What Love Does Week 1 Devotional - January 19-26

Day 1: Understanding Storge Love Scripture: Romans 12:9 - "Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good." Reflection: Today, reflect on the concept of storge love, which is familial love rooted familiarity and affection. Consider how this type of love is present in your family and church community. How can you move beyond just pretending to love and truly embrace others with genuine affection? Prayer: Lord, help me to love others genuinely, without pretense. Teach me to hold tightly to what is good and to love my family and church community with sincerity. Day 2: The Beauty of Church Family Scripture: John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Reflection: The church is a family where we are called to love one another as Christ loves us Reflect on how your church community embodies this love. How can you contribute t making your church a place where love is evident to all? Prayer: Father, thank you for my church family. Help me to love them as you have loved me, so that others may see your love through us. Day 3: Loving Despite Differences Scripture: Romans 12:10 - "Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Reflection: Every family has its quirks, and the church is no different. Reflect on how you love others despite differences and quirks. How can you honor those around you, even when it's challenging? Prayer: God, give me the grace to love others despite our differences. Help me to honor and respect each person in my church family. Day 4: The Challenge of Loving Difficult People Scripture: Romans 12:14 - "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." Reflection: Loving difficult people is one of the greatest challenges of Christian love. Re on someone in your life who is difficult to love. How can you bless them and show the Christ’s love this week? Prayer: Lord, help me to love those who are difficult to love. Give me the strength to bless them and show them your love, even when it’s hard. Day 5: Love in Action Scripture: Romans 12:13 - "When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality." Reflection: Love is not just a feeling but an action. Reflect on how you can put love into act this week. Who in your community needs help, and how can you be hospitable to them? Prayer: Father, open my eyes to the needs around me. Help me to be eager to help and to practice hospitality with a loving heart. Day 6: The Transformative Power of Love Scripture: Romans 12:21 - "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Reflection: Love has the power to transform and overcome evil. Reflect on how love transformed your life. How can you use love to overcome challenges and bring about positive change in your community? Prayer: God, thank you for the transformative power of your love. Help me to use love to overcome evil and to bring about change in my life and community. Day 7: Living Out Love Scripture: 1 John 4:19 - "We love because he first loved us. Reflection: Our ability to love comes from God’s love for us. Reflect on how God’s love empowered you to love others. How can you continue to grow in love and reflect God’s love to the world? Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving me first. Empower me to love others as you have loved me Help me to grow in love and to be a reflection of your love to the world