Loving the Church

In our third day of this series exploring how to put our faith into action, we’re looking at how we can love others by simply making time for them. The busier our schedules get, the harder it can be to make time for the needs of others. But we see in Jesus someone who while holding the power to save and heal the world, made time for the one. May God grant us his perspective and fashion us into his likeness today.Right now, your gift will go twice as far through a generous Matching Grant!More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!

As we continue this week’s focus, seeking to put love into action, today we’re going to look at how simply being present can make all the difference in the life of another. As our world becomes more and more distracted, and takes less time to notice what’s happening in the life of another, may God empower us as his people to simply be present today.More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!

James 2:26 tells us, “Faith apart from works is dead.” If we are going to experience the fullness of life offered to us through our faith we must be those who put our words into action. We must not profess to love God on Sundays and live as if he isn’t present, real, or good on Monday. May your faith come alive this week as you seek to be a doer of the word.Right now, your gift will go twice as far through a generous Matching Grant!More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!

As we wrap up our week on loving people, we look today at how we can love the Church as God does. Jesus says we will be known by the way we love each other. Would people know you’re a Christian by the way you love your brothers and sisters? People are messy, it’s true. We all are. And yet Jesus saw our worth and loved us in the midst of our messiness. How can you mimic that same love today as you seek to love his Church? Today we’ll look at the perspective and affections of Jesus for his people. May our hearts and minds be transformed as a result.

As we near the end of our week on loving people, today we shift to loving those we don’t know. We are all so busy, and most often unaware of those around us, becoming too focused on ourselves to notice others. Perhaps today God would shift our focus upward to see the faces we pass on the streets or on the elevator. How much could a kind word or smile help someone out having a rough day? Let’s try to take our eyes off ourselves and see those we pass every day and don’t seem to notice. Could God want to use you to minster to someone you don’t even know? Let’s find out.More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!

In today’s First15, we’ll be learning about what it means to be a friend who loves well. Think about your dearest friends. What role have they played in your life in the best and in the worst times? Does your heart fill with thankfulness as you acknowledge what a good gift God has given you in them? May we pinpoint exactly what it means to intentionally love our friends well today. May we be filled with the love of Jesus and grace of God to go out of way to love and minister to those special people in our lives today.More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!

As we continue in our week of loving people well, today we’re going to learn about loving family. For some this is an easy task, but for many this is a little more difficult. The beauty of it is, our God is with us every step along the way. He has purpose and power for you in loving the family in which he’s placed you. Our families have the potential to be our greatest place of influence. How might he use you today to minister for his goodness and glory? Let’s take a closer look.More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!

As we continue our week on loving people well, we’re going to fix our eyes on Jesus. What better example or model for how to love than the One who laid his life down for the world? Today may you catch a glimpse of this beautiful King who loves perfectly. May you not only get a picture of how you could love others, but experience his incredible love for yourself afresh.More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!

We are all broken people, living in a broken world. It’s that simple. Unfortunately, no one is exempt from the effects of sin. The good news for all of us is that Jesus steps into the midst of our brokenness, is near to us and makes us whole in his love. What’s even more amazing is God wants to use you to see past the broken exterior to the hearts of the people in your life. Brokenness can often make us hard, bitter and difficult to deal with. But we’ve been given the call to see past that hard exterior and love people in the midst of their pain. In today’s First15, we’re looking together at how we can see past the brokenness in others to love them well.More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!

Loving others is one of the most important and difficult commands Jesus gave us. We are a messy, needy, and broken people. We constantly have to deal with our own wounds and the wounds of others. But if we can learn to love others well, rich, life-giving relationship will be our reward. May you receive the love of your Father given you by his grace, and be empowered to love others this week as we look to grow in our obedience of Jesus’ command to love others.More from First15Read today's devotional or listen to today's worship song at First15.org/todayDownload the First15 appDonate to First15 at supportfirst15.orgShare a testimony or feedback at [email protected] to First15Check out our new Guided Prayers podcast - Subscribe for new episodes every Monday!