God is love, and God sent Jesus to provide the love and acceptance we yearn for. So powerful is his love that nothing can separate us from it.
Contrary to popular media love is not an emotion or feeling. It is a choice and action. Love becomes a decision that is not necessarily motivated by positive feelings but by our own experience of God's love and our willingness to pass that on.
When we accept the love God offers us in Jesus and allow him to live within us then we are able to demonstrate authentic love. When our words and actions say to others, "You are loved! You are accepted!" we point the way to Jesus and let others experience the love of God through us.
Day 1:
Read Romans 13: 8-14
Today begin at home. In your family setting try to put into practice: 1) love of neighbor as yourself; 2) love does not wrong your neighbor and 3) the golden rule.
Day 2:
Referring to Day 1: How would you say you did in your intentional love of family? Who in your family is difficult to love? How could you purposely love them this week? Pray that God's spirit will help, guide and lead you.
Day 3:
Read 1 John 4: 7-21, 2 Corinthians 5: 1-2
As you read these New Testament passages consider that God is the source of all love. As God abides in us his love is perfected in us. Fear is cast away when God's love fills us up. What is your own unique expression of love for Him? Tell God your deepest needs and thank him for his unconditional love.
Day 4:
Read Ephesians 3: 14-19
"Bow your knees before the Father" – have you ever tried to change your posture as you pray to God? Consider giving this a try today. As you pop into your child's room tonight slip down to your knees at their bedside and pray with her/him to the God of love.
Day 5:
Consider how you might serve others? Regardless of what you might think of their worthiness or circumstances are there people in our area that need a no strings attached kind of love? Loving your neighbor is easy here at Peace. Check out the Food Bank items needed this month and donate. Sign up to serve the monthly Salvation Army Soup Kitchen dinner service. Buy stamps and cards for the Fluvanna Women's Correctional Facility. Contact the local Bridge Ministry and partner with them to help men become productive citizens of our community. Join a youngster at Hollymead School with the upcoming reading buddies hour. Help others in the local community garden effort in downtown Charlottesville. Detailed information about these and many more opportunities to love our neighbors can be found: in "The Spirit of Peace" - a weekly informational sheet handed out before worship; visit www.plchurch.org; and by browsing through the welcome center at Peace.
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