Daily Devotional
God’s Love Reaches Hurting People
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
May 28, 2023
Ponder This
We need to be people of love. If we’re against abortion, and we are, we must ask ourselves, “What are we doing to help? How are we helping young, pregnant women?” Sometimes our attitudes just simply push them away. If we believe in the permanency of marriage, and we do, how are we responding to those who have experienced the trauma of divorce and broken homes, some by their own choosing and others not by their choosing? These people are hurting! They don’t need to be pushed further down. They need to be loved. Do we have open hearts and open arms to those different from us—to those who don’t know Jesus? Only then can we tell them about Jesus and His power to radically, dramatically, eternally transform people. But we must be very careful that we do not show such hostility and negativity that others would never come to us to learn about Jesus. We live in a society that is hurting, and we’ve got to bind the wounds up with salve, not with salt. They need the love of Jesus Christ, and people need to understand not only what we’re against but also what we’re for. The world is looking for answers. We need a Christian worldview that’s backed up by a Christian lifestyle. If we have all the values but none of the lifestyle, we are in trouble.
- Why is it important to have a worldview backed up by a Christ-like life of love and service?
- Who is easy for you to love? Who is difficult to love?
Practice This
Love and serve someone you find difficult to love.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
