The Time is NOW
SCRIPTURE: Romans 13:8-14 
Read the passage
BIO: My name is Melissa Clayton Hart. I grew up going to First Pres and some of my fondest memories are within my youth group years. My experiences at Great Escape, Fun in the Son, Jamaica & Southwind to name a few carved the path of my faith. I went to the University of Florida, married my college sweetheart, Terrence and now have 2 children, Brennen and Damon. I own a cookie bakery in College Park called Cookie Cousins and enjoy spending time with my family.
KEY VERSE: "Love your neighbor as yourself…the hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer than we had first believed…put on the armor of light."
CENTRAL TRUTH: The time is NOW to begin loving others as ourselves.
DEVOTIONAL: Jesus does not choose to love us one day and not the next. He loves us unconditionally and His desire is for us to love one another in the same manner. We hear it often to love our neighbor as ourselves and we teach our children to love their neighbor as themselves, but do we really follow His commandment? I can attest that it is so easy to get caught up in the rush of the day that we forget to love on those around us. I believe that God gives us opportunities to love one another much more than we often recognize. This verse challenges us to not let those opportunities pass us by. Don’t let another day go by when you wish you made that simple phone call to a friend or family member just to see how their day is going. God promises us salvation to those who believe and love like He loves. Be mindful of others, take their heart in your hand and treat it like Gold.
QUESTION 1: If you are anything like me, you have that one person in your life that you owe a phone call or visit to. You have a choice to let another day go by or you can pick up the phone or pay a visit to that person to let them know you care about them and love them.
QUESTION 2: Begin to notice the details. What I mean by this is to observe others and pay attention to the small details like names, stories, feelings, reactions, etc. Others feel loved when they feel like someone is listening and noticing.
QUESTION 3: Pray that God will give you the strength and courage to love others like He loves others. Ask Him show you and guide you in ways that are pleasing to Him. Remember that loving others is for His glory and not yours. Ask Him for sincerity and for a heart that is filled with love that is ready to share with others.