Wednesday March 2, 2011
Theme: Love Serves
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) - Paul Baloche, Run - Hillsong, Cannons - Phil Whickam, 'til I See You - Hillsong
Read: Acts 9;11-19
Think: On Sunday Pastor Nick talked to us about ‘Love serving’. Nick told us that when we model a lifestyle of serving it shatters preconceptions of what Christians are.
So often we hear of Christians who publicly make the wrong move or say the wrong thing and we also see it in our lives. It has led to many people believing that those who follow Christ are judgmental and have a bad attitude believing themselves to be better than others.
A friend of mine once held a big secret from me for a year because they believed I would judge their choice, only when they shared and I maintained a friendship with them did they realize they had been judging Christians. We may not agree with the life choice of others but we are taught to love the sinner and not the sin by serving not only those at church but those we meet in the community with the same servant heart we show them God’s love for them in whatever circumstance they are in. this becomes more powerful in their lives as they see like us that we do not need to be perfect to be loved for who we are. This begins the healing in people’s lives and in the broken world that Jesus came to heal and works through us to continue to reach.
The apostle Paul was reached by the Lord on the way to Damascus but he was also reached by the servant heart and obedience of Ananias who reached out to Saul and met him where he was in his life. By reaching out his hands and laying them on Saul he served not only God but Saul.
Do: Look for people in your life who need to find God’s love and show it to them today in a small way, perhaps just by asking how they are or giving them some of your time. Show them what Christians are like by being it to them.
Pray: Lord; please show us those who need to see Your love at work today. Help us to show them what being a follower of Christ really means and break through any past hurts or judgments they may have. Please give us patience Lord when it is hard to serve others and the grace to pass onto others Your blessings whatever their life may be like. In Jesus’ name, Amen
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.