Weekly challenge to focus on and practice LOVE through lack of being rude but being polite, gracious and considerate.

 Sunday- God’s graciousness toward us

Psalm 86:15   But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Challenge: We serve a compassionate and gracious God. How do you see God’s compassionate, gracious love in your life?  Thank God for showing you His gracious love.

Monday – Our lack of being rude (acting dishonorably) toward God

Psalm 119:58  I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.

Challenge:  Do you seek God’s face with all your heart?  In Psalms 119:57-64 the Psalmist further describes how he seeks God’s face by obeying His words, turning his steps to God’s statutes, and obeying God’s commands.  Write down something that you can do to show your love to God by obeying him.  Put your love for God into action.

 Tuesday- Our lack of being rude toward our Family

1 Peter 3:7  Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Challenge: Peter is writing to Husbands to be considerate and respectful to their wives.  This applies to all family members. We should always be polite, gracious and considerate with our family members. Do you think that your prayers are hindered because of the way you treat your family members?  Make it a point to be polite to you family members today.  Was it easy or difficult?  What happened?

 Wednesday- Our lack of being rude toward our Friends

Proverbs 16:24  Gracious words are a honeycomb,  sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Challenge: We have all needed gracious words from a friend to mend our soul and heal our bones.  Show love to a friend by offering gracious words.  Write down what you did and how it went.

 Thursday- Our lack of being rude toward our Neighbor

Titus 3:1-2  3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

Challenge: Paul tells Titus to remind the people to be considerate and always to be gentle toward everyone.  Write down something considerate that you could do for your neighbor.  Practice being considerate toward your neighbor. 

Friday- Our lack of being rude toward our Enemies

Proverbs 25:21-22  ²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;  if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
²² In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.

Challenge: God expects us to be gracious to our enemies.  God expects us to follow his example of offering himself to his enemies.  We were his enemies and he offered himself to us and it changed us.  How better to change someone’s heart. The scary part is we have a very good chance of being crucified. Pray to God for his Spirit to give you courage.  Write down the name of an enemy that you are going to be gracious to and what you intend to do.  How did it go?

 Saturday- Our lack of being rude toward the Lost

1 Peter 3:15   But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

Challenge: In reaching out to the lost we are given a reason for our hope but do it with gentleness and respect. What is your reason for the hope that you have? We will influence others for Christ as Christians.  The question is will it be for good or bad.  Pray that God will give you the courage and strength to be an example of love to someone that is lost by being gentle and showing respect to them.  Think of someone to share your hope with and then do it.