Unashamed Reading Plan
Check out all the previous Unashamed readings here.
Unashamed Reading Plan | Week 15 | Day 1
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask Him to teach you more about Himself today.
Bible Reading: Romans 13:8-10
Read these verses three times slowly.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Reflection & Questions
What is the meaning of life? Love. It existed before time existed in the love of the Trinity among themselves. It was the reason for the creation of the world. And as we read today, it is the basis, the fulfillment of the law – the way God wants us to determine our actions towards Him and each other. If we love, we are keeping the law. Paul says this is the one “debt” that will always remain outstanding. We owe each other love. We are compelled to love the other. While we may try to complicate matters in our justification of our actions, God makes it simple. Not easy, but simple. Love one another. Some will say love is a feeling. Others, an action. The reality is it’s both. We are to love one another from the heart and with our actions. We’re human and imperfect, so we have limitations and failures in this, but as you set out into your day today, consider this: Who are you going to encounter today? How can you show love to them?
- Who are you going to encounter today?
- How can you show love to them?
Prayer
Pray in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Bible Reading: Romans 13:8-10
Read these verses three times slowly.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Reflection & Questions
Have you ever read the 10 Commandments? The first four commandments tell us how to love and honor God. The last six commandments tell us how to love and honor others.
“You shall not murder” is one of them. Did you know that if you wish for something bad to happen to someone else, that is breaking the “do not murder” commandment? And coveting means more than just wanting what someone else has. It is also believing that you deserve it more than the other person. And stealing means big and small things. If you take your sister’s candy because she left it out on the counter – that’s still stealing!
Today’s verses say to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Think about how you love yourself: You try not to get hurt and to keep yourself from getting bullied. You feed yourself and clean your teeth, hair, and body. You make sure you have warm clothing on when it’s cold outside. You find things to do that make you happy. Do you think about those things when it comes to loving others? That’s how big we are supposed to love: just like we love ourselves!
You see, love is not just a word we say out loud when we want someone to believe that we care for them. Love is also an action word. You show your love for someone by doing things for them. You can show love to your parents by cleaning up after dinner. You can show love to your sibling by playing with them or sharing something special with them. You can show love to your classmates by complimenting them or encouraging them. There are many ways to say and show love.
- Who are some of the people you will see this week? How can you show them love?
Pray
Ask God to show you some ways that you can show your love for others this week. Ask Him to bring people to you who need to be shown love.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
