Devotionals for September 7, 2022
Church-wide fasting begins today! Join us for a special prayer and worship event on Friday, September at 7:00pm. Childcare available.
READ
John 15:9-17 NLT
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:9-10 NLT
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:9-10 NLT
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
REFLECT
This week, we will read John 15:9-17 each day. And then look at a single section of verses to meditate on.
Right here in the middle, we finally get it. Not just the command TO DO IT, but what it is. What is the kind of love the God of love expects us to live out? To sacrifice yourself for the sake of others.
Nothing has defined the last American century as much as the rise of the individual. We’ve done our best to make love about self-elation, and self-promotion. If you really loved me, you would… There’s a big difference between a love that asks for a sacrifice from others, and a love that offers a sacrifice to others.
Right here in the middle, we finally get it. Not just the command TO DO IT, but what it is. What is the kind of love the God of love expects us to live out? To sacrifice yourself for the sake of others.
Nothing has defined the last American century as much as the rise of the individual. We’ve done our best to make love about self-elation, and self-promotion. If you really loved me, you would… There’s a big difference between a love that asks for a sacrifice from others, and a love that offers a sacrifice to others.
APPLY
Q: What is the commandment that God gives us? Write it out.
Q: How does the way you feel others love you, depend upon the way they treat you?
Q: How does the way other feel you love them, depend upon the way you treat them?
Q: How does the way you feel others love you, depend upon the way they treat you?
Q: How does the way other feel you love them, depend upon the way you treat them?
SING
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
Father, give us what we need today, provisionally and supernaturally. Not only the needs of life but also the needs of the spirit. Give us grace, wisdom, and understanding. Open our eyes to yours and allow us to know our needs for today through how you see the world. In your name, Amen.
Father, give us what we need today, provisionally and supernaturally. Not only the needs of life but also the needs of the spirit. Give us grace, wisdom, and understanding. Open our eyes to yours and allow us to know our needs for today through how you see the world. In your name, Amen.