Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
August 1, 2024
John 15:9-13
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.
Good Morning! Jesus loves us!
Remember, Jesus loves us, and we are cherished and valued in His eyes! To use an outdated cliche, Jesus is beginning to sound like a broken record. Why does he insist on talking about love? After all, there is so much work to be done! Why doesn’t he just fix all the problems, and then life will be great?
Well, as Jesus would remind us, fixing everything requires us to start with loving everyone. I can’t think of any process that allows you to skip step one. Even when we try to outmaneuver the system, we end up back at the beginning to complete step one.
Jesus continues to teach and show us how to love one another because we have yet to master this foundational piece. We are in a hurry to achieve the result. In our frustration at being stuck at the beginning, we shout, “What’s love got to do with it?” Jesus smiles and says, “Love is everything. Love one another as I have loved you!”
Jesus isn’t some harsh taskmaster shouting and pushing us into submission. Jesus loves us and continues to show us the way forward. “My little children, love one another.”
Loving God, Thank you for creating us. We want to love others but then slip into judging those who look and sound different than us. Thank you for loving us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Today, let's remember this profound truth: Love is not just a feeling, it's the key to peace. Let's carry this thought with us throughout the day, inspiring us to love more and judge less.
Love one another! Pastor Liz
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