his love? What does Jesus say about being a disciple in verses 8? What are Jesus’ commandments in verse 12 and 17? What does verse 16 say in regards to what Jesus chose and appointed us to do?

 

Pray to our heavenly Father, “the gardener.” Invite the Lord to help you to remain/abide in Christ and his love so that you can be fruitful for him.

 

 

Thursday (9/2)

Read a portion of the lyrics from the hymn “The Gift of Love” as you set your

thoughts, will, and emotions on the One who is love:

 

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,

our spirits long to be made whole.

Let {your} love guide every deed;

by this we worship, and are freed.

 

Read the apostle Paul’s description of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-25. God’s spirit in us is the source of the fruit in our lives, because God is the source of “love, joy, peace” and the rest of Paul’s list. How do you see the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life? How have you seen the fruit of the Spirit within the church?

 

Pray the lyrics of “The Gift of Love,” as you invite the Holy Spirit to control your heart, to make you whole, and to guide your deeds today, as you seek to worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with your life.

 

 

Friday (9/3)

Read Psalm 25:1-15 as a way to center your heart and mind in the Spirit of God as you prepare to receive the Lord’s message to you for today.

 

Read the apostle Paul’s message in Colossians 3:1-17. Did you notice the list of virtues in verses 12 through 14? What “binds” the virtues together?

 

Pray by giving thanks to God the Father, tell Him your joys and concerns, then invite the Holy Spirit to guide your words and deeds so that you reveal Christ to others today.

 

 

Saturday (9/4)

Read a portion of the lyrics from the song, “The Gift of Love”, as you set your

thoughts, will, and emotions on the God of love:

 

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,

our spirits long to be made whole.

Let {your} love guide every deed;

by this we worship, and are freed.

 

Read the apostle Paul’s message in Ephesians 5:1-2. Paul reminds us that we are “dearly loved children” of God. Let’s continue to follow God’s example by walking in “the way of love.”

 

Pray to the God of love. You may want to pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)
• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to help you to follow His example as you seek to continue to walk in the way of love)

 

 

Consider observing the sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. The questions below can be used to help with reflecting:

 

How did I see, hear, or encounter God’s love during this past week?

 

Who needs to hear about my experience sometime in the coming days?

 

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.