God's Initiating Love — 1 John 4:19, Romans 5:8

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Prayer: Quietly thank God for loving you first.

The Call to Love — Luke 10:27

He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Luke 10:27

Prayer: Quietly ask God to fill you with His love so you can love others well.

Our Need for Mercy — Romans 3:10-12, Psalm 6:4

As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; [11] there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. [12] All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12

Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. Psalm 6:4 (127)

Prayer: Quietly reflect on God’s mercy.

Security in His Love — John 13:1, John 15:9, Romans 8:35-39

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. John 13:1

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35,38-39

Prayer: Quietly pray with gratitude for your security in Jesus’s love even in difficult times.

Responsive Reading.

(Ps 136:1-26)

[1] Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. 

His love endures forever.

[2] Give thanks to the God of gods. 

His love endures forever.

[3] Give thanks to the Lord of lords: 

His love endures forever.

[4] to him who alone does great wonders, 

His love endures forever.

[5] who, by his understanding made the heavens, 

His love endures forever.

[6] who spread out the earth upon the waters, 

His love endures forever.

[7] who made the great lights—

His love endures forever.

[8] the sun to govern the day, 

His love endures forever.

[9] the moon and stars to govern the night; 

His love endures forever.

[10] to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt 

His love endures forever.

[11] and brought Israel out from among them 

His love endures forever.

[12] with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; 

His love endures forever.

[13] to him who divided the Red Sea asunder 

His love endures forever.

[14] and brought Israel through the midst of it, 

His love endures forever.

[15] but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; 

His love endures forever.

[16] to him who led his people through the desert, 

His love endures forever.

[17] who struck down great kings, 

His love endures forever.

[18] and killed mighty kings—

His love endures forever.

[19] Sihon king of the Amorites 

His love endures forever.

[20] and Og king of Bashan—

His love endures forever.

[21] and gave their land as an inheritance, 

His love endures forever.

[22] an inheritance to his servant Israel; 

His love endures forever.

[23] to the One who remembered us in our low estate 

His love endures forever.

[24] and freed us from our enemies, 

His love endures forever.

[25] and who gives food to every creature. 

His love endures forever.

[26] Give thanks to the God of heaven. 

His love endures forever.

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.