15 Day Prayer Challenge - Day 10

Dear Abundant Life Family:

In the Qur'an, Muslims have 99 names for their god, each name describing an attribute of his character. Of these characteristics, the attribute of "love" is not found. One can be very religious and not have love. Contrast that to the Holy Scriptures which states "God is Love" (1 John 4:16) and "Love comes from God" ( 1 John 4:7). Love is the foundation of all those who are followers of Christ and should be the distinguishing mark of the believer in Christ. Jesus said, By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."( John 13:35)

Unfortunately, in some circles, love is reduced to only a catch phrase used by religious people who attend Christian churches. Pastor Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York wrote "Possibly the greatest spiritual deception we can fall into is to think we really love the Lord while having little concern for His people."

Is love more than an ethereal concept or a heightened feeling? Yes. Love is a verb. And scripture shows us practical ways that we are to express that love to one another.
Here are a few:

Prefer one another (Romans 12:10)
Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
Pray for one another (James 5:16)
Don't slander one another (James 4:11)
Don't grumble against one another (James 5:9)
Comfort one another (2 Corinthians 1:4)
Rejoice with one another (Romans 12:15)
Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)

There are over 30 action verbs used in scripture that show us how Christian love is to be exhibited towards fellow believers. Only the Holy Spirit can save us from terrible plight of the self-centered, comfort zone lifestyle while we sing songs of the Christ who gave His life on Calvary. Religion like that is a charade. The acid test for spiritual growth is love, and love always means living for others.

Today in your prayer time we are asking you to specifically pray for the outreach efforts of the coming year.

Wednesday afternoon prayer time is from 12 to 1 p.m.
Wednesday evening Joe Bailey will be our speaker. The Youth will be joining the adults in the auditorium for worship. Scotty Brewer will lead worship.
Following worship the Youth will be dismissed for class with Josh Mings