Love is Kind

 

 Devotional Guide 

February 25- March 4th 

Love Is Kind

 

http://teremtesmisztikaja.blogspot.com/2012/10/halako-varazslatos-ereje.html

VISIO DIVINA 

is meditative/prayer practice that opens the heart and soul to connect with

God through images. How does this image speak to you about love?

Reading 1 Corinthians 13 the second description of love is kind.

what impressions come to you in this image.

What does this picture bring to your mind about kindness?

What do the hands mean to you and how do they connect with

being kind?

Prayer

MORNING

Lord, the cleansing waters of your creation flow and

buffet the world around. The violent torrents bring

fear to my heart before I remember your love and promise.

I pray the baptism of the earth brings forth joyous growth

and beauty in the spring. Guard all who fear, wash clean

all darkness and ground me in your loving grace. Amen

READINGS FOR REFLECTION

Use an additional resource like the Upper Room or any devotionals you prefer.

Love is Patient and Kind

I was at the grocery store and discovered that others perceive I am short. 

Like many other people between the 4’11” and 5’3” 

I don’t see myself as untall. My heart and determination

move me forward into the sea of all things out of reach 

with monkey climbing skills. I was employing my stretch 

and reach technique when I was asked if I needed help. 

The can in hand and squarely back upon both feet in glorious victory 

I declined with a smile. I was thankful for this kindness shown. 

A kindness wasted due to my Spiderman tendencies and reflexes.

In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul describes what characterizes love. 

Love is patient and love is kind. This love, agape, 

is an action of choice. A preference to choose God’s type of love. 

It is the love God prefers and is characteristic of God 

and the love we are called to work toward in all areas of our lives. 

Agape is active and living. Patient love is a love that waits 

and persists despite betrayal. This love God employs as he waits 

for us to redeem us. God’s kind agape is active. The kindness is merciful 

and in Hebrew is chesed or loving kindness. These are the actions 

of God that shower upon us in abundance as

he waits to redeem us from our shortcomings. 

Too often we decline God’s loving kindness and mercy. 

Too often we believe we are tall enough to

get along on our own. Too often we miss the love God has for us because

we are making our own way and not following God’s way.

Love is kind. It is active and helps. It is brave to serve, and brave to receive. Ann

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

You may also like Lectio Divina a focused reading and meditation of scripture. 

Audio Lectio   

Chronological Bible

One Year Bible

Virtues for Prayer Each Day of The Week:

love of God- Sunday                 

love of neighbor -Monday         

humility -Tuesday                     

self-denial -Wednesday and Friday

resignation and meekness -  Thursday

and thanksgiving - Saturday 

 Heitzenrater, Richard P. (2013-08-20). Wesley and the People Called Methodists

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT

           * Find your quiet center, empty your mind,

and be present to hear the voice of God. Color, write in a journal, listen to music,

use prayer beads to help your focus. Concentrate upon what God is calling

 you to understand, change, make, explore…...

Sending Prayer

Father of the morning, the day, and the night

take me forward into this day cloaked in your Spirit

and grace. Set my mind to see and experience that which

is good and praise you in each moment. Fill me with

joy and kindness to serve those around me in their needs. Amen

    

DAYTIME

Set a reminder to pray throughout the day.

Embrace the breath of prayer, release your burdens,

be thankful. Recall today’s readings, the Visio Divina and

meditate upon them and how they are affecting your day.

PRAYER

Lord, I come to you. I embrace your Spirit and with

holy breath seek you in prayer. Re-center and guide

me in those places I have strayed. Guide me in apologies,

or in service to others. I pray for your peace and path

that I may be in and providing your grace.

May peace be my strength and faith my vision.

Thank you, my Lord, of kindness and patience. Amen

EVENING

Questions for Day that has Past 

It is important to reflect upon our day and where we may be more present

in our faith and more expressive in sharing what we know of

God’s grace with others. These questions are in response

to what God begins within us.

God is the force to which we respond God is first.

We live in response to his love given through Christ.

Did I love God in prayer with thankfulness and openness?

How will I love God more tomorrow?

Did I love others and share the beauty of God?

Was I generous with my time and resources?

Did I grow in faith?

Did I grow in love for God and others today?

Did I extend the forgiveness of Christ that I desire to receive?

Did I take time to appreciate all God has provided?

Did I love God through creative praise?

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT*

Prayer

Lord of love and life, created on earth and eternal,

You bless me, and I fail to notice. You forgive me

and I continue to sin. You love me, and I ignore you.

Forgive my failures and my selfish cruelties. Lead

me in this life to grow in your grace and expand my

love, patience, and kindness. Bring me into this night

renewed and forgiven. Bring me into this night to dream

and rest in peace and grace that as I awake the new

day inspired by your love will guide me to live

and love better than within this day that has past. Amen