Daily Steps - Listen Learn Love - Week 2
Welcome to Daily Steps!
A weekly devotional message with daily scripture readings and prayer prompts to help you spend time with, and draw closer to Jesus.
Micah 6:8 "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." (ESV)
Required to be Ready
How often do we face important moments just after wishing we had been properly prepared, thought a little more about what to say, or thought carefully about whether we should have even said anything at all? How many times have we asked that passive question, “How did that happen?” only to be soberingly reminded of all the things we consciously dismissed along the way.
Maybe it was a spur of the moment, unfortunate, and hurtful bias that you carelessly shared. Maybe you needed to be right more than you wanted to listen. Maybe you saw a painful thing happen to someone else and couldn’t find the courage to say something.
We have all been in these types of situations on so many different levels. If we had the chance to relive those moments and experience a better outcome, we would do anything to make things right. Reconciling that haunting phrase “if only…” retroactively is so difficult. All the more reason that it is important to be as prepared as anyone can be to engage these difficult moments in life.
Daily Bible Readings with Prayer Prompts
As you contemplate these passages throughout the week, make time to pray before you read them and then again, afterward. In each reading, ask God to show you what the verses mean specifically to you. God’s Word is alive, so even if you’re familiar with these Scriptures, approach them with an expectant heart and an open mind. God wants to spend time with you.
Monday - Read 2 Corinthians 5:21. Today think about how thoughtful God was in doing what was required to reconcile us back to him. Think about the mercy that Jesus showed as he took on what would have been a just penalty for us. So as you think about the sacrifice Jesus made for us in this way today, ask the Lord to prepare your steps to walk justly with him. Worship him as you listen to this song: Mercy - by Amanda Cook
Tuesday - Read Titus 3:4-7 and Ephesians 4:32. Thank God for his unending kindness that helps you to graciously show kindness to others. What was the kindest thing someone has ever done for you? Pray about showing this same radical care toward someone today (either a family member, friend, or stranger). Jesus, when I think of your love and kindness, the least I can do is to show that same love to those around me.
Wednesday - Read Psalm 45:4, Proverbs 11:2, and Proverbs 16:18. Today think about how God’s perfect humility is intrinsically connected to his impressively awesome deeds. Inversely, consider how our prideful pursuit of the impressive leads to our fall. As you seek God today, ask him to show you how to walk humbly in a way that produces an impressive level of love for others. Worship him as you listen to this song: Worthy Of Your Name - Passion
Thursday - Read Luke 10:25-37. In this passage, Jesus sets the example of living justly, loving-kindness, and walking humbly. Today, thank God for the ways that people have modeled that for you. Today pray that the Lord leads you into seeing others who are broken and are in need of the same kind of justice, kindness, and humble movement towards them, from you.
Friday - Read James 1:27. As you think about this past week, think about the habits that informed them. Consider the habits that contributed to being polluted by the world (social media, negative talk, etc). Consider the kinds of spiritual habits you would like to begin next week that would promote movement towards acting justly, loving-kindness, and walking with those who are oppressed. Worship him as you listen to this song: Christ Be All Around Me - All Sons & Daughters
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP
Grow closer to Jesus each day and explore what it means to love others as He did.
Want to Go Even Further?
If you are not already using our weekly study guide with your community group or family members, you're missing out on thought-provoking questions for discussion or individual study.
SERMON STUDY GUIDE - LISTEN LEARN LOVE - WEEK 2
Take Another Step on this Topic
Visit this special Listen, Learn, Love webpage with additional resources, including a practical list of 10 things we can each do right now to love others. These resources will help you explore the topic of Biblical justice and racial unity in greater depth.
Watch CF Beyond Sunday this Monday!
After each sermon, our pastors and various church leaders sit down for about 20 minutes to have a lively discussion about the weekend's topic. It will be posted on YouTube and the church website on Monday night, June 15!