Day 16 – Daily Devotional – January 20, 2025 – Being A Do-Gooder
READ
Romans 12:9-10 Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply as brothers. Take the lead in honoring one another.
EXAMINE
Hello, Bethel Paul says our love for one another must be without hypocrisy. In other words, believers are to display a love that genuinely seeks the spiritual, physical and overall well-being of others. In his book to the church at Corinth, Paul describes for us what love looks like in a believer’s life. He lists these famous ingredients in 1 Cor. 13: “Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not selfseeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.” If we’re to live the faithful Christian life God is calling us to live, we must be focused and faithful to obey God’s instruction in these 2 potent and powerful passages. Loving our fellow believers isn’t optional for mature believers, but instead, is a command for all of us to rise up to. Let’s be people who love well, who are intentional, and without hypocrisy.
APPLY
Isn’t it uplifting and encouraging when an unexpected kindness comes into your life? Our day becomes IMMEDIATELY better. It’s a boost to our spirit and wind in our sails. It has a way of turning the worst day into something special. As such, we should intentionally endeavor to do that to others; finding ways to do good. The following was said by Peter concerning Jesus in Acts 10: “How he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” Jesus was a “Do-Gooder!” And if He was, then we should be too. Make a plan to do a kind act of love for someone this week. It doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant; but it must be intentional. This could be as simple as writing a personal note to a neighbor, coworker, or friend or doing something like inviting a friend to lunch to check-in on how they’re doing. Maybe it’s bringing a snack to the office(healthy, of course), or taking your friend’s children bowling so that their folks can have a date night. Whatever you decide, make it your goal to be intentional to show genuine love to someone in your life.
PRAY
Take a moment to pray for the Holy Spirit to give you the confidence and courage to take steps to show His love this week. Ask for creative ways to be a blessing to someone. Ask the Father to sensitize your heart to the needs of others by gifting you with empathy. Ask Him to show you how to love those in your life who aren’t easy to love.