Preparing for Easter (Sunday) - God's Kind of Love

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 

What a beautiful prayer for disciples! How would our world change if we were continually expressing God's kind of love to others? 

God's kind of love never undermines or diminishes anyone and strives to help every person live to his or her full potential. It forgives mistakes. It offers guidance and support, but does not insist on its help being accepted. If we loved with God's kind of love, we would challenge people to be the best they can be through example, praising their accomplishments and being gentle with their failures. 

If we had Christ's endurance, we would be patient with those who frustrate us. We would continue to offer the gospel through teaching and example, even when it meant that we could be ridiculed or rejected. We would turn away from vengeance. We would see all people as beloved children of God, struggling to make it in a sin-sick world. We would live lives of compassion and understanding. 

We are not God, but we've experienced God's love. We are not Christ, but we've been blessed by His grace. As disciples, our charge is to show the world what the kingdom of God looks like - that is, a world that lives by God's kind of love and the grace of Jesus Christ. 

Prayer: O Lord, may I show the world Your kind of love and embody the grace of Jesus Christ. Help me to challenge people to be the best they can be through the example I set, praising their accomplishments and being gentle with their failures. Help me to lovingly share the good news of Jesus with those around me. May I live a life of compassion and understanding. In Your name Jesus, Amen.  




** Devotion taken from The Sanctuary for Lent 2016 by Sue Mink