Morning Devotional 112025 and the Greatest of These is Love

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

November 20, 2025 

John 15:12-17

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! Jesus opens all doors in love.

As a pastor, I am blessed and honored to share in some of the most intimate moments in the lives of my members and their families. When I officiate Weddings, Baptisms, Holy Communion, and Funerals, God works through me to create special bonds and facilitate the joining together of a couple, of a person with God, or birthing one of God’s own into eternal life. Each of these experiences opens doors into a liminal space, where I become the portal of God’s love. This sharing of love moves us beyond being with members to a deep, personal friendship as we share in life’s greatest moments.

This morning, I am preparing to send one of God’s children, one of my inherited family,  home. I feel her family's emotions as we prepare for this moment, and I know of the great love they share. As friends and family, we share the happiest moments, the challenges, and immense grief, but through Christ, God is with us, sharing in the laughter, the struggles, and the tears. 

When I read this passage this morning, I had one of those moments when my heart was warmed. No greater love can be shared between people than a willingness to give everything, your life, for the other person. This shift of language, where Jesus now considers His followers friends, not servants, is spiritually uplifting. As I continue to experience this warm feeling, I see and feel immense love, not love from a story long ago, but love here and now in this very moment. I imagine those sitting in the presence of Jesus weeping as they embrace the message. May your heart be warmed and your spirit lifted when you spend time with Jesus today. 

Lord, you bless us abundantly! Thank you for sending your son to bring us closer to You. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Open your heart and embrace Jesus’ friendship.

And the greatest of these is LOVE! Pastor Liz