Devotion – Love like Jesus

‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’ (Matthew 5:44). What’s the thing I love most about following Jesus? That there is no-one else like him. What’s the thing I find hardest about following Jesus? That there is no-one else like him. No-one else loves us as Jesus loves us – unconditionally, graciously and constantly. But then Jesus goes and asks me, asks us, to do the same – to love unconditionally, graciously and constantly. It’s why we can say both ‘I am simply a forgiven sinner’ and ‘I shine Christ’s light into the darkness’. We are called to be in the world, but not of the world, to be salt, light, and a city on a hill. And if you ever want to stand out, if you ever want to be remarkable, if you ever want to have everyone look at you, then there is simply one thing to do: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. It’s what Jesus did when he went to the cross. And it is Jesus, in us, who helps us do it. And it is because we are God’s children that we can do it. Let’s love our enemies, as hard as it may be, just as Christ loves us. Heavenly Father, I find it hard to love my enemies. It’s hard enough sometimes to love my own family, friends, and others. Yet, you call me to follow you, to do what you do, to live how you lived – and still live. You ask me to do it because you have made me in your image, placed Christ in me, and given me your Holy Spirit. Help me to live according to who I truly am – as your child. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer Points

We give praise to God for guiding and protecting us through this term

We pray that all our community may have a restful holiday and remain safe and healthy

We ask God to bless and give encouragement to all the healthcare workers who continue to fight to protect us against the coronavirus

We pray for the Phan, Phu and Rengthlang families

Micah Award

To Ruby for demonstrating quality in her work and service to others

To Jensen for demonstrating quality and courage in completing his work