Friday March 22 2013

Read: 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, Acts 7:54-60

The Bible is full of accounts of believers loving their enemies and blessing those who persecute them. It is worthwhile for us to study some of these accounts to understand how we should love those in our loves who hate and despise us.

 

In today’s reading from 1 Corinthians Paul recounts how they have been reviled, persecuted and slandered. How do they respond to these attacks? With blessing, endurance and entreating those who persecute them. Paul understood and practiced a philosophy of loving His enemies for the sake of the gospel.

 

Consider the death of Stephen in our reading from Acts. Stephen became the first martyr for the sake of faith in Jesus Christ. As Stephen was stoned he prayed for his attackers, a final act of love and grace from a servant of Jesus.

 

We are called to the same, self-sacrificial, generous love as Paul and Stephen. How are we loving people in the same way?

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to

help you get ideas.

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¥ Pray for the elders and leaders of various ministries in the church. Pray that God would give them wisdom as they seek to share the gospel with others. Pray that the elders would be able to make good decisions about the church so that the gospel might be preached and God might be glorified.

¥ Pray for all those around the world who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Pray that God would strengthen them and give them courage under the persecution. Pray that they would be bold to preach the word of God and that many would come to know Him as a result.

 

My Additional Prayer Points.

1/.

 

2/.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Persecution is so overt in these readings from God’s word. What sort of persecution might you face in your life?

2. How could you respond to that persecution with kindness and love?