Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work." - John 4:3
Where do you find the strength to continue your service to the Father? Clearly, some things in which we invest our time prove futile. Still, others are worse than futile; they are depleting as well as useless. However, consciously doing what we do to honor the Father, to follow his will, enables us to experience his empowering presence (John 14:19-23).
Rather than leaving us depleted, we find new strength and vitality. Accomplishing the will of God and doing the work he created us to do (cf. Ephesians 2:10) blesses us as we bless others. That's why Jesus would reprimand the evil one with the truth that God's word nourishes more than bread (Matthew 4:1-4). So we need to ask ourselves today, "What do I need to obey? What will help me live in God's will for my life today?" Then as we do that, we too can rejoice in the nourishing presence and power of heaven.
1 Thessalonians 3:12
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
God is love. God is also the source of love. He pours love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). So how do we make our churches, our families, our small groups, and communities more loving? We pray for God to grow the love in those in groups, let them know that we are praying that prayer for them, then communicate and demonstrate our love to those very same groups.
Greatness
Greatness is not found in the person of position and power at the head of the table and receiving all the attention while being waited upon hand and foot.
Greatness is found in the one who is willing to do things like wash feet and who cares genuinely for others while facing difficult challenges himself or herself.
Love before Nightfall
When Judas left our table, John's words hauntingly state the truth with brutal finality: "So Judas took his piece of bread and departed into the night." I hope you never know the feeling of such heartbreaking nightfall. If you do, remember this: I know what it feels like, and I will help you through it if you will call out to Me!
Where do you find the strength to continue your service to the Father? Clearly, some things in which we invest our time prove futile. Still, others are worse than futile; they are depleting as well as useless. However, consciously doing what we do to honor the Father, to follow his will, enables us to experience his empowering presence (John 14:19-23).
Rather than leaving us depleted, we find new strength and vitality. Accomplishing the will of God and doing the work he created us to do (cf. Ephesians 2:10) blesses us as we bless others. That's why Jesus would reprimand the evil one with the truth that God's word nourishes more than bread (Matthew 4:1-4). So we need to ask ourselves today, "What do I need to obey? What will help me live in God's will for my life today?" Then as we do that, we too can rejoice in the nourishing presence and power of heaven.
1 Thessalonians 3:12
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
God is love. God is also the source of love. He pours love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). So how do we make our churches, our families, our small groups, and communities more loving? We pray for God to grow the love in those in groups, let them know that we are praying that prayer for them, then communicate and demonstrate our love to those very same groups.
Greatness
Greatness is not found in the person of position and power at the head of the table and receiving all the attention while being waited upon hand and foot.
Greatness is found in the one who is willing to do things like wash feet and who cares genuinely for others while facing difficult challenges himself or herself.
Love before Nightfall
When Judas left our table, John's words hauntingly state the truth with brutal finality: "So Judas took his piece of bread and departed into the night." I hope you never know the feeling of such heartbreaking nightfall. If you do, remember this: I know what it feels like, and I will help you through it if you will call out to Me!
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