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FOCUS VERSE: “Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord!”  —Romans 12:11 (CEB)

PRAYER OF PRESENCE:

God, whose love does not let us go,
In the stillness, we open our hearts to Your presence.
Draw near and center us in Your love and grace.
May You gentle light guide our thoughts,
Your peace calm our souls,
And Your Spirit move within us,
That we may reflect experience your peace and grace.
Amen.

SCRIPTURE: Romans 12:9-21

HYMN FOR REFLECTION:
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7pV18JdKPQ 

Jesus, United by Thy Grace
Charles Wesley, 1707–1788

  1. Spirit of faith, come down,
    reveal the things of God,
    and make to us the Godhead known,
    and witness with the blood.
    'Tis thine the blood to apply
    and give us eyes to see,
    who did for every sinner die
    hath surely died for me.

  2. No one can truly say
    that Jesus is the Lord,
    unless thou take the veil away
    and breathe the living Word.
    Then, only then, we feel
    our interest in his blood,
    and cry with joy unspeakable,
    "Thou art my Lord, my God!"

  3. O that the world might know
    the all atoning Lamb!
    Spirit of faith, descend and show
    the virtue of his name;
    the grace which all may find,
    the saving power, impart,
    and testify to humankind,
    and speak in every heart.

  4. Inspire the living faith
    (which whosoe'er receive,
    the witness in themselves they have
    and consciously believe),
    the faith that conquers all,
    and doth the mountain move,
    and saves whoe'er on Jesus call,
    and perfects them in love.

REFLECTION:

I don’t quite remember the text of my first sermon, but the topic was love. I was a sophomore in college, and during the year, the school gathered the student body monthly for a school-wide assembly. Though I don’t remember the specific scripture I chose, I vividly recall the delivery—it was awful. In an attempt to connect with my peers, I focused more on my delivery than on the message itself. What I lacked in polish, I learned that day in humility. The topic was love, and while my words may have fallen flat, the truth of God’s call to love remains a lesson I’m still learning to this day.

Paul’s words in Romans 12:9-21 are a beautiful and challenging call to genuine love. He writes, “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good” (v. 9). This chapter of Romans is often referred to as a guide to Christian living, a blueprint for how we are called to love one another—not in an abstract or passive way, but with authenticity, commitment, and action. Paul reminds us that love is not about convenience; it is about perseverance. It means blessing those who persecute us, sharing with those in need, and seeking peace with all people. It’s love that refuses to be overcome by evil but instead chooses to overcome evil with good.

In the hymn “Jesus, United by Thy Grace”, Charles Wesley captures the heart of Paul’s message. Wesley’s words remind us that love flows not from our own strength, but from the grace of Christ and the Spirit’s power within us. Lines like “Inspire the living faith… and perfects them in love” remind us that it is the Spirit who equips us to live out the radical love that Paul describes. Love is not simply an ideal; it is a calling, a way of life empowered by the Spirit of faith.

Reflecting on both the hymn and Paul’s words, I am reminded of how often we fall short of this kind of love. But the beauty of the gospel is that God’s grace meets us in our failure and invites us to try again. The Spirit of faith breathes life into our imperfect efforts, helping us to see one another through the eyes of Christ and empowering us to love with His love.

So today, may we heed Paul’s challenge to let love be genuine. May we, like Wesley’s hymn, invite the Spirit to perfect us in love—not for our sake alone, but so that the world might know the love of God through us.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Fortify me with the grace of your Holy Spirit
and give your peace to my soul
that I may be free from all needless anxiety, solicitude, and worry.
Help me to desire always that which is pleasing and acceptable to you
so that your Will may be my will.
Grant that I may rid myself of all unholy desires
and that, for your lovI may remain obscure and unknown in this world, to be known only to   you.|Do not permit me to attribute to myself the good that you perform in me and through me, but rather, referring all honor to your Majesty, may I glory only in my infirmities,
so that renouncing sincerely all vainglory which comes from the world, I may aspire to that true and lasting glory which comes from you. Amen.

—Mother Cabrini (1850 - 1917)

WEEKLY PRACTICE: Jan 19 - 25 (Sun - Sat)

Petition: Asking For Needs and Desires in Prayer

Each day this week, take a moment to ask God for something that weighs on your heart and mind as you seek to engage life with the mind of Christ. It’s not always easy to focus on ourselves, and it may even feel selfish to ask for anything while being aware of the challenges others are facing—both around the world and next door. Yet, God chooses us, loves us, and invites us to ask freely and without hesitation. By faith, we trust that God not only hears and feels with us, but responds with the boundless love and grace that also abides within us. 

May you be filled with passion for whatever your heart desires and may that passion be fueled and inspired by God’s abiding love. Amen.
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