September 16: LOVE

See it:

But as He came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, He began to weep. Luke 19:41 (NLT)

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let Me.” Luke 13:34 (NLT)

Obey it:

We can learn three lessons from today’s text.
1. Sinful lifestyles do not deter a demonstration of love. Jerusalem had a history of being a city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers—and that it refused to accept correction: you wouldn’t let Me. Yet Jesus loved it, ministered to it, preached in it, and sought to transform it anyway.
2. Instead of leaving, love. When Jesus saw the need, He went toward—not away from—Jerusalem. He knew very well that the treatment He would receive there would not be pleasant, but His heart longed to save the people of the city.
3. Love is more than a feeling for the city; it is action in the city. Jesus cried over the city and had compassion for the people living there. That was wonderful, but not enough. He took those feelings and put them into action as He healed, preached, and helped. The purpose of these lessons is to spur you and your congregation to action.

Share it:
1. Stamps in front of the Post Office. One church holds a major stamp outreach on April 15th for late tax-filers. Volunteers stand by the mail drop-off boxes with a card table filled with food and stamps.
2. Gatorade at biking trails. Some health-conscious folks such as runners, bikers, and hikers do not drink soda at all. Set up by a bike trail, athletic field, or hiking trail and offer bottled water or Gatorade to exercisers.
3. Pay library fines. Leave $20 at the front desk in the local library and instruct the clerk to use it for the next person who has fines.

My prayer today:
Lord, help me to love my city, not leave it. Help me do all that I can to show them. Amen.

Season of Service