Every Day Faith - February 2018

Thursday February 1, 2018, 15:55 PM

Here’s how we’re praying this month.

Here’s how we’re praying this month. You can contact our order desk at 905-542-7400 ext. 3223 or via email at orderdesk@paoc.org to get new prayer cards and promotional postcards (there is no cost for the materials—just shipping charges will apply). Along with our monthly prayer focus, visit www.everydayfaith.ca for encouragement in the disciplines of Bible reading, prayer, generosity and sharing our faith in word and deed.

Thank you for your continued participation in Every Day Faith.

February – Missional Vitality – Share

Key Everyday Thought:

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us (1 John 4:12).

God is love. Broken relationships, tension and division regularly remind us that we live in a fallen world, far different from what our Creator had in mind when life first began. But as we turn to our Father through faith in Christ, and allow Him to make us more like Jesus, His heart for forgiveness, understanding and unity in community become more evident in our lives. In turn, our love for God, family, friends, strangers, and even enemies, helps a fallen world see evidence of God’s beauty and power in even the most unpleasant situations. This month, let’s ask the Lord to help us see each other as made in His image, and lean on Him to express His generous grace and love to each person He places in our lives. With His help, we can learn to love our neighbour as we love ourselves, and move closer to the unity we crave in our families, churches and communities.

Ask and it will be granted…

- That we will understand more what it means to be made in God’s image
- That God will help us to be patient with others as He is patient with us
- That we will look for opportunities to mend broken relationships
- That our churches will be places of refuge for lonely people
- That the world will see Christ at work in our hearts and lives

PASSAGES TO PONDER

Colossians 3:13-15
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

John 13:34-35
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Romans 12:9-19

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the LORD.”

Hebrews 10:24-25
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”