Morning Devotional 061626 Friends of Christ

Morning Devotional 061626

Passage selected from today’s Upper Room Verses

John 15:9-17

⁹ “As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. ¹² This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. ¹³ No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵ I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. ¹⁷ I give you these commandments so that you can love each other. 

Good Morning, Christ chooses us!

As someone who lacks much athletic ability, I found myself waiting to be chosen for a sports team in P.E. My only hope was if one of the Captains was my friend and would overlook my athletic prowess and revert to our friendship to guide their pick. 

Now, when I think about it, that had to be a tough decision for a young person. Do you choose someone to help your team win, or choose your friend? It takes a good friend to choose you despite your abilities.

Jesus chooses us. Despite our flaws and problems, or our complete inability to help the team, he chooses us. Not only does he choose us, but he gives us the support and gifts so that we may do so much more than we could ever imagine. Jesus understands that each of us has worth. I may strike out every time I come to bat, but maybe I am the one who can encourage the other batters to do their best. 

Jesus came to teach us to love one another and to share God’s love with all we meet. He also nurtured the gifts of the Spirit that reside within each of us, so that we can go and produce good fruit among all we meet. Jesus calls us his friends, and shares all that he has with us.  

God of Wind and Flame, you bless us abundantly! You sent your Son to teach us to love one another. We are thankful that you love us and choose us despite our flaws. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: Our friendships are gifts from God that I need to care for. 

Join in friendship and share God’s love! Pastor Liz