Day 8: Making an Impact Through Love
Monday, February 15
READ
REFLECT
This week we will focus on making an impact on culture instead of culture making an impact on us. To do so, we will look at some of Paul’s prayers that he prayed in his letters…
Recent studies revealed there has been a sharp increase in the amount of returns of purchases made for Valentine’s Day. However, it is not candy hearts, chocolate, stuffed bears, or flowers that are being returned. It is clothing! Gift buyers are buying multiple sizes or varieties of clothing to ensure their valentines are happy and can simply return what they do not like. Such a strategy seems to be a sure-fire bet for happiness of both the giver and receiver of the gifts! Using this strategy may cost more in the short-term but there are certainly long-term benefits.
True love costs. It can be inconvenient. It can hurt. But it can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. One of the greatest ways Christians can impact culture is through love—but not just any kind of love. The love that will impact today’s culture will be a selfless, do-whatever-it-takes, radical love that expresses itself through service and truth. To love those who don’t know Christ doesn’t mean we compromise truth. Nor does standing for truth mean we avoid loving others and view them as our enemies.
Paul’s words to the Philippian Christians were an encouragement to press on in love and discernment. He knew the closer they walked with Jesus, the more they would love others and love truth.
RESPOND
Spend time in prayer, following the Upward, Inward, Outward, Upward format.
Upward: Who God is; What God has done, is doing, will do
Inward: Who you are; How you live
Outward: Intercession for others; unified prayer focus with Pathway
TODAY’S PRAYER: Father, help us love others as you love them. Let us see and experience your heart for those who do not know you. Help us not to view them as the enemy. Rather, create in us a passionate, radical love for others as you have loved us.
Upward: Thanksgiving and Worship
On day 8 in our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, Aryanna Swopshire shares some thoughts about how we can impact our culture by loving them as Christ loves us.
Join us at Pathway this month for four Prayer and Worship Gatherings. Read more HERE.
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