February 2nd week 2020

Friday February 14

Scripture: 1 John 3:18

My little children’ let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth

Lesson Objective: To understand the importance of actions in demonstrating our love for each other.

Matthew 25:35-42 states that when we feed the hungry or clothe the naked that is as if we are feeding Christ. It is not enough to just say that I love you but we must demonstrate that love daily by our actions. True friends seek out the opportunity to be a blessing to their friends. Also true friends trust each other to humble themselves and seek help when it is needed, It is easy to be a friend when nothing is required but true friendship and love comes to the forefront when a need is met through sacrifice. Only when I am willing to give my last for a friend will I ever know the true meaning of love.

 

Thought for today: Try saying this prayer daily. Lord let me be a blessing to someone today. Let me actively seek out this

Thursday February 13

Scripture:  Colossians 4:2

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.

Lesson Objective: To understand that it is important to have a prayer partner and friends do pray for each other.

Often times we may meet someone who will ask us to pray for them. How many times do we forget to do just that? It is not intentional but we forget and maybe days later remember. Do we just say we will pray for them or do we take the time to understand the specific prayer request so that we can be as specific as possible in the prayer? I would suggest that we begin to pray with rather than just pray for our friends. The Bible gives us many examples of the need for group or corporate prayer but none is more pointed then when Christ asked the disciples to accompany him when he prayed. In Mark 14, the disciples were unable to stay awake and fell asleep three times.

 

Thought for today: Do you have a prayer partner with whom you pray with weekly?

Wednesday February 12

Scripture: Esther 4: 16

“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, who is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

Lesson Objective: To learn the importance of supporting each other in times of need.

The story of Esther shows the importance of corporate prayer, fasting and support. When faced with a seemingly daunting task, Esther asked for the support of others. Often times we try to do things on our own due to our lack of humility or desire to be self reliant; however, that is directly opposite of what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches that we are to act as one in unity for we are members of the body of Christ. Matthew 18:20 states that where two or three or gathered, Christ will be in the midst.

Thought for today: Do you have a group of supporters who you can call on to carry out the purpose that God has for you?

Tuesday February 11

Scripture: Philippians 2:3

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Lesson Objective: To understand that being humble is a condition of true love.

Being humble is strength not a weakness. Society often teaches that one must be assertive to be successful. Some even call for leaders to be aggressive. This is inconsistent with the teaching of Christ. As an author once said, being humble does not mean that you think less of yourself but you think of yourself less. 1 Peter 3:4 states that humility is very precious in the site of God. Also Matthew 5:5 says “blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth”. Christ served as an example of one with humility as he said he came not to be served but to serve.

Thought for today: Be careful not to have a false sense of self-pride. Remember that what ever you accomplish in life is due entirely to the mercy and grace of God.

Monday February 10

 

Scripture: Matthew 28:19

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Lesson Objective: To understand that the ultimate gift of love is directing one to Christ.

Many Christians are concerned when they are challenged to evangelize and to talk to a non- believer about being baptized and becoming a member of the family of Christ. We must understand that if we love our neighbor, then we are mandated to tell others about Christ and eternal life. Christ last instructions to the disciples were to go out and make other disciples and to baptize them. This cannot be accomplished without Christians reaching out sharing the love of Christ.

 

Thought for today: How would you feel if a friend or a family member failed to make it into heaven because you chose not to share the Gospel with them?