The Rescue Week 35, Devotion 1 Week 35, Devotion 2 Week 35 ...
The Rescue Week 35, Devotion 1 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” Romans 12:14 People can be difficult. I mean really difficult. Most of us have people in our lives who seem like they are always against us. You know, the person who hates your idea. The person who makes fun of your shirt. The person who seems like he or she never has anything nice or encouraging to say. It’s discouraging to even be in the same room with them. Read Romans 12:14. As we learn to live as citizens of God’s Kingdom, one key component is how we treat other people, specifically people who don’t treat us well. In response to persecution, citizens of God’s Kingdom bless. In response to cursing, we bless. This way of life is not easy. The easy way is to tell that person why they are such a jerk face. But, God has a better way to live in mind. God’s way is to respond to difficult people with grace and blessing. Questions to ponder . . . What does our response to difficult people say about our faith? Why is living this way so hard? Why is blessing others worth it? How can you be a blessing to a difficult person today?
Week 35, Devotion 2 Read this quote: “Love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all.” -G.K. Chesterton Wait, what? The virtue of love lies in loving the unlovable. That’s deep. Questions to ponder . . . Why is love only virtuous when we are able to love the unlovable? How does loving people who don’t deserve it display the power of love? Today, ask God to give you an opportunity to extend love to someone who is difficult to love. Then, when you have the opportunity, seize it.
Week 35, Devotion 3 We talked about loving our enemies who are close to us. But, today I want you to think about people who may be enemies that are far from us. Pull up a world map on your phone and identify a country that contains people that a lot of Americans would consider enemies. Maybe Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, North Korea, or somewhere else.
Then, take a few minutes to pray for the people of that country. Ask God to rescue people in that country from their sins. Pray for believers who may live there and missionaries who are serving in that country. Remember that we are citizens of God’s Kingdom first and foremost as you pray for your enemies.
Week 35, Devotion 2 Read this quote: “Love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all.” -G.K. Chesterton Wait, what? The virtue of love lies in loving the unlovable. That’s deep. Questions to ponder . . . Why is love only virtuous when we are able to love the unlovable? How does loving people who don’t deserve it display the power of love? Today, ask God to give you an opportunity to extend love to someone who is difficult to love. Then, when you have the opportunity, seize it.
Week 35, Devotion 3 We talked about loving our enemies who are close to us. But, today I want you to think about people who may be enemies that are far from us. Pull up a world map on your phone and identify a country that contains people that a lot of Americans would consider enemies. Maybe Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, North Korea, or somewhere else.
Then, take a few minutes to pray for the people of that country. Ask God to rescue people in that country from their sins. Pray for believers who may live there and missionaries who are serving in that country. Remember that we are citizens of God’s Kingdom first and foremost as you pray for your enemies.
