Weekly challenge to focus on and practice LOVE through lack of delighting in evil but rejoicing in truth.

Sunday- God’s lack of delighting in evil but rejoicing in truth toward us

Matthew 18:12-14  ¹² “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? ¹³ And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. ¹⁴ In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Challenge: God is our Father and like any parent he rejoices when his children follow his truth.  Like any parent it pains God when we are rebellious and we choose to reject him.   The creator of everything cares enough about us that he is on our side.  He supports us and wants to help us follow His truth.  When we mess up he does not turn his back on us but he peruses us.  What touches your heart the most about God’s love toward you.  Write a note to God thanking him for the love that he has for you.  Spend the day thinking about how special you are to God that he would love you.

Monday – Our lack of delighting in evil but rejoicing in truth toward God

Psalm 1:1-2   ¹ Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,  ² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Challenge: The Psalmist recognizes that those that love God follow His truth and meditate on it continually. They rejoice in God’s truth rather than delighting in evil.  Do you show God your love for Him by following and meditating on His truth?  What is your favorite passage?  Spend 15 minutes reading and meditating on its truth.  Thank God for the love he has shown you. 

Tuesday- Our lack of delighting in evil but rejoicing in truth toward our Family

Psalm 37:30-31   ³⁰ The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak what is just. ³¹ The law of their God is in their hearts;
their feet do not slip.

Challenge: Loving your family means that you have their best interest in your heart. You speak truth to them.  You protect them.  You encourage them. You hurt for them when they are tempted and are influenced by evil.  Show your love to a family member by encouraging them to faithfully follow God.  Rejoice with them in the truth that God has for them. 

Wednesday- Our lack of delighting in evil but rejoicing in truth toward our Friends

James 1:26   Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

Challenge:  Do you consider yourself to be religious? How good are you at keeping a tight rein on your tongue when talking about friends?  Mamma said, “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.”  Focus today on building a friend up and rejoice with them in their walk with God.  

Thursday- Our lack of delighting in evil but rejoicing in truth toward our Neighbor

Psalm 15:2-3   ² The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;  ³ whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;

Challenge:  David points out that God’s person doesn’t slander or slur his neighbor.   God’s person speaks the truth from their heart?  Do you have your neighbors back when others are talking about them?  If you are God’s person you do.  Focus on showing love to your neighbor by encouraging them and standing up for them.  Find something that is in line with God’s truth in your neighbor and rejoice with them.

Friday- Our lack of delighting in evil but rejoicing in truth toward our Enemies

1 Peter 3:9-10  ⁹ Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.

Challenge: Why is it so difficult to not repeat something negative that you have heard about someone?  Especially, if it is someone that has hurt you.  Peter reminds us that we should not repay evil with evil and we must keep our tongue from evil.  I do not know about you, but the only way that I can do this one is through God’s power.  Pray to God that you will have the power to repay evil with blessing.  Spend time thinking about situations that you wish you had handled differently.  Plan for the next time that you may be in that situation so that you can show love to your enemy by blessing them.

Saturday- Our lack of delighting in evil but rejoicing in truth toward the Lost

James 3:9   With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Challenge: James points out that everyone is made in God’s image.  Focus on reflecting God’s image to someone that does not have a relationship Him.  Love them by sharing God’s love and truth with them.  Be an example to them by treating all people as God’s children made in His image.