9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Questions for Reflection:

In your opinion which of the great qualities listed above do you think the Christian church in general needs to display more of?

Which of these attributes would you like to grow in as a follower of Jesus?

Which of these qualities really resonates with our culture as an authentic quality representing Christ well?

Prayer of the Week:

Father in Heaven, thank You for loving me from eternity. You are my true Father and I love You very much. As I begin this prayer I ask You to come by Your Spirit and fill me afresh with Your presence so that I might embrace and receive all that You have for me. You are love and You are life and I receive You by faith and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day.

Jesus, I thank You for coming in the flesh to be the Way so that I could be reconciled to my Father in heaven who loves me very much. I receive all that Your work and triumph has done for me. I am amazed that You have made it possible for me to be forgiven completely and given a new heart and new life to live. Give me grace today to rest in You. I ask You to search me and know me and reveal to me where You are working in my life that I might join You in the recovery of my soul. Jesus, help me notice the places in my heart and soul that are particularly tender and wounded. Help me be as gracious and merciful with my heart as You are. I invite You Jesus into the places of my being where I need life and peace this day. (Rest for a few moments in His presence inviting Jesus into the places of your heart that need His peace and wholeness as He reveals them.)

Jesus, thank You for making me a part of Your church, the body of Christ, so that I am not alone and neither are my brothers and sisters. Help me see my vital role as I interact with others. I am sorry I have sometimes looked down on others and looked down on myself as being less significant or less important. I affirm that You have arranged the parts of the body as You see fit. I look forward to living this day fulfilling my role as Your servant and member of Your body. I pray that your vision for Your church be realized this day.

“That there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

Amen