Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
September 7, 2023
John 14:15-27
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever. 17 This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him because he lives with you and will be with you. 18 “I won’t leave you as orphans. I will come to you. 19 Soon, the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 On that day, you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” 22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot) asked, “Lord, why are you about to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered, “Whoever loves me will keep my word. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my word. The word that you hear isn’t mine. It is the word of the Father who sent me. 25 “I have spoken these things to you while I am with you. 26 The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you. 27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.
Good Morning. Don’t be troubled or afraid.
I love traveling around and discovering new things. When we have a companion traveling with us, you share common experiences about which you can talk later. You create joint memories. You can get together and say, “Remember the time when . . .” This is part of having a relationship with others. During our earthly walk, we are born into families with whom we share our basic foundation. We also make friends and gather acquaintances with whom we share parts of our lives.
Our strongest bonds happen among those who share a common challenge. During our times of adversity, we have to rely upon others when we become unexpectedly vulnerable. Painful blessings happen in these moments that bind us together for life. I think of war veterans who rarely share their stories because the pain is too deep for words. Even years later, when they are with a comrade who shared the experience, there is a connection that allows them to share in ways beyond words.
This is the relationship that we are given with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit knows our deepest worries and our happiest moments. When we reach a time where words cannot be spoken, the Holy Spirit speaks on our behalf and is our advocate with our Creator. When we embrace the Holy Spirit within us, we are never alone. When we walk through the darkest valleys or climb treacherous heights, the Holy Spirit is with us. Praise be to God!
Jesus says, 27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid. Amen
Loving God, We love you! We are not strong when we are alone. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be with us always. Thank you! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I always have a companion in the Holy Spirit.
God is always with us! Pastor Liz
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