Sheridan Lutheran Church
Live Like You Were Dying™
Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional Monday, April 14

I Corinthians 13:13

"And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." (New Revised Standard Version)

So often this passage is reserved for weddings. And what great words to meditate upon for a bride and groom and the gathered assembly, as they contemplate what it means to share a life together. But, Paul, the author of I Corinthians would be upset with us, the Christian community, if we limit his words only to weddings.

This week's theme is love deeply. Pastor John, in his sermon this weekend, talked about our loose definitions that we have for love. Do you hear yourself talk with this loose definition? "I love that coat!" or "I love this new flavor of coffee!" often come flowing from our mouths. Do we really love these things so much that we would also use this word to describe God's love for us?

The ancient Greeks living in the Mediterranean region of the world had three definitions for love. The first definition of love was 'eros' love. We would define this as romantic love - it's the feeling of intense emotion that we sometimes call infatuation. It's love that comes on strongly, but then fades in conflict or misunderstanding. The second definition of love was 'philos' love, or the love of a friend. Many of us have friendships that run deeply, yet through the course of time, friendships change and our lives no longer travel the same path. The third definition is 'agape' love. This love is unconditional love. IT is love revealed in self-sacrificing, faithful, life-giving relationship. This love is revealed to us in Jesus Christ. It is unearned love that comes from God. Agape is love is God's love that remains faithful to us at all times and in all of life's circumstances.

Bask in God's love today. Raise your awareness to God's love in your life. Rest in God's love today.
 
-Pastor Rhonda

Weekly Faith Talk Starters

  • How often do you verbally express your love to those closest to you?
  • How do you make space in your life to experience God's love?
  • How can you find ways to do an unexpected act of love to someone who cannot pay you back?

Prayer of the Week
Gracious and loving Lord, through the death and resurrection of Jesus we are recipients of the ultimate demonstration of love.  We thank you for demonstrating this love to us in our time of greatest need.  We thank you for loving us just as we are, while loving us too much to let us remain how we are.  Help us to bear witness to your love to those around us and to share your love with those closest to us.  In the name of our loving Lord Jesus we pray, Amen.

Join a Small Group
Small Groups are encouraged to meet weekly throughout this series.   We are offering an opportunity for everyone to be involved in a small group by holding round table discussions at 9:45 and 11:00 each Sunday in both the Chapel and the Music Room and at 6:30 each Wednesday in the Family Life Center.  These sessions will be facilitated by Sheridan's pastoral staff.   If you have never been in a small group before this is an easy way to meet people in a non threatening way.   If you are interested in joining a small group that meets regularly at another time please contact Kathy Paisley at k.paisley@sheridanlutheran.org.
Sunday's Message
Missed all or part of the Sunday Message?  Stay tuned, Pastor John's Message "Love Deeper" will be available online later this week.
 
Key Verse
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)
 
Weekly Blessing
Make the sign of the cross on the forehead of each member of your family as you bless them and say: "Know that Jesus loves you deeply and I love you in the love of the Lord."
 
Round Table Discussions
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
in the Family Life Center
 
Saturdays at 6:30 PM in the Music Room
 
Sundays at 9:45 and 11:00 AM
in the Chapel and Music Room