Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV
Welcome to the 48th weekly devotional recap of the year. This week, we learnt to love God, others, and ourselves, like Christ. We were also charged to remember the many blessings of God.
We started the week with an article on loving God. Any declaration of love must be followed by consistent actions. If you say you love God, you will want to know Him deeply (bible study, 2 Timothy 3:16), spend time talking to Him (prayer, Jeremiah 29:12), identify with those who identify with Him (fellowship, Hebrews 10:25), and tell others about Him (evangelism, Mark 16:15). These are things that you will do for people you love; how much more God?
On Tuesday, we were reminded that as disciples of God, we should love one another (John 13:34-35). As believers, love is our badge and a testament to our discipleship. Faith in God will always be followed by love for others (Ephesians 1:15, Colossians 1:4, Philemon 1:5). Your disposition to the body of Christ says a lot about your love for God.
Love is a fruit of your born-again spirit, and you are enabled to love even those who don’t deserve it, just as you are loved (Romans 5:6-8). Let the world feel the love of God through you, ultimately drawing them to Him.
Wednesday’s devotion reminded us to love ourselves. God, who you love and honour, loved you so much that He died for you (John 3:16). Reject the lies of the devil that make you feel unworthy and see yourself as the One who created you sees you: worthy of love.
You were made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and are now on earth as His representative (I Peter 2:9). Let this revelation encourage you to pay attention to your spiritual, mental, and physical health (3 John 1:2). Love and value yourself because God loves you and is in you.
On Thursday, we learnt to love like Christ. In Jesus, we don’t only have a message to believe, but also an example to emulate (I John 3:16). In demonstrating His love for us, He forgave us even when we didn’t deserve it, mandating us to extend the same grace to others (Matthew 18:23 -28).
On Friday, we rounded up the week with a prompt to reflect on the year so far, recognize the faithfulness of God, and thank Him for it (Psalm 105:5). If you look back and intentionally count your blessings from 2023, you will be surprised at just how many answered prayers you will record, and the year isn’t even over yet! Take time to give God thanks for all He has done for you.
From today, be intentional about growing in and expressing your love for God, others, and yourself, knowing that God’s Spirit in you makes you an embodiment of His love.
Bible Reading Plan: Ezekiel 37-38