Weekly Devotions - June 17, 2024

Day 1: Obedience as an Expression of Love
True love for Jesus is demonstrated through obedience to His teachings. This obedience is not about mere feelings but involves active, consistent actions that align with His will, even when life is challenging. Jesus made it clear in John 14:15-21 that loving Him means obeying His commands. This is not always easy, especially when our desires conflict with His commands. However, our love for Jesus should compel us to follow His teachings, just as the couple in the story persevered in training their puppy out of love. Our obedience is a tangible expression of our love for Jesus, showing that we prioritize His will over our own.



John 14:15-16 (ESV): "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever."

Reflection: What is one specific command of Jesus that you find challenging to obey? How can you take a concrete step today to align your actions with this command?


Day 2: The Empowering Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is our helper and guide, empowering us to love and obey Jesus. Without the Holy Spirit, our efforts to follow Jesus would be in vain. The Spirit provides the strength and wisdom needed to live out Jesus' commands. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us, making it possible to live out His commands. This divine assistance is crucial because our human strength is insufficient for the spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit not only helps us understand Jesus' teachings but also gives us the power to implement them in our daily lives.



John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength? Spend a few moments in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to empower you in these specific areas.


Day 3: Experiencing God's Special Love
While God loves all His creation, there is a special, intimate love reserved for those who love and obey Jesus. This transforms our relationship with God from being mere creations to being His beloved children. This divine love is not just a general love for all creation but a special, intimate love for those who follow Jesus. This relationship transforms us from mere creations to beloved children of God. Experiencing this special love requires us to actively love and obey Jesus, which in turn deepens our relationship with the Father.



1 John 3:1 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."

Reflection: How have you experienced God's special love in your life? Reflect on a specific instance where you felt God's intimate love and how it impacted your relationship with Him.


Day 4: The Importance of Community and Support
We need each other for encouragement, gratitude, and love. The Holy Spirit and our church community are essential in helping us live out our faith and obedience to Jesus. Being part of a community provides the support and accountability we need to stay faithful to Jesus' teachings. Our church family can offer encouragement, share wisdom, and help us grow in our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit works through our community to strengthen our faith and guide us in our walk with Jesus.



Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to for support and encouragement this week? How can you also be a source of encouragement to someone else in your community?


Day 5: The Challenge of Obedience
Obedience to Jesus can be difficult, especially when our desires conflict with His commands. However, through the Holy Spirit and a deep understanding of Jesus' love for us, we can find the strength to obey and live out His teachings. The struggle with obedience is a common experience for all believers, but it is through this struggle that we grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with Jesus. By relying on the Holy Spirit and remembering Jesus' love for us, we can overcome the challenges and remain faithful to His commands.

[47:16]

Romans 7:18-19 (ESV): "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?