Tuesday, August 9, 2022

People

Bear one another’s burdens; and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

We all operate in circles. Family circles. Friend circles. Work circles. Church circles. We share bonds with people we care about and people who care about us. Our heavenly father commands us in his Word to love one another as He loves us. (John 13:34) To love a family member, a friend, a neighbor, a colleague, or a pastor means that we bear those persons’ burdens. We rejoice when they rejoice, and we hurt when they hurt. In our compassion, we pray for them sincerely and with their best interests at heart.

Proverbs 17:17 says a friend loves at all times, and 1 Peter 4:8-10 admonishes us to love earnestly, to show hospitality without grumbling, and to serve. James 5:16 says we are to pray for one another. In 1 Thessalonians (5:11), the Word reminds us to encourage each other and to build up each other.

Sometimes God speaks to us about those we love and their welfare, and sometimes He speaks to others about us. When we are really connected to others, and others are really connected to us, and both we and they are connected to God, we all can trust advice grounded in Him.

PRAYER: Father, you commanded me to love others as you have loved me. Open my heart to love genuinely and deeply those in my circles. Help my intercession on others’ behalf and others’ intercession on my behalf to flow from love and to be grounded in your Word. When another believer speaks to my situation, confirm in my heart when that message is from you. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen