Scripture: John 13.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

John 13:34-35 (NLT)

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

35
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

During His ministry here on earth Jesus showed love in so many ways for people. In this particular chapter Jesus showed His love for His disciples in several ways, including the intimate time that He spent with them at the last supper. Although He knew what would happen with Judas betraying Him, yet He loved him anyway. Although He knew that Peter loved Him an awful lot, He knew that Peter could not withstand the temptation that would confront Him with being recognized as a follower and pinpointed to the extent that his life was possibly threatened, yet Jesus loved Peter anyway. This reminds me of our situation today where I know that Jesus must look on us with disappointment about all that we could be doing for the enrichment of His kingdom, yet we selfishly look for personal satisfaction and happiness in every other aspect of life, rather than sacrificing ourselves for the good of the kingdom. Praise be to God though, that this lesson teaches me that God will not give up on His children for He loves us anyway. Oh that I may have that kind of love – a forgiving spirit and a love that outlives and outweighs all the hurt and bitterness that could possibly come against me. In fact, it is incumbent that I follow Jesus commandment to love one another just as He loved me, so that I may show evidence that I am one of Jesus’ disciples. Friend, I pray that as you read this devotional today that you may join me in this commitment to show proof daily that we are His followers and we can be counted on as one of His disciples.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I know that this is a tall order today, but I know that it is possible, because You commanded it of us, and You have assured us in Your Word that You will never put more on us than we are able to bear, or accomplish. So this day, I pray that You will give me the boldness to show love for the unlovable, or those that may treat me in less than a loving way. Help me to prove that I am Your disciple following Your practice of loving those that I come in contact with, not just those that show their love for me. Thank You for loving me this much and for showing me the way to love those around me.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
ß