“Agape love is selfless love . . . the love God wants us to have isn’t just an emotion but a conscious act of the will—a deliberate decision on our part to put others ahead of ourselves. This is the kind of love God has for us.”~Billy Graham,

What motivates us as believers?  What is my main motive for all the good that I do? What distinguishes us from everyone else? Is what we believe what makes us different? The obvious answer is yes. But what we believe in and of itself does not set us apart from the world. If we want to see a visible and tangible difference, we have to turn to Jesus Christ because He is agape love. Agape love is a selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial form of love that is seen as the highest form of Christian love:

Agape marked Jesus’s life. It troubled the Pharisees and scribes, who couldn’t understand Jesus having a friendly relationship with sinners, actually going into their homes and eating with them. They tried to discredit Him. After all, why should a religious person waste his or her time on bad people? Doesn’t God love good people and hate bad people? They didn’t understand.

His love is not based on who you are, how you have behaved, your income level, what others think about you, or what promises you make to reform your life. It is not merely the fact that He loves us unconditionally that overwhelms us, but He will never stop loving us.  He loves you because He loves you – no strings attached. You may be someone everyone knows and respects, or you may be someone nobody knows. You could be someone who has never seen the inside of a church or attends church regularly. Regardless, He loves you.

In John 13:35, Jesus tells His disciples, “ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Jesus knows that our actions reveal our true beliefs and motivations, and He encourages His followers to live out their faith by loving one another well. Jesus understands that it doesn’t do any good to preach a gospel of grace but to have a critical spirit toward the people around us. Nor does it help people to tell them that God loves them but to ignore their various needs. We are called to truly show the love of Jesus to the people around us; by that, they will know we are followers of Jesus.

Agape love is God’s love for us and the love He asks us to show Him and others. Christian Agape love is about loving others because they are children of God like ourselves. This means we love a person despite his or her flaws or shortcomings. Agape love is about giving to others and sacrificing our time, energy, and resources for someone else without expecting anything in return.

Agape love is difficult and does not come naturally to most of us. We choose to serve others with humility without expecting anything in return. This type of love enables us to love the unlovable and serve people at their deepest need, whether they deserve it or not. It will not be easy. It requires us to set aside our desires and treat the needs of others as more important than our own. It requires a lot of patience, and we must treat people respectfully, even when they are difficult and unlovable. It requires us to serve others willingly and joyfully without complaining or resentment. It requires me to uplift someone even when I don’t think they deserve it. And doing that will require a great deal of motivation.

Discussion Questions:

1. Our purpose in loving others is to show people that we are His disciples, to be a picture of God’s love, and ultimately point people to God. What can we do today to show people an agape kind of love?

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper ), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:42-47.

Have you ever wondered how you could impact the communities around you? On the one hand, we believe we can, but on the other hand, many of us doubt that we have the potential to make any impact at all. We doubt our gifts and talents and question if they could ever be used for anything significant.

Reading the Bible reveals story after story of how God used flawed people to make an impact all throughout the pages of the Bible. If you struggle to believe that God can and will do the same in your life, you must remember that your gifts are from God. It’s not a matter of how great we are or if we’ve earned it. Remember God’s response when Moses doubted his ability to feed God’s people? “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true” (Numbers 11:23). God is working through you, so never underestimate the influence you can have or the ability to do what you didn’t think you could do.

Love is the tool for influence and impact. Not the kind of car you have, not the labels on your clothes and accessories. Not your income or job title. Jesus plainly tells us that if we love the people in our circle and the other people who love us, it will be plain and clear that we are followers of Jesus. The question is, do they know us for what we’re against? Or our politics. They know us by our rules. They know us by who we accept and don’t accept. To impact our community and the world, we need to be known for our love. Jesus wants to make sure we don’t love according to our definition but according to His definition.

This love isn’t just something that suddenly appears; we have it in our toolbox. It takes time and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit fills us with His love and then it begins to work in and through us. We become a work in progress. We’re going to be learning and growing, and He’s going to be manifesting Himself in us daily. When we love like Jesus, it changes our priorities, it changes our schedule. It changes our friendships and other relationships. That’s because Jesus changes and transforms our lives as we walk with Him. And love can transform the lives of others when we love like Jesus loved.

When you are available to someone else, that’s the love of Jesus, and it begins to transform you as you let Him work in and through you. That’s what Jesus does, and that’s what we should do.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your response to this quote? Love is transformative. Especially God’s love. How would you describe some ways that God’s love is transforming your life or has brought good changes?
2. Our purpose in loving others is to show people that we are His disciples, to be a picture of God’s love, and ultimately point people to God. Agree or disagree and why?

“Now, my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, since the Lord has kept you from murdering and taking vengeance into your own hands, let all your enemies and those who try to harm you be as cursed as Nabal is. And here is a present that I, your servant, have brought to you and your young men. Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord’s battles. And you have not done wrong throughout your entire life.” – 1 Samuel 25:26-28.

Over the last few weeks on Friday, we have been looking at various people from the Bible who are not that well-known but who provide an example, a model, for us of faith, trust, courage, perseverance, conviction, and so on. Such is the case with Abigail.

Often, life is not the easiest, but sometimes, the hardest part can bring out the best in people. Abigail’s life and Bible story are an example of this truth. Instead of feeling defeated in her circumstance, she acted courageously and used wisdom to avert a devastating scenario.

The story of Abigail is found in First Samuel 25. The Bible describes Abigail as being “a sensible and beautiful woman,” but her husband Nabel was “was crude and mean in all his dealings” ( 1 Samuel 25:3). The Bible tells us in chapter 25 that David and his 600 men had shown great kindness to Nabal and his workers. They had protected them when the servants had cared for their sheep out in the desert, and they were faithful to never take anything from them. At a time when dangers in the desert lurked all around, this was a huge blessing from David to Nabal and his family.

But when David sent his men to ask Nabal to show favor to them by sharing some of their provisions, Nabal responded by saying, “Who is this fellow David?” Basically, Nabal said, “No way am I going to share my provisions with these men.”

When David’s men returned and reported Nabal’s response to David, David became so angry that he took 400 of his men and set out to retaliate by destroying all of Nabal’s men. A servant of Nabal came to Abigail and told her how his master had insulted David and his men. Immediately, Abigail began to gather provisions for David’s men so she could take the provisions to David herself and apologize to David (vv. 14-20).

As Abigail approached these 400 men, David had just said in anger, “…he has repaid me evil for good.  May God strike me and kill me if even one man of his household is still alive tomorrow morning” (vv 21-22). That was the explosive scene Abigail rode into.

First, Abigail fell on her face before David and said, “…I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests….Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way” ( 1 Samuel 25:23-24).

Abigail’s humility silenced her enemy and completely changed David’s response. David even apologized to Abigail and thanked her for her words that restrained him from killing many innocent people in his anger (vv. 32-34). Then, David’s men received all the provisions she had provided.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the qualities of Abigail?
2. What can we learn from the story of Abigail?

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” – Psalm 46:1-3.

Once more, we stand by helplessly and see cataclysmic forces of nature wreaking havoc. We are used to highly active hurricane seasons in Florida, but two in so many weeks seems excessive. Part of Florida is still cleaning up from Helene and preparing for Milton simultaneously. Hurricanes not only bring pain, devastation, and death, they remind us just how out of control we are. We can’t redirect a hurricane, lessen the wind, or reduce the storm surge.  All we can do is prepare for the worst and pray for the best.

Hurricanes and other natural disasters often leave us grappling for control, but as Christians, we find solace in God’s sovereignty, knowing that our lives are in His capable hands.

In Psalm 46, verse 5 says that “God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it” (the city of God), and verse 7 declares that the “Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us.” No matter how bad things get, we can always count on His presence. The last part of verse 6 reminds us of God’s incredible power. When “God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!.” Jesus Christ is God and Lord of everything. Nothing has happened outside of his plan. Nothing ever leaves him bewildered or astonished. Nothing ever catches him by surprise.

As Christians, we need to pull together when life comes apart. One good thing that can emerge from times of trouble is extravagant compassion and care for our neighbors. We can respond to disasters by extending hands of help, offering prayers, and providing comfort to those in need.

Take the example of the early Christian community, as depicted in the book of Acts. When a great famine struck the entire Roman world, the believers in Antioch chose to send relief to their brothers living in Judea: “So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could”  (Acts 11:29). Their collective, compassionate response provides a blueprint for us today, teaching us that disaster response is not just about personal resilience but also community. We need each other.

We serve a God bigger than the biggest hurricane. It is a time to seek comfort in God’s presence, acknowledge His sovereignty, and bear one another’s burdens.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is it possible to have the serving mentality we demonstrate during hurricanes all year long?
2. How do we make a serving attitude our normal way of doing things?

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’” – Luke 10:33-35.

A man went to big cities and stood in a corner, looking up at the buildings around him. He just stood there, focused on a spot on one of the buildings. It didn’t take long before a group gathered around him, trying to see whatever he was trying to see. That’s when he would stop looking at the building and begin to watch the crowds. They had no idea why they were looking at the building, but as they looked, more people stopped to look at what they were looking at.

As Christians, we want to see what Jesus is seeing. We want to be so good at seeing what Jesus is seeing that others will stand around and wonder what we’re looking at. We want to allow Jesus to use our eyes and energies to address today’s world’s needs.

To see what Jesus is looking at, we need to slow down to see people. We need to do more than notice and acknowledge them. We need to be fully present so that you can truly see them. We don’t wait for problems to come to us. We actively search for those in need and work to address those needs even before being asked.

In Luke 19, we read the story of Zacchaeus. As a chief tax collector, Zacchaeus had his financial needs met. With so many people suffering from poverty and physical needs, why did Jesus choose to spend time in Zacchaeus’s home? Jesus saw past the exterior trappings of wealth, recognizing that Zacchaeus had a need only He could meet. Zacchaeus’s salvation became Jesus’ mission because even a wealthy tax collector needed to experience God’s love.

 Every day, we meet people whose needs are not always instantly recognizable. Not everyone climbs a tree to see us. Ask God to give you an open eye and listening ear.

The difference between helping when asked and taking initiative is not just a matter of being reactive versus proactive. It’s a fundamentally different way of seeing the needs of others.

If we pay attention to and actively seek ways to help others, we will become more aware of their needs.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can we better see the needs of people closest to us?
2. How might God want to use us to meet those needs?

“When I consider the cross of Christ, how can anything I do be called sacrifice? – Amy Carmichael.

At some time, every Christian has asked this question: Is serving God and others worth it? If you have been following Jesus for any amount of time, you have probably experienced moments of doubt, uncertainty, and maybe even anger at God. Maybe you have felt like the Psalmist who said, “But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked…surely in vain I have kept myself pure” (Psalm 73:2-3, 13), If that is you, you are not alone.

The Christian life requires sacrifice. Serving others demands you give up something. It might mean giving up time, attention, effort, a material resource, or all the above. So, if serving always involves sacrifice, why do it?

A familiar Bible passage gives us the answer. John 13:14-17 says, “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”

Jesus, who “existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him,  and nothing was created except through him. the eternal Creator of the universe”(John 1:1-3), shockingly lowered Himself to wash His followers’ feet.

Jesus is telling us that we are not to be above serving. Instead, we’re to follow His example. This certainly makes sense, given that Jesus tells His disciples on another occasion that “… the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many”  (Mark 10:45).

The Lord calls us to serve because it helps demonstrate to those around us what kind of Savior and Lord we follow. This can be encouraging to those who already know Him and revealing to those who don’t. After all, how do you usually react when you witness or benefit from someone’s example of service?

Following Jesus’s example is worth it. Jesus plainly says, “Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” We’re told repeatedly in the Bible that while following Jesus won’t always be easy, it will ultimately lead to our great benefit. It’s why, for example, Paul urges us, “… let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9).

And it’s the reason Jesus promises a hundred-fold return in our lives. As the old saying goes, God is no one’s debtor. In one way or another, He will always give us far more than we give Him. So serving results in both Jesus’s glory and our good.

At the end of the day, serving is worth it.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is living the Christian life worth it to you? Why?
2. How do you view making sacrifices for others?

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, but they have the heart. Unless someone like you cares an awful lot, nothing will get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss.

Most of us know how essential volunteers are to ensuring that our churches are as effective as they need to be. Volunteers serving in worship, education, community outreach, and events build a strong church and help serve the community’s needs.

It’s so easy to get into the mindset that serving God is a chore, our job, our duty, but it’s more than that. It is a reflection of God’s nature. Jesus showed generosity of spirit, kindness, forgiveness, and gentleness to those in need. His sacrifice on the cross was a singular, selfless act that gave us something more than we could ever deserve. He showed generosity of spirit, kindness, forgiveness, and gentleness to those in need. His sacrifice on the cross was a singular, selfless act that gave us something more than we could ever deserve, and I know it’s nothing I can ever repay. But, volunteering allows me to be as generous as possible with my time and gifting in an attempt to reflect that selflessness towards those around me.“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.… The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded” (John 10:11; 17-18).

In his letter to early Christians, Peter writes, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10).  God has given each of us who follow Him specific and unique gifts. Some of us have the gift of hospitality. We enjoy making people feel loved and welcomed. The church needs that. Some of us have the gift of teaching. The church needs that. Some of us have a gift for children’s ministry. The church needs that.

Paul admonishes the Romans to serve competently and authentically: “If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly” (Romans 12:7-8).

There is a place for everybody. It takes many people to keep a church running smoothly. Don’t ever think you are unnecessary because no one has asked you to help. Churches seldom have the capacity or organizational ability to actively scout out and communicate needs or to find the right people to serve in various ways.

Look at the opportunities based on your interests, availability, and skills.  Imagine how exciting it would be if we were a church of purposeful, passionate, and proactive people of God united around a shared vision of fulfilling God’s plans.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about volunteering? Do you think volunteering is an opportunity to use your skills, a joy, or a burden? 
2. How do you view volunteering in relation to Jesus? Do you feel that volunteering is a way to reflect Jesus’ selflessness? 
3. How can you get involved? What are some ways you can look for opportunities to serve?

“There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”  –  Acts 9:36-38

Over the last few weeks on Friday, we have been looking at various people from the Bible who are not that well-known, but who provide an example, a model, for us of faith, trust, courage, perseverance, and conviction. People that we can learn from. Such is the case with Tabitha.

Tabitha was a believer. She followed Jesus’s teachings about how to treat others. She made clothes for the widows and the poor. She always did good and helped those in need.

Then, suddenly, Tabitha got sick and died. Two men were sent to urge Peter to come to Joppa. Tabitha was placed upstairs in preparation for burial, and her friends and the widows were there mourning her passing. When Peter arrived, the women were crying, and they showed him the clothes Tabitha had made for them. Clearly, Tabitha was beloved in the community. She gave, expecting nothing in return.  She gave to those who could not pay or repay.  These were women who had no means of support for themselves, women who were overlooked, vulnerable women. She had clothed the widows.

Peter sent them all out of the room. He got on his knees and prayed. He turned to her and said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter called for all of them to come back, and he presented a living Tabitha to them. Her coming back to life became known throughout Joppa, and many more people believed in the Lord. In this story, we encounter a faithful believer who helped others and received God’s help when she needed it.

Throughout her life, Tabitha improved the lives of the people around her. She saw that someone had to help and that things needed to be done, so she stepped up and served others. Tabitha demonstrated tangible love for others by meeting their needs with the gifts she had. She made them clothing, and she cared for them.

As we seek to love others with God’s love, we might be tempted to overcomplicate things. Serving the community may seem overwhelming, but it isn’t. Tabitha teaches us that we love others by using our gifts for God’s glory, no matter what those gifts are. We may not be able to make clothes, but God has given us unique gifts that will bless others if we step out in faithfulness.

Discussion Questions:

1. Who has been a Tabitha in your life?
2. How might God be calling you to meet needs in your community?

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24

Motivation is the desire to act in service of a goal. It’s a crucial element in setting and attaining our objectives. Motivation is one of the driving forces behind human behavior. It fuels competition and sparks social connections. To become successful in your chosen career or business, you must decide to remain motivated. This is what differentiates one person from another. So, what motivates us as Christians?

Many begin motivated and galvanized to achieve their dreams, but as time goes on, their motivation fizzles out, especially as they encounter challenges. Without motivation, they are unable to achieve their goals.

When we begin something, we often have great determination and motivation. We have a goal set in our mind, and we pump ourselves up so much that we can see the finish line. Fast-forward a couple of weeks, and here comes that all-too-familiar lack of drive.

In Colossians 3, Paul tells the Christians in Colossae and us to work at whatever you are doing with all of your heart. In other words, our work and all of our activity should be done in a way, with a heart, with a goal of pleasing God. Our efforts as believers should come from a place of devotion to Jesus as an expression of a transformed heart.

Everything you do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. In other words, our motivation should be primarily to please and obey our Lord, Jesus Christ. We are to be motivated by living our lives in a way that glorifies God. We are to be loving, patient, and kind. We are not to rejoice in wrong but to rejoice in right. We are to work, talk, do, or serve out of love, mercy, and grace. We are to care for others with a servant’s heart. The needs of others outweigh ours as we care for the least, the lost, and the last.   

The preceding paragraph probably seems overwhelming or convicting, but that’s because none of us can persevere in our own strength. We constantly fall short of perfection. But God planned for our lack, and He’s not expecting us to get there in our strength. You’re loved, made new, and met God’s standards through Christ.

Since the beginning of humanity, every person in every generation has experienced moments when their motives are put to the test. Psalm 26:2 says, “Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.

One of the best ways to keep our motives pure is to ask God to show us why we do what we do. Because when we consider our motives before taking action, we are more likely to act in a way that honors Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

1. Where does motivation come from for you?
2. What motivates us to worship God in every aspect of our life?
3. How does the future motivate you?

 “I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. –  Romans 12:1-2 (AMP).

Have you ever tried to calculate how good a Christian you are? There will certainly be times when you don’t feel like a very good Christian, especially when you don’t feel like you read or study your Bible enough, or you don’t pray or have morning devotions as often as you like. And then there are those times when you lose your patience and say things you regret. If you feel that way, you are not alone.

Many people are wrestling with the “not feeling like a very good Christian.” They feel they haven’t done quite enough to please God genuinely.  If you begin praying for ten minutes a day, you feel that if you were committed, you’d be praying for thirty. If you’re reading one passage of Scripture a day, you feel a nagging notion that a whole chapter would be better. Wanting to do more and be better is one of the most common symptoms of the spiritual life.

The “I’m not a very good Christian” syndrome is not strictly a modern problem; Paul once wrote a letter to the church in Galatia full of people who felt these symptoms. They began to think God loved them less if they stopped keeping up with their commitments. If they faltered, their Christian lives were through. When Paul heard about it, he wrote a letter to the Galatians. “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? . . .  I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.” (Galatians 3:1–3, 4:11).

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be better. But what Paul is saying is that God did not adopt you as His children because you attended all the growth track sessions, prayed an hour every day, or memorized 50 key verses. All those are good, but you became a Christian by trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection. It depends on His Spirit, not your effort.

The difference is that you are trying to improve yourself from the outside to change what’s on the inside instead of allowing Jesus to change your thinking and character from the inside out.

It will be just as Paul said in Galatians 2:20: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever felt like you need to be a better Christian?
2. What did you do as a result?
3. What would God tell you in that situation?