Session 19

What if we all discovered a new four-letter word?

From Matthew: A 28-Day Devotional

A forceful, off-target blow from a hammer. A screech of tires caused by slamming on the brakes. A phone call delivering unexpected news. You’ve probably experienced one of these scenarios, and it’s possible the first thought that ran through your mind — or came out of your mouth — was a not-so-glamorous four-letter word. When things go wrong, raw emotion often comes out.

Jesus understands that we endure pain and suffering. He experienced the fears and trials we all have and gave us the example of how to act. Jesus was hated, mistreated, falsely accused and plotted against, and His response was a four-letter word, but not the one we may have been tempted to use. Jesus responded with love. The Bible gives many commands, but Jesus made it clear which commandments were most important in His response to the Pharisees in Matthew 22:37-40. Love God first, then your neighbor as yourself.

Loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind means to completely surrender to Him. Before we can love others, we must first love God. After all, we can't give someone else what we don't have. We show God how much we love Him in the same way we show love to our spouse or our children — by spending time with Him. We can do that daily through reading the Bible and prayer. Then, we show our love for others by sacrificing our selfish desires to help someone in need or finding a way to be a blessing to a coworker, friend, or stranger. Love. Imagine what the world would look like if everyone used this four-letter word.

Reflect:

• How are you experiencing Jesus’ love on a personal level? If you’re not sure, click here to learn more about how much Jesus loves you and wants to change your heart.
• How can you draw closer to Jesus? If you're looking for a place to start reading in the Bible, check out these tips and reading guides.
• What's one way you can serve someone else today?