Jesus said in Matthew 10, “Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighbourhood and tell them that the Kingdom is here.” What is the “neighbourhood?” People that we can impact in our everyday spaces and lives. What an incredible charge for us all! Let’s read together how we can Love Thy Neighbour-hood.
Public Church
Day 1
Scriptures: Leviticus 26:12, 1 Corinthians 12:25-27, Genesis 2:18
DO LIFE TOGETHER
When I think back to my childhood, my parents would often say, “We are so blessed to live in such a nice neighbourhood. We have such lovely neighbours!” But what was it that made our neighbours “nice”, and our neighbourhood a place we enjoyed living? The people were kind. If you had a holiday planned, they would collect your mail and would watch over your house while you were gone. They would greet you with a smile when they saw you and would genuinely ask, “How was your day?” Ultimately, they made you feel safe, supported and cared for. You were not alone.
This is what God calls us to be for each other. God’s desire is to see us love one another and do life together–the good, the bad and the ugly. The Bible says that God chose the Israelites to be His people. They lived and worshiped him together in community and formed the body of Christ–the Church.
It often seems more comfortable and safe to do life alone–to wear a mask to hide the troubles we are facing and run from community. But be encouraged today to step out in faith, and ask God to give you the courage to take a step toward being part of community. The Bible says that it is not good for man to be alone, so Jesus made a helper. We are called to do life together and to help others feel safe and supported in our community.
Prayer: God, thank You that You have called us to do life together, not alone. I thank You that no matter what I am going through, I can rely on You and my brothers and sisters in Christ to help me through the good and the difficult. I ask You to help me to trust, and take a step of faith to reach out and be connected in community. Amen.
Day 2
Scriptures: Matthew 7:24-27, Psalms 139:13-14, Luke 12:7, Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 3:5-6
LOOK TO JESUS
God should always be the center of our world – our relationships, our workplace, our finances, our families, and our community. In order for our neighbourhood community and these areas of our lives to flourish, God must be at the center, and our eyes, hearts and minds must be fixed on Him. Just as a school looks to their principal, a country looks to their leader or a team looks to their coach, we must always look to Jesus.
The Bible says that if we hear the Word of God and put it into practice, we will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. No rain, rising streams or strong winds will be able to knock us down as long as we fix our eyes on Jesus.
The Bible says that God knitted us together in our mother’s womb, He knows us so intricately that He numbered the hairs on our head. God desires more than anything to have relationship with us. When we put God at the center of our lives and look to Him, He takes care of the rest. This doesn’t mean life is going to be easy, but we can rest and trust knowing that God is in control.
The reality is that we cannot support one another if our own foundation isn’t strong. We need to strengthen our foundation by spending time in His word, in praise and worship and prayer. The Bible encourages us to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33) By putting God first in all things, we can trust Him knowing that he will look after us.
Prayer: God, I thank You for Your faithfulness. I thank You for desiring a relationship with me. God, I ask You to help me to desire more of You and your beautiful presence. I realize the importance of building a strong foundation on Your Word, so I ask that You help me to look to You and put You first in every area of my life. Amen.
Day 3
Scriptures: James 5:16, Galatians 6:2, Philippians 2:4, Hebrews 10:24-25
ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve doubted your ability? Maybe you’re a mother or father struggling with the challenges of parenting. Maybe you own a business and often wonder whether you’re making the right decisions. Maybe you work in an industry where you worry that your best effort just isn’t good enough.
I found myself in a similar situation. I was tired, stressed and overwhelmed with the amount of work piling up. But then a positive, uplifting email came through from my boss which changed my whole mindset. What I realized is that this simple word of encouragement not only eased the stressful situation but also spurred me on to continue charging forth toward my goal.
In the midst of turbulent times have you ever received a word of encouragement from your spouse, boss or fellow employee that uplifted your spirits and encouraged you to keep going? Perhaps you have been the one to encourage someone else during difficult times.
As a neighbourhood community group of young adults who love Jesus and love people, we need to be encouragers. God gave us this community to walk alongside one another and encourage each other in our walk with Jesus. Life can throw many curve balls at us, but we do not have to face them alone. The Bible says that we are to pray for one another, care for one another and carry each other’s burdens. Never underestimate the power of an encouraging text message, email, phone call or conversation. As we encourage one another, our spirits are uplifted, and we shine the light and love of Jesus.
We have been called not only to encourage one another in life, but also in our faith and walk with Jesus. The Bible says, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” As we belong to this community, we have the responsibility to be encouraging one another in our faith and encouraging each other to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, no matter what we may be going through.
Just like the encouraging email from my boss lifted my spirits and kept my eyes focused on the job at hand in my career, it is our responsibility, as believers, to lift each other’s spirits through encouragement, and spur each other on to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, Thank You that I can always count on you. Lord, I ask you to help me to be an encourager. Please help me to care for others and carry their burdens. Help me to spur others on in their faith so that my eyes, and theirs, would remain fixed on You. Amen.
Day 4
Scriptures: Psalms 119:105, John 8:12, Matthew 5:16
BE THE LIGHT
In a world of chaos, confusion and catastrophe, we need to shine God’s light and love to the world more than ever before as He is the Saviour of the world and the Provider of all our needs.
The world often tells us we can find our own answers, lead our own path and forge our own destiny, whether it be through self-help books, tarot cards or crystals.
I don’t know about you, but there have been many times in my life where I have opted for my own way. I’ve tried to “lead my own path” instead of following God’s way; and let’s just say, the outcome was never pretty. The Bible says that, “His word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path” (Psalms 119:105). I have learned that being led by God’s light and Word is the only path I want to follow.
Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). As followers of Jesus, it is our responsibility to let our light shine brightly before others.
We all have lights in our homes, however, they are rendered useless unless we turn them on. As believers, we have access to God’s light. We must turn the light switch on to shine God’s light and break through the darkness. Jesus is the answer the world is so desperately searching for to break fear, doubt, oppression and angst. Do not let the darkness of the world stop you from shining the light of Jesus, for the darkness will never overpower the light. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for who You are. Thank You for being the light of the world and for guiding my path. God, I ask You to help me shine your light and love to those around me. Lord, I ask you to help me to not be afraid of the darkness but instead that You would give me courage to shine Your light and faith knowing that You will make a way. Lord, I pray for my family, friends, and acquaintances that they would come to know You. In Jesus name, Amen.
Day 5
Scriptures: James 4:11-12, John 8:1-7, Matthew 7:1-5, Luke 6:37, Romans 3:23
DON’T JUDGE
At a young adults retreat the guest pastor was speaking from the passage in Matthew 7:3, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” He illustrated this so well by sticking his arm out in front of his face, representing the plank, and explained that there is no way he could even see the sins of anyone else, as he clearly had plenty of his own to deal with.
In that moment, I realized what a huge burden and barrier our judgement can become. So often we become fixated on the “sin” of the people around us. We find errors in the church, our leaders, pastors, friends and family, that we forget to focus on ourselves and the areas of our own lives that God wants to refine.
The Bible speaks of a woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees and the teachers of law brought her to Jesus and explained that as a result of her sins, she must be stoned. Jesus turned to them and replied, “Let any one of you who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). No one threw a stone. Jesus told the woman that He did not condemn her, but urged her to go and sin no more. This passage is a beautiful illustration of God’s mercy, grace and forgiveness, which we all need every day, every hour, every minute. The reality is, we have all fallen short of God’s glory. Every single one of us falls short. We all need a Savior. We all need Jesus! And he is the only rightful judge.
The Bible tells us that “there is only one lawgiver and judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. Who are we to judge our neighbour?” (James 4:12). Rather than judging, criticizing and tearing people down, let’s be a neighbourhood–a community of people who speak life and encouragement to one another. Let’s choose to uplift one another, forgive one another and show grace towards each other.
Prayer: God, thank You for Your forgiveness, Your mercy and Your grace. Thank You that through the repentance of my sins You make me a new creation. Lord, help me not to judge others. Help me to see the areas in my own life that need refining. Help me to uplift others, forgive and show grace, in Jesus name, Amen.
Day 6
Scriptures: Colossians 3:13-14, 1 Peter 4:8, Ephesians 4:31-32, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Matthew 6:14-15
FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER
In any relationship, whether in a family, with a parent, a spouse or a friend, forgiveness will be necessary. The same goes within a neighbourhood community. Hard times will arise and there will be trials and tribulations. Someone might say something that hurts us or do something that upsets us; and as a result, offence can occur.
The Bible, however, explains that we are to forgive one another, “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13).” When we do not forgive, un-forgiveness festers and causes disunity. Jesus created us so we would live in unity with one another, not in division.
Forgiveness isn’t always easy. What I have realized is that holding on to un-forgiveness and unresolved feelings entraps you. Often the person who has upset you is none the wiser. But as a result of your unforgiveness, bitterness and anger builds up inside you. The Bible says that we must get rid of bitterness, rage and anger and instead be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as Christ forgave us.
Whenever I find it difficult to forgive, I am reminded that Jesus, the perfect Creator and Saviour of the world, forgave me despite my mistakes and wrong doings. I am a new creation in Him. The Bible says, “Above all, we are to love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). We need to make allowances for each other’s faults, forgive those who offend us and love them just as Christ loved us.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for your forgiveness. God, I ask you to help me to forgive those who have hurt me. I ask you to help me to cast offence aside and, instead, be kind and compassionate to others. Thank You for showing me how to love others. Amen.
Day 7
Scriptures: John 15:13, Mark 12:30-31, Luke 10:25-37
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR-HOOD
The Bible says, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” We are called not only to love one another but to love those around us–our family, friends, colleagues and, of course, we are called to love those who do not yet know Jesus.
But how do we love our neighbour?
The Bible speaks of a man who was stripped, beaten and robbed and was left on the side of the road to die. A priest walked past him, so did a Levite, and neither stopped to help the man. But a Samaritan came to where the man was and took pity on him. He bandaged his wounds, put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he paid the innkeepers to look after the man and explained he would pay extra if necessary upon his return. This is a beautiful illustration of how we are called to love others.
Sometimes loving others isn’t always convenient. The Priest, Levite and Samaritan were all journeying somewhere. The Samaritan, however, put his travel plans aside. He put his own schedule and ambition aside to help the man. The Bible says there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends. We must lay our ambitions aside and lay our life down for the call and purpose of God on our life.
Loving others costs. Whether it be our time, money or resources, loving others requires us to lay a part of our life down in order to serve someone else. The Samaritan used his time when he stopped on the road and bandaged the man’s wounds. He then used his resources, his transportation and his donkey to bring the injured man to an inn. He continued caring for the man using his finances to ensure the man was well looked after.
The story of the Good Samaritan challenges me. Am I willing to put my own ambition aside to help others? Will we be a community of people who stop to help someone in need, even when we are busy or in a rush? Will we be the kind of people willing to help someone in need, even if it means we may fall behind?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for your Word. Thank You for everything Your word teaches me. God, I ask You to help me to be like the Good Samaritan. I ask You to help me to put my own selfish ambition aside so I can focus on the plans and purposes You have for my life. Give me wisdom to see those in need and courage to reach out to help them. Lord, challenge me to love others like You do. In Jesus name, Amen.