Listen to this devotion
Reflecting God’s Love Brings Joy
In the Word
We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Of the Word
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:9–10). God has given us the perfect pattern for loving, but our sinful nature often prevents us from following His pattern.
It’s easy — most of the time, anyway — to love family and friends. But loving those who are different from us is much harder. Barriers are created by a strange hair style or color, by a foreign language, by odd, dirty, or ragged clothing.
The Holy Spirit gives us a Christ-like heart in order that we may put aside our natural feelings and begin to reflect God’s love.
Walking with my Lord
Dear Lord, forgive me for the unloving feelings I have toward others. Help me to remember how much You love me. Help me to share Your love, particularly with those who are different from me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 12/30 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
