Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
December 16, 2021
Read John 14:15-26
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 words. 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.
Good Morning! Because I live, you will live too.
This morning I feel led to open my time with prayer. Lord, open my heart, soul, and mind that I allow the Holy Spirit to work within me, so that I may lead others to You. Amen
This passage is a great follow-up to yesterday’s reading. What does it mean to keep the word of Jesus? To keep the words of Jesus means that you love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and that you love others as yourself. When we intentionally keep the words of Jesus alive within us, we will then be ready to serve with joy and allow God’s love to exude through our very being.
Our lives are not without challenges, but regardless of the obstacles that we face, God is with us to shelter us and protect us. My heart is warmed when I read vs. 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. When we choose to keep the words of Jesus, we are never alone.
Creator God, Thank You for loving us. We often find ourselves in the midst of challenges. Help us to turn these worries over to you, so that we may find your peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: The Holy Spirit helps me bear the fruit of God’s word.
Keep God’s word! Pastor Liz
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