Good Morning Resting in the Lord Worshipers! Oh what a beautiful morning! Oh what a beautiful day! We have an extra hour to worship God today! Woo Who! How does God want to bless you or others through you with that extra hour today?
Today we will not only discuss John 10 and 13 during worship, but this will also be a day to celebrate all the things God is doing in, through and around us. God is very active through us and our serving! PTL! What might you have to share today about how God has used you or us to be a blessing? What has God done in you that you want to thank Him for? What testimony has He given you to share with thanksgiving! Come! Let us adore Him! Let us celebrate with much thanksgiving today!
I had a wonderful time with the Lord this morning and I'm praying you all do as well. Did you notice the thread through our devotionals this morning. We are God's custom crafted masterpieces. We are forgiven much and given Christ's mind and Spirit to help us to renew our thinking and to understand and follow Jesus well. We are custom made for custom purposes. Those are to be done right where God has placed us just as we are right now. Those things help us grow into His greater purposes if we persevere and don't give up until He calls us home! PTL! We are custom made for custom purposes and enabled to go live sacrificially and love lavishly like Jesus for such a time as this, right where we are! How's God allowing that to play out through you? What thanksgivings and praises do you have to share that bring Him great glory? What fruit is budding, growing, maturing and being harvested in our branches today?
God is speaking! What's He saying to you? What are you doing about that? Who are you processing with? God has great plans for you and us! PTL! Let our lives be an act of worship that leads to much thanksgiving and glory to God! Amen
See you soon in person or on Zoom as we gather together to ask the Lord's blessings and celebrate Him and all He is doing as we enter His courts with praise! God, you are awesome! Thanks for loving and using us! Please continue Your good work in and through us until completion. Bring great fruit to maturity! Bring revival as that fruit is harvested! Thanks! And thank you for the great plans you are bringing alive as we step into our purposes more fully! Come! Amen!
TWFYT:
Upper Room: Bearing Fruit
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” - John 15:5 (NIV) (Note: we will be studying John 14 and 15 this week!)
About 45 years ago, my father planted a beautiful orchard for my husband and me. For several years, we enjoyed pies, jam, and abundant baskets of fruit to share with others. But as time has passed, we have retired, my father has passed away, and our busy lives have been filled with many responsibilities and physical challenges. Our orchard has gone to ruin and has not produced fruit in years.
One day when I was mowing in the orchard, I noticed the largest, most perfect pear I had ever seen lying on the ground beneath a pear tree that had been overtaken by an invasive plant. As I looked closer, I saw that the original pear tree was still alive at the center. I shared the pear with my family.
This pear reminded me of the love of my father who planted the tree and the love of my heavenly Father who sends me encouragement when I feel choked by the burdens of aging, illness, and worry. It reminded me to persevere. I thank God that my father shared his faith with me and that my heavenly Father continues to guide me through life. I am encouraged to bear fruit by offering love to those around me.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Merciful God, we praise you for the everyday miracles you give us to remind us to persevere and to share our faith with others. Amen.
ODB:
Welcomed Home by God
What great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1
READ 1 John 3:1–3
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After Sherman Smith recruited Deland McCullough to play American football for Miami University, he grew to love him and became the father Deland never had. Deland had great admiration for Sherman and aimed to become the man he was. Decades later, when Deland tracked down his birth mom, she shocked him with the news, “Your father’s name is Sherman Smith.” Yes, that Sherman Smith. Coach Smith was stunned to learn he had a son, and Deland was stunned that his father figure was literally his father!
The next time they met, Sherman hugged Deland and said, “My son.” Deland had never heard that from a father. He knew Sherman “was saying it from a place of ‘I’m proud. This is my son,’ ” and he was overwhelmed.
We too should be overwhelmed by the perfect love of our heavenly Father. John writes, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). We’re as dumbfounded as Deland, who didn’t dare think someone like Sherman could be his dad. Is it really true? John insists, yes, “that is what we are!” (v. 1).
If you believe in Jesus, His Father is also your dad. You may feel orphaned, alone in the world. But the truth is, you have a Father—the only perfect One—and He’s proud to call you His child.
By Mike Wittmer
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What does it mean to you that you’ve been chosen to be God’s child? Who can you show love to as a mentor?
Thank You, Father, for being my dad. Help me live as Your child.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The gospel of John; 1, 2, and 3 John; and Revelation were all written by John, who called himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 21:20). As one of the Twelve, he was part of Christ’s inner circle, which included his brother James and Peter. They witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–8) and the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:49–56). And they were nearby in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–38).
Christ’s love motivated John and is a central theme of his writings. We see this clearly stated in 1 John: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (3:1) and “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us” (v. 16). The magnitude of God’s love and how we’re called to love in response is a key theme of 1 John 4:7–21.
Alyson Kieda |
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Charles Stanley:
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