Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria Grace for Living Devotional Saturday October 7, 2023 TOPIC: THE PERFECT BOND OF LOVE

BIBLE READING:

COLOSSIANS 3:8-15

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  

KEY VERSE:

"And above all these, put on charity which is the bond of perfectness." Colossians 3:14  

MEDITATION:

Love ties together every good deed. A pure, sincere and godly love can be refreshing, renewing and attractive. People who show true love derive joy in doing good, even when no returns or appreciation is showed from the beneficiaries. This love mirrors the mind of Jesus Christ. The blind can see love; the deaf can hear it, and the sick can feel it.  

The story is told of a blind young hawker of grapes at an airport. As passengers were rushing to board their flights, they pushed her and her wares were scattered on the floor in the process. Soon after the passengers boarded, one of them got disturbed about the blind hawker whose grapes were scattered while they rushed to get onto the plane. He got off the aircraft with his only hand luggage, returned to the spot where the girl was standing moaning her loss. He helped her pick up the grapes on the floor, and then paid for all the irretrievable and damaged ones. Shocked at the gesture the blind girl received, she asked the passenger, “excuse me sir, are you Jesus?” The man ended up missing his flight but was satisfied that he did not ignore the strong urge to show the blind hawker uncommon compassion and pure love.   

How many helpless and frustrated persons do we come across and ignore around us, especially if they are disadvantaged? What could you do to show some bond of love?  

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, cause me to be an instrument of pure love today and always.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

ISAIAH 12-15, EPHESIANS 4