I want YOU to join the Revolution

Welcome back! Let's get right into prayer so we can share how God is working in us through this bible study.

Father, we are so thankful for your Living Word. What a delight it is to read the same passage on different days, and get a fresh insight each time. Open our minds to understand what you would have us know, Lord, and soften our hearts so we can be molded with your love into willing, obedient, love warriors! In Jesus' name, amen.

Are you beginning to sense God's desire to equip you to be an ambassador in His love revolution? I am. What opportunities have you discovered in order to make love an action:
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If you helped someone with the goal of simply showing them kindness, I can bet you got the same giddy, happy, sensation of joy after doing so, as I do. Am I right? If you are still struggling, pray now for God to release an attitude (or spirit) of love in you today. Ask Him to reveal anything blocking or hindering that spirit.

The workbook on which I am basing this study, The Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, by Joyce Meyer, points us to 2 Corinthians 5:20. Read it now.

In this passage, God tells us we are his a_________________s, and that He uses us to make His appeal to the rest of the world. When you see someone poor, diseased, homeless, or in need, do you have an instant desire to help, or do you look the other way? Be honest.

Joyce Meyer has found that common attitudes toward the needy are disdain, fear, or misunderstanding. We may feel their condition has been brought upon by themselves due to sinfulness, laziness, or inferiority. I'll admit I have a hard time watching those commercials showing emaciated, fly-ridden, dirt-encrusted children, without changing the channel, not because I have no compassion, but because beyond sending a small donation each month, I can't do anything to help them. It's overwhelming and depressing to watch. Can any of you relate to what I'm saying?

How do you feel when you see people near the freeway with signs asking for food, or walking down the street in dirty rags, pushing a shopping cart? Share a comment if you'd like, or write it down for yourself:
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In what ways do you insulate yourself from the poor?
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How is God leading you to let down some of those defenses and attitudes and reach out?
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In what ways have you been challenged during this study?
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What are some truths you now believe about love, even when people don't seem like us, or worth helping?
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What are some actions you will take this week with this new truth?
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When I finished this section, I committed myself to writing this bible study. I also choose two places to give financially in addition to my church, with a small monthly donation, and did so. (Your gift of love does not have to be financial, these were two ministries I felt called to be involved in.)

If you've committed to see hurting people as worth showing kindness and love, then you have joined the Love Revolution! Let's proclaim together this prayer from The Revolution:

"God, I've made my decision to become a love revolutionary! I look to you to help me sustain it. I'm finished with business as usual. I'm finished with church as usual. I'm finished with being just a 'normal,' quiet, complacent Christian. I'm going to start my own personal revolution. God, I want You to turn my world upside down, and every day of my life, I want to make a difference for somebody else. By Your grace, mercy, power, and wisdom, things are going to change in the way I live my life! God, help me to really learn what love is and to begin to love other people the way You love them, Lord. I take up The Love Revolution creed and ask You to bring it to pass in my daily life:

I take up compassion and surrender my excuses. I stand against injustice and commit to live out simple acts of God's love. I refuse to do nothing. This is my resolve. I am the Love Revolution. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name!"

May God bless this start you've made, love, Karen